Agenda 09/23/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 26, 2008 Tammy Davis Doug Huston Jim Minter Community Development Public Works Police Department 5 30 25 Council recognized personnel involved in the Martinsville City Fire & EMS Department being upgraded by the Insurance Service Office (ISO) from a rating of Class 5 to Class 4. Fire Chief Kenneth Draper briefed Council on the efforts of all those involved in making the Fire Department's new classification possible including: Water Resources Director, John Dyches, 911 Communications Center Director Wes Ashley and Operation Supervisor J. R. Powell, Kris Shrader and Andy Powers from the Martinsville Fire Department. Chief Draper also pointed out this has been an ongoing project over several years and gave credit to all fire personnel as well as the two previous fire chiefs, Jerry Brock and Clarence Monday. Mayor Lawson praised the Fire Department for this outstanding achievement noting this will be another useful economic development tool as it will lower commercial fire insurance rates. The agenda item on the Martinsville-Henry County Rescue Squad update will be moved to the September 23,2008 Council meeting. Mayor Lawson opened the public hearing for public comment to abandon the eastern portion of an alley off Geter Street, being approximately 10 feet in width and 148 feet in length, located south of East Church Street as shown on Tax Map 36 of the City of Martinsville. There being no public comments, Mayor Lawson closed the public hearing. On a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Kimble Reynolds, Council approved on first reading, an ordinance to approve the abandonment as previously described, with the following recorded vote: Mrs. Lawson, aye; Mr. Reynolds, aye; Mr. Teague, aye; Mr. Stroud, aye; and Mr. Turner, aye. Council agreed to set a public hearing for September 23 to amend Section VII. General Sign Regulations, Paragraph K. Temporary display, of the Zoning Ordinance, to allow a temporary sign to be displayed for sixty continuous days. Council member Turner asked that Mr. Knox email Council members examples of temporary signs that will be affected by the ordinance. Mr. Turner also inquired as to city policy on political signs and Mr. Knox reported they cannot be on the right of way nor obstruct areas of city work such as mowing, etc. He also stated the 30 day rule does not apply to political signs. Sign design is not addressed by the ordinance.