Providence Council hears plea from Fire Chief

By CHARLIE HUST

Providence City Council meeting Monday night was routine with the passage of two ordinances along with a plea from Fire Department Chief Brad Curry for participation in an upcoming volunteer fireman recruitment drive.

Second reading of an ordinance regulating bucket brigades and charitable solicitations within the city limits was held and passed. The ordinance deals with general safety of such activities on the local roadways as well as dealing with numerous complaints about door-to-door solicitations on private property and business.

The measures ensures that all individuals, groups or organizations must file for a request 10 days prior to solicitation date in order to obtain a permit. All individuals will be required to wear some type of identification during the solicitation. For-profit solicitation will require a $5 fee.

The measured passed with a 4-0 vote (Councilwomen Shannon Layton and Dolores Overby were absent from the meeting).

The Council also heard second reading of the ad valorem property tax rates ordinance, setting tax rates for 2013. The passage was mere formality according to Mayor Gooch.

“We have to do this each year before we send out tax bills. This is the same ordinance that dates back to 1986, with no changes,” Gooch added.

Tax rates for 2013 are 50 cents per $100 assessed valuation of real property and personal property, with the exception of business inventory.

The measure passed with a unanimous vote.

Brad Curry then addressed the council concerning an upcoming volunteer fireman recruitment drive meeting that will be held Oct. 17 at the council chambers. This is the second of such meetings and Curry emphasized that volunteers are greatly needed and this is a tremendous opportunity for someone to begin a new career.

“We’re looking for good people who physically capable and I know there are people out there who would like to serve their community. I know this is a community that can take care of its own,” Curry stated. “There are tuition programs as well as state fire and rescue training available for someone who might be looking for a new career. Opportunities to become an EMT or Paramedic have never been better ... careers that can pay $24 an hour ... and the first step is becoming a volunteer.”

Curry encouraged the council to spread the word about the meeting and the benefits that are possible for both the city and individual.

“I can’t believe there’s not people in our community who are not civic-minded and don’t want to do this. Plus right now is an especially good time to begin the steps for this type of training because of the grant money that’s available. This meeting is the first step in creating an opportunity for someone,” Curry concluded.

In other business, Councilman Doug Hammers asked about the clean up policy for the community center. He explained that at a recent function hosted by his family, they had to pick-up and carry out trash that remained from a previous get-together.

“Do we have a policy about a deposit or cleaning fee,” he asked. “It’s very aggravating to have to pick up garbage and trash before you every use it (center).”

“Yes, a $25 fee to use the facility but we don’t have cleanup fee. We have a contract with a gentleman who cleans up the facility after each use,” Mayor Gooch explained. “Most people do a pretty good job of cleaning it up afterwards but there are times when it’s left in a mess.”

It was also noted that the fire department personnel clean the surrounding area several times a week. But Chief Curry noted that a more secure area to store the trash was needed.

“Animals and varmints get into the trash cans all the time and that creates a real mess for us to have to pick up. I would like to see an area construction behind the center that would be enclosed to store the trash until pickup,” Curry added.

Gooch said he was welcomed to the idea of requiring a refundable deposit for the center, that would be returned once after an clean-up inspection was made. He asked Hammers and City Clerk Kay Travis to discuss the matter and devise a possible solution.

Councilman Keith Farrell informed the council that the annual Toys for Tots fund-raising drive would kickoff this weekend with the barbecue at Sureway parking lot.

Farrell also requested that the city contact Time Warner about information concerning cable television packages.

“I know we’re a year away from renewing a contract, but I’d like to get some information and get out ahead of this. We might want to do some negotiating and I don’t want to be rushed (to make a decision) once that time comes,” Farrell stated.

He asked if City Clerk Travis could request information concerning tier packages and their costs, complete channel lineups as well as the amount of subscribers currently using the cable service.

In final business, Mayor Gooch invited everyone to the Uptown Fall Festival planned for Saturday. The event is hosted by the Providence Tourism Commission. The event begins at 10 a.m. and continues through the early evening hours.

“I know they’ve worked extremely hard on this project and there should be something for everyone to enjoy,” Gooch stated. “The weather looks great and I think it will be an outstanding event for city.”