The Mount Vernon City Council met last week to review several legal items, including the use of the county option income tax fund and the council procedures ordinance.

Mayor Rosemary Knowles said the first item on the Legal portion of the agenda is the first reading of the Ordinance of Additional Appropriations in the COIT Fund.

She reminded council members this is the fund from which the employees’ portions of insurance will be paid, as they had approved in December. She stated this ordinance is now appropriating that money.

Clerk-Treasurer Cristi Wolfe added that amount needs to be changed. When the ordinance was first drafted in December she was not aware of the amount that would be needed.

She said she received the first check the day of the meeting for about $17,500.

She then recommends the amount be changed to $170,000 in order to not have another additional appropriation ordinance in the future.

The council then voted to approve of the Morley Settlement, on behalf of the city.

The council members accepted the agreement for legal services from McFadin-Higgins and Folz for 2007.

Attorney Higgins asked that Comm. Epison not repaint Main Street until the ordinance passes.

Knowles then opened the possible first reading on the Ordinance on Council Procedures.

She then said she and attorney Scott Funkhouser chuckled when they received this at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and the ordinance states items should be to the Clerk-Treasurer by noon on Thursday.

Council attorney Beth McFadin-Higgins replied that is why it is listed on the agenda as possible first reading, depending on when it went out.

She stated the council has had a draft copy of this for a couple of months and asked that they now get back with her on any comments or questions. She added she will get Clerk-Treasurer Wolfe a clean copy.

Knowles said she and Funkhouser had not seen this until 4:30 p.m. on Friday and they also noticed that letter G is missing. They do have some questions about it.

Councilman Bill Curtis said they should table the matter until the next meeting.

Knowles added she also has an issue with the second item, the Mayor ordering the removal of a disruptive person during meetings, she did not request that.

She also stated they need to be really specific on anticipated fiscal impact and what they are requiring. She added that she always knows with the impact is going to be.

Funkhouser said he believes she is asking for a definition of that, and does it apply to every ordinance.

He then stated getting ordinances and things to Clerk-Treasurer Wolfe by noon Thursday really eliminates nothing, it does not fix the communication problem.

Higgins replied the main intent is to have everything all in one area, in one packet and she is the public office for that.

Knowles said it still will not clear up the communication issue.

Attorney Higgins added that also, if department heads need the information, it would be at the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office.

Funkhouser asked if they are cutting their hands off then by giving the information to Clerk-Treasurer Wolfe. He stated any of his items he copies attorney Higgins and Clerk-Treasurer Wolfe.

He added now, if he just gets it to the Clerk-Treasurer and she disperses it and it just doesn’t feel like to him that will solve the problem.

Councilman Curtis said all he is asking is that he receives information before Monday. He added he assumed it would be given to the Clerk-Treasurer, and she would then send it in the packets along with their agenda and minutes.

Attorney Funkhouser again stated they are still going to have the same problem if Clerk-Treasurer Wolfe gives something out on Mondays.

Councilman Curtis agreed, "There needs to be communication on both sides. And I thought just a few minutes ago, we had decided not to discuss this at this meeting. We should table this and go on. Wait until the next meeting."

Councilman John Tucker replied anytime anyone wants anything like that. it is public record they only how to ask for it.

Councilman Terry Cooper was elected Mayor Pro Tem, the case of the mayor’s absence.

Street Commissioner Brandon Epison said he has received the modification to the angle parking ordinance and once the weather permits that change will be made.