Albany City Council held a busier than usual regular meeting last Tuesday evening, May 3 with four of six members present. The meeting lasted just over an hour and included a brief closed session as well as council members beginning the process of reviewing the proposed $3.75 million plus budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

The council first heard updates on ongoing projects by engineers from Monarch, and during that presentation, a local resident addressed the council about a complaint he had pertaining to the water line project from the industrial park to near the Wayne County line–which David Bowles of Monarch reported was now 97 percent complete.

Greg Flowers, who lives on North Hwy. 90, about a half mile east of the industrial park, showed photographs of his yard which had been disrupted and bulldozed by construction workers installing the new lines. Apparently a couple of council members had also viewed the property first hand prior to the meeting.

Bowles said that the resident’s issue may be with the Department of Highways, who have to lay out the right-of-way areas where the lines can be laid, but added that all properties that were disturbed had to be restored to their original state.

He also said that in most construction cases, that repair work isn’t done until a project is completed and said the construction company would not be fully paid until all properties that are disturbed are restored.

Flowers questioned why the work had been done that far onto his property in the first place and added that it was done in early February, some three months prior to last week’s meeting.

Mayor Nicky Smith and the engineers assured Flowers that they would repair the damage to the property just as soon as weather permits them to do so.

Bowles also reported on the utility relocation phases pertaining to the Albany Bypass. The second phase of work, from the radio station southward to Hwy. 969 should be let for bids soon. Also, plans for the third and apparent final phase from the Hwy. 969 point to the Tennessee state line have been approved by the Department of Transportation and utilities in that area will need to be relocated by the spring of 2012.

A resident who owns property around the hospital and East Cumberland Street areas near the pump station also addressed the court about a water run-off problem that apparently floods the property and also causes debris to gather in the area.

This problem, it was noted, has been ongoing for years and apparently due to the geographical terrain of the region from downtown Albany.

Although no official action was taken, Monarch Engineers agreed to go with the mayor and possibly some council members to view the situation and determine if anything can be done to alleviate the flooding problems in that area.

The council was then presented its first look at the proposed 2011-12 budget, which is slightly above the current years amount and tighter even than in year’s past.

The budget as proposed for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1 totals $3,750,901.

Mayor Smith said the increases in the budget were caused primarily to higher employee insurance rates, and fuel and utility costs.

Councilman Tony Delk asked the mayor if the city could afford a two percent increase in pay for the approximate 37 to 38 city employees. Mayor Smith indicated that employees currently have good benefits, including health insurance, retirement plan, etc. and indicated the city couldn’t withstand an increase in salaries at this time.

Council members will take the budget under review and consider any recommended changes prior to holding a first reading in the coming weeks.

The council then, via resolution, authorized the mayor to sign a waiver pertaining to Gasco, the city’s former natural gas supplier. The waiver basically relieves both entities of financial liability, as the company, who was in debt and behind on franchise payments to the city, filed bankruptcy recently. The waiver will be filed as part of the bankruptcy proceeding, according to city legal advisor Norb Sohm.

A new company has recently taken over the natural gas franchise and have begun their own billing process for the customers–both residential and business–in the Albany area.

The council then entered in a 15-minute closed session to discuss the possible abolishment of a city position.

Upon returning to open session, a motion was made by Delk to do away with one position in the street department, due to financial conditions and to save the city money. The motion passed by a 4-0 vote.

In another possible cost saving measure, only to be used if necessary, pertained to employee furlough days.

Following a recommendation by Mayor Smith, Councilman Frankie Stockton made a motion to approve a resolution allowing the mayor to furlough employees up to five days per year–only if financially necessary. The motion also passed by unanimous vote.

Councilwoman Tonya Thrasher stressed that the measures the city were taking to save money was the result of the economic conditions nationwide. She said that state and now local governments are facing adverse financial conditions, forcing some tough decisions to be made.

In a measure the city hopes will help increase revenues and at the same time expand the city boundaries was approved on first reading, that being an ordinance relating to water service and consent annexation.

The ordinance basically targets any new residence and especially business that has property connecting to the city limits from the bypass areas within the city.

The ordinance reads in part that “All property owners outside of the City Limits, whose property joins the City Limits, requesting water services from the Albany Municipal Water Works shall first execute a written consent to be annexed into the City Limits…”

Mayor Smith noted that at some point along the bypass route, including the areas that will be in the city limits, will see some major improvements. “We are basically asking people who get water service to be part of the city,” he added.

The ordinance does not affect any current residence or business and will not affect anyone not outside the existing city limit area (anywhere in the county). And, should people use wells instead of needing water service, those people wouldn’t be affected.

The property would include any land on the bypass that is adjoining the city limits and would help expand the city’s size and revenue base. “The city can grow and everyone can get (city) services,” the mayor said.

Those services, other than water, would include fire and police department services and patrol, among others.

A motion by Councilman Delk to approve first reading of the water service and consent annexation ordinance passed unanimously.

Prior to adjourning, Delk mentioned the need for repairs to the city maintenance building and Thrasher reminded council members that next month, Clarissa Hart from the Lake Cumberland Area Development District would be in Albany to conduct a ‘walk-around’ the downtown square area to assess the city for possible improvements that could be made if funds were to be available.

The next regular meeting of Albany City Council is scheduled for June 7 at 5 p.m. at city hall and is open to the general public.