In the regular scheduled meeting held on November 4, Parsons City Council stated the public needs to be aware of a change in traffic patterns on First Street. This change affects First Street from Main St. to the First United Methodist Church. Signs are being installed and from now on, this portion of First Street will be One Way. Traffic will only be allowed downhill from the church to Main Street.
So please keep in mind, no more right turns off of Main to go up the hill.
Parsons City Council voted unanimously to hire John “Red” Lipscomb as its new Chief Water and Wastewater Operator at a rate of pay of $18 per hour with a 90 day probationary period, to begin on January 1, 2014. This hiring comes as a result of council’s accepting the retirement of the present chief operator, Franklin L. White, which will be effective on December 31, 2013. Council accepted White’s resignation with regret and lauded the work and improvements he has been apart of over the years. Mr. White has told council that he will be available for assistance to the new operator if needed.
City Administrator, Jason Myers stated that they have two parties interested in the space formerly occupied by the county magistrate offices. He and Mayor Judy emphasized the need to have the elevator repaired. “It has a faulty valve that does not allow it to fully rise to the second floor” Myers explained. Council agreed to have the repairs made to the elevator in the municipal building, with hopes of securing a tenant.
Mary Moore attended the meeting to express her concerns over the water that is stagnating on Davis Street and is causing swamp like conditions between the paved roadway and the sidewalk. Council assured Mrs. Moore that remedies for the situation were being looked into.
In new business, council adopted a wage and salary schedule, which outlines the pay an employee will receive based on years of service with the city. They further approved a lease agreement between Daniel I. Williams and Connie Harvey and the City pending some changes in the wording of the lease. Council also agreed to extend Richard Stone’s employment through November 30, 2013 and approved the park board’s proposed pay increases for Stone and Isaac Parsons.
Councilman Pete Roy wanted to commend the job done by the employees of the public works department for their paving of the city streets. Citizens joined Roy in expressing their appreciation. All council members stated their appreciation for all the hard working city employees.
The next meeting of the Parsons City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 in the Council Chambers of the Charles W. (Bill) Rosenau Municipal Building located on Second Street. If you have an item you would like on the agenda, please contact Parsons Business Office at (304) 478-2311.
