1  CITY OF WHIGHAM COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 12, 2024  The Whigham City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at' Whigham City Hall with Mayor Trey Gainous presiding. Gainous called the meeting to order at 6:00P.M. and Robert Porter Those present were: Mayor Trey Gainous, Mayor Pro Tem. Jim Sellers, Joel Singletary, Andrew Walden, and Robert Porter. Employees present were: Utilities Director. Josh Ausburn, Police Chief Tony Black and City Clerk Rachel. Jenson. Members of1 the public present: Mrs.. Jane Trulock, Ms.. Judy Sullivan, Mr.  opened the meeting with a prayer and led the Pledge to the Flag.  Wallace Chason, Eric Walden and Margie Eubanks.  Agenda Adoption  AI motion was made by Robert Porter to adopt the agenda. Jim Sellers seconded the motion. All  members present voted int favor of the motion. Motion carried.  Minutes Adoption  Ar motion was made by Jim Sellers to adopt the minutes from the February: 13th meeting. Robert Porter seconded the motion. All members present voted ini favor of the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Wallace Chason addressed the Council stating that the community is concerned about the danger of parking on the side of 84 and the lack of parking for downtown overall. Chason addressed the property located behind Bonds, 114 Depot St., isi in bad shape and he and other members oft the community feel the property would be a good option for parking. Tearing down the house would take care oft the eyesore the house is and create a much-needed parking lot. A petition has been signed by several residents to encourage the City to obtain the property. This petition was turned over to the City Clerk Judy Sullivan contributed that she agreed with Mr. Chason, and it would be best to create something Jane Trulock stated the petition signed by concerned citizens to obtain ownership of the property. Trulock also stated the trash on the sides oft the streets was increasing and inquired if signs could be placed about this. Sullivan added that the off-season of mowing was worse for the trash. Eubanks also added that Cemetery Street was a bad place fori trash, even with the signs posted. She stated that she has witnessed people littering while she was walking. Ausburn stated that even with: signs posted, they were ignored. Chief Black told Eubanks that if she would report the littering, something could be done Sullivan alsoi inquired with Chief Blacki if there was al leash law for dogs. Chief Black stated that there was an ordinance for animals running at large, but there was no leash law technically. Chief Black also stated that if the incident would be reported at the time of the incident, it could be addressed at that time. Utilities Director Ausburn stated the jail building had been taken down, the Brinson building was in the process of being taken down, all water meters with the exception of one had been changed out and  Public Participation  and will be recorded with the minutes that are: signed.  useful there.  right then.  Reports  Cityo ofWhigham Council Meetings March: 12, 2024    2  Connexon was coming.  Mayor Trulock and City Clerk. Jenson reminded the Council that the ECG Visioning meeting would be Mayor Trulock also told the Council that the Volunteer group was getting a list together ofi ideas for the park fort the ECG meeting and they would be meeting on March 27th at 5:00 PM and any Councilman Sellers stated that Mr. White with the bell system has inquired about the update on the bell tower. Gainous stated that we were waiting to get a park plan chosen for placement of the tower. Ausburn stated that ideally it would be easier if the bell were to be placed in either the back ort the front, for Jane Trulock stated the WVCC wanted to repaint the fire hydrants and wanted to know if they could be tested and cleaned before this was done. Ausburn stated that they would work on that.  April 11, 20241 from 2:00-5:30 at the Masonic Lodge.  would be welcome to attend.  access reasons.  Council Matters of Interest  Sellers inquired about the outcome of the court case for the unclean lot on Christopher. Ave. Chief responded that the. Judge gave Mr. Hester until the. July court to have his lot cleaned up and a fence put up. He stated how Mr. Hester reported the AC units worked and had been repossessed, the. Judge was fine with the lumber stacked neatly and the junk and the vehicles needed to be removed. Sullivan and Eubanks commented on yard nuisances around the City and Eubanks inquired about "year round yard sales" and yard sales in general. Ausburn stated he was concerned with the right of way being blocked by the vehicles and junk. Mayor Gainous stated we might need to check with Charlie on that. With no other matters to tend to, a motion to adjourn was made by Jim Sellers. Robert Porter seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:32  PM.  ubm mitted  Approved  City of Whigham Council Meetings March 12, 2024