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Recap of Coopertown Mayor and Aldermen Board Meeting-
January 22, 2008
BANK BALANCES: General Government $132,823.74
State Street Aid $35,558.96
Landfill/Legal Fund $2824.74
Hands Up To Coopertown $81.20
PUBLIC FORUM:
1. David Cole: Football Field – “Wait until item comes up on the Agenda”
2. Ethel Spiller: Charter on Ordinance readings
City Charter Page C-16, Section 6-2-103; “An ordinance shall be considered and adopted on two (2)
separate days; etc.”
“Looking at the agenda for the meeting that follows this meeting, I see that it is planned to have the
second reading on the new Personnel Policy. According to the charter this can’t be done.”
Alderman Anderson: “If you knew that why didn’t you tell me?”
Ethel Spiller: “I did not see anything before this meeting that told me what was going to be discussed in
the second meeting tonight.”
3. Bob Saunders: Expressed concern with the shape of town roads and was wondering when they
would be repaired.
4. Susan Slawson: Questioned whether or not our City Recorder is bonded. Mayor Crosby
indicated that she was.
Susan Slawson: Questioned whether it was the Recorder’s job to run copies of City document for
requesting citizens. She presented a copy of the Town’s charter describing the Recorder’s job and
gave a copy to the Board.
5. Doug Slabaugh: Commented that the roads in Windland Estates are unsafe for joggers and walkers
and requested they be repaired and striped. Danny Crosby replied, “we understand, but …”
6. MINUTES:
A motion was made by Donnie Gill and seconded by Robert Dale to approve the minutes for 12-18-
07 without a public reading. The motion passed unanimously.
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES:
Robert Dale Anderson presented the minutes of the Personnel Committee meeting held on the 14th.
He briefly described the changes being proposed by the Committee.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
Adoption of Ordinance 2007-26, Amendment of Zoning Regulations, Article VI.
A motion was made by Alderman Anderson to approve the zoning amendment. It was seconded by
Donnie Gill. The amendment passed by a unanimous vote.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Football field for Coopertown Middle School
Coach Wilson presented a request for an $8,000 grant from Coopertown to help pay for lights for the
football field. Some discussion transpired about funding needs of other sports activities at the
Coopertown schools. No decision on granting the request was made. However, Mayor Crosby did
say, “we have some $80 to $90, 000 available in Capital Outlay that are available.”
Alderman Ruth proposed that the Budget Committee be asked to address this issue and identify the
funds that might be used for this request, and determine what other requests might be coming from the
schools. Alderman Anderson agreed with Alderman Ruth.
b. First Reading of Ordinance 2007-23, 2007-2008 Personnel Policy
Alderman Anderson explained the proposed policy changes:
Much discussion transpired concerning the lengthening of the probation period and qualifying time for
Town paid benefits for new employees. Crosby pointed to the cost of paying for the town’s 20
employees as being substantial and recommended adopting the changes as proposed.
A motion to accept the Personnel Policy as proposed was made by Donnie Gill and seconded by
Robert Dale Anderson. The motion passed by a vote of three to one; the dissenting vote being cast by
Alderman Ruth.
c. Police Chief Salary
Mayor Crosby requested Board guidelines on what the new Police Chief’s salary could be. He stated
that White House had just hired a new chief and they are paying him $50,000. After some discussion it
was decided to have another meeting of the Personnel Committee before the salary was set.
10. Communication from the Mayor
Mayor Crosby proposed bidding out all road work; installation of culverts, mowing, and removal and
trimming of trees. “I know what I pay my men to do this kind of work. … I have done this (loaned my
equipment and my time to do road work) out of the goodness of my heart. … I am tired of it (all the
ridicule). I want direction from this Board. I turn this discussion over to Alderman Gill. I’m going
outside for a smoke.” With that Mayor Crosby walked out.
Alderman Gill made an impassioned plea about the goodness of the Mayor and the badness of those
who find fault with his actions. Alderman Gill went on and on about how much this man has done for
the City and how much damage people who oppose him (any of his actions) have done.
Robert Dale, “the men (road crew) are doing a good job.”
Alderman Ruth, during the Alderman Gill plea and blame assignment, suggested that Alderman Gill was
discussing personal issues and not addressing the outsourcing of road work. She requested that he
start addressing the topic Mayor Crosby had delegated. Alderman Gill continued his dissertation.
Alderman Ruth made a motion to adjourn the meeting and then excused herself from the meeting.
Several citizens followed her.
Alderman Muhlstadt suggested that a vote on the road work issue be postponed until Alderman Ruth
could participate. Alderman Anderson agreed. The topic was postponed.
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned around 8:30pm.
January 22, 2008
BANK BALANCES: General Government $132,823.74
State Street Aid $35,558.96
Landfill/Legal Fund $2824.74
Hands Up To Coopertown $81.20
PUBLIC FORUM:
1. David Cole: Football Field – “Wait until item comes up on the Agenda”
2. Ethel Spiller: Charter on Ordinance readings
City Charter Page C-16, Section 6-2-103; “An ordinance shall be considered and adopted on two (2)
separate days; etc.”
“Looking at the agenda for the meeting that follows this meeting, I see that it is planned to have the
second reading on the new Personnel Policy. According to the charter this can’t be done.”
Alderman Anderson: “If you knew that why didn’t you tell me?”
Ethel Spiller: “I did not see anything before this meeting that told me what was going to be discussed in
the second meeting tonight.”
3. Bob Saunders: Expressed concern with the shape of town roads and was wondering when they
would be repaired.
4. Susan Slawson: Questioned whether or not our City Recorder is bonded. Mayor Crosby
indicated that she was.
Susan Slawson: Questioned whether it was the Recorder’s job to run copies of City document for
requesting citizens. She presented a copy of the Town’s charter describing the Recorder’s job and
gave a copy to the Board.
5. Doug Slabaugh: Commented that the roads in Windland Estates are unsafe for joggers and walkers
and requested they be repaired and striped. Danny Crosby replied, “we understand, but …”
6. MINUTES:
A motion was made by Donnie Gill and seconded by Robert Dale to approve the minutes for 12-18-
07 without a public reading. The motion passed unanimously.
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES:
Robert Dale Anderson presented the minutes of the Personnel Committee meeting held on the 14th.
He briefly described the changes being proposed by the Committee.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
Adoption of Ordinance 2007-26, Amendment of Zoning Regulations, Article VI.
A motion was made by Alderman Anderson to approve the zoning amendment. It was seconded by
Donnie Gill. The amendment passed by a unanimous vote.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Football field for Coopertown Middle School
Coach Wilson presented a request for an $8,000 grant from Coopertown to help pay for lights for the
football field. Some discussion transpired about funding needs of other sports activities at the
Coopertown schools. No decision on granting the request was made. However, Mayor Crosby did
say, “we have some $80 to $90, 000 available in Capital Outlay that are available.”
Alderman Ruth proposed that the Budget Committee be asked to address this issue and identify the
funds that might be used for this request, and determine what other requests might be coming from the
schools. Alderman Anderson agreed with Alderman Ruth.
b. First Reading of Ordinance 2007-23, 2007-2008 Personnel Policy
Alderman Anderson explained the proposed policy changes:
- Probation period extended to 6 months
- No Town paid benefits until end of probation
- Employee Sick Days vs Personal Days
Much discussion transpired concerning the lengthening of the probation period and qualifying time for
Town paid benefits for new employees. Crosby pointed to the cost of paying for the town’s 20
employees as being substantial and recommended adopting the changes as proposed.
A motion to accept the Personnel Policy as proposed was made by Donnie Gill and seconded by
Robert Dale Anderson. The motion passed by a vote of three to one; the dissenting vote being cast by
Alderman Ruth.
c. Police Chief Salary
Mayor Crosby requested Board guidelines on what the new Police Chief’s salary could be. He stated
that White House had just hired a new chief and they are paying him $50,000. After some discussion it
was decided to have another meeting of the Personnel Committee before the salary was set.
10. Communication from the Mayor
Mayor Crosby proposed bidding out all road work; installation of culverts, mowing, and removal and
trimming of trees. “I know what I pay my men to do this kind of work. … I have done this (loaned my
equipment and my time to do road work) out of the goodness of my heart. … I am tired of it (all the
ridicule). I want direction from this Board. I turn this discussion over to Alderman Gill. I’m going
outside for a smoke.” With that Mayor Crosby walked out.
Alderman Gill made an impassioned plea about the goodness of the Mayor and the badness of those
who find fault with his actions. Alderman Gill went on and on about how much this man has done for
the City and how much damage people who oppose him (any of his actions) have done.
Robert Dale, “the men (road crew) are doing a good job.”
Alderman Ruth, during the Alderman Gill plea and blame assignment, suggested that Alderman Gill was
discussing personal issues and not addressing the outsourcing of road work. She requested that he
start addressing the topic Mayor Crosby had delegated. Alderman Gill continued his dissertation.
Alderman Ruth made a motion to adjourn the meeting and then excused herself from the meeting.
Several citizens followed her.
Alderman Muhlstadt suggested that a vote on the road work issue be postponed until Alderman Ruth
could participate. Alderman Anderson agreed. The topic was postponed.
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned around 8:30pm.
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