Business as usual for City Council meeting

ROANOKE RAPIDS – The City Council had its work cut out for them Tuesday night as it met and discussed several issues affecting the city.

Councilman Carl Ferebee made a motion to postpone any decision on a proposed entertainment tax, placing a fee on ticket prices to shows and other entertainment. While the tax is common, Ferebee questioned the timing of a decision and suggested the Council discuss the issue further among themselves and with City Attorney Gilbert Chichester. The motion was second by Ed Deese. After the vote, Mayor Drewry Beale said, “This in no way kills this bill; it just puts it off for a while.”

Shawn Elliott of Atlantic One Entertainment, who recently entered into a lease-purchase deal for the Carolina Crossroads amphitheater, was on the agenda to speak about the entertainment tax, but seeing the issue was postponed, took the time allotted to inform the audience about future plans for the amphitheater, and to assure the public of his company’s commitment to the community.

The council authorized Public Works Director Richard Parnell to participate in a study to determine the potential impact of a recycling program in the city. The study will be done without cost to the city.

The council expressed its opposition to Senate Bill 265, adopting a resolution to fight it. If passed, the State Board of Education will provide funding for only one school administration unit per county. City School Board member Mike Salanik spoke to the council on the bill citing several disadvantages to mergers.

Roanoke Rapids is supporting grass carp. House Bill 898 prohibits the taking or possession of grass carp from Gaston or Roanoke Rapids lakes or from the Roanoke River, and the council passed a resolution supporting the bill. More than $150,000 has been spent since 1995 to purchase the carp. They are used to control hydrilla.

In other business:

• The city’s police department will use $49,000 in federal forfeiture funds to purchase equipment for the department. The budget amendment he proposed will be a part of the 2008/09 budget.

• Police Chief Jeff Hinton also requested an amendment to prohibit parking on both sides of Stancell Street between Julian Allsbrook Highway and Drake Street. That request was also approved.

• Families whose loved ones have passed will have to be careful when the burial takes place or pay an additional $50 overtime fee for cemetery workers. Parnell said concerns about overtime have not changed even though cemetery staff hours have changed. After talking with funeral directors, they suggested changes in funeral times. New funeral times are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Other afternoon times can be scheduled but a $50 per hour overtime fee will be added.

• Finally, Roy Edmonds spoke to the council, thanking them for allowing him to serve on the city’s beautification committee, but he wanted something in writing to explain why they had let him go. He was assured by Beale that he was welcome to apply to serve again.