By JACKIE TAYLOR | March 1, 2023

First order of business following the flag salute at the city of Pleasanton council meeting was for Mayor Mike Frisbie to appoint Kimberly Herring to fill the fifth seat as a council member.

Herring will be sworn in next week.

Prior to her being sworn in, Councilman Jake Mattingley said, “We have a lot of issues with the Sheriff; we bump heads. You working with him – you’ll have to recuse yourself.”

Herring said she did not expect it to be a problem and said she can separate work from the council.

The council next heard an almost hour long discussion concerning the need for an upgrade to the city’s computers, software, website and more. The entire package submitted was $25, 511. Discussion was tabled until next week.

Dianna Smith and Rose Troth asked for $1,100 in funding for General Pleasonton parade prizes. After discussion of past funding, the council approved the $1,100. Events this year will be held at Dunlap Park.

Teresa Miller spoke to the council concerning the status of the meeting with the engineer for infrastructure, rainwater standing in ditches and possible health issues, dogs running loose in the city, the Community Center not being done and the possibility of a live feed of the council meetings.

City Administrator Teresa Whitaker said the new computer system could possibly help with live feed, though more equipment would be necessary.

The city is waiting for a counter offer on use of the Community Center from County Counselor Gary Thompson.

The pet clinic has been scheduled for April 20, 2023; the citywide garage sale is April 29 and the citywide cleanup if May 1.

Whitaker mentioned a grant available to help businesses to upgrade facades and other issues in their businesses. A business plan and matching funds are required.

An application for a full-time codes/animal control officer was received; the position is part-time. Whitaker discussed with the council that they could possibly hire full-time and use the other 20 hours in another department.

The council approved a conditional use permit for Kenny Johnson for family to live in an RV in city limits; a holding tank will be added that they pump when necessary. The RV is for a short-term living arrangement for parents.

A 10-minute executive session for trade secrets to discuss a potential business opening was held; no action was taken.

A five-minute executive session for legal purposes to discuss possible litigation was held with no action taken.

The council will rule on the disposition of the former MeeMaw’s building. Whitaker mentioned it could possibly be used for a senior meals location.

Police Chief Tristan Snyder reported 13-14 arrests the first few weeks of February; 40 more cases than the same time last year.

He mentioned the dogs-at-large problem was getting out of hand; the council is currently looking at a problem dog ordinance.

Snyder addressed that the city has not hired any deputies from the county; squelching talk that the city has hired deputies away from the county.

Whitaker said the Planning and Zoning Committee is reviewing Main Street codes.

Public Works Director Joey Morrisey said the city received a TOC violation that has nothing to do with water quality. He is comparing two different testing sites to see if another location could alleviate the problem with violations.

He said plans for the Stegge Lake dock are being worked on.