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The Kingston Police Department added two new police officers during the monthly council meeting. Courtesy photo
Kingston Town Council hired two police officers during itsregularmeetingJan.8.
After meeting in executive session, council members voted to hire Johnny Miller and David Miller as full-time certified police officers which gives the department eight officers, meaning the department is fully staffed.
The council also accepted the resignation of full-time public works employee Mike Kiper, and then voted for him to continue employment part time.
In other action, the council approved a request by Sandra Padron of First United Bank to declare Friday, Feb. 16, United Acts of Kindness Day. This was something the council did last year and a proclamation was signed for this year.
“We at First United Bank are all about empowering our communities to spend life wisely,” Padron said. “One of the ways we do that is through United Acts of Kindness. We usually partner with various businesses and non-profits in the community and we would be grateful for your support.”
There was discussion on the town possibly buying a portion of land owned by Rex Lyons with the intention of building a park. The sale would be contingent upon the town opening up a roadway to give access off of Second Street instead of just Highway 70. Although the land is in a floodplain, putting a city park there would be legal.
It was discussed that it would cost about $60,000 to open up the roadway.
Council member Danny Southerland expressed interest but said it needs to be investigated more, and Vice MayorLorenRunyanagreed, saying it needs to be studied. Council members voted that they are interested in the land and investigating the situation.
A two-year contract for fire hydrant maintenance was approved by the council. It will cost $6,000 per year for two visits to maintain the hydrants to include painting and a discount on any parts and labor needed. The town has 90-100 fire hydrants.
“With everything else growing, we need to make sure the fire hydrants work,” said council member Danny Southerlend.
Fire Chief James Kuykendall said if the town has the contract for a couple of years, it will be an opportunity to get town employees some training.
The town is moving forward on a proposal from Mears Engineering to improve drainage because of flooding on Marshall Street near the elementary school.
No action was taken on eliminating part-time positions in the police departments. The part-time position is held by Capt. Jones Jones, who is also a drivers education instructor/coach at Kingston School.
Southerland wanted more information on the position and what Jones does during his 16 hours of pay.
“I handle all of our ongoing training in CLEET,” Jones said. “I talk with anybody when there is an educational issue.Whenmyofficerscallat three o’clock in the morning, I’m a captain and I still take care of that job. I go teach school. I leave school and put on my police uniform. I come to work until whatever time I need to be here.”
Police Chief Kasey Cox said Jones is the department’s liaison for CLEET and Police One training and that the department tries to dedicate one person in charge of training so there isn’t confusion.
The chief said Jones is an asset to the community and that they have tried to get Jones hired full time. Jones said he would be glad to take on a position with full-time pay and would forgo benefits which he receives elsewhere.
The council plans to look into this at the next budget meeting and go over it again.
Council members voted to buy tickets for two tables at the upcoming Marshall Chamber of Commerce Banquet at a cost of $200 per table, something the council has done for the past several years.
The banquet will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at the KMAC in Kingston and it will have a 1980s theme.
Council members also discussed the following agenda items: - Voted to sign a letter of support for the broadband project.
- Took no action on property located on South Harney Street that has items blocking town road easement, but it was discussed that a ticket can be written for fixtures on a city easement.
- Took no action on Assistant Police Chief Steve Miller’s vacation time.
- Voted to take action on a letter of support for Kingston first responders (EMRA).
- Tabled action on approving job descriptions for all town positions to give council members time to read all of the information.
- Took no action for rotating schedules for public works and the police department.