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Courtesy photo
On Thursday December 30, 2021, the Kingston City Council held their monthly meeting to discuss several topics on the agenda - one of them being the appointing of a new mayor. After a short discussion, the council appointed Gary Cluck.
Cluck, who was recommended by the resigned mayor, Robbie Kendrick, said he appreciated the vote of confidence.
“I really appreciate y’all’s confidence in me, and I hope to do what needs to be done,” he said.
Shortly after appointing the new mayor, the council swiftly moved on to the next agenda item - appointing a new council member to fill Cluck’s former seat. The council was unable to appoint a new council member, and the seat remains unfilled. However, it won’t be for long.
“We’re actively seeking someone for the role,” Cluck said.
The council then moved on to agenda item three, appointing a council member to be over the police department. Council member Mike Hobbs volunteered to be a temporary placement, due to his relationship with the department. It is unknown who will permanently take over the position.
Next on the agenda was discussing the scanning of old documents to be stored digitally on their secured server, and the destruction of paper copies. It then led into agenda item five, the discussion to have old documents picked up and shredded. It was approved after a quick discussion, and clerk Michelle Bearden said he expects it to take about a month or two.
Agenda item six covered appointing Sage Salyer to the Housing Authority Board and the motion was approved.
Shortly after, the council moved onto the next agenda item. They want to purchase a plaque for Helen Lasiter, a member of the Housing Authority Board. The plaque is in honor of Lasiter’s hard work and dedication during her years of service. The Council approved the plaque.
The last agenda item was the discussion of accrued comp time and holiday time of the Police Department employees. The council discussed the holiday pay, and it was approved shortly after.
The discussion of the comp time was a lengthy conversation between the council members. The panel agreed on an acquired time of 20 hours, anything less than that time will not be paid.
The Kingston Council then proceeded to an executive session to discuss the possible hiring of a new animal control officer and rate of pay. Before adjourning the meeting, it was changed back into an open session, where it was disclosed that Teddy King would take on the position of animal control officer. His employment will start immediately.