MINUTES OF THE CITY OF HULL MAYOR AND COUNCIL

January 23, 2025

The meeting was called to order by Mayor John Barber at 7:00 p.m. at Hull City Hall. Those in attendance in addition to the Mayor were the Clerk, and council members Mike McElroy, Paige Phillips, and Steven Hollingsworth, and attorney Danny Love.

A moment of silent prayer followed the pledge of allegiance.

The minutes of the December meeting and the budget meeting were approved unanimously after a motion by Mike McElroy and a second by Steven Hollingsworth. The financial reports were unanimously approved after a motion by Mike McElroy and a second by Paige Phillips.

Under old business Mayor Barber presented a list of specifications for the lawn maintenance bid. After some discussion item # 16 was removed. The specifications were unanimously approved after a motion by Paige Phillips and a second by Mike McElroy. The Clerk will place the appropriate notice in the newspaper and bids will be opened at the February meeting.

Also under old business Mayor Barber provided council with the costs to purchase new Christmas Decorations at a total costs of $5,923.12. After some discussion a motion was made by Paige Phillips, seconded by Mike McElroy and unanimously approved that we wait until next year to consider purchasing new decorations and to continue using the ones we have. There was some discussion about purchasing just the washers. Mayor Barber will obtain a cost for just washers to present at next month's meeting.

Finally under old business Attorney Love advised Mayor and Council that he had heard back from Sophia Smith and she was not agreeing to take less than the $400.00 she had requested and expressed her hope that Mayor and Council would go ahead and pay this. After some discussion a motion was made by Mike McElroy, seconded by Paige Phillips and unanimously approved to pay the $400.00 to Ms. Smith, The Clerk will send a check accompanied by a letter confirming that this is a final payment of any and all services rendered to the City of Hull.

Under new business Mayor Barber requested approval to purchase a chain saw, oil and a gas can from Ace Hardware to be kept at City Hall and used in case of emergencies. He had had to use his personal equipment to do some clean up during the first snow storm. The approximate costs will be $319.00. Motion was made by Mike McElroy, seconded by Steven Hollingsworth and unanimously approved that Mayor Barber purchase this equipment.

The Clerk presented for approval a list of appointments for the 2025 calendar year as follows:

• Voter Registrar - Tracy Dean
• City Clerk - Sandra Pou
• Mayor Pro Tern - Mike McElroy
• City Attorney - Danny Love.

These appointments were unanimously approved after a motion by Paige Phillips and a second by Steven Hollingsworth.

The Clerk advised Mayor and Council that we had to set qualifying fees for the 2025 election year. The fees are set by law at 3% of the salary however they still have to be approved: Qualifying Fees for Council Members are $39.00 and $75.00 for Mayor. These fees were approved after a motion by Steven Hollingsworth and a second by Paige Phillips.

The Clerk advised Mayor and Council that the special election to fill the vacant council seat will be held in June. She recommended that qualifying be held on February 17th, 18th and 19th from 6-7 p.m. Motion was made by Paige Phillips, seconded by Steven Hollingsworth and unanimously approved to accept these dates.

Although no action was taken there was some discussion about the effects of opting in or out of HB581 for the City of Hull. Attorney Love will do some more research and report back to Mayor and Council with an opinion.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned after a motion by Mike McElroy and a second by Steven Hollingsworth.