Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Georgetown says workers can't transport families in city autos

GEORGETOWN -- Police officers and other city employees will no longer be able to drop off family members on their way to work if they are driving a company vehicle, under a new policy revision to the employee handbook approved Thursday by City Council.

Before the vote, Cindy Howard, assistant to the administrator, told the council that the policy would affect employees like police officers who have city-owned vehicles and drop off their children at school on their way to work.

Howard told the council that in the past 10 years there has been only one "fender bender" with a passenger or someone in a city car.

Councilman Clarence Smalls questioned the need for a change in policy.

"The statistics show we've done well with this thing so far. Why are we looking at changing it now?" Smalls said.

Mayor Lynn Wood Wilson said the city is looking at reviewing all of its policies, including the vehicle management program.

Councilman Paige Sawyer made the motion to remove a proposed provision in the policy that allowed for family members to be transported in family vehicle.

"It's a potential liability for the city," Sawyer said about allowing family members to be transported.

The vote favored Sawyer's motion 5-1, with Councilwoman Peggy Wayne voting against the motion.

There was some confusion about the vote. Smalls asked for clarification after the vote and learned he had voted to remove the section allowing the transportation of family members in city-owned vehicles while employees were in commute to work.

"Well there has to be something done about that," Smalls said. "I want that in."

In other business:

The council approved first reading of an ordinance to annex the 18.06 acres, of the former Eagle Electric property into city limits. The property will be the site of the Maryville Fire Station.

The city has received three financial reporting awards for the Government Finance Association: a certificate of excellence in financial reporting; the distinguished budget presentation award and the award for outstanding achievement in popular annual financial reporting.

The council approved amending the city's annual budget by more than $500,000 due to increased cost in police and fire personnel overtime, and increased utility costs in electricity; water and storm water.