The Russell Springs City Council voted unanimously at their regularly scheduled meeting to accept ordinances annexing new property.

At a special called meeting of the Russell Springs City Council April 8th, the first reading of Ordinances 11-02 Consensual Corridor Annexation and 11-03 Consensual Annexation of Russell Springs Elementary was heard.

The second reading of both ordinances was heard at the council's monthly meeting last Thursday.

Russell Springs Mayor Hollis DeHart explained Ordinance 11-02 does not include private property annexation.

"This is the Annexation of US 127 to the northern side of the Russell Springs Elementary School," said Mayor DeHart. "This does not include any properties on either side of (US) 127 it's just (US)127 itself."

Mayor DeHart presented the council with 2 options for repairing pot holes in city streets including entering into an agreement with the City of Jamestown to purchase equipment to patch pot holes or to enter into a contract with Selby Asphalt Maintenance, Inc. to repair damaged pavement.

"We have talked with the City of Jamestown and we have basically agreed that if this proposal should go through, that each of us will put up approximately $3,500 and buy a 4 ton (asphalt) hot box," said DeHart. "I'm also told that a roller will be provided."

The decision could have been made at the sole discretion of the mayor but he said he wanted to hear the council's opinion.

"To be perfectly candid about it, it was totally within my authority to make this decision however, I thought it would be appropriate to bring it before the council and let you all discuss it," said Mayor DeHart.

He advised the council that asphalt costs are expensive and unpredictable making the possibility of saving money questionable.

"Right now we are paying $81 a ton (for asphalt)," Dehart said. "I can't tell you what asphalt will (cost) a month from today…I can't tell you 100 percent how much money we could save if any."

"It's your decision if you want to continue on the way we're going then that's what we'll do" said Mayor DeHart.

According to city officials, Selby Asphalt Maintenance's contract last year was $5 per square foot with one fuel surcharge per job.

Selby's proposed contract to maintain city streets this year is $4.85 per square foot with one fuel surcharge per day.

"It is very expensive," Mayor DeHart said. "This last year we put out $24,213.44 (for street maintenance)."

He said since 2002 the City of Russell Springs has paid out $205,722.99 in asphalt repairs to city streets.

"Could we do it for less," DeHart asked. "Maybe but I can't give you guarantees on that. I can give you a guarantee we will try."

Mayor DeHart asked Michael Selby, owner Selby Asphalt Maintenance, Inc., for his input on the subject.

"We've been doing this now for 18 years," said Selby. "All my guys are very experienced and probably there are a number of pros and cons."

Selby said repairing potholes is a temporary solution and can require additional work if patches settle.

"The biggest thing is if we go out here and we (repair a pothole) for you, understand one thing - a patch is a patch…it's going to settle," said Selby. "If we put out a patch for you and it settles to the point where it's not practical, we go back and we fix it for nothing."

"If you get in this business and it settles, you go back and you pay for fixing it every time it happens," he said.

Selby suggested rising fuel prices affects to costs of operating equipment should also be considered.

"It's very expensive to run a truck back and forth to the quarry," Selby said. "Fuel costs will far out way your asphalt prices - I guarantee you."

Council member Eric Selby had concerns regarding practicality of the city doing its own street repairs.

 "If it's that much cost effective for municipalities to (buy equipment and patch potholes), it would be to me that there would be a whole lot more doing it instead of hiring it out," said Selby. "I just don't see how it would be cost effective."

Council member David Blakey recommended continuing to do business with Selby.

"I think since (Michael Selby) has conceded some cost on (asphalt maintenance) that I would be willing to just let him continue (pothole repairs)," said Blakey.

The council voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Selby Asphalt Maintenance, Inc. to repair potholes in Russell Springs.

In other business:

• The city council voted unanimously to make a donation of $50 to the 100 Innings of Baseball April 30 at Russell Springs City Park in sponsorship of one broadcast during the all day event. The broadcast will air 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1060.

• At its special called meeting April 8th, the council voted unanimously to accept Resolution 2011-02 Funding for Maple Street Sidewalk project.