Mayor Terry Lawless gave an update on the cities inquiry into the use of Fleet cards to purchase fuel for the cities 20 vehicles at this month's meeting of the Jamestown City Council last Thursday night. Fleet cards allow for a significant savings in fuel purchases, allowing the city to save $.23 per gallon on taxes. The use of these cards also allows for a monthly detailed report on vehicle usage provided by the company. "With gas going up every day we're looking for any way we can to save money on everything," Lawless said.

The company the city is proposing contracting with is Wright Express, a company that services fuel cards to more than 4.5 million vehicles nationwide.

Lawless said the budget is nearing completion for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and would present it at the next scheduled City Council meeting as a first reading, to be held May 19, at 6 p.m. The amended budget for the 2010-2011 would also be read for review.

Council member Marcelene Taylor gave an update on the preparations for the 2012 Lakefest Celebration scheduled for the 4th of July weekend.

"With a good committee you don't have to worry about things coming together," said Taylor. "And we've got a good committee putting it together. Everything is coming together pretty well; everyone knows their job and we're doing it."

Entertainment is being lined up, a commitment to fireworks has been established, with a contract being signed, according to Jamestown Mayor Lawless.

Taylor called for anyone interested in volunteering to work to make the celebration the best Lakefest the community can muster to attend the monthly meetings. Meetings are typically the last Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. at the Jamestown City Hall.

"We can use all the volunteers we can get," said Taylor.

The water tank painting project on Wesley Street is coming closer to fruition as Mayor Lawless announced that he and Jamestown Public Works Director Ottis Skaggs had met with engineers regarding the special needs of painting of the tank, inside and out.

 "Everything's been approved, so I've told (Skaggs) to proceed with the bid documents, to get it ready to advertise and find us a contractor," said Lawless.

Lawless said he had been contacted by the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery requesting that he compose a letter on behalf of the hatchery in an effort to stave off defunding of the facility, which is currently on the federal budgetary chopping block. The request is for the letter be from the local mayor and city council to our state's Senator and Representative.

"They're going to be cutting some fundings. Whether the fish hatchery survives, I don't know," said Lawless. "I guess we just have to hope for the best on that. It's a lot of jobs in this community; and any job loss, we hate to see that happen."

City Attorney Kevin Shearer gave an update on a property on Meadows Lane the city is attempting to condemn. The abandoned property is considered a nuisance, and currently the correct avenues are being pursued to file a lawsuit on behalf of the city in an attempt that any liens be released and the city receive court approval to tear down the abandoned structure.

Shearer requested and received approval from the council to take the next step and file a lawsuit against the property.

After it was announced that this past Saturday the fish hatchery would be celebrating Earth Day 2011, council member Terry Robertson brought about the discussion of donating to the hatchery's annual Catch a Rainbow Kid's Fishing Derby. The city had been giving a $500 donation to this community event in the past. The event provided a day's entertainment to 1,525 children last year. It was agreed the subject will be brought up at the next meeting. The event is scheduled for June 4 this year.

As a final note Shearer said he would be presenting a council with a report on the status of the county's dispatch/911 services.

Mayor Lawless also asked for an update on the new Judicial Center, as Shearer is a member of the county's Project Development Board. Shearer said the opening is currently scheduled for late July, and that he is "cautiously optimistic" that the center would be opened by that time.

Council member Larry Joe Murray relayed citizen concern over blacktop patching that needs to be done. Lawless said that the budget will include funding for municipal road aid funds and that citizens needing work done on their road will be encouraged to come to a meeting to help prioritize work needing to be done.