The Mtn. View City Council voted to offer access and use of city amenities to employees and their families free of charge and discussed the $20 library cards that were put into place under the last administration.
The council met for its most recent meeting in June and voted to approve a bill to offer the use of city amenities to employees and their families for free.
Mayor John Krasuski introduced the bill for its first and second reading and said city amenities are defined as “recreational facilities owned and operated by the city of Mtn. View, including but not limited to the golf course, municipal library and pool.”
Under the bill, city employees and immediate families are not authorized to use city owned golf carts free of charge. Any employee and immediate family must pay for golf cart use separately.
City employees and their immediate families are defined by the bill as “city employee and his or her family members within the first degree that reside in the same house as the employee.” They are required to follow all ordinances and facility rules pertaining to the amenity being used.
The use of facilities by city employees and their family members for free can be revoked on a case-by-case basis by the city council, Krasuski said.
Alderman Murray Anderson made a motion to pass the bill on its first and second reading. Alderman Punkie Stevenson abstained since he has family employed by the city.
Council members voted unanimously to pass the bill during its final reading.
The bill went into effect in late June as a benefit to attract future employees to the city, Krasuski said.
The Mtn. View City Council then held a discussion with the Mtn. View Public Advisory Board and Friends of the Library, who came to speak with the council about the $20 library cards.
They explained that the former council passed an ordinance to raised the price of library cards at Mtn. View Public Library from $3 to $20, and the increase in cost has made patrons not come in and use the library.
The council asked that City Clerk Shannon Elliott find the original ordinance to see how it was stated previously. After finding the ordinance it was read, and stated that library cards at the time cost $3 and a replacements for lost cards would also be $3.
Both groups recommended the council make the library cards free. If the city needs a fee for people who reside outside of Mtn. View the groups recommended making the library cards $3.
After discussion, the council voted unanimously to amend the city code of ordinances and make the new price of library cards $3 for all patrons. The bill was passed on first and second readings.
The public can apply for a library card in person at the Mtn. View Public Library, 125 South Oak St. Applicants must bring photo identification and a piece of mail with proof of address.
The next council meeting is set to take place at 6 p.m. today in the council chambers at Mtn. View City Hall, 126 N. Oak St.
