After declaring several items as surplus, members of the Evarts City Council set minimum bids on those items for sale during a recent meeting. Mayor Eddie Manning said the bids will be opened at the next meeting of the council.

Items declared surplus included a 1970 GMC tanker, with a minimum bid set at $500, a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 truck, with a minimum bid set at $500 and a Patriot diesel roller, with a minimum bid set at $800.

Councilwoman Shelly Shackleford inquired if the city will proceed with placing signage at the city’s new walking park naming it in memory of a local congressional medal of honor soldier Carl Dodd.

Manning said he believed the park will have to be renamed because after talking with the Evarts Alumni Association, he was informed the family did not wish to have anything in the Clover Fork area named in his honor.

“I don’t know the reasons behind this,” said Manning. “The city has to honor the family’s wishes. Everyone can begin to think of other names for our new city park, but I like the suggestion made by councilman Ernie Woodard to name it the Push and Grunt City Park. It has always been called Push and Grunt over there. Let’s all think this over and at our next meeting we’ll try to rename the park.”

Councilwoman Jackie Renfro asked council members to include in their livestock ordinance an amendment prohibiting chickens in the city limits.

“We’ve got several people who now own fighting chickens and turkeys within the city,” said Renfro. “The chickens will keep you up with their crowing.”

Manning said a new ordinance regarding ownership of fowl within the city will have to be written. He encouraged council members to consider the issue so that it may be addressed at the next council meeting.

Councilman Larry Caudill asked if there was any new information about Subway opening a restaurant in the city.

“The contract is signed is the word I’m getting,” said Manning. “Mr. Pace has moved some things in the building to keep it safe and at the beginning of April, Subway will come in, at which time Mr. Pace will be given time to remove his things, before work begins on the restaurant. This is what I am being told.”

In other council actions:

*Announced the city has received a safety grant and work will begin on sidewalk repairs;

*Announced a contract has now been signed with David Curry, and work will begin the end of February replacing the roof on city hall. The roof will be dark brown metal;

*Spring cleanup will begin sometime in April. Dates will be announced at a later date.

Council went into executive session per KRS 61.810 (b) and they returned with no action taken.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@civitasmedia.com