All indications suggest that an ordinance allowing all-terrain vehicles on certain Cumberland streets will pass at the city's next council meeting slated for Jan. 10.

Cumberland City Council members voted to approve and accept an ATV ordinance during Tuesday's meeting at city hall. The approval comes after a lengthy discussion concerning the content of the ordinance and a request for an optional first reading vote, Mayor Carl Hatfield said.

The optional first vote, Hatfield said, was suggested to learn the extent of citizens' interest in such an ordinance.

A map was displayed at Tuesday's meeting to reveal which streets would be available for ATV utilization. Hatfield said the map is an "exhibit attached to the ordinance which can be changed" without altering the ordinance.

Some concerns, however, were expressed by Hatfield. He explained that if ATVs are categorized along with motorcycles, then state law requires that signs for safety and direction should be posted throughout the city. That could have an impact on the city's liability insurance. The two issues will be discussed further by council members, he said.

The idea of an ATV ordinance for Cumberland has been considered for some time, and Hatfield credited council members Paul Browning and Roger Shelton with spearheading a committee designed to establish the ordinance.

Written by city attorney Parker Boggs, the ordinance should gain more attention and participation in council meetings from locals who own ATVs, Hatfield said.

In other news:

-- Correspondence from the State Division of Water concerning the Gilley Hollow Water project was discussed by council members. Because of the unknown factors involved in the city assuming responsibility for the project, including costs of equipment and materials, the council determined that the city should not assume liability for the project at this time. The subject, Hatfield said, died due to a lack of a motion and a second.

-- Council members gave a first reading to the city's revised personnel ordinance, which has been updated to reflect new federal and state laws. The new ordinance will replace the one established in 1975 and will have a second reading during next month's council meeting.

-- An ordinance changing the City Planning and Zoning Commission's meeting date from the third Thursday to the second Thursday of each month received a first reading and will have a second reading at the Jan. 10 meeting.

-- An inspection in November of the city's fire services was successful, Hatfield said. Therefore, citizens will not be required to pay additional costs for their fire insurance.

-- Council members approved an award of $50 to any individual reporting any illegal hookup to the city's water system. Hatfield said one may choose to receive the $50 or accept six months of free water service.

-- A permit at a cost of $60 per day was questioned for outside delivery trucks selling items such as furniture, ice cream and produce in the city. Concerns have been expressed by some local business owners, who pay up to $200 for an annual permit. No action was taken on the subject. Hatfield said members will address the issue at a later date.

-- Roy Baker and employees of Access TV were recognized for contributing to the installation of the Christmas lights on the city's streets.

-- A Christmas dinner was scheduled for Dec. 23 at city hall for city employees. The Cumberland branch of Commercial Bank will sponsor the dinner.

The next meeting of the Cumberland City Council will be Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.