The Quitman City Council met in special session Tuesday, May 11 night to canvass the results of the May 1 election and handle three other matters.

After canvassing the election returns, the council turned to a discussion on amending an ordinance permitting water wells in the city.

The main concern was the safety and quality of the water. The council also wanted to make it the council’s decision on water well approvals and not leave the matter to just one person, the city administrator.

The council decided to table the matter until the next meeting to give City Administrator Rodney Kieke time to work on the wording of the current ordinance to bring to a future meeting. 

The council changed the time and place of their regular monthly meetings. They approved a move to the Quitman Public Library meeting room at 6 p.m. the third Thursday of each month beginning with the next meeting June 17.

It was decided the council would have a business casual dress code for their meetings.

“I don’t necessarily mean a coat and tie. I think it raises the level of respect for the citizens we serve. It is a business meeting,” Mayor Randy Dunn said. “I hope we have people coming to the meetings. It will be in a bigger room.”

The council also mentioned the possibility of having a refreshment area for those who are in attendance at the council meetings at the library.

In the final matter, the council approved an inter-local agreement with Wood County to hire a full-time employee at the Wood County Airport. The person would report to the city and the Wood County Airport board. The person hired would run the fuel station, the office and the lawnmower for yard maintenance.

“Right now it is just board members working on volunteer time. There really is no one there now to greet and direct a pretty good flow of traffic,” Kieke added.

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