Fairfield city council members addressed more than a couple of important issues last week at two meetings that lasted several hours and included a room full of interested citizens.

Topping the list was the cancellation of a previously proposed “retreat”, granting requests for funds for Fairfield chamber of commerce, New Leash on Life and Relay for Life, approving a contract for a new city website and a contract to update city codes, as well as hearing proposals for city development strategies, election orders, and city employee realignment.

First was a called meeting to discuss the needs of the New Leash on Life animal shelter in Fairfield. Shelter officials and supporters explained in detail to the city how the shelter works and the animals’ daily needs.

With costs at about $5,000 per month, the shelter does not have enough money to finish out this month, says president Cindy Phillips, the facilities are muddy, and there is no room for additional animals.

A permanent location is necessary, with concrete that is dry and easy to clean, and a play yard for the animals, Mrs. Phillips pointed out.

The nonprofit group received $20,000 from Freestone county this year, and some donations do come in, she noted, including some feed from Walmart and a building from Bubba Rutherford.

Council members discussed deeding two acres of land on North Cotton to New Leash, and city administrator Jeff Looney will look into the legalities of that donation. Also, the city gave the shelter $3,000 to help with immediate costs.

Other than this, Mayor Roy Hill said, “We have no more money to give this year.” Further funding will have to be addressed at next year’s budget meetings, which will begin in late summer.

Regular council meeting opened with the signing of a proclamation naming July 4 Mayor Monte Cole Appreciation Day in Fairfield.

Afterward, a statement from the mayor regarding the recent talks of a city council retreat was read. In a printed letter that Mayor Hill titled “It is all about character and integrity”, he said the intent of the council was not to hide anything from anyone, but to give the council members an opportunity, in a relaxed environment, to work on their vision for the future of Fairfield.

While two attorneys have told the mayor that such a retreat is legal, “certain of our news media and a few private citizens have questioned holding this retreat,” Hill said.

“I will accept my character and integrity being questioned,” Hill went on. “I will not accept the character and integrity of these honorable men (councilmen) being questioned.”

“In order to stop this from becoming an issue for this council, I am cancelling the idea of holding a retreat at this time,” he added.

Approval was given to order an election May 8, 2010 to fill the mayor, place I and place II positions, in conjunction with a special election to fill the unexpired term for place IV.

Fairfield chamber of commerce president Mary Small asked the city for $20,688 to fund various projects scheduled in the first half of this year, and the request was unanimously approved.

Maps, an outside information display station and welcome packets will cost the chamber about $1,350, and updating and performing maintenance on billboards should cost some $5,300. A 1-year contract with Fairfield radio station KNES will cost $1,038, the Easter Eggstravaganza expenses total $3,000, and Fourth of July fireworks come in at $15,000, of which the chamber will provide $5,000.

Little Dribblers National Tournaments for boys and girls are scheduled in Fairfield this year, and Karen Oliver presented the council with an estimate of $50,000 to cover both events.

Biggest expenses are expected to be t-shirts, trophies and gym clean-up. Councilman Joe Lee Kirgan told Mrs. Oliver that although the council is “100 percent behind” them, they would wait on a decision until detailed budgets are presented to the council at the next meeting.

Relay for Life co-chair Spain Trask asked and received $12,000 to pay for mostly advertising expenses for a Fairfield motorcycle rally set April 24. Trask says about $2,000 will be spent on event costs, and $10,000 to advertise around the state.

“We are advertising for riders to come and stay the weekend,” Trask says, which would increase city tourism dollars.

Lifeline Web Solutions received the nod to develop a comprehensive website for the City of Fairfield. The package includes a new website design, 30- second promotional video, tech support and maintenance, all at an initial cost of $8,500 and a monthly fee of $350. The new website should be available in a few months.

Franklin Legal Publishing was awarded a contract to provide ordinance codification services for the city for a fee of $8,450. The service is expected to take up to a year to complete, but will updates all city ordinances, correct inconsistencies and put the finished product on the web.

Biggest expense considered by city councilmen last week is Buxton Company’s CommunityID program. Buxton rep Chas Stoker told city officials that CommunityID is a proven retail development strategy that combines technical capabilities with more than 500 cumulative years experience in retail management and economic development.

In a nutshell, Buxton is the largest purchaser of information in the country. They use the information they have collected from Fairfield’s drive-time trade area, and match it against more than 5,000 retailers and restaurants to create a match that best reflects the needs and desires of Fairfield residents.

CommunityID was designed specifically for use in community economic development programs, Stoker says, and does not simply provide generic data such as number of households, etc., but the details of spending by consumers from this area.

Cost of CommunityID is $70,000, with business retention services provided quarterly at an additional cost of $40,000 annually.

Although council persons appeared to favor purchasing the program, they voted to wait until they could meet with the Fairfield Industrial Development Corporation before making a final decision.

A new organizational chart that omits the City of Fairfield position of director of water/wastewater was approved by council members and a proposition to increase the salaries of supervisors will be heard at the next council meeting.

Director of public works Billy Chancellor retires the end of February after 18 years with the city, and city officials have decided to eliminate that position with supervisors reporting directly to the city administrator.

Salaries will be reviewed for utility supervisor Clyde Woods, streets supervisor Gary Crook, parks supervisor Jerry Hughes, Mims Creek supervisor Albert Gallegos, TDCJ supervisor Tony Robinson and crew leader Kendall Minyard.

A retirement party for Chancellor will be held at city hall on Feb. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. In his final director’s report presented to the council last week, Chancellor thanked all the city council members he has worked with over the last 18 years, particularly thanking Mayor Hill and the current council for “having enough faith in me to give me the director job. I have enjoyed working for you and hope I have never disappointed you.”

Also at last week’s meeting, council member agreed to:

—-approve a request from Trend Gathering and Treating to construct the Day to Orand 12” LP mainline extension which will cross Old Kirvin Road within the city limits of Fairfield;

—-approve the TML intergovernmental employee benefits pool revised interlocal agreement;

—-appoint election judge and alternate as Nina Price and Grace Walther.