During its regular meeting Monday night, the City Council approved a 10-year sales tax abatement for Corstone Industries for their upcoming company expansion and new equipment purchases.

"According to new regulations that just came into effect, Corstone has to request a new abatement because they are about to expand and add additional equipment," said city attorney Richard Hartley.

Butler County Commission for Economic Development Exectutive Director Ricky McLaney said Corstone plans to add 15,000 to 20,000 square feet to their existing facility and employ an additional 50 to 75 people.

"They are going to add two new product lines to their existing offerings n Whirlpool and Jacuzzi," he said.

Corstone company representatives were not available for comment on the expansion at press time.

The bid award for a backhoe/loader for the public work's department was given to Thompson's Tractor Co. for $74,871.80.

"This was part of what is included in our bond payment that was approved sometime ago," Mayor McLendon said.

Joe Money Machinery, Equipment and Parts Specialty and Cowin Equipment did not submit bids for the loader/backhoe.

Other items on the council's agenda for the night were approval of the GEM's Ambulance Service franchise.

The council also granted Cates Development Company three easement assignments on Clover Valley Circle.

"Col. Cates is expanding his subdivision out there," Hartley said. "Part of the road and where they are going to put a pumping station is on the city's land that is part of the airport property. We talked with the Federal Aviation Administration, and they said they didn't see any problem with our granting an easement, particularly since once they are finished with the road and get the sewer system in, they will turn it right back over to us. I recommend that we give him these easements."

"This land is land that we have to own, per the FAA, because it's part of the airport's flight pattern," McLendon said. "It can't be used for anything anyway."

The mayor also got approval of Resolution 2003-114, which authorizes the city's acceptance of the Hysco agreement and ratifies McLendon's execution of the same.

"We've gotten everything in place as far as the roads going in and have gotten all of that approved, but now we need to ratify the Hysco agreement that will allow Hysco to be building and getting ready to put 125 people to work."

The council also approved these expenditures:

NPayment of $2,177.11 to Progressive Medical International for a refurbished LifePak heart defibrillator with case, accessories and a 12-month warranty to be used in the city's EMS department. Purchase was included in the 2003 bond issue.

NPayment of $3,500 to Boyd Foster Engineering for engineering and preparation of expansion plans and modification permit for the city's inert landfill.

NPayment of $2,350 to CWA, Inc., for semi-annual ground water and methane gas monitoring for closed landfill and inert landfill.

NPayment of $2,400 to Wal-Mart for sanitation department's purchase of 250 32-gallon garbage collection receptacles.

NPayment of $98,870 to Woody Anderson Ford for the purchase of three 2004 Crown Victoria police cars @ $19,341 for a total of $58,023 [State Bid Contract #4007525], one Crown Victoria car for fire department @ $19,403 [State Bid Contract #4007525] and one 2004 Expedition for recreation department @ $22,444 [State Bid Contract #4007526]. The purchase also was included in the 2003 Bond Issue.

NPayment of $1,169.50 to Powell and Hamilton for attorney's fees for city's condemnation of Nan E. Allen property.

The mayor wanted to remind the city's citizens that the city's offices will be closed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 27-28. The garbage routes for Thursday will be picked up today; the Friday routes will be picked up on Monday, Dec. 1.

He also reminded everyone that the annual Christmas parade will be held Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.

The city will have its employee Christmas luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Dunbar Center on Dec. 17.