Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
The Tool City Council smiles for a picture after newly elected and re-elected members were installed during the Nov. 17 council meeting. Pictured are Council Members Mark Holley (back row, from left), Greg Figueroa, Michael Fladmark, Mayor Tommy Lawhon (front row, from left), Council Member John Brasfield and Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Dumont.

Courtesy Photo
Chief of Police for the City of Tool Robert Walker (from left) is sworn in by City Administrator Julius Kizzee and City Secretary Cheryl Odom Nov. 28.

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Newly re-elected Council Member Mike Dumont signs his oath of office as City Secretary Cheryl Odom looks on. 

TOOL–The petition brought before the Tool City Council Nov. 17 regarding the installation of street humps (not speed bumps) in the Lakeway Estates neighborhood was tabled to gather more information. 
The petition was brought by Lakeway Estates resident Roland Napoles who stated during the meeting that speed limit signs are ignored by drivers. Napoles provided one example of a car leaving the roadway and hitting a neighbor’s carport and damaging a vehicle. Another neighbor also attended to speak about the continued speeding in the neighborhood stating that it’s a hazard to those who walk their dogs, children who walk home from the bus stop and other drivers. Lakeway Estates which is a self-contained neighborhood with one entrance and one exit often finds drivers speeding in, turning around and speeding out. Council members motioned to table the action so more research could be conducted on the city’s possible liability and the estimated cost of the road humps. 
Also tabled during the meeting was a request by Charles Wells for approval to install necessary computer systems and radio equipment with internet access for an RMS Gateway. Council members were concerned that the installation of the equipment would void a warranty on the newly installed tower near city hall. The item will be revisited during the January meeting. 
A canvassing of the votes from the Nov. 8 general election was also conducted, as well as the installation of new Council Members John Brasfield, Greg Figueroa, Mark Holley and returning Council Member Mike Dumont. Once seated, a motion was made by Council Member Michael Fladmark to nominate Dumont as Mayor Pro-Tem. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Tommy Lawhon stated that he felt confident this council will accomplish their goals, path of growth and success. “The first order of business is to make sure we build a highly capable, bonafide law enforcement center police department and ensure safety and security to all the residents in the city and do it with a smile, be kind,” stated Lawhon.  
A special meeting was also called Nov. 18, where interviews among four candidates were conducted with the council, for the position of police chief. After deliberations, Council Member Greg Figueroa made the motion to offer the position to Robert Walker. The motion was approved. 
In other business, council members:
• Approved consent agenda, excluding (F) Code Enforcement. 
• Approved the minutes from the Oct. 20 regular meeting. 
• Tabled a request by Leigh Sherman to grant a variance on the 24 ft maximum length requirement of a carport. 
• Adopted Henderson County Interlocal Agreement for Child Abuse, Investigation Services and Law Enforcement Services. 
• Adopted Ordinance 2022-06, Minimum Square Feet for Homes, which is 800 square feet. 
• Approved amendments to the Employee Handbook with the revision to the language by changing the word, “will” to “shall” where located and tabling section 6.4 for further clarification of language and to be considered during the Dec. 15 meeting. 
• Heard the city has hired a new code enforcement officer.