By Rosanne Radcliffe

PROVIDENCE - The City Council made short work of its meeting Sept. 29 -- the 50-minute discussion included one unanimous vote for a new business license and one majority vote on a resolution.

Mayor Alma Leonhardt was happy with the short schedule.

"This is the shortest agenda we've seen, or at least I've seen, in eight years," Leonhardt said. "I think we deserve it."

The council approved a business license for R&B Crosby Future Investment Strategies. The business is a home occupation advising investors about futures trading, at 460 W. 225 South.

The council also approved a resolution for transfer of the cable television franchise to AT&T Broadband and Internet Services. Chairman Randy Simmons said within a year, Providence residents would have high-speed Internet access through the cable lines, as much as 100 times faster than they currently have. Simmons said the council simply had to approve this transfer to keep cable in the homes of Providence residents.

The resolution was approved 4-1. Councilman Paul Cook said he voted against the resolution because he simply wanted someone there to represent and explain this transfer of the cable television franchise.

"Nothing changes," Councilman Jay Hicken said, "just the adoption of approval."

Not in complete agreement with Hicken, Cook said, "I just want someone from the company to talk to us (the city) about it."

In other business, Cook said there was a problem with wild peacocks on 400 South. He said residents have complained for quite some time about this. Although Logan's Willow Park Zoo would not take the birds, Cook said if the council agreed he would ask animal control to take care of the issue. The council agreed.

The council will meet again at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12.

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