The Board of Aldermen held a meeting on Tuesday night November 20, 2012 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Kristin Lett, Calvin Wilson, and Bill Hess. Also present were Chief of Police Tom West, Tax Collector Dawn Bunch, City worker David Sarratt and Asst. City Clerk Karla McNorton. Guests included Lois Kolb, Bob Cochran, Rick Drake, Crystal Vaughn, Michael Wasson, Walter Jeffers, JR Fisher and John Bunch. Alderman Kohley was not present
The Mayor called the meeting to order.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the meeting on November 6, 2012. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes. Ald. Lett seconded. Ald. Hess, Wilson and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the budget meeting on November 15, 2012. Ald. Lett moved to approve the minutes. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Wilson and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor acknowledged Bob Corcoran and Rick Drake to discuss community equipment and housing.
Rick Drake gave copies of their agenda to the Board and the Asst. City Clerk regarding the discussion for the evening. He stated he had been working with Mr. Cochran and the Economic Development for McDonald County for the past four months.
Rick addressed the Board about building moderate income housing in Goodman. Rick stated he has names and numbers of over 25 developers looking for sites of four to seven acres to build large housing units (usually 35 units or larger), with the total project running about $6 million dollars. The units are being built using local contractors and materials purchased from local vendors. The units have mostly brick exterior, 2 and 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The units usually have an onsite manager and a community room with internet access. The rent would range from $385 to $450 a month and the renters would have to pass a background check, credit check and job verification.
The properties will need to have adequate water and sewer and easy access for transportation. The Eonomic Development would like the city to create a list of available sites either inside or outside the city limits. Rick stated there was no more funding available until after the first of the year, at which time more funding would be available.
Mayor Richmond asked which towns they have worked with, as he would like to view one of the housing units. Rick stated they have worked with Webb City and are working with Anderson at this time. Rick stated he will provide Mayor Richmond with the address to view the unit in Webb City and that Anderson will know in approximately 30 days if they have been accepted for a housing unit.
Bob Cochran stated he felt the housing unit would be an asset to the city. Bob also mentioned sharing equipment with other cities and would like a list of our equipment and the equipment we may need.
Vote on the resignation from the Recreation Board Director Stuart Pace and discuss his replacement.
Stuart Pace did not attend the meeting or provide a written letter of resignation to the Board. Michael Wasson informed the board Stuart had already given him the keys. The board agreed to accept Stuart’s verbal resignation at this time; however, Stuart would need to provide a written resignation at his earliest convenience.
Ald. Wilson moved to approve the resignation of Stuart Pace. Ald. Lett seconded. Ald. Wilson, Hess and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
Michael Wasson stated he would like to replace Stuart Pace as the Recreation Board Director.
Ald. Wilson moved to appoint Michael Wasson as Recreation Board Director. Ald. Lett noted the city might need to inform the citizens the position was open. The Board discussed putting the position in the paper and would appoint a new Recreation Board Director at the next council meeting
The Mayor opened the bids to repair the well house roof and the police station. They were as follows:
Well House:
Aaron’s Home Remodeling and Repair $7820.64
L & M Construction and framing $4255.25
Police Dept.:
L & M Construction and Framing $986.50
Aaron’s Home Remodeling and Repair $2120.16
Both bids are for a metal roof. The Mayor asked city worker David Sarratt if a metal roof would be acceptable. David stated a metal roof would be ok.
JR Fisher asked what the city would do with the stainless steel on the well house. Mayor Richmond stated it would probably be staying on the building.
John Bunch asked if the council felt they should table the selection of the bids until a conference meeting was held to discuss the bids. The Board agreed and the selection was tabled until the next council meeting December 4th, 2012.
The Mayor read Bill # 2012-433 for its second reading. Ald. Wilson moved to accept the second reading of Bill # 2012-433 for Ord. # 2012-443, exempting existing mobile home parks from Chapter 415. Ald. Lett seconded. Ald. Wilson, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the request from Sharon Brown to waive her penalty on her water bill in the amount of $6.33.
The Mayor asked Karla McNorton the specifics and she explained that Mrs. Brown had only lived in the city for two months and she did not receive her fist bill and was charged a $6.33 late fee. Mrs. Brown contacted City Hall after she did not receive her second bill between the 1st and 5th and a new bill was sent and received. It was discussed what the problem could be as to why she had not received her bills. Mrs. Brown is now aware of the mailing and due dates, but has asked that the $6.33 late fee be waived.
Ald. Wilson moved to approve waiving her penalty of her water bill. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Wilson,Hess and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed renewing the City’s workmen’s compensation insurance with Mo. Rural Services.The renewal fee is $200.00.
Ald. Lett moved to renew the workmen’s compensation insurance with Missouri Rural Services in the amount of $200.00. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Wilson, Hess and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor noted per Missouri State Statutes that the City’s candidate filings open on December 11th and closes on January 22, 2012 at 5:00PM. Positions are all 2 year terms and they are the Mayor, Tax Collector and one alderperson from each ward.
The Board discussed when to set the next budget workshop date. They set the next workshop for Tuesday November 27th, 2012 at 6:30 P.M.
The following reports were given:
Tom West-no report
David Brodie- was not present.
Denis Kolb-Recommendations presented to council for the Storm Siren Activation Policy and that the sirens would continue every 8 minutes until the warning has passed. Denis asked the board to review the policy and let him know if it will stand at the next council meeting.
Dawn Bunch –no report
Karla McNorton –noted that the tornado siren is going to be tested on the second Tuesday of every month at 1:00PM unless the weather is inclement.
-noted that the Christmas parade is Saturday the 8th of December at 1:00PM.
-noted Tim Crawley, Director of Operations for Neosho School District asked that the board be informed of a Faculties Planning Meeting.
The meeting is to discuss overcrowding issues in the school district. The meeting is scheduled November 27th at 6:00 P.M. at the Neosho High School cafeteria. He asked that interested parties attend.
he Mayor asked David Sarratt if he had anything. David thanked the Board for sending him to Wastewater School and appreciates their support.
The Mayor asked Tom West to inform KCS regarding the parade.
The Board discussed the following old business: None
The Board discussed the following new business: Walter Jeffers wanted to know what could be done to stop the trains from blowing their whistles. The mayor stated it would take at least 10 different entities involved for the project to be complete. Ald. Lett did not feel it was a good idea as the train goes through School St. and would not be good that the whistle did not blow when children were going to and from school.
The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $42,082.87. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the bills including transfers in the amount of $42,082.87. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Wilson, Hess, and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Wilson moved to adjourn. Ald. Lett seconded. Ald. Wilson, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.