The Board of Aldermen held a meeting on Tuesday night January 8, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Kristin Lett, Calvin Wilson, Keith Kohley and Bill Hess. Also present were Chief of Police Tom West, City Supervisor Davie Brodie, City Clerk Paula Brodie, Tax Collector Dawn Bunch and Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb. Guests included Stan Marion, Joanne Bowser, Lois Kolb and Sandra Alejo.
The Mayor called the meeting to order.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the meeting on December 18, 2012. Ald. Lett moved to approve the minutes from December 18, 2012. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Wilson, Hess, Lett and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor noted that Cole Bray, the next person on the agenda was not present yet so the Mayor moved him to the end of the agenda.
The Mayor acknowledged Sandra Alejo to discuss her property at 204 N. Ozark Trail. The Board had sent her a letter giving her a deadline to clean up the lot. Ms. Alejo noted that there had been a lot of work done on her lot but it was not finished. She asked the Board to give her an extension. Ald. Lett moved to give her a 30 day extension. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Wilson, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
The Department heads gave the following reports:
Tom West- reported that he had completed the yearly reports for the police department.
He asked the Board to allow him to purchase ammo now for the officers to qualify with during the summer. He stated because of all of the discussion of Federal and State changes to the gun laws, ammo has increased in price and will probably continue to increase. He suggested purchasing it now for this year and next year’s qualifications would save the Board money. He stated that he and Curt qualified with 3 different guns and the cost for the ammo would be between $325.00 and $350.00 for each gun. He said he would like to purchase ammo boxes from the Bunker to keep it in. He also noted that he would like to purchase 00 buck shot for their shot guns. Ald. Lett moved to approve $1100.00 to pay for the ammo, shipping and boxes. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Hess Lett and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
David Brodie- asked the Board to approve his purchasing two loads of gravel for the alley behind the Fire Station. He noted that he had gotten some red clay to fill some holes along the new asphalt by Casey’s. He said he was afraid that the new asphalt would erode because of the holes between the street and Casey’s. He stated that he would use some of the gravel to cover the red clay. Ald. Wilson moved to allow David to purchase two loads of gravel for the holes by Casey’s and the alley behind the fire station on Main Street. Ald. Kohley seconded Ald. Kohley, Wilson, Hess and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
Tom informed the Board that he and the Drug Task Force Team were involved with a drug bust.
David reported that he is going to be working on the chatter boxes for the lift stations and treatment plant. He noted that he is still having trouble maintaining the PH levels at the treatment plant.
Denis Kolb- had nothing to report.
Dawn Bunch –had nothing to report.
Paula Brodie – noted that she had contacted Anderson Animal Hospital to see what they would charge to give rabies vaccinations to the dogs that the City takes to the Joplin Humane Society. She also noted that the USDA inspector had told David Sarratt that the vaccinations must be given by a Veterinarian. She noted she had looked into it and that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has rules regarding rabies prevention and control. She stated that it specifically states that the vaccinations must be administered by a veterinarian or under the supervision of a veterinarian; because he has to certify that they have been vaccinated. She noted that the Anderson Animal Hospital had not gotten back with her yet.
The Board discussed the following new business:
The Mayor acknowledged Joanne Bowser who was present to ask for an extension on the time she has to pay her water bill. She stated that she had just turned 65 and the expense of her Medicare insurance is now being taken out of her check. She said she did not realize that was how it was handled and now she did not have enough to pay her water and electric bill. She said that once spring comes she wouldn’t have trouble paying the bill. The Mayor asked if they gave her to the end of the month to pay would that help. She said it would. Ald. Wilson moved to extend the date her water bill is due until the end of the month. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Wilson, Lett and Kohley voted aye 0 nays.
Stan Marion was acknowledged by the Mayor. Mr. Marion stated that he would be closing Marion’s Market on January 31, 2013. He said that he understood that the land where his store is located is zoned C-2, which is commercial. He stated that he wanted to renovate the store and make it into apartments. He said he knew that the zoning would have to be changed to R-3 to allow for multi-family housing. The Mayor noted that the City Code required him to file a request for a zoning change, with a fee of $50.00. He said that the Board would have to hold a public hearing to see if there was any input on the change. He noted that the Board would need to run an advertisement 15 days prior to the public hearing. The Mayor stated that the Board could hold the public hearing on February 5th, 2013 at the regular Board meeting. Mr. Marion asked if he had to give the Board something in writing before they would set the date for the Public Hearing. The Clerk stated she thought the Board could state that they had received a verbal request from Mr. Marion during the meeting held today January 8, 2013 to change the Zoning of his store from C-2 to R-3. Ald. Lett moved to approve Mr. Marion’s verbal request for a public hearing on February 5, 2013 to discuss changing the zoning at his store from C-2 to R-3. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Lett and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays. Mr. Marion stated he would bring his fee of $50.00 to the City Hall.
The Board agreed that since Mr. Bray had not made the meeting they would place him on the next agenda on January 15, 2013.
Ald. Kohley stated that there were a lot of dogs running loose around town. David said that they have been trying to catch some of them. Mr. Kohley noted that two of them were from a residence on South School Street.
Dawn asked if Tom has someplace secure to store all of the ammo he was going to purchase. Ald. Lett said that the evidence room was kept locked at all times and that she thought that Tom was the only one with a key, so he could keep the ammo there.
The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $44,201.24 Ald. Kohley moved to approve the bills including the transfers in the amount of $44,201.24. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kohley, Lett, Hess and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Wilson, Hess, Lett and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.