June 16, 2015, 2015
Regular Board Meeting
The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday night June 16, 2015 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Alice Kezar, Keith Kohley and Roger Coe. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb and City Clerk Paula Brodie. Also present were Lois Kolb, Leslie Franks, Freddie Prath, Lester Kramburg and Rita Greene from the McDonald County Press.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
The Board discussed the minutes from the regular meeting on June 2, 2015. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the meetings on June 2, 2015. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Wilson, Kezar and Coe voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor acknowledged Lester Kramburg to discuss the Don Kramburg Properties. The Mayor stated that there were 3 different properties and the Board was concerned about when the properties would be cleaned up. He stated that the one trailer hasn’t had someone living in it for the last 25 years. Ald. Wilson stated that the main concern of the Board was the brush and junk like a washer and dryer and other things lying around. Ms. Franks stated that they had been working on the one trailer and showed the Board some pictures of the work. Ald. Wilson stated that the concern was not that the houses were empty but that the lots needed to be cleaned up.
The Mayor stated that it wasn’t fair to the neighbors not to keep it up and mowed. Ms. Franks stated that her Uncle’s intention were to clean up the lots and get the houses repaired. The Mayor asked if the Board wanted to set a date for them to come back to another Board meeting. Ald. Wilson stated that the Board could give them 90 days and that as long as there was a marked improvement they would continue to give them more time.
The Mayor acknowledged Nick Myers, the City’s Auditor to give the 2014 Audit report. Nick stated that the Audit is in draft form because they needed the Attorneys letter to produce the final product. He said that he had just received it today. He went over the Audit explaining the different spread sheets and forms. He noted that the City’s assets are higher than expenses. He stated that the overall audit reflected that the City is in good shape; however he wanted the Board to realize that they were not bringing in enough funds in the water and sewer department for future repairs or new equipment. He stated that when the time came that the City would need to replace or do major repairs to the wells or treatment plant there would not be enough funds to complete the work. He stated that the Board should be aware that the grant funding from the State and the Federal Government is never guaranteed and that they should be making provisions to put aside enough funding to help with the costs. It was noted that the Board had increased the water/sewer bills by $.50 cents last year and had also increased the rates $1.00 for both the water and sewer bills in February of this year. Mr. Myers stated that after completing the 2015 audit next year they will be able to compare and see if the Board was collecting enough for major repairs and replacements. He stated his recommendations for this year were to always look for ways to segregate duties which safeguard the city from any chance of fraud or mismanagement of funds and remove assets that were disposed of the asset list. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the audit report on the provision of the final report. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Kezar, Coe, Wilson and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed filling the Tax Collectors position. It was noted that no one had signed up yet. The Clerk noted that she and Karla and been maintaining the deposits and sending out letters to the 3 year delinquent people informing them about the Tax Sale date and that they will have to pay at the City Hall as the McDonald County Clerk continues to refuse to help the city in regards to the tax sales.
There was no The Board discussed the following old business:
The Board discussed any new business:
Department head reports:
Curt Drake- Noted that the PTO had thanked Adam for helping out with the fun run. He noted that the power steering on the Expedition had been repaired but now it needs to be aligned. He stated that the air conditioning pump is going out. He stated that Smith Auto group would fix the power steering for $375.00 and align the car for $70.00 or $80.00 dollars. Ald. Kohley moved to approve up to $500.00 for the needed repairs. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Coe, Kohley, Wilson and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays. Curt noted that he was going to get a new thermostat for the PD.
Denis Kolb- Keith Kohley reported on tropical storm Bill and how it could affect this area.
David Brodie- reported that one of the pumps at the treatment plant is not fixable. He stated that he had been checking on prices for a replacement. He said it was one of the original pumps from when the treatment plant was built and had been repaired 3 times. He stated that he would like to order another one because his standby pump was now being used. He reported that he and David had mowed 4 properties that had not been mowed this year. He also noted that the summer ball tournament will start on the 19th. He said that David Sarratt will spray for mosquitos for the tournament. Ald. Wilson asked why the Board did not go ahead and give David permission to purchase a pump giving him an amount of $4,500.00.Ald Wilson moved to allow David an allotment of $4500.00 for a pump. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Kohley, Kezar, Wilson and Coe voted aye with 0 nays.
Paula W Brodie- asked if the Board wanted to observe the 4th of July on Friday the 3rd of July. She stated that most of the governmental offices were celebrating on Friday. The Board agreed that it was fine with them.
The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $43,415.04. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the bills including transfers in the amount of $43,415.04. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Wilson, Coe, Kezar and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.