The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday night December 15, 2015 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Kohley and Roger Coe. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Tax Collector Meghan Sexson, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb and City Clerk Paula Brodie. Also present were Lois Kolb and Rita Greene from the McDonald County Press. The Mayor noted that Ald. Kezar had called and was running late.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
The Board discussed the minutes for the special budget meeting on November 30, 2015. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the special budget meeting on November 30, 2015. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Coe and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the minutes from the regular meeting on December 1, 20115. Ald. Kohley stated that on the third paragraph on page two he was quoted as saying that whoever files for candidacy must not be delinquent in any taxes. He said he asked that in the form of a question. The Clerk stated she could change the wording to read Ald. Kohley asked if whoever files for candidacy must not be delinquent in any taxes. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes with the so stated correction. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Wilson and Coe voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor acknowledged Bud Terrell regarding his double wide on E. Garner. Mr. Terrell stated that he was perplexed with his renter in the first trailer. He said he had told him that he had to get all of the stuff picked up and stored. He said that his renter had rented a storage building from him to put his stuff in. He also noted that he had poured a concrete pad for his renter to put a building on; however it had not been done yet.
The Mayor stated that the neighbors had complained to him about his renter and all of the stuff that is piled on the slab that he poured to build a building. Mr. Terrell guaranteed the Board that his renter is supposed to get it cleaned up in the next few weeks. He said they will either get the building built or he will make sure that all of the stuff is hauled off.
Mr. Terrell then addressed the problem with his second trailer. He said that they had installed the first half and was setting the second half when they realized that the slab was poured crooked. He stated that David had come by and told them that they would have to straighten up the trailer, but since they were already setting it up they went ahead and installed it crooked.
The Mayor stated that the crooked trailer did bother him because he liked things straight. He noted that one end is 56’ from the street and the other end is 63’ feet from the street.
Mr. Terrell said that they could probably shift it if the Board wanted him to. He didn’t know what it would cost but that he would call Eddie Stout to see what it would cost to shift the house. Ald. Wilson said if he could get it moved about 4’, which would make it look better and it would be set on the existing pad. Mr. Terrell stated that he would be willing to do it if Eddie Stout said he could swing it at least 4’. The Board agreed that he only had to move it 4’. He said if would not cost a great deal he would go ahead and have it moved. The Board agreed that if Mr. Terrell gets the house moved the 4’ the house can be able to connect to the City water/sewer service.
The Board discussed the 2016 Budget. The Mayor read Bill # 2015-463 for Ordinance # 2015-473 for the first reading. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the first reading of Bill# 2015-463 for Ordinance# 2015-473 setting the 2016 City Budget. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Coe and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
It was noted by the Mayor that the ordinance must be voted on twice as it has to be in place before January 1, 1016.
The Mayor read Bill# 2015-463 for Ordinance# 2015-473 by title only for the second reading setting the 2016 City Budget. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the second reading of Bill# 2015-463 for Ordinance # 2015-473. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Wilson, Coe and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor read the first reading of Bill # 2015-464 for Ordinance # 2015-474. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the first reading of Bill # 2015-464 for Ordinance #2015-474 placing a ½ of 1% sales tax for transportation purposes on the April 2016 ballot. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kohley, Wilson and Coe voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor read by title only the first reading of Bill # 2015-465 for Ordinance# 2015-475 increasing the minimum water rate by $1.00. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the first reading of Bill # 2015-465 for Ordinance #2015-475 increasing the minimum water rate by $1.00. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Wilson, Kohley and Coe voted aye with 0 nays. The Mayor noted that the second reading will take place during the Board meeting on January 5, 2015. The Clerk noted that the increase will be added to the February water billing.
The Mayor read by title only the first reading of Bill # 2015-466 for Ordinance# 2015-476 increasing the minimum sewer water rate by $1.00. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the first reading of Bill # 2015-466 for Ordinance #2015-476 increasing the minimum sewer rate by $1.00. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Kohley. Wilson and Coe voted aye with 0 nays. The Mayor noted that the second reading will take place during the Board meeting on January 5, 2015. The Clerk noted that the increase will be added to the February water billing.
The Mayor read by title only the first reading of Bill # 2015-467 for Ordinance# 2015-477 increasing the minimum commercial water rate by $1.00. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the first reading of Bill # 2015-467 for Ordinance #2015-477 increasing the Commercial water rate by $1.00. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Kohley, Wilson and Coe voted aye with 0 nays. The Mayor noted that the second reading will take place during the Board meeting on January 5, 2015. The Clerk noted that the increase will be added to the February water billing.
Ald. Kezar joined the meeting at 7:25PM.
The Board discussed renewing the contract with Nick Myers CPA for the 2015 Audit. Mr. Myers has been the city auditor for over 20 years and is very through. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the contract with Nick Myers, CPA to prepare the 2015 City Audit. It was noted that the contract was increased by $530.00. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Wilson, Coe and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed having General Code update the City Code with the 2015 legislative changes for $795.00. Used to be Sullivan publications Ald. Wilson moved to approve the having General Code update the City’s Code book at the cost of $795.00. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Kezar, Coe, Wilson and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed a list of final water/sewer bills from 2007-2011 in the amount of $4,569.11 that needs to be abated because they are not collectible. Ald. Wilson moved to approve abating the bills in the amount of $4,569.11. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Kezar, Wilson and Coe voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the following old business: Noted the carport was supposed to be here today. David is to contact them in the morning to find out where it is at.
The Board discussed the following new business: Note that Crystal Vaughan wanted to know if the Board would be willing to average her water/sewer bill because she had a leak. David stated that the toilet was leaking, he had talked with them about it and they had repaired the leak. Ald. Wilson moved to approve averaging her water bill/sewer bill from $101.38 to $73.39. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Wilson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Meghan Sexson stated that she had a request for her mother in law. She wanted to know if there was anything that could be done about Adam Harpers two dogs. One of his dogs is tied to a trailer and can’t get off it to get on the ground. The other dog is a big dog in a little pen. Ald. Wilson stated that the place was really getting junky and needs to be cleaned up. John Wynn stated that Jeff “ “ who worked for the humane society in this area could be asked to come look into the situation. The Mayor suggested our officer just go buy and visit with Adam Harper about the concerns of the neighbors and see if he will take care of it before reporting him.
John Wynn told the Board that Michelle Wilson would like to be a reserve officer for the City. She has worked for the school as a teacher and she is a certified police officer. The Board agreed that she needs to turn in her application, and then the Board will look over it and decide at the next board meeting. Ald. Coe asked for her to come to the next board meeting. He said he would tell her. The Board agreed to table until January 5, 2016.
Ald. Kohley asked if there was some training regarding the situations happening in the State of Missouri regarding numerous cell phones being purchased at Walmart’s and pipe bombs found in the Mark Twain National forest.
Department head reports:
Curt Drake- was not present. John Wynn asked if the Board would allow putting on reserves to help cover while Curt is off work due to a knee injury. The Board discussed allowing the reserves to put in some time at $10.00 an hour. The Board agreed for Officer Wynn and Chief Drake to ask the reserves to work some hours. Curt will be off of at least two to three weeks.
Denis Kolb- said he gave the Mayor information about the electrical grids.
Meghan Sexson- didn’t have anything to report but reminded people to get their real and personnel property taxes paid.
David Brodie-noted that the Treatment Plant roof is leaking worse than he originally thought junk. He said it has to be replaced. The Board discussed whether or not to put on a metal roof or replace the rubber membrane with a new rubber membrane roof. The Mayor said that in the past they had talked about a different type of roof. David said that if they don’t go back to the original roof they would have to have an engineer draw up specifications for people to bid on. The Mayor noted that the roof had lasted 25 years so he didn’t see anything wrong with going back to a rubber membrane roof, to keep the replacement costs down.
Paula Brodie –noted that she had placed a MOPERM newsletter, MODOT newsletter and a survey on salaries completed by the Mayor of Southwest City in the Boards packets. She also noted that the City Hall will be closed ½ day of Christmas Eve, Christmas day and New Year’s Day. Reminded the Board that candidate filing is from 12/15/15- 01/19/16.
David- noted that he had received the draft sewer permit from the Department of Natural Resources. He said he was able to voice his opinion to them of changes they wanted him to implement but he doubted it would not change the requirements.
The Clerk noted that Michael Keels said that the Police Department computers needed to be upgraded to Windows 7. He said he would update them for $150.00 for the software and a couple of hours of his time. The Board agreed to have him update their computers.
The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $53,784.25. Ald. Kezar moved to approve the bills including transfers in the amount of $53,784.25. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Kezar, Coe, Wilson and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.
Mayor handed out Christmas cards from the Board to the employees and thanked them for their hard work and dedication to the community.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Wilson, Coe, Kezar and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.