October 4, 2016
Regular Board Meeting
The Board of Alderman held a regular meeting Tuesday night October 4.2016 at 7:00 P.M.
Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Alice Kezar, Keith Kohley, Calvin Wilson and Roger Coe. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Tax Collector Meghan Sexson, Senior Chief Curt Drake, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb and Asst. City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were Lois Kolb, Carol Coe and Rita Greene from the McDonald County Press and many others. (Please see attached list)
Mayor Richmond called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
The Board discussed the minutes from the regular meeting on September 20, 2016. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on September 20, 2016. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Coe, Wilson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with zero nays.
The Board discussed the special meeting on September 26, 2016 and September 28, 2016. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the minutes from the special meeting on September 26, 2016 and September 28, 2016 Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Wilson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with zero nays.
The Mayor noted Helen Woodrum was not present to discuss her water bill. City Supervisor Brodie explained there was a leak from the meter to the house and it has been fixed. Ald. Wilson moved to average Helen Woodrum’s water bill in the amount of $82.65. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Coe, Wilson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with zero nays.
The Mayor acknowledged Tammie Davis to discuss adding a light at/near her residence of 220 W. Splitlog Ave. Ms. Davis explained she moved here five years ago and takes pride in her community. It is very dark at her house and there have been a lot of thefts in the area. She has passed her own driveway at night and is afraid of 911 is called, they might pass her driveway as well. Ms. Davis also asked for more community information on the website. The Board asked City Supervisor Brodie to look at it at night and to talk with Empire District to see if it is possible since it is a State highway.
The Mayor acknowledged Adam Murphey to discuss having a concession stand for the Holiday Express. Mr. Murphey asked to sell hot chocolate, coffee, funnel cakes and fried pies. He also asked that no other vendors be allowed to sell the same items and he would give 10% of his profit to the City. Mayor Richmond explained he was not sure if vendors were able to be involved and he would have to talk to Kansas City Southern and see if vendors were allowed.
The Mayor noted Chris Brodie was not present to discuss the softball league. The discussion was tabled.
The board discussed the request of John Bunch to remove the sanitation line item from his water bill. Asst. City Clerk McNorton explained that the office workers felt it was like having a phone in your home. Whether you get or make a call or not, your still pay to have the service to be available. She also stated there would be no way to let the sanitation company know not to pick up at this address and to pick up at that one. So, if they did for some reason put trash out, his workers will not be looking at addresses at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and would pick it up. She also stated if the Board would like the line item removed, we can do it. We (the office workers) feel the Board should decide on a case by case basis as we do not want to be the ones who decide who gets charged and who doesn’t. Citizen Nathan Wagner stated he felt it should not be removed because when he was building his house, he had to pay for services that he was not using. Mr. Wagner doesn’t feel that it would be fair for Mr. Bunch’s trash service to be removed and he felt if it was removed it would be because of who the person is. Citizen Clyde Davidson stated that you can get a meter just for water if you didn’t want to be charged for sanitation. The discussion was tabled.
The Mayor opened the bids for the lighting replacement of the City Hall and the Police Station. The first bid was from L&M construction and Framing. To replace the lights with regular florescent lights, it will be $7825.00 and for LED lights it will be $9850.00. The second bid was from Gilliam Electric. To replace the lights with regular florescent lights, it will be $6700 and for LED lights it will be $9370.00. The third bid was from All Current Electric. To replace the lights with regular florescent lights, it will be $5360.00 and for LED lights; it will be $8054.36. A citizen commented that the lights could be changed out with different ballasts and bulbs and the lights would be four times brighter than they are now and cost thousands less than the bids received. The discussion was tabled.
Citizens Business- There were many citizens present to express their support for Chief Drake and it was asked by several citizens why the Board wanted to terminate him? The Mayor explained the Board held a closed meeting and in the open session of the meeting, the Board voted to ask for Chief Drake’s resignation. He then stated the Board had another meeting two days later and in the open session of that meeting, the Board voted to rescind their request for his resignation. The consensus from the citizens are they feel Chief Drake does a great job and has always helped them when they had an issue, whether they lived inside the City limits or not. There were several citizens who stated their dislike for Senior Officer Wynn and for the council members riding with the officers. It was asked if the Board members were covered by the insurance if something happened while they were riding with an officer. Mayor Richmond stated they were covered. The citizens felt the Board members should not be riding with the officers. Ald. Kezar explained she is only rides with the officers when a female is being transported. It was asked if Chief Drake was present during any of the meetings. Mayor Richmond stated he was not present. Jennifer Drake asked the Board if they had notified Chief Drake if he was notified 10 days prior to having the first meeting? Mayor Richmond replied: I know the law you’re talking about and the Board voted in the open part of the first meeting to ask for his resignation. The Mayor stated he feels the Board did nothing wrong. The Board has set another meeting that will include Chief Drake, to discuss how to keep this situation from happening again.
Discuss old business: Mayor Richmond noted the Ozark Orchard Festival is this Saturday from 2:00 to 7:00 at the Ballpark. He noted there will be food, music, games, and announcements about events during the festival. He is hoping to get started on next year’s festival shortly after this one ends.
Discuss new business-There was no new business
Department Head Reports:
Curt Drake-Stewart Asphalt was paving the parking lot across the street
and has some left over. They paved the front of the police station, enough
for two vehicles to park on and ended up donating about thousand dollars
in asphalt. He also noted cars have been moved inside the fence as
requested.
Denis Kolb- Nothing to report.
David Brodie- Took the Quit-Claim Deed down to County. We now own
The rest of Pearl Street.
Meghan Sexson- I will be getting the statements to be mailed at the end of
the month and will need a check for that. I won’t know how much the check
will need to be for until I get the statements.
Karla McNorton- Note the Insurance Property Valuation put in the packet for
review. Note top ten myths from MML in your packet.
The Board discussed the bills from October 4, 2016 in the amount of $33, 363.66 including transfers. Ald. Kezar made a motion to approve the bills including transfers in the amount of $33, 363.66. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Wilson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye, with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn the meeting. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Wilson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye, with 0 nays.