COUNCIL MEETING – Tuesday December 6, 2016

The Board of Alderman held a regular meeting Tuesday night November, 2016 at 7:00 P.M.

Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Alice Kezar, Calvin Wilson and Roger Coe. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Tax Collector Meghan Sexson, Police Chief Curt Drake and Asst. City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were Carol Coe, Shauna Lewis, Ron Johnson, Kevin Keeney, Wally Jeffers, John Bunch and Megan Davis from the McDonald County Press.

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The Mayor noted Ald. Kohley was not present.

The Board discussed the minutes from the regular meeting held on November 15, 2016.

Ald. Wilson made a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on November 15, 2016. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

The Board discussed the minutes from then special meeting November 29, 2016. Ald. Wilson made a motion to approve the minutes from the Special Meeting November 29, 2016. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

The Mayor acknowledged Shauna Landess to discuss the repairs of her house at 108 W. Williams. Ms. Landess apologized for not being present at the last meeting as she was in the hospital. Her son Joseph Lombardo spoke to the Board and explained he had the shingles and needed more plywood and a few other things and he will begin working on the roof. He explained to the Board he has a few men working with him and feels he can complete the roof and have it cleaned up by the third (3rd) week of February. The Mayor did explain he will need a Contractor’s License and Asst. City Clerk McNorton also noted he would need to bring his General Liability insurance paperwork. Ald. Wilson made a motion to extend the repairs needed on Shauna Lewis’s house until the first Council Meeting March 7, 2016.  Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

It was discussed that this is an annual membership that we pay to MO. Rural Services Corp.

Ald. Coe made a motion to approve the Mayor signing the membership agreement for MO. Rural Services Corp. for $200.00. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

The Board discussed Bill NO. 2016-474 Ord. No. 2016-484 Repealing the existing chapter 210 regarding Crimes and Punishments for the Police Department and enacting a new chapter 210.

The Mayor noted and this will be the first reading, by title only of Bill NO. 2016-474 Ord. No. 2016-484 Repealing the existing chapter 210 regarding Crimes and Punishments for the Police Department and enacting a new chapter 210. Ald. Wilson made a motion to accept the first reading  of Bill NO. 2016-474 Ord. No. 2016-484 Repealing the existing chapter 210 regarding Crimes and Punishments for the Police Department and enacting a new chapter 210.

The Mayor noted and this will be the first reading.  Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

The Board discussed the waivers for the Holiday Express Train parking. Ald. Wilson made a motion to have the Mayor sign the waivers for parking for Holiday Express Train. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

The Board discussed setting 2017 Budget meetings. It was agreed to set the Budget Meeting for December 19, 2016.

Citizens Business: Mr. Bunch brought up that he had read the minutes from the previous meetings about his request to have his trash line item removed. He noted that in the minutes it says that if you have a phone, you pay for the service whether you use it or not, but he noted that you do get charged more if you make a long distance call. Asst. City Clerk again explained that there would be no way to let the sanitation company know to pick up at this house and not that one as they’re out at 2:00 A.M. and are not looking at addresses. It was brought up by Mr. Bunch that he believes Mr. Wagner is related to one of the office workers and he feels that is the reason his trash line item was not removed. Mayor Richmond noted that he did not feel that was the reason. Mayor Richmond then noted that the Board had decided to leave the line item on his bill at this time.

Old Business: There was no old business

New Business: There was no old Business

Department heads:   

  • Chief Drake- Nothing to report
  • Denis Kolb- Not present
  • Meghan Sexson- You have your monthly report for November and it was a good month and December is looking to be a good month also.
  • David Brodie – Brodie noted he got the ten (10) flashlights with 9 volt batteries for the Holiday Express Train coming. He also noted he had brush hogged the property between Whitmore and Wall and the City property across the road. McNorton noted that the Livingston property is going to need to be roped off as they do not want any parking on the property the day of the train. Brodie then noted he has confirmation that the porta-potties will be here Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.  The Mayor noted he has asked McNorton to put on Facebook that we need two more volunteers as elves for the Holiday Express Train and they need to be 18 years or older. The Mayor also noted he met with the School Board and asking for school to be let out that day was unsuccessful. Chief Drake noted that Goodman Elementary will be making sure there is no parking on the school property until school has been let out. Drake also noted he asked for an All Call to the parents to make sure your kids walking home know there will be a lot of traffic and to be extra careful on that day. Drake also mentioned a meeting is set up with Mike Hall, McDonald County Sheriff, Chris Owen, Pineville Marshall, Daniel Garner, Police Chief of Anderson, Lisa McColl with McDonald County 911 and Mike Ross with Freeman Ambulance Service to discuss where what role each entity will take during the Holiday Express event at 9:00 A.M. on the 9th. Brodie then mentioned he has the barricades, he just needs to know where to place them.  Drake mentioned the corner of B Ave. and Janice and mud alley.                
  • Karla McNorton – Michael Barnett with Ward and Spirit church (behind Cornerstone Bank) will be handing out hot chocolate at the gazebo for the x-mas parade. The Board needs to discuss if they will be giving the employees a Christmas bonus this year.  It was discussed how much the bonus was last year.  Ald. Wilson made a motion to give all Employees a $50.00 bonus for Christmas.  Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

Ald. Kezar made a motion to approve the bills in the amount of 48,715.83 including transfers. Ald. Coe seconded. Ald. Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

Ald. Wilson made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Ald. Kezar seconded.  Ald. Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.