COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday June 6, 2017
The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Keith Kohley, and Ron Johnson. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb, Tax Collector Meghan Sexson, Police Chief Curt Drake, City Clerk Karla McNorton and City Water Clerk Dana Cornwell. Also present were Lois Kolb, Roger and Carol Coe, Kevin Keeney, Paula Brodie, Joseph Lombardo, Jared Mackall and Sally Carroll from the McDonald County Press.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Richmond noted that Ald. Kezar was not present.
The Board discussed the public meeting held on May 16, 2017 Ald. Johnson asked that the May 16, 2017 minutes be amended to reflect that the public meeting started at 6 P.M. not 7 P.M.
Ald. Johnson moved to approve the public meeting minutes from May 16, 2017 with the amendment. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley, and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the regular meeting minutes from May 16, 2017. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the regular meeting minutes from May 16, 2017. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley, and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board acknowledged Jim Morgan to discuss the Zoning Ordinance for a possible new Fire Station on Main Street. Mr. Morgan noted that they would like to put the fire station back in the previous location on Main St. Mr. Morgan also stated that the surveyor would be coming back out to get an accurate reading of where the property lines are at so they know how wide & deep they can go. Mr. Morgan said they are in the planning stages and nothing has been decided yet. He just wants to get everything lined out, so when he comes back to the board he will have a definite plan. Ald. Wilson noted it may be better to get the Cities attorney together with the Fire Dept. attorney to make sure there will be no issues with the zoning. Mr. Morgan also stated that we need a station on the North and South side of the tracks in order to help protect our citizens in case of a fire. After a brief discussion, the Mayor asked the City Clerk to contact the City Attorney about the zoning. The discussion was tabled until a later board meeting.
The Board discussed changing the date for the first Council Meeting July 4, 2017. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to have the First Council Meeting on Monday July 3, 2017 at 7:00 P.M.
Old Business: Mr. Lombardo from 108 W. Williams St. said the roofer would be at the house by no later than June 19, 2017. Lots of joists need to be replaced and noted he took out another tree. Mr. Lombardo then noted that it is hard to get a lot done while working a full time job & lack of funds to proceed. Ald. Wilson agreed it is hard to work a full time job and find time to do outside projects, but improvements need to be seen as this has been going on for around 2 yrs. or so. After a brief discussion the board decided to give Mr. Lombardo 60 days to see more improvements done to the property and asked that he come back to the Council meeting on August 1, 2017 to give an update on the progress.
New Business: Mr. Keeney wanted to know why it takes so long to get notices of waist high grass sent out to citizens, why don’t we just write them a ticket. Chief Drake stated that per Judge Davidson’s orders, we are to send out notices to citizens giving them a chance to clean up before issuing them a ticket. Ald. Wilson said all we can do is hope they clean up their yards and if not, then we can issue them a ticket in hopes that they will then clean up their yard. However, we as city employees and citizens cannot go on anyone’s property and clean it for them without their permission. Mr. Keeney also wanted to know if the city could get “slow children at play” signs for streets in Goodman. The board acknowledged and stated that the signs were kind of a double edge sword, as we don’t want kids playing in the streets, but by putting up a sign its saying the kids can.
Citizens Business: NONE
Department head reports:
Curt Drake- Drake noted the Charger will be out of the repair shop with any luck, in few more days. He noted the repair shop found more dents then initially thought. Drake is hoping to get the Truck in the shop this Friday (June 9, 2017); and said it should only take a couple of days to fix at most. Drake then noted the Expedition needs a new radar and the handheld no longer works. Drake is hoping once Charger is back that he can check out prices of refurbished radars for the expedition as well as get the expedition in the shop to have all the power points checked out. He also noted that he should be getting the new decals done in the next week or so. Hutches needs a solid glass door to finish the decals. Mayor Richmond said he thought he had 2 that they could have.
Denis Kolb- Stated he would like to take the 5mbps internet speed up to 15 or 20mbps. With the weather and storms we have had as of late, he thinks the emergency management team needs the upgrade in order to keep up with the radar and to give the citizens more warning of impending weather conditions. The board members asked how much this would cost. Mr. Kolb said $30.00 for 15-20 mbps. After a brief discussion, Ald. Johnson moved to approve this increase in of 15-20 mbps at $30.00 more a month. Alderperson Wilson seconded this motion. Ald. Kohley, Ald. Johnson, and Ald. Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Mr. Kolb also asked for permission to put up a 30ft. tower behind the police station at his own expense. After a brief discussion the board decided to revisit it in a couple of weeks giving time to decide where and how to put it behind the police station, if there was even room for it.
David Brodie- David informed the Board there was a leak over by Choice Puppies. He is not sure if it is their leak or the cities, however Choice Puppies and D. Brodie will be checking it out on June 7, 2017.
He then noted he went to police dept. and the toilet needs to be replaced from the concrete floor and up.
David then mentioned that Monday June 5, 2017 the tower ran down after getting rain in the control box. The city has magnetic contact in all towers and he would like to switch to soft contact. The soft contact will run an approx. $100.00 apiece.
The old white Ford truck is making a popping noise. David has an appt. with Goodman Tire & Auto on June 8, 2017 to look at and fix it if possible.
David also noted he needs 2 front tires for backhoe with tubes, approx. $200.00 a side.
Ald. Kohley moved to have the tires for the backhoe purchased at a total of $400.00. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kohley, Ald. Wilson and Ald. Johnson voted aye with 0 nays.
David them noted the 2016 CCR report is ready and available for public viewing and the city had no violations.
He then mentioned the remaining stumps and debris at the ballpark. He talked to Jim Morgan from Morgan’s Backhoe & Excavating about clearing off 3 acres from the closed City dump and removing the brush from the ballpark. Morgan said it would cost $500.00. Ald. Wilson motioned to approve Morgan’s Backhoe & Excavating to clear off 3 acres from the closed City dump and remove the brush from the ballpark at a total of $500.00 Ald. Johnson seconded. On June 6, 2017 Ald. Kohley, Ald. Wilson and Ald. Johnson voted aye with 0 nays.
Meghan Sexson- Meghan noted the May delinquents were sent out and she is waiting for the bill from Ulrich Software. She placed a call to Ulrich Software, waiting for a call back.
Karla McNorton- Karla reminded everyone that the Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting is June 13, 2017 at 7:00 P.M.
The Board discussed the bills in the amount of $28,083.75, including transfers. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the bills in the amount of $28,083.75, including transfers. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley, and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn the meeting. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.