COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday February 20, 2018
The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Keith Kohley, Alice Kezar and Ron Johnson. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Police Chief Curt Drake, Tax Collector Meghan Sexson, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb and City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were Matt & Sara Morgan, Lois Kolb, J.R. Fisher, Jared Mackall, James Roney and Sally Carroll from the McDonald County Press.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The Board discussed the minutes from February 6, 2018. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the minutes from February 6, 2018. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley, Johnson and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor acknowledged James Roney to discuss extending his February water payment to March 2, 2018. James explained he is getting a divorce and needs a little time to get his finances in order. He is planning on paying the water bill by March 2, 2018 or before. Ald. Wilson moved to approve extending James Roney’s water bill to March 2, 2018 or before. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley, Johnson and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the rate increase for employee health insurance through Anthem. Karla explained that for basically the same coverage, it is $380.79 more a year. After a brief discussion, Ald. Kohley moved to keep the Anthem health coverage. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley, Johnson and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Old business: Ald. Kohley brought up the Goodman Elementary school. He wanted to know if we have heard any more on when the school construction will begin. Mayor Richmond noted there is no news on the school breaking ground next month. David noted they did soil samples last month and he has not seen anyone since.
Mayor Richmond noted the new (used) water truck is in operation and doing well. City Supervisor Brodie noted David Sarratt would like an over the fender tool box to haul the rest of his tools. The Cost is $200.00. Ald. Kohley moved to approve purchasing a over the fender tool box for $200.00. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley, Johnson and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley also asked about the condemnation of 108 W. Williams. City Clerk McNorton explained she has sent the Findings of Fact letter certified mail and she had not received anything back saying it has been returned or accepted. J. R. Fisher said he would like to purchase the property and fix it and he has tried to contact the owner without luck. Mayor Richmond noted we would need to talk to City Building Inspector Marcus Pratt to see if any of it is salvageable as he has already stated the structure is condemnable. We would also need to contact our City Attorney and see if it is an option after we receive word on the certified letter.
New business: Mayor Richmond brought up a letter the City received from the McDonald County Historical Society about a benefit dinner and auction April 7, 2018 at the River Ranch Resort in Noel. You can buy a ticket for $30.00 a person to the banquet or a whole table for $250.00 (6 tickets.) After a brief discussion, it was agreed for the Board to think about if they could go and we will put in on the agenda for the next council meeting March 6, 2018.
Mayor Richmond brought up the sign at the ballpark and wanted to know if it can still be put back up. David noted it is faded and needs a new pole. He will try to find something to put it back up with.
Ald. Wilson Thanked David Brodie for putting a cover over the night depository box.
Citizens business: Sara Morgan asked the Board if they had thought anymore about the UTV Ordinance. Mayor Richmond noted he has discussed it with Chief Drake, but he needs to read the ordinance word for word. Sara Morgan noted her UTV has front and rear lights and turn signals. The Mayor noted we will look into permits further and discuss it with or City Attorney. Chief Drake also noted he and City Clerk McNorton had discussed a maybe a card that has the City Seal on it and can be laminated.
- Department head reports.
Curt Drake- you have your monthly report. He hadn’t done them in a while and wanted to start doing them again.
Denis Kolb-Nothing to report.
David Brodie-Lightning got the phone line to the well that lets the pump pressure know it’s at a certain level. There is a break in it somewhere and we had a guy out here all day. Revis can put in a new level control and it should fix the problem. The cost is $2100.00. I went ahead and ordered it. It is in Pennsylvania and should be here in 2-3 days. The Board agreed we needed to get the part to fix the well.
David Brodie also noted the Carport is scheduled to be put up on Friday February 23, 2018 at the ballpark.
David also asked about getting bids to fix the roof where the pipes come in as they are leaking. It was agreed to get the bids to fix the roof.
Meghan Sexson- You received the January report. It was a good month.
Karla McNorton- Karla noted that Liwy Diras has asked to use the ballpark on August 4, 2018, that is the same day as the City Wide Yard Sale. It was agreed to have Liwy Diras will need to choose another weekend.
The Board discussed the bills in the amount of $38,432.82 including transfers. Ald. Kezar moved to approve the bills in the amount of $38,432.82 including transfers. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley, Johnson and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn the meeting. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley, Johnson and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.