COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday March 6, 2018
The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday March 6, 2018 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons 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 Kevin Keeney, Lois Kolb, Roger & Carol Coe, Linda Sharp, Roy Foust and Sally Carroll from the McDonald County Press.
Mayor Richmond called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. The Mayor noted Ald. Wilson was not present.
The Board discussed the minutes from February 20, 2018. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the regular meeting minutes held on February 20, 2018. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Mayor Richmond acknowledged Linda Sharp to discuss averaging her March water bill. Linda explained she had a bad water leak during all the rain, making it difficult to locate, but it is now fixed. She is asking for her March water bill to be averaged. Ald. Kohley moved to approve averaging Linda Sharp’s water bill in the amount of $150.59 with the 20%. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Karla noted Liwy Diras wants to use the ballpark for a family reunion August 11, 2018. This will include the facilities. There will be a large number of people there. If she remembers correctly, the City did charge a deposit last time for some of the electric and to ensure they would clean the property. It was discussed getting dumpsters out there and to find out approximately how many will be attending. It was also discussed contacting Neosho Parks and Recreation Department to see how the property was left when their facilities were used in the past. The discussion was tabled.
Mayor Richmond noted at the last meeting we had discussed sponsoring a table for the McDonald County Historical Society for $250.00 on April 7, 2018. Has anyone thought about if they will be able to attend? Ald. Kezar, Johnson and Kohley all noted they would not be able to attend. It was agreed the City would not be sponsoring a table for the event.
Old business: City Clerk McNorton noted the UTV ordinance already has that the City may issue permits for a fee of $15.00. It was noted that the City really hasn’t had a big issue with it until now. It was noted that if someone is going to be operating a UTV, the police department should be contacted with who will be driving the UTV and that it is for agriculture use and has proper insurance. It was agreed to discuss with City Attorney Duane Cooper if the City would be liable in any way if there was an accident if we started issuing permits. The discussion was tabled.
The Mayor noted that since it is getting warmer, we need to start looking into getting the gazebo on Main St. replaced.
New business:
The Board discussed putting the 1996 Ford out for bid (sealed bids) until May 1st 2018 at 4:00 P.M. It was also discussed to put an ad in the paper and on the Cities Facebook page and that the City had the right to refuse any and all bids. Ald. Kohley moved to put the 1996 Ford out for bid in the paper and on Facebook and that bids would be accepted Until May 1st 2018 at 4:00 P.M. and the City has the right to refuse any and all bids. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley noted he will not be at the next meeting as he will be having surgery on March 19th, 2018.
Citizens business: Roy Foust explained to the Board that he received his bill and it is $96.08 and shows he used 7900 gallons. His bill normally shows between 2000 and 3000 gallons. He was hoping the Board would show him some relief on his bill as he has checked and he has no leaks. City Clerk McNorton noted that she had looked over his account and his usage at its highest was in 2014 at 4100 gallons. It was also noted the City workers checked his meter and it did not show he had a leak. City Supervisor Brodie noted it was more than likely a toilet that was hanging and that sometimes it is very difficult to hear that a toilet is running. Mr. Foust agreed to look into one of the toilets leaking. It was noted that Mr. Foust’s average is between 2000 and 3000 gallons a month and that would put his bill at $57.72, if the Board decided to average his bill. Ald. Kohley moved to approve averaging Roy Foust’s bill for $57.72. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Kevin Keeney asked the Board if they have heard anything about the Goodman Elementary School and when they will start to rebuild. Tax Collector Meghan Sexson noted the Neosho School District finally got their insurance settlement about two weeks ago and are talking about breaking ground April 4, 2018. It was discussed that Mayor Richmond should attend the next School Board meeting March 19th to verify when the school district plans to break ground.
Department head reports:
Curt Drake- Nothing to report
Denis Kolb- Nothing to report
David Brodie- The carport at the ballpark is up.
The valve at the treatment plant will be installed Thursday.
The sump pump at the treatment plant is worn out and David
would like to replace it for $200.00. Ald. Kohley moved to
approve David getting a new sump pump for the treatment plant
for $200.00. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Meghan Sexson- Meghan noted the Board had their February report.
Meghan then asked the Board about paying her while City Clerk Karla McNorton and Water Clerk Dana Cornwell are gone to training next week as she will be here by herself answering the phone, taking water payments and doing her tax collector work also. After a brief discussion, Ald. Kohley moved to pay Meghan $10.00 an hour while Karla and Dana are gone to training to answer the phones and take water payments. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Karla McNorton- Remind the Board that Dana and she will be out of the office for training Monday through Thursday of next week.
Karla then asked the Board if Mike Williams of Mike’s Lawn care would be mowing for the City again this year and would the Board like to make a motion on it. It was noted that Mr. Williams will contact the City and let them know if his rates have changed and the Board will discuss it then. The discussion was tabled
The Board discussed the bills in the amount of $42,372.69 including transfers. Ald. Kezar moved to approve the bills in the amount of $42,372.69 including transfers. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn the meeting. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.