COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday March 19, 2019
The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday March 19, 2019 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Keith Kohley and Alice Kezar. Also present were Police Chief Curt Drake, Asst. Chief Joe David, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb, Tax Collector Meghan Sexson and City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were, JR Fisher, Lois Kolb, Ed Tuomala, Greg and Lisa Beckner, Jared and Erica Mackall and Sally Carroll from the McDonald County Press.
Mayor Richmond called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and noted that Ald. Johnson was not present.
The Board discussed the minutes from the public hearing March 5, 2019. Ald. Kohley
moved to approve the minutes from the Public Hearing held on March 5, 2019. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed minutes from the regular meeting March 5, 2019. Ald. Wilson
moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on March 5, 2019. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Mayor Richmond acknowledged Mike Davis with Central Fire Safety to discuss servicing City fire extinguishers: Mr. Davis was not present.
Unfinished business:
City Clerk McNorton noted that at the last meeting Lilijean Igisomar came and her daughter noted Ms. Igisomar had purchased a food truck and asked about licensing. Mayor Richmond noted the City does not have an ordinance in place at this time. It was requested that the City Clerk contact other cities. City Clerk McNorton noted she had provided the board with several ordinances to look over and decide which one or parts they would like in an ordinance. It was noted that Grandview seemed to be the most appropriate. It was also noted that other ordinances had keeping equipment clean, trash picked up, no loud music and hours of operation that should be in the ordinance. Mayor Richmond asked the board to look over the ordinances provided in the next week and mark what the board would like in the Mobile Food Vending ordinance and return to the City Clerk so she can get an ordinance typed up for the Board to review.
New business: Mr. Fisher asked the board if the City is taxed like other businesses. Mayor Richmond replied the City does not pay taxes like other businesses, we are tax exempt.
City Clerk McNorton noted that at the training she attended last week she learned about First Amendment Auditing. It is where someone can come in off the street and video record in the City Hall. They can go through any unlocked door and record. That is a concern because they could access our area and record. We are responsible for sensitive information. McNorton asked the Board to allow the purchase of signs that said Employees Only, No Admittance. After a brief discussion, the board agreed to have the signs ordered.
Department head reports:
Curt Drake: Nothing to report.
Denis Kolb: Nothing to report.
David Brodie: City Supervisor Brodie noted that he has called three different asphalt companies to get some prices on paving, like the Board had previously discussed. David gave the asphalt companies measurements on a two inch overlay on all of Whitmore and 900 feet of School Street from the railroad tracks to the end of Sam Boblett’s driveway. The cost would be between $55,000.00 and $65,000.00 roughly. That will not include manhole risers. David then noted that he would like to have the sewer lines checked by having a camera look over the lines before the streets are paved because there could be a break in the line and it would need repaired first so later down the road we do not have to cut the street and fix it, costing more money. David also noted that the water and sewer connections are complete and fire hydrants have been moved for the school.
Mayor Richmond noted he had spoken with Superintendent Cummings and when it gets closer to the time school is going to open, the City and school will get together and look over the streets and assess them. It may be that the school district is responsible for some of the damage and will need to help pay for repairs. David noted that he is concerned about the drainage on Whitmore at this time as it is five times worse than before the construction began. David did note that according to the engineer, they plan on the water going into the storm drain, traveling into a catch basin, which would release the water a little at a time. That would make it less than before the construction began, which would be great.
Mayor Richmond then asked about the gazebo. Mr. Brodie noted that of the people he has contacted, one is out on a mission trip and will return in a few days and the other one hasn’t returned his call. David will keep trying to get ahold of them.
Meghan Sexson: Nothing to report.
Karla McNorton: Nothing to report.
The Board discussed the bills in the amount of $23,782.63 including transfers.
Ald. Kezar moved to approve the bills in the amount of $23,782.63 including transfers.
Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.