COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday September 3, 2019
Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Beth Hallmark, Ron Johnson, Ed Tuomala and Calvin Wilson. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Police Chief Curt Drake, Tax Collector Meghan Sexson, City Attorney Duane Cooper and City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were Greg Beckner, Jerry Bates, Roy Foust, Clyde Davidson, Kevin Keeney, JR Fisher Bill Weber, Craig Wilson, Nick Smith and Sally Carroll form the McDonald County Press.
Mayor Richmond called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
The Board discussed the minutes from the regular meeting August 20, 2019. Ald. Tuomala moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on August 20, 2019. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Hallmark, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the minutes from the public hearing August 22, 2019. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the public hearing held on August 22, 2019. Ald. Tuomala seconded. Ald. Hallmark, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye and Ald. Johnson abstained.
Mayor Richmond addressed the Board and Citizens. Mayor Richmond noted that he has always tried to run the meetings easy going and let people speak freely, but the last few meetings have gotten out of hand. The meetings need to be run with decorum. At future meetings, if you want to speak and were unable to get on the agenda by Thursday, you will need to fill out the paper (shown to the citizens) before the meeting starts, so the meetings can be ran the correct way. Mayor Richmond also noted that the minutes are to be kept to a certain extent, but will not be kept word for word. The minutes will be a synopsis of the meeting.
Mayor Richmond acknowledged Craig Wilson to discuss flooding on Whitmore Street.
Mr. Wilson asked if the Board had decided to do anything with the flooding on Whitmore Street as he has flooding with the heavy rains. After discussing several points, Ald. Johnson moved to cut the berm on the west side of Whitmore St. Ald. Hallmark seconded. Ald. Johnson, Hallmark, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the citizen survey. Ald. Hallmark provided the Board with a rough draft of the survey she would like to send out. Ald. Hallmark also noted that she had researched the price to mail them at $250.00 to $300.00, depending on whether it is a postcard or a tri-fold. Ald. Hallmark also noted the citizens can do the survey online and we will collect the data and can publish online. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to put it on the next agenda.
The Board discussed using temp service for the openings at City Hall. Ald. Hallmark feels it would be beneficial to consider using a temp. service as they can send out qualified people as it allows us to adjust more quickly when needing help and the City can get a rapport with temp services, so they may be used in the future and the temp. service knows what we are need. Ald. Hallmark understands it won’t help in our immediate situation, but could help in the future. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to put it on the next agenda.
The Board discussed putting cameras in City Hall. Mayor Richmond noted that City Clerk McNorton has provided the Board with four different options and the Mayor would like the Board to look over them and it will be put on the next agenda for further discussion
City Clerk McNorton explained that the Board has to make a motion to remove Dana Cornwell from online access to checking accounts from First Community Bank and McNorton has to provide the minutes showing the motion before they will remove her from having access. Ald. Hallmark moved to remove Dana Cornwell from having online access to the checking accounts from First Community Bank. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Hallmark, Tuomala voted aye and Ald. Wilson abstained.
Unfinished business: Mayor Richmond noted the Annual Ozark Orchard Festival is the last Saturday in September (September 28, 2019) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
New business: Ald. Hallmark asked about updating the council and staff on the website. City Clerk McNorton noted she is the one to do that.
Ald. Hallmark then discussed removing access to all Social Media, gambling and shopping sites. After a brief discussion, Ald. Hallmark moved to restrict access to all Social Media and gambling sites. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Hallmark, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Hallmark also noted that in response to the Audit of segregation of duties, she would like to get a job description and a standard operating procedure for each, so the City can see where there may be a problem and how to correct it.
Ald. Hallmark also brought up whether the City was removed from the ballpark account.
Clyde Davidson explained several reasons why the ballpark was on the City’s account and it was discussed speaking with the auditor Nick Myers, CPA on how to proceed.
Department head reports:
Curt Drake: Chief Drake noted the brakes on the Dodge Ram were fixed.
Curt then explained that at his training the week prior, he found out the City will have to purchase a new reporting system in the near future and will be getting quotes and will bring them as soon as he gets them.
Denis Kolb: Not present.
David Brodie: City Supervisor Brodie noted that the Shea Homes lift station is having a problem with float one. Brodie is keeping an eye on it and will know in the morning if he will need to proceed with fixing the issue.
The Bid for the community building footings is out in the paper.
The building that houses the mowers at the ballpark has been vandalized. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to move the mowers to the treatment plant.
David noted that he has received an application for the City worker position and would like permission for him and the Mayor to interview? It was agreed to have the Mayor and Brodie do the interview and hire the applicant.
Meghan Sexson: Nothing to report
Karla McNorton: Has several applications and would like permission for herself and the Mayor to go through them and set up interviews. The Board agreed.
The Board discussed the bills in the amount of $40,736.40 including transfers. Ald. Tuomala moved to approve the bills in the amount of $40,736.40 including transfers. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Hallmark, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Wilson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ald. Tuomala seconded. Ald. Johnson, Hallmark, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.