COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday October 1, 2019
Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Ron Johnson, Ed Tuomala and Calvin Wilson. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Police Chief Curt Drake, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb, Tax Collector Meghan Sexson and City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were Lois Kolb, Kevin Keeney, Bonnie Bainter, Linda Gill, Marshall, Long, Tammie Davis. Greg Beckner, Keith Estes, Darrell Epperson, Sam Boblett, Nicole Sarratt, Tyler Smith, Ray Villa, Heith Lewis, Steve Bradford, Pat and Candace Watson, Nick Smith, JR Fisher, Leann Cooper, Clyde Davidson, Meghan Sprenkle, Kent Hartman, Aaron Hutchison and Sally Carroll from the McDonald County Press.
Mayor Richmond called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and noted Ald. Hallmark was not present.
The Board discussed the minutes from the regular meeting September 17, 2019. Ald. Tuomala moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on September 17, 2019. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 and Ald. Johnson abstained.
The Board discussed citizen survey. The Board agreed that it would be tabled until the next meeting since Ald. Hallmark was not present.
The Board discussed using temp service. The Board agreed that it would be tabled until the next meeting since Ald. Hallmark was not present.
The Board opened bids for footers at community building. Before the bids were opened, Mayor Richmond noted that citizen Aaron Hutchison wanted to speak on the subject.
Aaron Hutchison asked the Board how they plan to pay for the community building after it’s built. He explained that it’s going to cost the City more that it’s going to make to maintain it and provided the Board with information from Pineville and the cost to maintain their community Building. Mr. Hutchison noted he felt the funds would be better spent hiring another officer than being spent re-building the community building. The Board thanked him for the information provided and Mayor Richmond noted that the City did not think it would be a big money maker, just want to charge for the cost of the utilities. The Board then opened the first bid from Widener Concrete. The 70×40 footing as drawn and described in bid pack and slab addition as drawn for $7850.00. The second bid is from Stabil-Loc as described in the drawing is $29,080.00. It was noted by the Betterment Club representative Marshall Long that Travis Vic had put in a bid when the City had a special meeting for around $5000.00. It was agreed to table the discussion to the next meeting to locate the bid before the Board voted on the footers.
Mayor Richmond acknowledged Bonnie Bainter to discuss street lights. Ms. Bainter asked about getting a street light on her road as she is the only house on that side of Pearl and it’s very dark. It was noted by Chief Drake there have been prowlers spotted in that area.
Mr. Keeney also noted that he had driven around town and there are no street lights on all four corners of Hwy 59 & C Hwy, none on Russell St. and none on the dead end road he lives on.
Mayor Richmond then acknowledged Nikki Sarratt. Mrs. Sarratt asked why the Board wasn’t hiring another officer instead of trying to fire the only officer the City has. Mayor Richmond noted the City is taking applications. It was asked if the Citizens could attend the meeting. It was noted it was a closed meeting by state law, to protect the privacy of the individual.
Mayor Richmond then noted that Mr. Epperson was here to discuss the Police Department and gave him the floor. Mr. Epperson asked the Board to vote on whether they were going to hire him. Mayor Richmond noted the Board would not be voting on whether to hire him as the Board has decided to go in another direction. There was no further discussion.
The Board discussed cameras for police station. It was noted by Chief Drake that he would need at least 5 to 6 cameras. City Supervisor Brodie then noted the Board should consider cameras for the treatment plant and he would need at least 3. After a brief discussion, Ald. Tuomala moved to purchase the $549.00 camera system (same as the ones the City Hall ordered from the previous meeting) and the Blink X32 camera system for $199.00 for the Treatment plant. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed Michael Keels installing cameras for City Hall. City Clerk McNorton asked to have Michael Keels install all the camera systems. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to look at other avenues before having Michael Keels install the cameras.
Discuss renewing Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council (HSTCC) annual membership.
It was asked what all does HSTCC do. It was noted they do grant writing, they did our mapping update, and the City’s Comprehensive Plan. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to table the meeting until the next agenda.
Citizens business: Aaron Hutchison asked the Board how they plan to pay for the community building after it’s built. He explained that it’s going to cost the City more that it’s going to make to maintain it and provided the Board with information from Pineville and the cost to maintain their community Building. Mr. Hutchison noted he felt the funds would be better spent hiring another officer than being spent re-building the community building. The Board thanked him for the information provided and Mayor Richmond noted that the City did not think it would be a big money maker, just want to charge for the cost of the utilities. There was no further discussion.
Unfinished business: Ms. Davis noted that since she last asked for her street light that there was a truck just sitting across the street and she was concerned as it is dark around her home. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to have City Supervisor Brodie and the Board drive around and locate all the areas that need lights.
New business: JR Fisher provided the Board with a copy of page 24 from the 2018 Audit and asked for clarification on the highlighted section. It reads as of December 31, 2018, of the City’s First Community Bank cash and investment balance of $1,238.232, $250.00 was covered by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Insurance and the remaining $988,232 was collateralized with securities held in the Arkansas Banker’s Bank, in the name of the City and pledged to the City. City Clerk McNorton explained that the City’s Bank, First Community Bank is based out of Arkansas. McNorton will ask Auditor Nick Myer’s for clarification on the rest. There was no further discussion.
Linda Gill noted she thought the Ozark Orchard Festival went great and hope it continues and grows. Mayor Richmond noted that there would need to be more volunteers if it’s going to grow. Pat and Candace Watson offered to volunteer for the next Festival. Candace also mentioned she thought it would be great if the City had a Facebook page to promote the Festival. Tax Collector Sexson noted the Festival has its own page.
Mayor Richmond also noted the Christmas Train will be here December 14, 2019.
Department head reports:
Curt Drake: Drake provided the Board with his monthly report.
Drake then informed the Board he had to replace the alternator in the Dodge Truck after replacing the battery. He has not worried about the S.U.V.
The Board then discussed hiring Gary Huff, a 27 year veteran of McDonald County. After a brief discussion, Ald. Wilson moved to hire Mr. Huff at $13.00 an hour for a 36 hour to full time position.
Ald. Tuomala seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Denis Kolb: Nothing to report.
David Brodie: David noted he would like to have Neosho come down with a camera and look at the sewer lines and clean them before the road is paved. It will cost $5.00 an hour. Ald. Tuomala move to have Neosho come and camera and clean the sewer lines on Whitmore St. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Brodie then noted he would like to wait to wait until the road is being paved before he fixes the berm on the West side of the road as it can be done at the same time.
Brodie also noted that the tree limbs on Whitmore Street are damaging the busses. The lights on the top are being knocked off. He would like to get a tree trimmer in here and trim the tree limbs. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to get some quotes in trimming the tress.
Brodie then noted that Kevin Carter is doing great.
Brodie also noted He and Kevin started filling pot holes today.
Meghan Sexson: Nothing to report.
Karla McNorton: The Board has their June financial Statements.
McNorton also noted that Today was Paula Brodie’s last day and Shirley Igisomar is doing well.
The Board discussed the bills in the amount of $31,678.18 including transfers. Ald. ________ moved to approve the bills in the amount of $31,678.18 including transfers. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. _______ made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ald. ____________ seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.