COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday July 2, 2019
The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday July 2, 2019 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Ron Johnson and Ed Tuomala. Also present were Police Chief Curt Drake, City Supervisor David Brodie, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb, Asst. City Clerk Dana Cornwell and City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were J.R. Fisher, Beth Hallmark, Kevin Keeney, Jerry Pierce, Mike Davis, Teresa White, Greg Beckner, Lois Kolb, Linda Gill and Sally Carroll from 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 June 18, 2019. Ald. Johnson moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on June 18, 2019. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the minutes from the special council meeting June 25, 2019. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the special meeting held on June 25, 2019. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Unfinished business: Ms. Hallmark asked about the community building. Mayor Richmond noted that City Building Inspector Marcus Pratt said the foundation needs to be looked at and repaired. Mayor Richmond noted the meeting Thursday June 27, 2019 he had noted there was a CD available for $37,000.00 from the General Fund and he misspoke. That CD was a Water CD. There is a $94,000.00 General Fund CD that if the Board will commit a certain amount, we can use some of that to complete the community building. It was discussed to put it out for bid to get the foundation fixed, then draw up the specs for the building and then put it out for bid. It was asked if there was a timeline for completion. Mayor Richmond noted at this time, we do not have a timeline. The City is hoping to get the foundation out for bid in the next week or two. Ms. Hallmark then asked if it was going to be a shell or completed inside. Mayor Richmond noted the foundation is 40×70 feet and at the last meeting, it was discussed putting a building 30x50ish feet with a covered patio on the Southside and for vehicle loading and unloading that is handicapped accessible on the Eastside. The inside will have a kitchen and two handicapped accessible restrooms. Not sure how big the kitchen will be yet. The remaining open area will be for tables. This is a rough estimate; nothing is set in stone yet.
New business: Ms. Hallmark first thanked the Board for putting the radar speed sign that tells you your speed on Main Street. It has made a big difference. Ms. Hallmark then noted she was interested in the Southward Alderman position that is open. Ms. Hallmark then noted that she knows you have to be 18 years of age or older, not a felon and a resident of the City. Mayor Richmond then read the resignation letter from Keith Kohley that reads: Dear Mayor and Board of Alderman, I Keith Kohley respectfully turn in my resignation as Southward Alderman. I have accepted a position with Missouri Department of Transportation and will no longer be able to sit on the Board as it is a conflict of interest. I have enjoyed being a part of the Board and plan to continue as Asst. Emergency Management Director. Thank you for your understanding in this matter. Respectfully,
Keith Kohley.
Mayor Richmond then read the qualifications for the opening. No person shall be an Alderman unless he/she be at least eighteen (18) years of age, a citizen of the United States, an inhabitant of the City for one (1) year next preceding his/her election, which Mayor Richmond noted that to mean one (1) year prior to when Ald. Kohley was elected, being April 3, 2017, and a resident at the time he/she serves, of the ward from which he/she is elected. Mayor Richmond also noted you need to have proof that your taxes were paid up to that point. Mayor Richmond noted that anyone interested in the position with those qualifications should bring the proof of taxes paid to the City Hall prior to a Special Meeting that is scheduled during the discussion for Monday July 8, 2019 at 6:00 P.M. Mayor Richmond noted the position needs to be filled. The position will be until April of 2020 when the next regular scheduled election is held. If you want to continue as the Southward Alderman, you would need to put your name on the ballot.
Department head reports:
Curt Drake: The rear brakes are fixed on the Expedition and the front brakes need work, but he hasn’t received an estimate yet. Curt noted that he has not received an estimate for the graphics and he is not concerned about getting it yet as the brakes are more important.
Curt then noted that he needed to attend a required class on reports that the State is making changes on. The class is in Kansas City August 29 and August 30, 2019. He will need to stay in a hotel August 28 and August 29, 2019 and leave on the 30th after class. The class is free, so it will be for my hotel and mileage. Chief Drake noted that he found two hotels in the area. One hotel is for $104.00 a night and the other for $149.00 a night. He would like to get the one for $104.00 a night, but needs to get it reserved before the rooms are gone. Ald. Wilson moved for Chief Drake to reserve a room in Kansas City for August 28 and August 29, 2019 for the class in Kansas City. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Denis Kolb: 5 more days of rain
David Brodie: Brodie gave the board a copy of paperwork and noted that the top sheet is a letter responding to the violations from Mr. Dang from Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The City needs to get the Autodial telemetry alarm systems for the Southeast and Southwest lift stations. Brodie noted he went to several towns nearby and Anderson has a Sensaphone Autodial telemetry alarm system that Brodie really liked. He found it online at Amazon for $373.00 each. The other two were $995.00 and $1,945.00 each, without freight. After a brief discussion, Ald. Wilson moved to have Mr. Brodie purchase the Sensaphone Autodial telemetry alarm systems for $747.00. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
City Supervisor Brodie then explained that the pump that was removed from the lift station a few weeks ago was going to cost $4,958.00 to repair and a new one from Enviroline is $6,700.00, with a two year warranty. For $1,700.00 more, it would make sense to purchase a new one with a warranty. After a brief discussion Ald. Johnson moved to approve purchasing a new pump from Enviroline for $6,700.00. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
City Supervisor also noted the CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) is completed.
Meghan Sexson: Not present.
Karla McNorton: City Clerk McNorton noted that she would be out for surgery starting July 10, 2019 and Asst. City Clerk Cornwell needs off for a medical issue on July 17, 2019. Tax collector Meghan Sexson would be able to cover that day, if the Board approves, for $10.00 an hour, as she has done in the past. City Clerk McNorton also noted that the past due bills are done on 17th of the month and will need to be pushed back to the 18th, as Tax Collector Sexson does not know how to do them. Ald. Wilson moved to approve Meghan Sexson working July 17, 2019 at $10.00 an hour. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Wilson moved to approve moving the past due day from July 17, 2019 to July 18, 2019. Ald. Tuomala seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the bills in the amount of $44,611.10 including transfers. Ald. Tuomala moved to approve the bills in the amount of $44,611.10 including transfers. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Wilson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ald. Tuomala seconded. Ald. Johnson, Tuomala and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.