The Board of Aldermen held a meeting on Tuesday night February 5, 2013 at 7:00 PM.  Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Kristin Lett, Calvin Wilson, Keith Kohley and Bill Hess. Also present were Officer Curt Drake, City Supervisor Davie Brodie, City Clerk Paula Brodie and City Tax Collector Dawn Bunch. Guests included Jim Morgan Stan Marion and Lois Kolb.

The Mayor called the meeting to order.

The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the meeting on January 15 2013. Ald. Wilson noted that there was a typo on the minutes regarding L & M Construction and Farming; he noted that it should read L & M Construction and Framing. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from January 15, 2013, with the above noted correction.  Ald. Lett seconded. Ald. Lett, Wilson, Hess and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays. 

The Mayor stated that the Board was holding a Public Hearing to discuss changing the zoning at Marion’s Market 205 S. Roy Hill Blvd from C-2 to R-3. Mr. Marion had requested the hearing so that he could change his grocery store into apartments.

Public comments were; Jim Morgan said he felt it was unfortunate that Stan Marion had to close his store. He also noted that he understood there was a question as to whether or not his septic system would handle apartments. He said that he knew that Otten plumbing had put in the septic system when Stan had the store rebuilt and that it would handle apartments. Stan stated that the Health Department said that a 1500 gallon system could handle three bedrooms, so his septic system could handle 4 apartments, with a total of 5 bedrooms.  Mr. Marion stated he wasn’t bitter at the Dollar General but because it had affected his business he had to take out the store and would like to put in apartments.

There were no public comments against changing the zoning from C-2 to R-3.

Ald. Lett moved to approve changing the zoning at 205 S. Roy Hill Blvd. from C-2 to R-3. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Lett, Kohley, Wilson and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.  

The following Department Head reports were:

   Officer Curt Drake- had nothing to report.

David Brodie- informed the Board that he had been in contact with Capital City Ford about the cost of a state contract truck. He said they had a Ford F250, 4 wheel drive, ¾ ton, Fleet vehicle, with air conditioning, 6.2 motor, V-6. He said it was a very standard truck with roll down windows, rubber floor matting, regular cab, etc. It was noted that the truck was bid out on the state contract bidding process so the City would not need to put it out for bid. David stated that with a snow plow hook up they had quoted him a price of $20,985.00. He noted that they would take the bed off for a credit of $500.00 but he had said to leave the bed on because he felt the city could get more for it than the $500.00 and anything the city received on the bed could be put towards a utility bed.

He noted that he had contacted Bus Andrews about the cost and installation of a utility bed and was told the bed would be around $5,300.00 installed with lights. He noted that Bus Andrews had installed the snow plow over 15 years ago and the city had never had any trouble with it. He noted that the bed would need to be put out for bid.

Ald. Wilson asked how long it would take to get the truck. David said the salesmen told him it would take 4 to 6 weeks.  

David stated that he had gotten a price from the Chevrolet dealer on the state contracted Chevrolet truck that compared to the Ford F250 and the cost was $21,800.00 for the Chevrolet truck without hitch. He noted that he thought the Ford F250 would be a better work truck.

David noted that he had been looking for a used vehicle but for one with around 60,000 miles the cost was $18,000.00, so he thought the City would be better off to purchase the new truck.

Ald. Wilson moved to purchase a F250 Ford from Capital City Ford for $20, 985.00. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Hess, Lett and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

Denis Kolb- nothing to report.

Dawn Bunch – Monthly report.

Paula Brodie – informed the Board about the annual City Clerks Spring Institute March 11^th to 14^th 2013. She informed the Board that she had applied for a scholarship from the Southwest Division of City Clerks and Finance Officers Association and had received a scholarship for the seminar fees, and the Pineville City Clerk was going to attend and they would share a room to help with the room cost. Ald. Wilson moved to approve Paula attending the Institute. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Wilson and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.

   – informed the Board that they had received an increase on the  employees  premiums for the health insurance through Anthem. She told the Board that she had contacted Tim Roark their agent about looking into different coverage. She noted that he had given her applications for Coventry Health Care Insurance. She noted that she had asked for the same kind of coverage and Mr. Roark had informed her that the employees could go to either Mercy or Freeman for care under the Coventry coverage. The Board agreed to have the employees fill out applications to Coventry to get a quote. Paula noted that the Board could accept a different coverage through Anthem and stay within their 2013 budgeted health insurance amount. The Board will decide as soon as a quote is received from Coventry.

The Board discussed the following old business: David asked about tires for the Sludge Truck. He said the sludge truck’s tires have dry rot. Jimmy Morgan stated that he thought that the tires should be converted from tubes to tubeless tires. He stated that he had wheels that he would trade for the old wheels on the sludge truck. The new tires would fit on the newer wheels. David stated that he had talked with Paul at Goodman Gas and Service and that the new tires would run around $330.00 each. He noted to purchase the 6 tires from Goodman Gas will cost $1980.00. He told the Board that they haul sludge 3 to 4 times a year. He stated that they will need to start hauling sludge about the end of March and will have to have different tires by then because they are unsafe. Ald. Wilson asked David to check into capped tires just to see what the price would be.

Jim Morgan thanked the Board for having the alley behind the fire station on Main Street repaired.                                        

The Board discussed the following new business:  Jim Morgan, representing the Betterment Club stated that the club has plans to rebuild the gazebo at the Ballpark. He noted that Chad Crow is going to help by supplying the I-beams and the club is going to purchase the metal for the roof and the cross beams. He stated that he understood that there is about 6 pieces of pipe at the ballpark that he believed the City had given to the recreation department. He asked if it was OK for the Betterment Club to use the pipe for the corner pieces of the gazebo. The Board agreed that the pipe could be used for the gazebo. The Board expressed their appreciation for the Betterment Club taking on the project of replacing the gazebo.

Mr. Morgan noted that the Betterment Club had also agreed to clean up the lot at the corner of Wall and Garner. He noted that the property was in the name of Zier. The Clerk noted that Zonnie Marrs, one of the owners lives in Neosho.  Jim said that they were going to try to notify her and tell her they would help her clean up the property.

The clerk noted that she had attended a meeting in Springfield regarding this year’s Community Development Block Grants. She said that she had talked with the Mayor about attending to find out information to apply for a grant for the Community Building. She stated that she had asked Sue Bacorn the grant writer that helped the city get the Block Grant for the water improvement project to look over the application that Callie Hudson had prepared. She said Sue was going to look over the application and would redo it if she felt there was a chance that the city might get the grant. The Mayor noted that the Board might have to agree to put some match money in on the grant application. The Clerk noted that the application will be written up for a Community Building/Emergency Center.

It was noted that the insulation from the chicken houses on C Highway is getting on to other peoples properties. The Board agreed to have the clerk write the owner, Carroll Bailey informing him that it needs to be cleaned up.

David stated that Mr. Gideon is still interested in bidding on the oiler that is stored at the treatment plant. He suggested putting it out for bid and placing the information on posters around town, like the ones they put out for the patrol car, opening the bids on February 19, 2013 at the Board meeting. The Board agreed to place it out for bid and to open the bids on February 19, 2013.

The Mayor told the Board that Corby Clark contacted him about a water leak he had. He said his bill had been increasing the last three months. He said Corby said his bill was really high this month so he asked David to help him find the leak, which he did. David said Corby said that the leak was at his freeze proof hydrant.   The Mayor asked the Board to average Mr. Clark’s water and sewer bill for this month. Ald. Lett moved to allow the averaging of the January water/sewer bill for Corby Clark. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Wilson, Lett, Hess and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.

Jimmie Morgan informed the Board that the Rural Fire Department will be testing out a pumper truck that he has been working on at Marshal Long’s house from 1:00 to 4:00PM on Sunday February 10th. He invited the Board and the public to attend.

The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $30,279.52. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the bills including transfers in the amount of $30,279.52. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Lett and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

Ald. Wilson moved to adjourn. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Lett, Kohley, Hess and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.  

The Board of Aldermen held a meeting on Tuesday night January 8, 2013 at 7:00 PM.  Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Kristin Lett, Calvin Wilson, Keith Kohley and Bill Hess. Also present were Chief of Police Tom West, City Supervisor Davie Brodie, City Clerk Paula Brodie, Tax Collector Dawn Bunch and Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb. Guests included Stan Marion, Joanne Bowser, Lois Kolb and Sandra Alejo.

The Mayor called the meeting to order.

The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the meeting on December 18, 2012. Ald. Lett moved to approve the minutes from December 18, 2012. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Wilson, Hess, Lett and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.

The Mayor noted that Cole Bray, the next person on the agenda was not present yet so the Mayor moved him to the end of the agenda.

The Mayor acknowledged Sandra Alejo to discuss her property at 204 N. Ozark Trail. The Board had sent her a letter giving her a deadline to clean up the lot. Ms. Alejo noted that there had been a lot of work done on her lot but it was not finished. She asked the Board to give her an extension. Ald. Lett moved to give her a 30 day extension. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Wilson, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.

The Department heads gave the following reports:

Tom West- reported that he had completed the yearly reports for the police department.

He asked the Board to allow him to purchase ammo now for the officers to qualify with during the summer. He stated because of all of the discussion of Federal and State changes to the gun laws, ammo has increased in price and will probably continue to increase. He suggested purchasing it now for this year and next year’s qualifications would save the Board money. He stated that he and Curt qualified with 3 different guns and the cost for the ammo would be between $325.00 and $350.00 for each gun. He said he would like to purchase ammo boxes from the Bunker to keep it in. He also noted that he would like to purchase 00 buck shot for their shot guns.  Ald. Lett moved to approve $1100.00 to pay for the ammo, shipping and boxes. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Hess Lett and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

David Brodie- asked the Board to approve his purchasing two loads of gravel for the alley behind the Fire Station. He noted that he had gotten some red clay to fill some holes along the new asphalt by Casey’s. He said he was afraid that the new asphalt would erode because of the holes between the street and Casey’s. He stated that he would use some of the gravel to cover the red clay. Ald. Wilson moved to allow David to purchase two loads of gravel for the holes by Casey’s and the alley behind the fire station on Main Street. Ald. Kohley seconded Ald. Kohley, Wilson, Hess and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.

Tom informed the Board that he and the Drug Task Force Team were involved with a drug bust.

David reported that he is going to be working on the chatter boxes for the lift stations and treatment plant. He noted that he is still having trouble maintaining the PH levels at the treatment plant.

Denis Kolb- had nothing to report.

Dawn Bunch –had nothing to report.

   Paula Brodie – noted that she had contacted Anderson Animal Hospital to see what they would charge to give rabies vaccinations to the dogs that the City takes to the   Joplin Humane Society. She also noted that the USDA inspector had told David Sarratt that the vaccinations must be given by a Veterinarian. She noted she had looked into it and that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has rules regarding rabies prevention and control. She stated that it specifically states that the vaccinations must be administered by a veterinarian or under the supervision of a veterinarian; because he has to certify that they have been vaccinated.  She noted that the Anderson Animal Hospital had not gotten back with her yet.

The Board discussed the following new business: 

The Mayor acknowledged Joanne Bowser who was present to ask for an extension on the time she has to pay her water bill. She stated that she had just turned 65 and the expense of her Medicare insurance is now being taken out of her check. She said she did not realize that was how it was handled and now she did not have enough to pay her water and electric bill. She said that once spring comes she wouldn’t have trouble paying the bill. The Mayor asked if they gave her to the end of the month to pay would that help. She said it would.  Ald. Wilson moved to extend the date her water bill is due until the end of the month. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Wilson, Lett and Kohley voted aye 0 nays.

Stan Marion was acknowledged by the Mayor. Mr. Marion stated that he would be closing Marion’s Market on January 31, 2013. He said that he understood that the land where his store is located is zoned C-2, which is commercial. He stated that he wanted to renovate the store and make it into apartments. He said he knew that the zoning would have to be changed to R-3 to allow for multi-family housing. The Mayor noted that the City Code required him to file a request for a zoning change, with a fee of $50.00. He said that the Board would have to hold a public hearing to see if there was any input on the change. He noted that the Board would need to run an advertisement 15 days prior to the public hearing. The Mayor stated that the Board could hold the public hearing on February 5^th, 2013 at the regular Board meeting. Mr. Marion asked if he had to give the Board something in writing before they would set the date for the Public Hearing. The Clerk stated she thought the Board could state that they had received a verbal request from Mr. Marion during the meeting held today January 8, 2013 to change the Zoning of his store from C-2 to R-3. Ald. Lett moved to approve Mr. Marion’s verbal request for a public hearing on February 5, 2013 to discuss changing the zoning at his store from C-2 to R-3. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Lett and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays. Mr. Marion stated he would bring his fee of $50.00 to the City Hall.

The Board agreed that since Mr. Bray had not made the meeting they would place him on the next agenda on January 15, 2013.

Ald. Kohley stated that there were a lot of dogs running loose around town. David said that they have been trying to catch some of them. Mr. Kohley noted that two of them were from a residence on South School Street.

Dawn asked if Tom has someplace secure to store all of the ammo he was going to purchase. Ald. Lett said that the evidence room was kept locked at all times and that she thought that Tom was the only one with a key, so he could keep the ammo there. 

The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $44,201.24 Ald. Kohley moved to approve the   bills including the transfers in the amount of $44,201.24. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kohley, Lett, Hess and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Wilson, Hess, Lett and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

The Board of Aldermen held a meeting on Tuesday night December 4, 2012 at 7:00 PM.  Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Kristin Lett, Calvin Wilson, , Keith Kohley and Bill Hess. Also present were Chief of Police Tom West, Tax Collector Dawn Bunch, City Supervisor Davie Brodie, City Clerk Paula Brodie, Municipal Judge Clyde Davidson and Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb., Guests included Michael Wasson, Steve Wimpey, Angela Frazier Marcus Van Dorn, Lois Kolb, Jimmie Morgan and Joyce Haynes from McDonald County Press. 

The Mayor called the meeting to order. 

The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the meeting on November 20, 2012. Ald. Lett moved to approve the minutes. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Lett, Wilson and Hess voted aye with 0 nays. 

The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the budget meeting on November 27, 2012. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Wilson, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays. 

The Board discussed the bids to repair the well house roof and the Police department soffit. The bids were opened on November 20, 2012. The bids were: 

      1.  Aaron’s home remodeling and repair, the Police Station 2120.16 and the Well House                     $7,820.64.

      2.  L & M Construction in the amount of $4,255.25 for the Well House roof and $986.50                   for the soffits at the Police Station.

Mr. Van Dorn was present. The Board asked him questions about his bid. The Board was concerned about the differences in the bids. Mr. Van Dorn explained his bids and answered questions. He said he was going to remove all the old rafters, the ceiling and the insulation from the well house and replace the rafters, the ceiling and the insulation. He also noted that he was going to repair the soffits on the police stations and fix the front soffit covering it with metal. He stated that he had a 2,000,000 dollar general liability bond and would get a city license if he was awarded the bid. He said he could start at the first of the year. David stated that would be OK as he had slowed down the leak some and it should hold until Mr. Van Dorn could begin the project. 

Ald. Wilson moved to approve the bid from L & M Construction to replace the well house roof and to repair and replace the soffit at the Police Station. Ald. Lett seconded. Ald. Lett, Wilson, Kohley and Hess voted aye with 0 nays. 

The Board discussed filling the open position of Recreation Board Director. Clyde Davidson was acknowledged by the Mayor and stated that in the past the Board had approved whomever the recreation board suggested. He said that Mr. Wasson had been helping the recreation board director for the last two years, and that last year he had been name the Asst. Recreation Board Director. He said that he felt that if Mr. Wasson wanted the job the Board should appoint him.  Ald. Lett stated that she thought maybe the Board should put the position in the paper so other people knew the position was open. 

Ald. Wilson stated he didn’t see any point in paying for an advertisement to be ran in the paper if Mr. Wasson was interested in the position. He then went ahead and moved to appoint Mr. Wasson as Recreation Board Director. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Hess, Wilson, Kohley and Lett voted aye, with 0 nays. Ald. Lett stated that she wanted it noted that she thought the position should have been placed in the paper so other people would know about the open position. 

The Mayor noted that the date for the candidates filing is from December 11, 2012 to January 15^, 2013 not January 22, 2013 as previously stated at last Board meeting. The Clerk noted that she had placed the wrong closing date on the last agenda and that the candidate filings will be taken until 5:00PM on the 15^th of January. 

The Board discussed the Tornado Siren Activation Policy given them by Denis Kolb, the Emergency Management Director. Greg asked the Board if they had taken a look at the activation policy. He said that he thought that the siren should be sounded once and then once again. He said he was concerned about sounding it every 8 minutes until the warning is over is too much. Clyde Davidson asked what would activate it. He asked would it be activated if there was a tornado warning in the McDonald County area, or just when the City fell into the warning area. He said if a tornado was tracking towards the city it should be activated. Mr. Kolb stated that it would be activated if a tornado warning was issued for the City or when one of the responders actually see one tracking towards the city.  

The Mayor noted that he had asked for copies for the policies from Jasper County, Joplin and Neosho. He said that most of them stated that the tornado siren when sounded would run for a period of 3 minutes, and that their policies also stated that they do not sound an all clear. 

Denis stated he felt that the siren should be sounded every 8 minutes. He said it will only be set off by 911 so that there is a record in writing of who set it off. He noted there were other individuals within the policy who could set it off but that they had to do it through 911 so that there would be a record of who set it off. 

It was noted that it should only be sounded in the case of eminent danger. 

David stated that the tornado siren is really only for those people outside their homes. If you are in the house there is a chance that you would not hear it. 

Denis stated that in the past the tornado siren had been sounded after the storm passed.  He said that he really felt that it should be sounded every 8 minutes. 

It was noted that in the past the siren was set off and on by a radio frequency. Denis stated he thought it was programmed now to run for 3 minutes and then automatically shut off. Jimmie Morgan said that when the siren was worked on recently Marshall Long had been in charge of the work done. He then proceeded to call Mr. Long to find out if the siren was programmed to shut off after 3 minutes. He stated that Mr. Long stated that it had been programmed to shut off automatically after 3 minutes. 

The Board decided to ask Marshall to attend the next meeting so that he could give input on the policy before they voted on it. 

Ald. Wilson said that they might put it in the paper that they sound it when the tornado is headed for Goodman, and that they do not sound an all clear.  It was noted that a lot of people don’t get a paper and that once the policy is decided on maybe the citizens should be sent a notice. No decision was made. 

The following reports were made by the department heads:

            Tom West- had nothing to report. 

David Brodie- noted that a trailer had been removed from underneath a canopy at 204        North Ozark trail. He said that the canopy that was over the trailer really needed to be removed and the lot cleaned up as it was very dangerous. The Board agreed that the clerk should write a letter to the owner telling them they had 30 days to remove the canopy and clean up the lot. If they have any questions they should attend the next Board meeting.

– he also noted that Thursday South School street will be shut off because a contractor would be installing water and sewer lines to a new house.

Denis Kolb- nothing to report. 

Dawn Bunch –nothing to report. 

Paula Brodie –told the Board that the employees received ½ day off for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She noted that Christmas Eve was on Monday this year. She asked the Board if they wanted the City Hall opened for that half day on Monday or did they want to give the employees off for the whole day. The Board agreed that the City Hall would be closed both Monday and Tuesday to reopen on Wednesday December 26^th.  The City Hall will be closed on New Year’s Day January 1, 2013 but will be open on Monday December 31^st until 4:00PM for those wanting to conduct year end business with the City. The Tax Collector noted that she would be receiving tax payments all day on New Year’s Eve.

– stated that shut off day for December would be the 24^th the day before Christmas. She asked the Board if they wanted the shut off moved to the 26 or just not shut off services during December. The Board agreed that there would be no water shut offs during December this year.

– noted the next budget workshop is set for December 11, 2012 at  6:30PM. 

The Board discussed the following old business: 

Clyde Davidson stated that the School Bus drivers wanted to thank the city for the recent asphalting. He noted that they said the road was much easier to drive on now. 

The Board discussed the following new business: 

The Mayor noted that David Sarratt had taken the “D” wastewater test and had passed it. He said the Board would like to commend him for taking the class and for passing the test. The Clerk noted that the Board had agreed to give him $1.00 more an hour when he passed the test. Ald. Lett moved to give him a raise of $1.00 an hour effective December 1, 2012. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Lett, Kohley, Hess and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays. 

Jimmie Morgan reminded everyone that the City’s Annual Christmas parade is Saturday at 1:00PM. 

It was noted that Mr. Morgan had done a good job on removing the burnt out house on School Street. The Clerk noted that the cost was paid by the City but was added to the property taxes as a lien. The Tax Collector noted that the statement had come back as undeliverable. 

The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $147,733.99. It was noted by the clerk that the bills were so high because there was a transfer from the water account into the street department in the amount of $61,625.00 and then a check was written out of the street department account to pay Swift Construction for the street repairs. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the bills including transfers in the amount of $147,733.99. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Wilson, Lett, Kohley and Hess voted aye with 0 nays. 

Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Wilson. Lett, Kohley and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.