The Board of Aldermen held a meeting on Tuesday night July 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Keith Kohley, Kristin Lett, JR Fisher and Bill Hess. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, City Clerk Paula Brodie and Officer Curt Drake. Guests included Carlton Lewis, Gene Lett, ______ Davis, Dawn Bunch, Clyde Davidson, Jim Morgan from the Goodman Area Fire Protection District, Dawn Davidson, Denis Kolb, Goodman Emergency Management Director, Bill Rataczak, and Lisa McCool Rataczak, from 911. Also present were Amye Buckley, Neosho Daily News and Joyce Haynes from the McDonald County Press.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from July 5, 2011. Ald Lett asked for amendments to be added to the minutes from July 5, 2011. She stated to clarify what happened on the day Ald Kohley asked Missy for the closed meeting minutes. She stated that she was present and that Missy refused to give Ald Kohley the minutes but failed to give him a reason why she wouldn’t give them to him. Ald Lett also asked that it be made clear that she did not tell Missy at the meeting on July 5, 2011 that she should have gone into JR’s business to see if he was there. She also asked that it be noted that the minutes reflected that Missy had stated that during the ice storm not one of the Board members came by to see if anyone needed anything. Ald Lett asked that it be added to the minutes that no one from City Hall had contacted the Emergency Management Department either. Ald Kohley asked that it be noted also that he was not with Ald Fisher as reported because that would have been a violation of the sunshine law. Ald Hess stated that he would like to add a correction also. He stated that he wanted it made clear that he said that the Board had not been fair to him, not Missy when they would not discuss why they were terminating her with him. Ald. Fisher moved to approve the minutes from July 5, 2011 with the above noted amendments and corrections. Ald. Kohley seconded. Aldermen Fisher, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye, with 0 nays.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the special meeting on July 7, 2011. Ald Hess moved to approve the minutes from July 7, 2011. Ald Kohley seconded. Aldermen Fisher, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye, with 0 nays. Ald Hess asked if the Board needed to approve the closed minutes also The Mayor stated that they were included with the regular minutes.
The Board discussed a request by Robert Adams to average his water/sewer bill. It was noted that Mr. Adams works nights but David reported that he had been monitoring Mr. Adams meter and stated that if Mr. Adams did have a leak it had stopped. Ald Fisher moved to average his water and sewer bill. Ald Lett seconded. Ald Fisher, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye, with 0 nays.
The Board discussed going over applications for the Asst. City Clerks Position. They agreed to meet in closed session on Friday the 22nd at 7:00 PM to discuss the hiring, firing or disciplining of personnel.
The Board discussed renewing the support contract for the Jayhawk water billing software. The Clerk noted that with a new water clerk being hired she might have to call and ask for more support than usual. Ald Hess moved to renew the contract with Jay Hawk. Ald Kohley seconded. Ald Fisher, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed allowing the Mayor to sign a letter approving the Goodman Area Rural Fire District retaining a repeater on the water tower at 203 W. Barlow. The Board discussed with Jimmy Morgan the fire districts need to have a letter of approval from the Board allowing them to maintain the antenna on the city water tower. Ald Lett moved to allow Mayor Richmond to sign the letter. Ald Kohley seconded. Ald Fisher, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the following old business:
The Board discussed Jesse Ruby’s water problem. Ald Fisher stated that Jesse Ruby and Mr. Cantrell said they would be willing to sign the easements. He said that Mrs. Wiley needed some extra time for her son to read the easement when he gets back from vacation. The Board agreed to table further discussion until the next meeting.
Clyde reported that the awards banquet for the ball program is set for July 23rd at the ballpark from 12:00PM to 3:00PM. He also noted that the Recreation Department had picked up the lights from the Neosho School. He said that Empire might help them install them and that they will need a new breaker box. He said there will be some added costs to install the lights. He noted that there will be food and fun things for the kids to do at the awards banquet and he told the Board that they were all welcome to attend.
Dennis Kolb asked if the Board had looked at the proposal on the IRIS system. He said that IRIS has agreed to lower the cost per person from $1.50 to $1.00. Lisa McCool stated that the 911 Board is interested in getting the IRIS system also. She stated that they had looked into the reverse 911 system which would cost $1.00 per person. It was noted that if the City does get the IRIS system they could offer it to 911. The Denis stated that he would like to see the city bill the charge out on their water bills. Dennis stated that if the city had the IRIS system they could sign up other cities like Tiff City, Noel, etc. Ald Hess stated that he thought it would be a good idea but he didn’t think that the city could force the landowners to pay for the memberships. Dennis stated that the City was not allowed to sound the tornado siren now to warn people of approaching tornados but if they had the IRSI system they could. He stated that it will cost $2.00, $1.00 for IRIS, $.75 cents to the 911 and .25 cents to the city for maintaining the system. Dennis stated that it would cost $560.00 for the initial set up fees. It was noted that the tornado siren could only be sounded by the Fire Chief or the McDonald County Emergency Management Director.
The Mayor stated that it sounds good, but asked shouldn’t the city ask the people if they would be interested. Clyde Davidson stated that maybe the city could hold a public meeting to discuss the system. Dennis Kolb stated on December 31stst 2010 there was a tornado in Arkansas. He said that the Goodman Emergency Management Department was the only department on duty. He said that if there had been a tornado in Goodman there would have been no way to warn the citizens. Ald Kohley stated that their hands were tied right now and they can not inform the citizens, he stated that it was really frustrating. Lisa McCool stated that her 911 board has asked her to contact the cities, and water districts to see if they wanted to ask their customers if they would consider joining the IRIS system. Ms. McCool stated that her Board had not made any final decisions but if 911 could work under another city the 911 Board would not have to pay for every residence in McDonald County, only those people who would decide to opt-in and pay for them selves would be counted.
Ms. McCool was asked why 911 and McDonald County Emergency Management Department both had to have the system. She stated that 911 and the McDonald County Emergency Management Department are not connected. Ms. McCool stated that the McDonald County system has only 200 available slots on its IRIS system right now but she would like to see the whole county signed up.
Mayor stated that it was obvious that everyone was in agreement that the IRIS system was needed, however there were many questions that still needed answered. The Board agreed to table further discussion until the next regular board meeting.
The Mayor stated that he had met with Callie Hudson and Sy Warner from the Cornerstone Bank and received the check for $6500.00. He stated that he had contacted Paul Sprenkle to see if he wanted to be in the picture to represent the Goodman Betterment Club, as the club had been the ones to start the building. He noted that the $6500.00 is part of the $20,000.00 that the Cornerstone Bank has promised to the City if it receives grant funding. He also noted that the city had received two bills on from Hudson Consulting for $2,744.00 and one from Paragon Architecture. The Board discussed the bills, and how they do not have a written contract with Ms. Hudson stating what her fees are. The Board agreed to not pay the bills but table discussion of their questions for the next Board meeting.
Clyde stated that the Betterment Club still intended to guild the fence at the new city par, however the club has not met to make their final plans.
The Department heads gave the following reports:
Tom West- not present
David Brodie- reported working on the plans for the hookups for the generators. He noted he needed more time to get the plans drawn up.
Dawn Bunch –no report
Paula Brodie – no report
The Board discussed the following new Business:
1. Note: Karen Freund filed for unemployment benefits. The Clerk asked about does the Board want to allow her to receive the unemployment benefits or not. Ald Fisher asked if it could be discussed in the closed session on Friday. The Mayor stated that he didn’t think it needed to be discussed in closed session. Ald Fisher stated he had some questions and would like to know if he could have some time to make some phone calls. Mayor Richmond stated that the Board would have an open session to discuss the claim for unemployment benefits and then go into closed session for personnel
2. Note: The new check signers signed the City’s Certificates of Deposits.
3. Note: City wide yard sale will be on July 30th, 2011 from 8:00 am to 3:00pm. Don’t forget to sign up for the city map. Names must be turned in by the 25th.
The Board discussed the bills for July 19, 2011 for $25696.05 including transfers. Ald Lett asked what the CCR Report was and why was it placed in the Arkansas Paper. David stated that it was an annual report to the citizens on the water that is tested twice monthly and required by the Department of Natural Resources. He stated it had to be run in the paper and posted at three places. He stated that he had posted it at First Community Bank, the Goodman Post office and City Hall. It was noted that the Northwest Arkansas News owns the local paper. The notice was run in the McDonald County Press. Ald Fisher moved to approve the bills in the amount of $25,696.05. Ald Kohley seconded. Aldermen Fisher, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald Fisher seconded. Aldermen Fisher, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
__________________________
Greg Richmond, Mayor
Attest:
______________________________
Paula W Brodie, MRCC, City Clerk
Approved: ____________________
Date: ________________