The Board of Aldermen held a meeting on Tuesday night November 1, 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, Chief of Police Tom West and Tax Collector Dawn Bunch, Denis Kolb Emergency Management Director. Also present was Joyce Haynes from the McDonald County Press. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. James Vaughan.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the meeting on October 18, 2011. Ald Fisher moved to approve the minutes. Ald Kohley seconded. Ald Fisher, Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed Bill Number 2011-426 for Ordinance # 2011-436 showing the City’s intent to participate in natural hazard mitigation. It was noted by the clerk that Gloria from Harry S Truman Coordinating Council asked for the Board to approve the ordinance as an emergency ordinance because a couple of the cities included in the Hazard Mitigation Plan are asking
The Mayor read Bill Number 2011-426 for Ordinance # 2011-436 by heading only for the first reading. Ald Lett moved to approve Bill Number 2011-426 for Ordinance #2011-436. Ald Kohley seconded. Ald Kohley, Lett, Hess and Fisher voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor read Bill Number 2011-426 for Ordinance # 2011-436 by heading only for the second reading. Ald Kohley moved to approve Bill Number 2011-426 for Ordinance #2011-436. Ald Hess seconded. Ald Kohley, Hess, Lett and Fisher voted aye with 0 nays.
Department head reports:
Tom West- had no reports and asked the Board to start thinking about replacing the white patrol car. The Board will discuss the cars at the budget meetings.
David Brodie- asked to seek bids to have the water towers inspected and cleaned if they find that they need to be cleaned. The Board approved his getting bids.
– noted that some of the equipment at the plant needs to be calibrated.
Denis Kolb – no reports.
Dawn Bunch – gave her monthly report and noted that the tax bills will be mailed on Friday, November 4, 2011.
Paula Brodie -noted quote from Michael Keels on new computers. Noted that the water computer is two months older than the city computer. She asked the Board to consider purchasing a new computer for both departments. The Board discussed the quotes and asked the clerk to see if Michael Keels could attend the next the meeting.
-Noted that the web page now has all of the businesses, a notice about IRIS memberships, Halloween and the Christmas Parade on it. It was noted that the Christmas parade is going to be on December 10th at 1:00PM.
The Board discussed the following old business:
The Clerk noted that Clyde had asked for David to call for locates to install the fence at the park by the City Hall. She said that Clyde said the Betterment club might start the fence on the next Saturday.
The Board discussed the following new Business:
Crystal Vaughn- Stated that she and her husband were present to ask the Board to look into the Police Departments handling of complaints filed by her and her husband and complaints filed against them. She stated that they felt that the Goodman Police Department was biased against them because her husband had been married to the past mayors daughter. She stated that she and her husband felt that their cases were being handled differently then other peoples were because of that reason and therefore they had quit filing complaints through the Goodman Police Department and had started filing their complaints through McDonald County. She stated that for instance her husband had a complaint filed against him in the Goodman Municipal Court by her husband’s ex-wife’s new husband that had never come to court but had been dismissed. Tom stated that he did not remember the exact complaint but if it had been dismissed, it would have been dismissed by the City Attorney Duane Cooper. Mrs. Vaughan stated that the case had been dismissed in Goodman and filed in McDonald County Court instead. Tom stated that if the case was filed in McDonald County it would have been at Duane’s instructions. Mrs. Vaughan asked why the case was handled that way.
Mrs. Vaughan also stated that she and her husband had filed complaints and nothing was ever done. Tom stated that he and Curt take complaints and turn them into Duane. He stated it was the City Attorney’s job to decide what cases he would or would not file and which court the case would be filed with.
Ald Lett asked Tom if favoritism had been shown to the past Mayor’s Daughter. She stated that she was concerned that if Calvin used his position to influence the Police Officers, it could be considered a sunshine violation on the Mayor’s part. Tom stated that the Police Department treated all the citizens the same. He proceeded to tell the Board about a situation that had happened recently concerning a warrant against Mr. Vaughan. He said that he informed the Vaughan’s and talked with Officer Randy Scott from Newton County about the warrant. He said that after he talked with the officer, they discovered that the warrant was for another Vaughn spelled differently than Mr. Vaughan’s name and the warrant was removed.
The Mayor stated that the Board would look into the police officers being biased but that the Board really did not have any jurisdiction over the courts procedures.
Ald Fisher asked if any of the other Board Members thought they should call a closed session to discuss the situation with Duane Cooper. The Board agreed that they wanted to set a meeting with the City Attorney.
The Mayor noted that Crystal will be completing her 90 day probation November 8th. He asked the Board to approve moving her from probationary status to permanent status and approve her raise of $.50 cents. The Clerk reported that Crystal was doing a good job and very competent. Ald Lett moved to end her probation and give her a $.50 cent raise. Ald Kohley seconded. Ald Lett, Kohley, Fisher and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the bills for November 1, 2011 for $5,503.07 including transfers. Ald Lett moved to approve the bills in the amount of $5,503.07. Ald Kohley seconded. Ald Lett, Kohley, Fisher and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald Lett seconded. Ald Kohley, Lett, Fisher and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
______________________ Greg Richmond, Mayor
Attest:
______________________________
Paula W Brodie, MRCC, City Clerk
Approved: ____________________
Date: ________________