The Board of Aldermen held a meeting on Tuesday night April 3, 2012 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Keith Kohley, Kristin Lett and Bill Hess. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, City employee David Sarratt, City Clerk Paula Brodie, Chief of Police Tom West, and Officer Curt Drake. Guests included Crystal Vaughan, J.R. Fisher, Calvin Wilson and Joyce Haynes.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the meeting on March 20, 2012. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the minutes. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor noted that Mr. Hernandez was not present but he had turned in drawings copies of his house. JR Fisher asked if he had to have a contractor’s license and insurance.
Ald. Lett moved to approve Mr. Hernandez’s building permit for 120 N. School St. Ald Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Hess and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed whether or not to purchase a security camera system for the ballpark. Ald. Lett stated that Stuart had asked her to tell the Board that he had not had time to look for prices for security camera systems. She stated that he would have the figures by the next Board meeting. The Board agreed to table any decisions until the next meeting.
The Board discussed moving the $10,000.00 capital improvement line item from the Recreation Dept. budget back to General Fund. Ald Lett stated that the Board needed to wait until after the lights are installed. She told the Board that the poles were set and the lights are going to be installed tomorrow. The Mayor stated that the Board had designated the $10,000.00 for Recreation Department capital improvements to install the lights. He noted that since then the Board had agreed to go ahead and take $15,000.00 from 2011 carry over General Fund money to pay for the lights. He stated that because the installation of the lights is going to be paid for he would like to see the budgeted amount put back into the General Fund. Clyde stated that would be fine with the Recreation Department, however if the Recreation Board had other items that they needed to purchase he was sure the Board would help with those future purchases.
Ald. Hess moved to transfer the $10,000.00 capital improvement from the Recreation Department back into the General Fund. Ald Kohley second. Ald. Hess and Kohley voted aye with Ald. Lett voting no.
The Mayor asked the Board if they had made any decisions in regards to employee raises. Ald Kohley stated that he thought the Board needed to decide what they were going to do. He said that he still recommended giving each employee a $1,000.00 bonus designating it for job performance. There was a question of whether or not the City could give bonuses and what would constitute an increase of job performance. Ald. Lett asked that the Board get a reply from Duane Cooper regarding the legality of giving a bonus. The Mayor pointed out that the raises would have to come out of each fund that the employees are paid out of and would be a cost each year from now on, where as the $1,000.00 would be a onetime expenditure. After much discussion the Board agreed to table their decisions until the next meeting to receive a response from the City Attorney
David stated that Paula had received a request from Kristy Winfrey for a street light at the end of Pearl Street. David said there were two lights down that street however if the Board approved another light there is a pole between 119 Pearl and 121 Pearl Street that the light could be installed on. Ald. Lett moved to approve the installation of a light on the pole between 119 and 121 Pearl. Ald Kohley second. Ald. Hess, Kohley and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
The Department heads gave the following reports:
Tom West-stated he had no reports.
David Brodie – discussed problems with the southwest lift station. He stated that the valve part of the lift station needed to be completely replaced. He noted that the check valve is not working properly and he cannot find replacement parts as it is over 20 years. He said he needed to have it replaced. He pointed out that the Board would have to either hire an engineer to draw up the plans or they could use the plans from the original lift stations to put the project out for bid. He said it was not an emergency but does need to be done as soon as they can put the project together.
– He noted that he had looked at the burned out house at122 N. School Street. He said it was in very bad shape and that William Mosby the City Building Inspector, had not had a chance to come up yet to write up what needs to be done to the house. The Board agreed to go ahead and write the owners asking them to attend the next board meeting to inform the board of what their intentions were on repairing the house. The clerk was instructed to send it registered return receipt.
Denis Kolb- . not present.
Dawn Bunch – not report.
Paula Brodie – noted that the Annual Rabies Clinic will be held on April 14, 2012 from 1:00-2:00 PM at the City Hall.
The Board discussed the following old business:
Curt Drake stated that he had worked with Reserve Officer Richard Cagle. He said that he thought Officer Cagle will work out well as a reserve officer for the City.
The Board discussed the following new business:
David stated that the city has been nominated for the Missouri Rural Water Association’s Water System of the Year award. He said that the award is given out at a banquet during a training session on May 7th, 8th and 9th. He asked if the Board would like to attend to receive the award if the City wins. They agreed that he should be present to represent the city to receive the award if they win. It was noted that the City was one out of three water systems from the state that were nominated. David noted that he does have vouchers from the Department of Natural Resources to pay for the seminar fees but the Board would have to agree to pay for the hotel at the cost of $84.00 a night. Ald. Lett moved to allow David to attend the training seminar. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Hess and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Lett noted that Cross Lines had donated $500.00 to help pay for signup fees for children from the area to play summer ball. She also noted that Lowes and Cornerstone Bank have made donations to fund the materials to build the bleachers at the ballpark.
Ald. Lett asked where Stewart should take the mowers to for oil changes and tune ups. It was agreed for him to take them to Carl Parmley’s. She stated that the Zipper needed a bearing for a back wheel. David said he was sure Carl could order the part.
Ald. Lett stated that Stewart was purchasing a machine that drags the field. She said that he was using the funds from a donation from Wal-Mart but was concerned the funds would not be received in time to purchase the equipment before ball season begins. She asked that the Board approve giving him the funds and then Stewart would reimburse the city when the Wal-Mart funds come in. Clyde said there are enough funds in the Recreation Department’s account to pay for the machine.
Clyde reminded the Board that it was getting close to the time that he needs to attend his annual Judges Training. He noted that the funds should be in the Judicial Training fund account.
The Mayor read a letter of resignation from Crystal Nix. It indicated that her last day would be April 20th, however if the Board wanted her to stay on to help instruct the new clerk she would stay until May 18th. He said that she might have to work on a part time basis as she might not be able to come in every day.
Ald. Lett moved to accept the resignation. Ald Kohley second. Ald Hess, Kohley, and Lett voted aye, with 0 nays.
The Board agreed to place an advertisement in the Neosho Daily News and the McDonald County Press looking for a new clerk. They also agreed to allow the Mayor to ask Crystal to stay until May18 at lease on a part time basis.
The Board discussed the bills for April 3, 2012 for $25,483.61 including transfers. Ald. Lett moved to approve the bills in the amount of $29,927.19. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Kohley, Lett and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
__________________________
Greg Richmond, Mayor
Attest:
______________________________
Paula W Brodie, MRCC, City Clerk
Approved: ____________________
Date: ________________