COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday November 18, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the
Goodman City Hall
November 4, 2014
Regular Board Meeting
The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday night November 18, 2014 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Bill Hess, Keith Kohley and Alice Kezar. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb and City Clerk Paula Brodie. Guests included Rita Green from the McDonald County Press and Lois Kolb.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the regular meeting on November 4, 2014. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on November 4, 2014. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the minutes from the special budget meeting held on November 1, 2014. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the minutes. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays..
Citizen Business:
The Mayor noted that Amy Taber was not present. David reported that they wanted to discuss putting up a carport that would be less than 5’ from the property line. He noted that there was a concrete slab from an old carport that they wanted to build it on. David said he told them they needed to get approval from the Board because it is too close to the lot line. David said if they attach it to the existing house it would not be the 17 ½ feet required by City Code. The Mayor noted that she was not present but maybe she would be at the next meeting. The Board made no decision.
The Mayor acknowledged Michael Wasson to discuss the Recreation Board Director’s job. Michael stated that he can’t be the director anymore because of his additional work duties. He said he would be glad to help a new Recreation Board Director if the Board could find someone. He noted that it is difficult to get people to help. He wanted the Board to be aware that in January and February the Recreation Board usually hold a basketball tournament at the school.
Ald. Wilson moved to accept Michael’s resignation. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays. Michael stated that he would turn in his paper work and checking information to the City Hall or Clyde Davidson who is a recreation board member. The Mayor suggested having Clyde or some of the recreation board members present at the meeting on December 2, 2014 to see if they had someone that they would recommend to take over the director’s position.
The Board discussed the following old business:
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The Board continued their discussion on how to handle high water bills due to leaks. The Mayor asked if any of the Board had thought of any other ideas on how to handle the bills. Ald. Wilson stated that he did not want it to seem like the Board is picking on certain people. The Mayor stated that 90% of the bills they have averaged in the past were between $50.00 to $200.00 dollars. He said that he had a suggestion for the Board which was the Board could go ahead and keep averaging the amount between $50.00 and $200.00. He further recommended that if the bill was from $200.00 to $500.00 they could go ahead and average the bill adding 20% of the original bill to the total amount due. He suggested that for bills over $500.00 they could be averaged and add 40% of the original bill to get the total amount of the bill. He said averaging the bill and then adding the 20% or 40% back to the bill would make the bill less than the resident’s original high leak bill but by adding the percentage’s the City would be getting some of the cost back for pumping the water.The Board will still look at each case as it occurs and make the decision on whether to average or not. They will also look at each case to decide whether or not they will allow the citizens to make payments if their bills were exceptionally high. The Board agreed they liked the recommendation and asked the Clerk to draft a ordinance to be added to the City’s Code Book.
Ald. Hess asked if the new building inspector had been notified and had he been in contact with the City about what he was required to do. David noted that Marcus Pratt who the Board had decided on had been at the City Hall this morning. He said that he and Marcus had gone over what he would be expected to do. David reported that Marcus seemed to be very knowledgeable
The Board discussed the following new business:
1. The Board discussed voting on Membership Agreement with Missouri Rural Services, the City’s workmen’s compensation insurance carrier. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the agreement with Missouri Rural Services, the City’s workmen’s compensation insurance carrier and to allow the Mayor to sign the agreement. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
2. The Mayor noted the second budget meeting is December 1, at 6:00PM.
3. The Mayor told the Board about the opening of the Little Free Library on Saturday Morning at 11:00AM. Cora and Cody Duncan who arranged to have the book depository built will be present to help install it and fill it with books. The Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” gathering place for neighbors to share their favorite literature and story’s. The Board noted their concern about the library getting damaged. The Clerk noted that it seems like since a group of boys who play football have started playing in the park there is a whole lot more trash. She also noted that she and Curt had discussed putting up a sign noting that City Code states that no one is to use a city park between dusk and dawn. She stated that she would have a sign made up for the park and hopefully that will help. If that does not work the library may have to be moved into the City Hall, which will limit the hours children can use it.
The following reports were given by the Department heads:
Curt Drake-.stated he has contacted KCS about the Christmas parade and that he will contact them again just before the parade He also stated that he had the patrol truck serviced at Smith Auto Group.
Denis Kolb- had nothing
David Brodie- reported that he had ordered the diffusers. He noted that he ordered 36 at $3,456.00 plus shipping. He stated that he is waiting for prices from an additional company that cleans the tanks.
Salt spreader is wired up and ready to go. Adam Wimpey wired it up and it is ready to go.
Dawn Bunch – was not present
Paula Brodie – noted that she had shown the Board sample for the name tags. The Board agreed that they liked them.
The Board discussed replacing the sign at City Hall and the ones that direct people to the City Hall. They agreed on the samples however, Ald. Wilson asked for a slight change regarding the placement of the directional arrow and asked that it be in red not black. He also stated that he would like to see the main City Hall sign at the corner of Janice and Barlow. The Board agreed to both changes. The directional signs will be 18” by 24” and the main sign will be 4’ by 3’ The Board agreed to order 6 directional signs and 2 main signs
Paula Brodie- asked the Board if they would approve letting the employees have the day after Christmas off instead of the ½ day for Christmas Eve, because Christmas falls on a Thursday this year which would give the employees 4 consecutive days off. The Board agreed.
Curt Drake noted that his color printer has stopped working and asked if he could get prices for a new one. The Board agreed.
The Mayor noted that the Christmas Parade is December 13th at 1:00PM and that Johnny Bill Newell is the Grand Marshall.
The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $52,409.37. Ald. Hess moved to approve the bills including transfers in the amount of $52,409.37. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.