SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday November 29, 2016
The Board of Aldermen held a Special meeting on Tuesday night November 29, 2016, at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Alice Kezar, Keith Kohley and Roger Coe. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Police Chief Curt Drake, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb and Asst. City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were Michael Richmond, Lois Kolb, Clyde Davidson, Samantha Hamilton from the Goodman Elementary School and Jim Morgan.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00P.M.
Discuss Holiday Express Train preparations:
The Mayor noted that his wife, daughter, son-in-law, Tanya Lewis, Tracy Heath, Stacy Williams and a few others are willing to volunteer as elves for the Holiday Express Train.
The Board discussed how many people are needed to assist with parking and what time they should arrive. It was agreed at least 9 people are needed to assist with parking, this would include an officer at each location we have designated and they should arrive by 2:00 P.M. The Goodman Betterment club and Banner Nazarene are willing to assist with parking attendants and just need to know how many people they need each. Curt noted he is going to reach out to Mike Hall with McDonald County to see if he can reach out to Newton County and see if we can get some assistance for that day. Clyde noted he will be able to get the church bus from Banner Nazarene to shuttle people back and forth from the ballpark. It was also discussed possibly putting an ad in the paper with a map showing the locations where parking will be available. David asked about getting flashlights for the people helping park and it was agreed to get some flashlights for the attendants.
The Board then discussed the lighting for the locations where parking will be available. David noted the one he has reserved from Scotts Rental is to light around 7 acres. Clyde noted he was able to borrow a light as well. It was agreed we need to try and get additional lighting if possible and that the Porta-Potties will be located across from the train.
The Board then discussed how many barricades and cones are needed and where to stage them. David noted he has ordered 6 new barricades and with the ones we already have, he believes we have plenty. It was discussed that we may need additional cones and Clyde noted he may be able to get some from the corvette club. Curt then noted that Mike Ross with Freeman Ambulance Service will be here with an ambulance in case any medical services are needed and Mike Ross has cones we can use if needed. It was agreed we can stage everything in the garage at the City Hall.
Samantha Hamilton from the Goodman Elementary asked if the Board had considered blocking off School Street at any time since school will be in session on that day. The Mayor noted that he cannot promise that the street will not be blocked off, but he will do his best to keep it open. Ms. Hamilton then asked if the Mayor could attend the School Board meeting on Thursday December 1, 2016 to discuss possibly closing the school on that day as it was agreed there will be at least three times the traffic in town and she is concerned about the children walking home from school and possibly getting injured by a motorist trying to find a place to park. The Mayor stated he could possibly attend. Curt noted he will also try to attend.
It was then noted that KCS has come and cleaned the area around where the train is to be located. Jim Morgan noted he would like to bring his road roller and smooth it out even more.
Ald. Kohley noted that Emergency Management will be in service if anything is needed.
Mayor Richmond then went over the Community Assistance Requested from KCS, which are notifying local schools, who may wish to invite students by sending notes home with students, notifying other community groups and merchants , who may want to establish activities around the trains events, coordinating with local public safety officials, coordinating a group of eight volunteers, ages 18 and older, coordinating additional giveaways, ensuring public restrooms are available and providing a contact mobile phone where a local point person can be contacted the day of the event.
It was agreed to have another meeting to verify all the preparations are in place on December 13, 2016 at 7:00 P.M.
Ald. Kohley made a motion to adjourn the Special meeting. Ald. Coe
Seconded. Ald. Kohley, Coe, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.