Minutes-September 4, 2018

COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday September 4, 2018

The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday September 4, 2018 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Keith Kohley, Alice Kezar and Ron Johnson. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Police Chief Curt Drake, Asst. Chief Joe David, Asst. City Clerk Dana Cornwell, Tax Collector Meghan Sexson, City Attorney Duane Cooper and City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were Jared Mackall, Connie Letourneau, Greg Beckner, Kevin Keeney, Misty Farmer and Sally Carroll from the McDonald County Press.

Mayor Richmond called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

The Board discussed the Public Hearing minutes from August 21, 2018. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the Public Hearing held on August 21, 2018. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kezar, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

The Board discussed the regular meeting minutes from August 21, 2018. Ald. Kezar moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on August 21, 2018. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kezar, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

The Mayor acknowledged Connie Letourneau to discuss the City Animal Ordinance. Ms. Letourneau noted she had already presented to the Board that the Animal Ordinance should be changed, modified, or removed. The police have thousands of dollars in equipment and they can’t be expected to hall animals in their vehicles and not damage the equipment, something needs to change. Connie feels that someone should be picking up the animals during City Hall hours. Connie also feels the Ordinance does not make sense and that “cats” needs removed. City Attorney Duane Cooper stated that he does not feel that the Ordinance needs to be changed. Duane noted that there are 80 hours per week of Police coverage and 168 hours in a week. The City is doing the best it can where animal control is concerned.

Connie then stated that the City needs to consider a crosswalk from Casey’s to Dollar General. City Attorney Duane Cooper noted that any signs on the highway are owned by the State. The State is the one who has control over that section and Connie would need to speak to them where a crosswalk was concerned.

Mayor Richmond noted that the City had been in contact with the City of Neosho and they do not have an Ordinance for pre-payment of fuel or diesel. He also noted that the Casey’s in Neosho is pre-payment. Mayor Richmond noted that he doesn’t understand why corporate would not do it in Goodman if they did it in Neosho. Curt noted that he has spoken with corporate and was told that no Casey’s is pre-payment unless there is an Ordinance. Curt is not sure why the one in Neosho is. Mayor Richmond noted that he has an issue forcing a business to have pre-payment. City Attorney Duane Cooper noted that he would be happy to write up something saying he will not prosecute unless they made it a policy. Duane also noted that it is very hard to prosecute unless you catch them in the act.   It was also discussed that if corporate was so concerned, they would do something about it. It was agreed by the Board to have Duane and the Police Department to work on something where gas drive-offs were concerned.

Unfinished business: Misty Farmer informed the Board that the house on 108 W. Williams is completely opened up for City Building Inspector Marcus Pratt to come and inspect. She knows there are some pipes and electrical that need replaced and termite damage that needs fixed. She stated that Marcus told her when that is repaired; he did not see why it couldn’t be taken out of condemnation. Misty noted that next week they will have the front half removed and cleaned up.

Misty also noted that she is having an issue with the Kramburg property mobile homes. They are unable to locate the VIN numbers on them to get a title to move them. It was noted it is difficult to know if they were purchased without a title if you can’t locate that. Misty noted that Missouri doesn’t have a form for lost title on a mobile home. She noted that she was told that Illinois has one and to use it and change the information to Missouri. She is not sure if a judge is needed to remove the mobile homes or where she would go to court for that. She may need a judge to allow her permission to remove them if the VIN’s are not able to be located.

New business: Ald. Kohley noted that is almost time for the annual BBQ. Meghan Sexson noted that she and Karla McNorton had discussed maybe going bowling instead. Meghan noted that it would be $132.00 for up to 72 people at Edgewood bowl. Mayor Richmond asked for the City personal and Board to consider it.

Citizens business: Kevin Keeney noted there is an issue with tall grass especially on Russell St. Curt noted that two had been mowed today, the new tenants have been warned and the other has tickets to court.

Connie Letourneau noted that the Electric Company working on the school has not cleaned up all the debris and she is concerned that some of it will blow onto her property. It was noted that tickets can be written it if not cleaned up.

Kevin Keeney then asked if the ordinance had in it if the trash cans were to be moved back from the road after the trash was picked up. It was discussed that logically they should be brought back up to your home and not left by the road. Mayor Richmond noted he is not sure if that is in the Ordinance. Mr. Keeney asked if something could be put on the water bills asking Citizens to bring their trash cans back to their homes after the trash was picked up. It was agreed to have something put on the water bill.

Kevin then asked about the gazebo and if the City was going to rebuild it. Mayor Richmond noted that we are working on that. Need to get with Kansas City Southern (KCS) and figure out if the City rebuilds, are they going to tear it back down. The way it looks, some of it is on KCS property.

Department head reports-

Curt Drake: Curt noted that Joe had captured two wanted men for major drug crimes by other agencies. Mayor Richmond thanked the officers for their hard work.

Dennis Kolb: Keith Kohley noted they are watching the tropical storm and sometime late Friday night early Saturday they are expecting three to five inches of rain. He wants everyone to be weather aware.

David Brodie- David noted that the workers for the school had come across some water lines that need lowered or removed. He is asking that the Board allow him to hire a spotter with a backhoe. He explained that sometimes the workers will not do the best job and he wants permission to hire a spotter if necessary. He wants to make sure the City has the best amount of cover. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to have David get a spotter if necessary.

David then noted he is working on the bandstand and is hopeful to have it done before the festival.

Meghan Sexson- Meghan noted the tax sale is done and it went good.

Karla McNorton- Karla noted she was able to purchase the property at the tax sale for cost.

The Board discussed the bills in the amount of $24,865.10 including transfers.

Ald. Johnson moved to approve the bills in the amount of $24,865.10 including transfers. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kezar, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn the meeting. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kezar, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

 

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