Minutes-March 5, 2019

COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday March 5, 2019

The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday March 5, 2019 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Keith Kohley, Alice Kezar and Ron Johnson. Also present were Police Chief Curt Drake, Asst. Chief Joe David, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb, Asst. City Clerk Dana Cornwell and City Clerk Karla McNorton. Also present were, Angie Crawford and Bridgette Farley from Genuine Reality, Greg Perkins and Matthew Ridpath with Trekk Design Group, Tracy and Lilijean Igisomar, JR Fisher, Lois Kolb and Sally Carroll from the McDonald County Press.

The Board discussed the minutes from the regular meeting February 19, 2019. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the meeting held February 19, 2019. Ald. Johnson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley and Johnson voted aye, Ald. Wilson abstained.

Mayor Richmond acknowledged Angie Crawford with Genuine Reality to discuss the Choice Puppies building and possible business opportunities. Ms. Crawford noted that between Ms. Farley and herself, they have 30 years’ experience and have listed the Choice Puppies building and are aggressively marketing it. Ms. Crawford noted they are working on new strategies and wanted to address the Board about tax incentives. Ms. Crawford asked the Board to consider a one, two or maybe a five year tax break to get a business or industry into the facility. Ms. Crawford explained that it would help entice a company to come to Goodman over other competing towns, stimulate business growth and job stimulation, Spur the Goodman housing market; which can increase property values and property tax revenues, show that Goodman is business friendly and could revitalize the City. Ms. Crawford asked the Board to consider the incentive for the Choice Puppies Building. Ms. Crawford thanked the Board and to feel free to contact her or Ms. Farley if they have any questions.

Mayor Richmond acknowledged Greg Perkins and Matthew Ridpath to discuss the Small Community Engineering Assistance Program (SCEAP) from Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). Mr. Ridpath noted Mr. Perkins and himself represent Trekk Design Group and are there to discuss the Small Community Engineering Assistance Program (SCEAP) from Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). The grant is available to municipalities, counties, public sewer and water districts and political subdivisions with a population of less than 10,000 people. Mr. Perkins noted the program offers possible funding for an engineering group to come in and see what needs to be done by doing smoke testing for sewer issues, man hole inspections, acoustic testing, float testing…etc. The grant is an 80/20 recipient match from DNR. IF the City decided to do the grant at $50,000.00, the City’s amount would be $12,500.00. The grant helps you with a roadmap to meet eligibility limitations of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, may include costs of complying with procurement requirements, may include engineering costs environmental investigations, and be within the scope of the project. Sewer systems have I and I (Inflow and infiltration). It costs more to treat more and pump more. Discharge permits have a condition in the permit they can enforce. Trekk is very good at assisting communities in helping to reduce the problems. Mr. Perkins noted that Trekk has helped Diamond, Mt. Vernon and Carl Junction. There is no upfront cost for the grant. Trekk will help fill out the grant application and all the Board has to do is approve and sign. Mr. Ridpath gave the Board his card and some information to keep on the grant and thanked them for their time.

Unfinished business:

The Board discussed the gazebo on Main St. City Supervisor Brodie noted he had spoken with the Boblett’s and gave them the measurements for the trusses. Mr. Brodie then notes he has also spoken with Marcus Pratt and Josh Wagner about the gazebo and is waiting to hear back. Mr. Brodie believes the building of the gazebo will take a little more than a day and has suggested starting on Friday March 29, 2019 and completing on March 30, 2019 and believes it would be best to build the gazebo on site.

New Business:

City Clerk McNorton noted that Employee Insurance was going up and she had provided the Board with a few of the best options from the Insurance Company. City Clerk McNorton noted that the best option for the City and the employees cost wise would be the Anthem 2019 Replacement. After a brief discussion, Ald. Wilson moved to approve the Anthem 2019 Replacement insurance. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley, Johnson and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

The Board discussed adding a Food Truck Ordinance. Tracy Igisomar explained that the Lenshayvon Oriental Store in town has purchased a food truck and would like to put in on their lot to use and are hoping to have it running by the end of March. Mayor Richmond noted that at this time, the City does not have an ordinance in place. He explained that he will have the City Clerk look into what surrounding cities have in place and then the Board will need to decide what to put into an ordinance for Goodman. Mayor Richmond then explained the ordinance would then be presented to the Board to look over and make adjustments on. When the ordinance is complete, it would then be put on the agenda for a vote and it would be at two separate City Council meetings. He apologized that it will not be possible by the end of March.

JR. Fisher wanted to make himself available as he has signed up for the election and has his eligibility papers, if anyone has any questions.

Mayor Richmond noted that he had met with Chantel Hicks from Chicago; with the Census Bureau and she was here to discuss the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau would like a liaison or a small committee of three to eight people that the bureau could talk and meet with. Ms. Hicks explained they will start the Census in August and it will take about a year and four months to complete. Ms. Hicks also noted this will be the first on-line census. She is in hopes that this census being done online it will bring better numbers as the more people present in the area brings more revenue to the state. She will be back in touch in a few months and we can hopefully have a liaison by then.

Department head reports:
Curt Drake: Nothing to report.

Denis Kolb: Watching for the storms Saturday.

David Brodie: Met with two tree trimmers and they want no part of the property on School St. David explained that we need to find someone with a clam bucket truck or a grappling hook to remove the big stumps. Ald. Kohley noted he had a phone number for David of someone who may be able to assist.

Dana Cornwell-Noted the Board has their February report from the tax collector.

Karla McNorton-Reminder: I will be out of the office next week for the Spring Institute and Master Academy.

City Clerk McNorton also noted that Dana Cornwell has 24 hours of vacation left and with McNorton being out of the office next week, past due, shut off, starting to teach Dana bank reconciliations and the next court date coming up, she would like to be paid out for her vacation time instead of it being extended or losing it. She will get 2 weeks next month and would like to be paid out if the Board would be willing to do that. After a brief discussion, Ald. Johnson moved to pay Dana Cornwell out for her 24 hours of vacation. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley and Johnson voted aye, Ald. Kezar and Wilson abstained.

The Board discussed the bills in the amount of $52,191.72 including transfers. Ald. Kohley moved to approve the bills in the amount of $52,191.72. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley, Johnson and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.

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

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