City of Goodman, Missouri

The Board of Aldermen held a meeting Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Those present were Mayor Calvin Wilson, Ald. Kevin Reardon, Ald. Greg Richmond, Ald. Kristen Lett, City Supervisor David Brodie, Judge Clyde Davidson, Luke Taylor and Aaron Kocurek from the Neosho Daily News and Assistant City Clerk Missy Freund. Ald. Kohley was not present.

Mayor Calvin Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from June 15, 2010. Ald. Richmond made the motion to approve the minutes, Ald. Lett seconded. Motion passed with 3 yes and 0 no.

The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from July 1, 2010. Ald Lett made the motion to approve the minutes, Ald Richmod seconded. Motion passed with 3 yes and 0 no.

Officer Curt Drake joined the meeting.

The Mayor acknowledged Nick Myers to give the 2009 Audit report. Mr. Myers went through the booklet he had prepared section by section to explain it to the Board. He stated that “no items were seen as deficiencies or material weaknesses”. Ald Reardon made the motion to accept the 2009 Audit report, Ald. Lett seconded. Motion passed with 3 yes and 0 no.

Mayor Calvin Wilson acknowledged Kevin Green to discuss his property at 164 W Boyer Loop. Mr. Green and his wife have placed a travel trailer behind the home and were told they could not live in it per the City Ordinance. Mr. Green stated that they were remodeling the home and requested they be allowed to live in the trailer until they were finished. He stated that they would be done by the middle to the end of August. David Brodie said that it is not cluttered and the house is looking better since they had purchased it. Ald Reardon made a motion to allow them to live in the travel trailer until September 30^th, 2010. Ald Lett seconded the motion. Motion passed with 3 yes and 0 no.

Department Head Reports:

1. Tom West was not present.

2. David Brodie had no report.

3. Dawn Bunch was not present.

4. Paula Brodie was not present. The Board agreed to table the discussion of the Hazard Mitigation Plan and moving funds from the Water account until the next meeting.

Old Business:

Ald Richmond asked if we were still planning to name the Play Park and get a sign. It was mentioned that we all thought the name was “Stay & Play” as Cora Morgan had initially called it from the beginning. Missy Freund mentioned that we had around $350 in the fund to go toward a new sign and planned to put names on the sign of those who had donated to the park fund.

New Business

Judge Clyde Davidson mentioned that he was unhappy with the salary cut of the Judge’s position for the 2010 Budget. He said that he was not as unhappy with the pay cut as much as that it was unfair and disrespectful to not notify him of this salary change. He respected the decision of the Board, but they should have notified him. Only the Judge and the Recreation department had budget cuts and they were not invited to the budget meetings. Clyde stated that he asked the Mayor and the Police Chief about going to one court date per month before it was changed. They told him “You are the Judge, you set the court date”.

The Health Insurance bill went up, but no one was cut, the City Attorney got a 56% increase but budget caused a cut in his wages? He stated that he did not know he was required to take the classes that the state says are required. The city employees are paid their regular wages when they are at a seminar. Also, council members miss meetings and their pay is not docked. He feels there are inconsistencies in the way people are treated.

Clyde still meets with every client even though we have only one court date. He misses one and one half hours work every court date to be here on time and does not charge for that.

He has asked Calvin twice about this matter and had no response or he would not have aired this at a public meeting in front of the newspaper reporters.

It cost Clyde three days pay to attend his recent class. He had never asked for reimbursement before, but he never felt he had been treated this unfairly before. Clyde stated “I was really hurt by this. There was no contact or response from anyone after two visits to City Hall regarding this, no contact at all.”

Ald Windsor asked “Are you here to ask for compensation for the three days pay?” Clyde said “yes”. David Brodie said that he has taken vacation days in the past for classes. Ald Richmond stated that he wished Clyde had been aware. However, he does not believe the City should be responsible for three days wages.

Clyde said “I do it every year and just ‘eat it’ and don’t say anything. I feel it (the money) was unfairly taken from me. When someone’s job is directly affected by a budget change, they should be notified. I don’t want any bad press for Goodman, but I think it needs corrected in the future. I have made my request and you denied it and I am satisfied with that.” Clyde has also been to McDonald County with Curt to take care of cases as needed and does not expect extra for it.

The mayor said “I should have come to you and told you. During budget you should have been here or notified.”

Ald Richmond made a motion to approve the bills in the amount of $39,022.40 including transfers. Ald Reardon second. Motion passed 3 yes and 0 no.

Ald Richmond moved to adjourn. Ald Reardon seconded. The Board voted 3 yes and 0 no.

Respectfully submitted:

Missy Freund, Assistant City Clerk

Calvin Wilson, Mayor