The Board of Aldermen held a meeting on Tuesday night January 3, 2012 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons JR Fisher, Kristin Lett and Bill Hess. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, City Clerk Paula Brodie, Chief of Police Tom West, Tax Collector Dawn Bunch, Municipal Judge Clyde Davidson and Denis Kolb Emergency Management Director. Guests included Crystal Vaughan, Steve Wimpey, Adam Wimpey, Lois Kolb and Joyce Haynes.
Ald. Keith Kohley was not present.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the meeting on December 20 2011. Ald. Fisher moved to approve the minutes. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Fisher, and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed what newspapers to put the advertisements in for an Accountant to prepare the City’s 2011 Audit. The Clerk noted that the Joplin Globe would charge $137.12 for two days, the Neosho Daily News would charge $59.00 for one day and the McDonald Country Press would charge for 1 day $69.00. Ald Fisher stated that he felt that the city would get the money back for the advertisements by receiving competitive bids to do the Audit. The Board members agreed to place the ads in all three papers.
The Clerk noted that Harry Rogers from Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council would be present on January 17th, to inform the Board about what services the organization supplies.
It was noted that there would be an Emergency Management meeting at the City Hall at 6:00PM on January 17th.
The department heads gave the following reports:
Tom West- no report.
David Brodie- stated that the air Compressor at the treatment plant sounded like it was about to break down. He said for a new one the cost would be $499.00 from Carthage Farm and Home or the compressor head could be repaired for $275.00. He informed the board that the complete plant would shut down if the compressor goes out. He stated that the one that was being used now was about 2 ½ years old and was purchased at Lowes. He said that he would recommend purchasing the one from Carthage Farm and Home this time. The Board discussed the need to purchase a commercial brand. David stated that the expense for a bigger commercial one was not necessary. He said the plant runs on 40lb pressure, so a bigger one is not needed.
Ald. Lett moved to have David repair the current compressor and purchase the other one from Carthage Farm and Home for $499.00. Ald Fisher seconded. Ald. Hess, Lett and Fisher voted aye with 0 nay votes.
David reported that the Department of Natural Resources requires the city to have a backup treatment plant operator available. He said he asked Bob Richards, the operator from Pineville to be the City’s back up operator. He said that Bob had agreed but that he believed that DNR requires him to be paid to be considered the backup operator. David said that Bob had agreed to the token amount of $50.00 for a year. Ald Lett moved to hire
Bob Richards to be the backup operator at $50.00 per year. Ald Fisher seconded. Ald. Hess, Fisher and Letts voted aye with 0 nays votes.
Denis Kolb – no report.
Dawn Bunch –report, no questions.
Paula Brodie – noted that the Candidate Filing dates are from December 13, 2011 thru January 17th from 7:30am to 4:00pm. On January 17th signups will be until 5:00pm per State Statute. Positions open are Municipal Judge and 1 Aldermen from each ward for 2 year terms.
The Clerk noted that she had given the Board a copy of the Attorney General’s response to Missy Fruend’s complaint.
The Board discussed the following old business.
Ald. Lett asked if Clyde had any information regarding installing the ballpark lights. Clyde said he did not have any information yet.
David reported that they had serviced and winterized the ballpark.
Clyde is going to look into getting a shadow box for the City Hall to post notices in.
The Board discussed the following new Business:
Steve Wimpy asked for the Board to look into the house that is east of his property. He said it was in disrepair, overgrown and that there was an old storm cellar that is full of water and was not safe. He said he had tried to find out how to contact the owner but understood that no one knows the owners address. Dawn stated that the owner was Jesse Brewington, however since before she was tax collector the tax statements had been mailed in care of Timberly Condreay and that she had always paid them. Clyde Davidson recommended asking her to attend a Board meeting so they could get answers to theirs and Steve’s questions. The Board decided to write her and ask her to attend a Board meeting so they could find out the address of the actual owner of the house.
Ald. Fisher informed Dawn, the tax collector that as far as the state is concerned only personnel taxes are required to be paid before someone signs up to run for office. He noted that he was told that if someone owns a corporation they did not have to pay those taxes prior to signing up. Dawn stated that she had told him she was unsure about whether the taxes on a LLC or Corporation had to be paid prior to signing up. Ald. Fisher stated his business was incorporated so he did not have to pay those taxes prior to signing up to run for office. It was noted that he had gone ahead and paid both taxes so there should be no questions by other candidates.
The Board discussed the bills for January 3, 2012 for $33,016.64 including transfers. Ald. Fisher asked about the payment to Missouri Southern for $880.00. The Clerk stated that the bill is for a yearly contract for the Police Officers to attend class to keep up their certification and that the Board had always included the cost in the training budget. Ald. Lett moved to approve the bills in the amount of $33,016.64. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Lett, and Fisher voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Hess moved to adjourn. Ald. Fisher seconded. Ald. Hess, Fisher, and Lett voted aye with 0 nays.
__________________________ Greg Richmond, Mayor
Attest:
______________________________
Paula W Brodie, MRCC, City Clerk
Approved: ____________________
Date: ________________