~~COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday August 5 2014 at 7:00 PM at the
Goodman City Hall
August 5, 2014
Regular Board Meeting
The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday night August 5, 2014 at 7:07 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Keith Kohley, Calvin Wilson, Alice Kezar and Bill Hess. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, City employee David Sarratt, Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb, Tax Collector Dawn Bunch, Officer Cagle and Officer Adamson and City Clerk Paula Brodie. Guests included Lou Rehobson, Jim McCollum, Samantha Moyer, and Fire Board Chairman Jim Morgan
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the regular meeting on July 15, 2014. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on July 15, 2014. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Kezar, Hess and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Citizens Business:
The Board acknowledged Samantha Moyers regarding averaging of her water bill. She stated that they did have a leak but that it had been repaired and she wanted to know if the Board would average her bill.
Ald. Wilson moved to approve averaging her water bill. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Hess, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board acknowledged Lou Rehobson. She stated that she was present to ask the Board if they could use the ballpark to hold the annual Kernel’s Day Tournament on August 9th and 10th. She stated that they hold the tournament in memory of Kernel Rehobson. She noted that there were 20 teams registered and because most of the families live in Goodman it is easier to hold it at the ballpark. She asked for the use of the lights and stated that they will only be needed on Saturday. Mr. McCollum who lives across from the ballpark stated that during the past weekend the park had been used, and that there were people present who played their music loudly. He said the base music was too loud. He stated he had no objection to the use of the ballpark but he would like for the Board to stop them from playing the base music if they are using the park. The Mayor said that they could and Lou said she would tell the people present that they could not play their base music. Ald. Wilson noted that officer Cagle would be on duty and would keep an eye on the park during the weekend.
The Mayor stated that they had charged LiliJean Igisomar $250.00 for the last weekend and asked if the Board wanted Ms. Rehobson to put up a cleaning deposit. The clerk noted that the electric bill for the lights last weekend was $13.97 and the trash charge for the dumpster was $50.00. It was noted that the park was cleaned up and left like it was at the beginning of the weekend. She noted that Lilijean should receive a refund in the amount of $186.03. She noted that the check was with the bill checks for the Board to sign.
Ald. Kohley moved to approve charging a deposit of $250.00 for the annual Kernel’s Day Tournament in the amount of $250.00 to be refunded minus the trash and electric if the park is cleaned up. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Wilson and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor acknowledged Jim Morgan, Chairman of the Goodman Rural Fire District. He stated that the asphalt job that Swift had done at the Fire Department’s Main Station was wonderful. He noted that the new drive helps the response time by 1 1/2to 2 minutes. He said he wanted to thank the Board for helping the Fire District with this problem. He said that it works great and is the answer to a real problem of getting the trucks out through the front doors. The Clerk noted that the City had received the bill, however Swift had not sent in their payrolls yet. She said once the payrolls are received and verified that prevailing wages were paid she would issue a check for the Board to sign. Mr. Morgan stated that the Board was holding a meeting on August 11th and would be issuing a check to the City for the Fire Districts part.
Discuss old business.
1. The Mayor noted that he understood that the Betterment Club had decided to purchase a 20’ by 30’ carport to be installed over the concrete pad at the ballpark to replace the gazebo that was at the ball park. He noted that the Betterment Club would be paying for the carport and installation. The Clerk noted that Mr. Newton from the Betterment Club had asked that the City purchase it so that the City’s sales tax exemption could be used since it was going to be installed at the ballpark. He said that the Betterment Club would reimburse the city for the cost.
Ald. Wilson moved to approve purchasing the 20’ by 30’ carport for the ballpark with the understanding that the Betterment Club was going to reimburse the City. Ald. Kezar seconded. Ald. Kezar, Hess, Wilson and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.
The Mayor stated once the carport was completed they would need to look into getting some picnic tables for it. David stated that they had the old ones in storage in the community building and all they needed was new lumber. He said he was pretty sure that the metal was OK.
2. The Board discussed the City’s personnel policy regarding vacations and compensation time. The Mayor stated that he did not feel that employees should have to give up vacations because they can’t take the time off. He said that rolling it over to the next year might not be the answer because if they can’t take the time off now how would they take if off at the next year.
The Board discussed the possibility of buying back vacation time and over time. Curt said that they did not accrue a lot of comp time and overtime and were usually able to use their vacation times because when they were not on duty the County helps cover the City. He said that the City guys do not have anyone to cover for them so they would be affected more than the police department.
It was noted that the clerk had put together a packet of ordinances from other cities and had also put together some suggestions using those other cities codes. The Board agreed to let the employees have copies of the suggestions and then to revisit the discussion at the next meeting.
Discuss new business:
1. The Mayor noted that it was time to set the date for the Public Hearing for the 2014 tax levy.
Ald. Kohley moved to approve to set the public hearing at 6:45 PM on August 19, 2014. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Wilson and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
2. The Board discussed a new contract that they had received from the Joplin Humane Society. It was noted that on the last contract the Board agreed to pay $37.50 per dog that the City took to the Humane Society and the new contract ate will be increased to $49.44 an animal on January 1, 2015. David said they probably take up 20 dogs per year to the Humane Society.
Ald. Wilson moved to approve the contract with the Joplin Humane Society for $49.44 per animal. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Mr. McCollum asked for the City to look at the asphalt by his mail box. The Mayor asked David to look into it.
Department head reports:
Curt Drake- stated that he had been conversing with KCS about their bringing the Christmas train to Goodman. KCS is to send down a representative to check out the possibility. It was noted that KCS does have a spur in Town however they will have to see if it would work or not. Curt noted that it was too late for this year but they will look into getting it approved for next year. The Board agreed that if it was possible they would like to look into having the train stop in Goodman.
Curt asked David to look at the Street light at the end of Russell Street. He said one of the people on the street had asked about having the pole moved. David stated that it was costly to have a pole moved, that he would look at it and see if the City or Empire could do something about it.
Denis Kolb-nothing
.
David Brodie- reported that the roof was completed at treatment plant and the police department doors will be done next week.
Dawn Bunch – nothing.
Paula Brodie- nothing.
The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $32,828.70. Ald. Kezar moved to approve the bills including transfers in the amount of $32,828.70. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kezar, Kohley, Wilson and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kohley, Ald. Kohley, Kezar, Wilson and Hess voted aye with 0 nays.