City Council

Page 347 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE March 4, 2019 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday March 4, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council room of the Municipal Building at which time and place the following were present: Sue Grantham Mayor Takella Motton City Clerk Lawrence Dorroh City Counselor Tony Jones Sergeant at Arms Rodgers Councilperson Duckworth Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Rittenberry Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood (Absent) Councilperson Merideth Councilperson The number of members necessary to consider a quorum being present, the Mayor called the meeting to order and announced the meeting was in session for the transaction of business. The first order of business was the approval of the regular session minutes of February 19, 2019. Councilperson Merideth motion to approve and amend Chris Callen as firefighter to the minutes, second by Councilperson Duckworth which resulted in the following vote: Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Abstain Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Merideth Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval of the closed session minutes of February 19, 2019, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Abstain Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Merideth Yes Councilperson Merideth motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Rittenberry, with all in favor. Presentation of petitions, letters, and other communications; Mayor Grantham received an invitation from Caruthersville First Assembly of God about an event called Convoy of Hope, which is  Page 348 being sponsored by Caruthersville Ministerial Alliance & Convoy of Hope. Area businesses, churches, and community organizations are asked to partner with the outreach on September 7, 2019. They will be providing groceries to those in need, along with health services, job services, family portraits, haircuts, prayer, and games and activities for the children. The meeting will take place March 7, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the First Assembly of God for the mobilization of the event; RSVP by March 6, 2019 to Shawn Harding 573-922-5080. Charles Davis has talked with Representative Rone about the flooding in Caruthersville with regards to Emergency relief, and was told to keep up with expenses incurred during the flooding. The City received a called from Joshua Olshin concerning the Wal Mart building, which will be going up for auction, April 3, 2019. The City will be posting the auction on all the sites it’s affiliated with. Unfinished business; The bid packets for mowing and property maintenance can be picked up at the office of the City Clerk, and have to be returned by March 15, 2019 at which time the will be opened and read aloud. Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported that the Animal Shelter had passed inspection with the State of Missouri Department of Agriculture. The shelter has taken in 40 dogs, 33 cats, adopted out 29 dogs, and 14 cats. Chris Thacker as written 20 citations, and there has been 1 neglect case, in which the party pleaded guilty, and the dog is the custody of the Animal Shelter. The shelter is also looking to work with Dr. Emery to set up a rabies clinic which should take place around April or May. The shelter is open to the public between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The Grand Opening is tentative for April 27, 2019. Fire report; Fire calls from February 2, 2019 through March 4, 2019 are as follows: 2/21/19; Vehicle fire next to structure on County Rd. 523, 2/23/19; Small fire from floor furnace on Grand Ave., 2/26/19; Propane gas leak on Jefferson, 3/1/19; Vehicle accident with request for extrication on Route U & I55/412, 3/1/19; Alarm accidently set off at 1711Ward, 3/4/19; Report of a bomb threat at Pemiscot County Courthouse. The training for the month of March was oxygen uses and tourniquet training with 19 in attendance. The Statewide Tornado Drill is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2019; outdoor sirens will be tested. Public Works report; The crew changed out 2 copper setters, rodded culverts on 18th St. and Playground Rd., rodded floor drains at the Justice Center Sally port, rodded a force main at 3rd St. and Truman, rodded storm drains at 16th St. and Edwards, East 20th St., East Haven, and French Park. They also repaired a service line at Sonic, continued with limb removal, repaired a broken meter on Grand Ave., repaired a 2 inch service line on Westwood, rodded a sewer line at Westwood, filled 170 sandbags, set up a bypass pump at the Nursing Home, and cleaned storm drains on the East side of town. Flood related issues; Sand was ordered for sandbags and the crew assisted the County in procuring the bags, which are available to any residents that need them. Sink holes have developed around some of the sewers and one of the lift stations is packed with sand, the Waste Water Plant has experienced high water intake, and the Highway U and 12th & Ward Lift Station Project is on hold because of the flooding. Once the water has gone down some of the aforementioned issues may be Page 349 resolved by the Pump and Vacuum truck. A bypass pump is set up at the Nursing Home to keep it from flooding, which is being rented. The bypass pumps that the City owns is set up at 20th and Lincoln lift station, and the 12th and Ward lift station. There was a request, and the City received a 4inch pump from MRWA as a standby pump for any further needs. Other projects; Paul Shaw and Mayor Grantham met with ASA Asphalt to get prices on street paving projects. Part of the overage for the Mooreland Dr. Project was engineering fees that weren’t included and the fire hydrant repairs that were damaged during the project. Mr. Shaw recommended Using the roll offs at the limb pile for contractors use at a cost of $55 for a trailer load and $25 for a pickup. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Rodgers, which resulted in the following vote: Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Merideth Yes Park & Recreation; Wes Deere reported that there will be wrestling at the Armory May 18, 2019, and part of the ticket proceeds will go to support the Recreation Center; there will also be concession stands during the event. There will be a Fitness class on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays conducted by a Physical Therapist at the Recreation Center. Mr. Deere will be following through with the claim for the light pole that was damaged at the Recreation Center. The men’s basketball league will start next Wednesday, the Park Board meeting will be March 13, 2019 at 6:00 p.m., and wheelchair basketball is coming up next month. Randy Guest, Commissioner of baseball and softball reported that they will be having 2 additional teams than from last year; kickoff for the season will be the weekend after Easter. The Commission really want to promote the 13 and 14 year old league, to keep from traveling, they want games to be home based. There are 2 projects that the Commission wants to undertake; a portable storage building to house their equipment and supplies, and open the upstairs of the building where everything is located to have their meetings. The other project would be to have permanent benches at the batting cages and some type of shading. Councilperson Duckworth motion to approve procurements from the concession stands to be used for the projects, second by Councilperson Merideth with all in favor. Councilperson Rodgers recommended the Council to consider having a tree planted in honor of John Lane, who was known to plant trees in the park in honor of victims of violent crimes, and also look at having a plaque. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Merideth, with all in favor. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that they have a program going on with a thousand books before kindergarten geared towards early literacy. Towina Jones is the guest reader for Storytime Tuesday March 5, 2019 at the Library. There will be an Insurance Committee meeting Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall with a Finance Committee meeting immediately following.  Page 350 Economic report; Jana Merideth reported the Economic Committee was looking at partnering with Grizzly Jig concerning Catfish Tournaments that will be held in May, July, and August of this year. Ms. Merideth attended the Arkansas Parkway Commission meeting on February 11, 2019, part of the Great River Road tourism initiative. Next month a meeting will take place at Reelfoot Lake, in which there has been an invitation. It appears at one point that the City of Caruthersville was part of the Great River Road Initiative, and the Economic committee wants to get back on board. The Economic Committee met with Richard Proffer with the Missouri Commission. There was talk about the Tried and True Program that does assessments with a 3 year process for cities. It has been very successful in other cities. The cost in $7,000 and the Economic Committee will raise the money for the endeavor. Business from the floor; Mr. Lazenby was concerned about the sign exhibiting the population being correct; it has been changed since the last census, the next census is in 2020. He also made mention that this Saturday the time will spring forward an hour. Councilperson Rodgers was concerned about McCoy’s Salvage Yard’s debilitating condition. Councilperson Rodgers wanted to know if the cleanup of McCoy’s could be bid out for experienced individuals to take on the project. Counselor Dorroh stated that the title search has been started, and a notice could be issued to the owner(s). The next step would be to put a bid out to various contractors for abatement to access the scope of work for cost assessment. Mayor Grantham made mention that the Cleanup Campaign will kick off in April for the City of Caruthersville, and is asking that community get involved, more information will be provided at the next meeting. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to adjourn, Councilperson Lyons made the motion, second by Councilperson Rodgers, the meeting adjourning at 5:50 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor ___________________________________ City Clerk