City Council

Page 354 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE March 18, 2019 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday March 18, 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 Hood Councilperson Merideth Councilperson Rodgers (Absent) Councilperson Duckworth Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Rittenberry Councilperson Grable 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 March 4, 2019. Councilperson Merideth motion to approve, second by Councilperson Duckworth, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of the special session minutes of March 13, 2019, second by Councilperson Grable, with all in favor. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. Presentation of petitions, letters, and other communications; Mayor Grantham received a letter from Caruthersville Housing Authority about their recommendations for reappointments to the Caruthersville Housing Authority Board. Catherine Donald (Tenant on the Board) and Pamela Gardner, business woman and owner of the Round House restaurant both have been Board members for years, and are knowledgeable and beneficial to the board. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval of the reappointments for both members, second by Councilperson Merideth, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Merideth Yes Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Page 355 There was discussion of the property on Carleton that had been offered to the City; the Council members thought that obtaining the property would be an expense and that it wouldn’t be beneficial to the City, therefore the offer was rejected. Mowing bids were opened and read March 15, 2019 in the presence of Takella Motton, Sue Grantham, Paul Shaw, Jonathan Lyles, and Korey Martin. There were 3 bidders; Russ Riggs had the lowest bids overall and complied with all requirements set forth in the bidding process. Mayor Grantham will decide on the mowing frequency as deemed by the contract. There are other City properties that weren’t put out for bid that City workers and agencies that supply volunteer workers will be mowing. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval of Russ Riggs’ bid, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Merideth Yes Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Rick Vance with Entegrity opened the floor up for any questions, and went on to say that the lighting was a given but the solar would have to start immediately because of the timeline. He also stated that if anything occurred that was out of their control, there was an option to descale the solar project. The savings would still be more than what the project costs and the solar could be built in 2 months, given that nothing out of the ordinary happened. Counselor Dorroh wanted to know how the project coincided with the financing. Mr. Vance stated that the lease certificates were committed for with a local bank. Councilperson Grable motion for approval of the Energy Savings Project provided by Entegrity for the City, second by Councilperson Duckworth, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Merideth Yes Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Neil Branham with L. J. Hart & Company stated that if the City decided to finance the project that the financing would be locked in place ranging from 3 to 4 percent within the 15 year period with UMB Bank holding the certificates. First State Bank & Trust and CO have committed to purchasing all the certificates. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion for approval of L. J. Hart & Company as being the underwriter for the financing of the project. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Merideth Yes Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Fire report; Fire calls from March 5, 2019 through March 18, 2019 are as follows: 3/5/19; Fire alarm sounding due to cooking on East 18th St., 3/9/19; Fire alarm sounding due to sheetrock dust at the  Page 356 Courthouse, 3/11/19; Vehicle on fire on State Hwy D a total loss, 3/12/19; Alarm sounding due to cooking on East 10th St., 3/13/19; Vehicle accident with extrication on Route U, 3/14/19; Fire alarm sounding due to steam on Cotton, 3/15/19; Electrical switch shorted out with minor smoke damage on Beckwith, 3/16/19; Vehicle fire under carport on Laurant. There have been 5 fire inspections since February 19, 2019. The National Weather Service will hold a Storm Spotter Course at the Public Library Monday, March 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.; the public is invited. Public Works report; James Elliott reported that the crew had worked on 2 alleys, filled numerous potholes, changed out 3 meter boxes, and worked on the meter shed. Two manholes were uncovered; storm drains were cleared, and assisted with fixing a leak on the Armory roof. Code Enforcement; Sonya Fuller reported that 22 nuisances had been abated, 5 were in the process of nearing completion, 2 are in the process of being demolished, and 9 letters have been sent out and contact has been made with the landlord or tenant. Councilperson Hood made the comment that the message is not penetrating the community like it should about not putting out items on the side of the road for the City to pick up. Discussion ensued as to how it could be rectified from accountability to continuing to get the message out. Park & Recreation; Wes Deere reported that April 20, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. there will be a wheelchair basketball event which is sponsored by the Memphis Grizzly’s. Admissions will be $4.00 with door prizes, grab bags, halftime drawings, and a silent auction. Wrestling will take place May 18, 2019; the Park Board meeting will be Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Fitness classes will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. They will be putting lights on the batting cages with proceeds from the concession stands, and will be putting up a metal building with a porch instead of the shed, which will be cheaper. Lifeguard classes will be occurring April 5, 6, 7, and May 10, 11, 12 of 2019; the cost will be $150. The men’s basketball league will start Wednesday March 20, 2019 and will be every Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Mayor Grantham thanked all the participants involved in the White Glove Gala, which was a great success. Councilperson Bullington made mention of the Budget Committee minutes that were in the Council packets, and asked that everyone look them over. The revised personnel manual was emailed to the Council and department managers for their review before adoption. Councilperson Rittenberry reported that the Insurance Committee meetings have been meeting, and they recommend that the City retain White & Associates. Missouri law requires every 3 years for putting out insurance bids, and the committee would like to give White & Associates a chance at another year. White & Associates provided the committee with 5 options in which the committee will discuss further at the next meeting Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Business from the floor; Don Jefferies with the Historical Society Committee wanted to know if the City was aware of the Water Tower on 3rd St. having bricks showing. The Mayor is aware of it, and is looking at grants and assistance from others; Elva Ray McClendon was the last to work on the bricks on the tower. Page 357 Councilperson Grable will be heading the Spring Cleanup Committee; he and the Mayor met with the Ministerial Alliance to get them involved with their youth group assisting. The committee consists of Lisa Burkhalter, Jamie Jones, Michael and Janelle Buttrom, and Jimmy Lemons;they welcome participants. The Spring Cleanup will commence April 13, 2019; the City Cleanup will be May 6, 2019 through May 10, 2019. With the City Cleanup, residents put their items on the curb coinciding with their trash pickup day. The City crews will pick up those items; no tires or batteries will be picked up. Mayor Grantham asked Code Enforcement to pinpoint any elderly or disabled residents that needed help so they could get assistance with anything they wanted to get rid of. Introduction of Bills; Councilperson Duckworth motion for the first reading of an ordinance to approve funds for the cost of an Energy Savings Project, second by Councilperson Lyons as follows: BILL NO. 2019-02 ORDINANCE NO. 2019-02 APPROVING A PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI; APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF LEASE CERTIFIFCATES OF PARTICIPATION (GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE CONTRACT) SERIES 2019 IN THE AGGREGATE STATED PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $895,000 IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO PAY THE COSTS OF SUCH PROJECT; AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING CERTAIN DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF SAID CERTIFICATES; AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF SAID CERTIFICATES Councilperson Duckworth motion for the second reading by title only, second by Councilperson Hood; the question is will Bill No. 2019-02 pass and become known as Ordinance 2019-02, which resulted in the following vote on said question to wit: Hood Yes Merideth Yes Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes With no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to adjourn. Councilperson Merideth motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor the meeting adjourning at 6:20 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk