City Council

Page 358 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE April 1, 2019 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday April 1, 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 Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Merideth Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Duckworth (Absent) Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Rittenberry 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 18, 2019. Councilperson Grable motion to approve, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons 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 a letter from Wanda Gale in reference to the digging of the ditches on South Ward. MODOT at this time is doing swales, shallow ditches which are easy to maintain; Dave Wyman can be contacted for any questions. The National Day of Prayer is May 2, 2019, and will be conducted at City Hall between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. Councilperson Rittenberry reported that the insurance on the airport expires April 6, 2019, and that he was bringing the renewal before the Council for transparency. Councilperson Rittenberry expressed that he has no financial interest or gain with Mid Continent concerning the airport insurance nor is he the producer of the account. There’s no increase with the insurance it stays at $1,542 for the policy period of one year. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval for payment, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Grable Yes Hood Yes Merideth Yes Rodgers Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Abstain Page 359 Councilperson Rittenberry also reported that the Insurance Committee recommends White & Associates renewal of the City’s health insurance with 4 options; the city having a cap of $675 per employee for what the City pays per month and the employee making up the difference with whatever option is chosen. The annual deductibles, annual out of pocket max, copays, hospital deductibles, and prescription costs all vary with each plan. Councilperson Hood motion for approval of the recommendation, second by Councilperson Rodgers, which resulted in the following vote: Grable Yes Hood Yes Merideth Yes Rodgers Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Councilperson Bullington reported the City Personnel Manual was more of an update with clarifications on disciplinary policies, hiring process, updates of FMLA, and added was personal leave. Once the table of contents and forms are attached it was suggested it be taken to Pemiscot Office Supply to be bound. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of the adoption of the City Personnel Manual, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Grable Yes Hood Yes Merideth Yes Rodgers Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Police report; The police department copier machine is old and there have been several repairs, at this time it’s jamming. Novatech provided 3 options; 1) order a board which would cost between $1,000 to $1,400, 2) rental of $150 per month at 15 cents a copy, 3) get a refurbished copier with the trade in at $26,000 with fax capability. Chief Tony Jones recommends the copier at $2,600 with the 2 year warranty to come out of Asset Forfeiture. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Chief Jones also made mention of the yearly Easter Egg Hunt budgeted for $500 out of Asset Forfeiture. Fire report; Fire calls from March 18, 2019 through April 1, 2019 are as follows: 3/18/19; Fire alarm sounding due to oven on East 19th St; 3/19/19; Mutual aid for structure fire on Washington in Hayti Heights, 3/22/19; Smoke odor at Woody’s, 3/26/19; Grass fire from field on I55/412, 3/28/19; Mutual aid for structure fire on Emerson in Kennett, 3/28/19; Grass fire from field on County Rd 524, 3/28/19; Vehicle fire with moderate damage on 6th and Truman, 3/30/19; Vehicle blew oil on engine on Truman, 3/31/19; Structure fire with moderate damage on E. 10th St, 4/1/19; Fire alarm sounding due to oven on Davis. There were 45 in attendance at the Storm Spotter Course at the Public Library, March 25, 2019. Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported that there was a pit bull attack on a resident; the dog was euthanized and sent off for rabies evaluation. A second dog that was involved but not the main culprit if seized by municipal court will also be euthanized if the victim request. The back runs are not climb proof so the Shelter is looking into different fencing, and purchasing a large covered kennel to house dangerous dogs to keep away from shelter dogs. Stray dogs must be held for a minimum of 7  Page 360 days to be claimed by the owner, if the owner is known the 7 day period ends until the owner his presented with a certified letter. Once proof of receipt of the letter is acknowledged, then there’s 2 weeks before any action on the animal legally, unless it’s a threat, and at that time it can be ordered to be euthanized. A dog can also be euthanized if it’s diseased or disabled beyond recovery. All types of pit bulls, even mixes are banned by the Aggressive Animal Ordinance. If a dog is nonaggressive the owner is usually cited, and given a time period to remove the dog from the city limits. For the month of March the statistics are as follows: On hand; 11 dogs, 13 puppies, 18 cats, 9 kittens, Adopted; 3 dogs, 6 puppies, 5 cats, Intake; 10 dogs, 16 puppies, 5 cats, and 5 kittens, Deceased; 1 dog, 1 cat, 2 puppies, Euthanized; 1 dog and 1 puppy. There were 2 dogs that were owner redeemed, 28 citations were given, and contacts were made with owners and animal incidents trying to figure out how to track. The vaccination clinic will occur May 11, 2019 and at that time the purchase of dog tags will be promoted. GPS doesn’t give clear directions to the shelter; looking at signage to put on South Ward directing the way to the Animal Shelter. Open House and the Grand Opening will occur April 27, 2019 along with the 5k Run/2mile walk. The shelter will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for adoptions. Public Works; Paul Shaw reported that the Consumer Confidence Report had no violations, which will be posted on the bills, website, and at City Hall. The crew has been cleaning up debris on the riverfront, mowed 16 lots, and cleaned up an area behind the Exchange Building. The roof on the Industrial Water Plant has a tarp when the wind damage occurred, and has been called into the insurance. Several potholes were filled, and meetings have occurred with John Chittenden concerning the projects that are taking place in the City. Mr. Shaw has talked with Logan Meeks about the building on Ward that’s a safety hazard; it would cost $4,100 for the engineering report. Mayor Grantham stated that the City may be able to get the money for a grant like the City got once before on a blighted area on Ward Avenue. After discussion the Council decided to reach out to the owner before making a decision on the quote that has been given. Code Enforcement; Sonya Fuller reported working on 25 letters, and sending out notifications for offences. Ms. Fuller is also in the process of beginning 3 permits for the building of new residential. Councilperson Rodgers reported that she had gotten calls about missed pickups that continue to occur with the same residents. Councilperson Rodgers witnessed herself the pickup of trash that was wasted and not picked up by the driver. On this particular day the truck had not ran out of room by being full; the driver was just in a hurry rushing picking up the routes as she followed. There was discussion from residents putting trash into the containers without bagging, overfilling, to not turning the containers the right way with the handle faced out wheels turned to the back. There was also discussion of the turnover of the drivers and fill-ins. There are a lot of variables to be considered; the City will continue to work through the issues with the trash pickup. Chief Tony Jones has been getting complaints about a property on Truman that has trailers on the empty lot. People want to know if there was a business license to sell trailers or if it was being used to place more products that are being purchased by the owner. Sonya Fuller stated she would check with the City Collector to see if a license has been issued for the location. The property on Lincoln that the Board of Adjustments approved for the skirting rather than to have bricks as the base does not have the skirting after the approval set forth January 16, 2019. Page 361 Counselor Dorroh stated that the owner needed to be contacted with the 30 day required notification to be completed. Park & Recreation report; Wes Deere reported that baseball starts this month; the Easter Egg Hunt a French Park will occur Saturday at 12:00 p.m., April 20, 2019. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday April 3, 2019, for wrestling on May 18, 2019, which can be purchased at the Recreation Center, City Hall, and Library. Life Guard classes are continuing in which there’s a desperate need of lifeguards in the area. Councilperson Bullington made mention of Pickle ball for senior citizens which is a cross between tennis and ping pong. It has been talked about before, and Mr. Deere will be ordering the paddles and balls. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that the Library has a number of audio books located in the lobby, and you pay as to what it’s worth to you. Fishing classes through Missouri Department of Conservation will occur April 18, 2019 and April 25, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., which is for adults and children. The fishing tackle rental is ongoing. Summer Reading this year will be called Summer Learning with the topics being about space. Economic Development report; The Economic Development Action Team met Tuesday, March 26, 2019. The Building Local Prosperity application has been submitted and will be reviewed April 16, 2019. After review and acceptance the Committee will began raising the $7,000 for the cost of the 4 year economic development plan. Mark Kross and Fred Nichols from the Missouri Parkway Commission will be in the City Friday, April 5, 2019 in which they will discuss the Commission and what it can mean for tourism along the Mississippi River and Caruthersville. There will be a scavenger hunt for River the Rabbit at businesses through the City’s Facebook page. The person that locates River will win a gift card each day. The City Website Committee will meet April 16, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall along with Dave Green of Creative Design who currently handles the City’s website needs. Business from the Floor; Mr. Lazenby reminded everyone to get out and vote. Councilperson Rittenberry inquired about Entegrity’s progress in the project. Mayor Grantham had made contact and everything has been ordered; Entegrity is confident that everything would be done in time. Entegrity will be making up the difference should the deadline is not made with the solar project. Councilperson Rodgers stated that a huge tree was down in the 600 block of E. 9th St. on the old railroad tracks across from B & H Salvage. New business; Councilperson Grable reported that the Slam Dunk the Junk city cleanup on April 17, 2019 will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Administration building parking lot. The cleanup will commence until 12:00 p.m. The thoroughfares will be targeted; Ward, Truman, Playground Rd., Carleton, 15th St., and the parks. As of now there are about 100 participants and they would like to double it; meetings will take place every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. up until April 17, 2019. A head count is needed for the lunch that will be provided at French Park. Ms. Lazenby made mention that Councilperson Rodgers is donating trees from the National Arbor Day Foundation, and working with Wes Deere to place them in French Park which is next in line. Ms. Lazenby mentioned that there were a few holes in the parks that needed to be filled. There are also huge dirt piles that are bad that can be used elsewhere that need to be transferred.  Page 362 With no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to adjourn. Councilperson Rodgers made the motion, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor _________________________________ City Clerk