City Council

Page 383 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE June 24, 2019 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, June 24, 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 (Absent) Sergeant at Arms Reeves Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Duckworth Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson A meeting was scheduled for June 24, 2019 because there was no quorum for the June 15, 2019 regular scheduled meeting. 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 June 3, 2019. Councilperson Duckworth motion to approve, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. Presentation of Petitions, Letters, and other Communications; A quote was received from Pyramid Roofing for the reroofing of the Water Treatment Plant. There was wind damage and leaking developed in the Filter room, and is moving towards the Electrical room. There’s a claim that has been filed, and the estimate for the reroofing is roughly $49,000. Pyramid’s cost estimate is $67,750. There was discussion of sending the City’s insurance company the quote that Pyramid Roofing is proposing, and letting Pyramid know what the insurance company is proposing, in hopes of a reduced cost. With that in mind, Councilperson Bullington motion for approval of reroofing the Water Treatment Plant’s roof. The motion was second by Councilperson Duckworth, which resulted in the following vote: Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes  Page 384 Unfinished Business; A letter was received from DeReign & DeReign advising the Council that the petition for vacation of a street was being withdrawn by the petitioners, Harmon and Swindle. There was a survey done, and it looks like the properties lend enough space to support their needs. Economic Development; Jana Merideth reported that Richard Proffer gave the news that approval of the University Extension Building Local Prosperities acceptance into the program has taken place for the City. Mr. Proffer has applied for grants through the University Extension and will be sharing the proceeds with the engagement of the monthly meetings. The Economic Development Committee will be meeting with Dave Green on Friday, June 28, 2019. Fire report; Fire calls from June 13, 2019 through June 24, 2019 are as follows: 6/13/19; Fire alarm sounding activated by a child on Davis, 6/14/19; Grass fire with wheat burning in field on I55/412, 6/15/19; Smoke scare due to a 220 electrical outlet on Zaida, 6/15/19; Structure fire with moderate damage on E. 10th St., 6/16/19; Tree limb burning near an electrical line, 6/22/19; Structure fire that was a total loss on State Hwy H in Steele MO, 6/22/19; Vehicle fire reported resulting in a blown radiator hose on I55. Rogers Hydrant Service will be conducting inspections for the next 3 weeks. The start date is Monday, July 1, 2019, everyone is encouraged to listen to the news media for the times and locations of the flushing periods. After July 4, 2019, flushing will resume July 8, 2019. FEMA officials will be meeting with local officials Thursday, June 27, 2019 at the Courthouse and City Hall, to obtain flood information in the City. J&M Displays will be conducting the annual fireworks display on July 4, 2019 beginning at 9:15 p.m. weather permitting at the Bunge Grain CO lot. No one will be permitted on top of the levee. There have been 78 Fire Subscription renewals to date. Charlie Jones reported that so far there have been 38 sites estimated for flood damage at $3,968,400, and there will be more sites as the river goes down, because more sinkholes will occur. Chief Jones made mention that with the sinkholes that have developed on Ward; 18 wheelers shouldn’t travel. The truck routes need to be adhered to, and signage is needed to be installed wherever it was lacking. The City would have to work with the State concerning Ward Ave for signage. Public Works; Paul Shaw reported that the Walker Drainage project is completed, it only needs to be dressed up, and it came in less than $4,000 it was budgeted for. The 12th & Ward project has also been completed, and the limbs are continuing to be picked up. There was a question about the building on Ward being torn down; Counselor Dorroh will be contacting the owner’s attorney on the status. Kelly Dr. will have to be put back in the budget it can’t be done yet nor 20th & Lincoln, which is a hazard. The cones are there for a reason, and are being moved. There will be announcements alerting people for their safety and consequences in removing the cones and blockades on streets with sinkholes. The well was looked at for the Water Plant and with some minor repairs it will be in good working condition, which is a savings of a half a million dollars. Code Enforcement; Sonya Fuller reported hand delivering 15 letters and mailing 21 letters. Eight of the violations have been completed; the other incidents are either the landlords’ responsibility or furniture being dumped in alley ways and vacant lots. There’s also a property with debris on the side of the house, and one resident stating their furniture didn’t get picked up during cleanup week. No one is for sure who the owner of the old Tiger Hut is, but if a deed is not documented the previous owner is responsible for the cleanup. Page 385 Park & Recreation report; Wes Deere reported that the completed installation of the solar panels will occur by Friday. The Catholic Church will be using the Recreation Center for their youth group. With Mr. Deere being the Ex Officio of the Tree Committee he’s asking for donations of volunteer trees that come up or any other to be donated to his nursery behind the Recreation Center to be put into the parks. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that the donated speaker system and projector will be installed soon, and they will start using the theater again to watch their movies. The Library was given science books from the State library that has games and puzzles, and the kids have been working with them along with crafts in making sun catchers. The Summer Learning Reading Program about space is doing very well, and the Apollo 11 movie will be shown as a family movie event. Budget report; Jimmy Lyons has been meeting with department heads concerning their budgets, and proposes to adopt the current budget to carry over into the new fiscal year so that the City can carry forward operations. Motion was made by Councilperson Bullington, second by Councilperson Cheek, which resulted in the following vote: Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Duckworth Absent Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Business From the Floor; Elam May inquired about who was responsible for cutting the ditch near Pentecostal Power Church going towards the Waste Water Plant. It was discussed that Riggs cuts up to the ditch and the City will be cutting the ditch with the side mount. Mr. Elam was also concerned about the drainage off of Dudley and the back of 18th St, that maybe there was a sinkhole. Charles Motton stated that all the houses on 18th St. with the back facing Dudley get inundated with water when it rains. Mr. Motton also stated he was concerned about a kid falling into the holes on 20th St., and that maybe if the cones were more stabilized with weight that it would be a deterrent. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to go into closed session for personnel matters. Councilperson Lyons made the motion, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Duckworth Absent Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Upon returning from closed session, and with no further business to discuss, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Reeves, the meeting adjourning at 6:00 p.m. ATTEST: _____________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk