City Council

Page 391 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE August 5, 2019 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, August 5, 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 Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Reeves Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Duckworth Councilperson Bullington (Absent) Councilperson Lyons 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 August 5, 2019. Councilperson Grable motion to approve, second by Councilperson Duckworth, with all in favor. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval of the closed session minutes of August 5, 2019, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Cheek, with all in favor. Presentation of petitions, letters, and other communications; Lamar Advertising sent a letter asking for a new lease agreement for the billboard on I-55 with the term of 15 years at $2,000 per year instead of the present yearly agreement of $1,8000 per year. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval of the new lease, second by Councilperson Lyons which resulted in the following vote: Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Abstain Duckworth Yes Lyons Yes Police report; Chief Tony Jones reported that the back parking lot of the Public Safety Building is beginning to sink, which will be turned into FEMA.  Page 392 Fire report; Fire calls from July 15, 2019 to August 5, 2019 are as follows: 7/15/19; Vacant shed on fire on 20th St. and Levee Rd., 7/16/19; Fire alarm sounding due to AC leak on Ward Ave., 7/18/19; Fire alarm sounding on Pine St., 7/23/19; Mutual aid request for structure fire on State Hwy E in Cooter, 7/24/19;Smoke scare with skillet left on stove at East Haven, 7/28/19; Structure fire with moderate damage on East 15th St., 8/3/19; Fire alarm sounding at Community Center. Training for the month of July was Solar Panels that were installed at the Water Plant. The fire hydrant inspections have been completed, and there was recommendation that 7 hydrants be repaired that’s identified with a black bag over them. Public Works; Paul Shaw reported that the Crane truck had come in Thursday, and the energy efficiency lighting was installed at City Hall and the Water Plant. The normal daily activities of mowing and picking up of limbs and leaves were done. The department also assisted with setting up the riverfront for the Backyard Barbecue. Code Enforcement; Sonya Fuller reported sending out letters, abating nuisances, and making preparations for the billing of residents that have been non-compliant in abating nuisances. Park & Recreation; Randy Guest addressed concerns of the proposed 24 hour opening of the Recreation center. MOPERM has stated that they don’t want to stand in the way of any progress, and would send a Loss Prevention person to talk about safeguards. Mr. Guest stated that certain areas would be gated off such as secondary bathrooms, pool area, and stairs to the back way of the walking track. Additional cameras would be put in and there would be controlled access, and if someone else uses your card, access will be revoked immediately. The 911 dispatchers and police department would also be able to view the camera system. In addition of being competitive with other 24 hour gyms the early morning shift of 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. would be eliminated. Over a year’s time the expense of the additional equipment would pay for itself with the elimination of the early morning hours. Mayor Grantham suggested that the Council have a scheduled date to go out and view the safety precautions and insurance documents before making a decision. Wes Deere reported that Pee Wee football signups started today, and the cleaning up of trash, getting bleachers and tables back in place from the Backyard Barbecue had taken place. Randy Guest stated that they were trying to get T-ball back on the roster, and they could use more coaches. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that the issues with the lighting in the auditorium was not the wiring, but all the bulbs had to be replaced. Harold Hampton rewired the reading pavilion lights which made a big difference. The University of Missouri Extension is interested in working with the Library in getting a 4H chapter started. New Business; Counselor Dorroh presented a draft ordinance for medical marijuana in which the city regulatory authority would be through zoning. The local authority could place limits or be more business friendly in regards to zoning as far as location and time of operation. The zoning districts could be B1, B2, I1, or I2, and the state law requirement is 1,000 ft. of any existing school church, or child daycare facility. The ordinance will have to be referred to the Planning & Zoning Commission and they will make a recommendation to the Council, in which they have 30 days to do so. Councilperson Duckworth motion to authorize the Planning & Zoning Commission to meet, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Page 393 Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes Lyons Yes Business from the Floor; Ann Jefferies inquired of the repair of the sinkholes, and was told that FEMA would be coming in on Wednesday gathering information, and that it was a process. Ms. Jeffries also inquired about the granting of the licensing for the medical marijuana. The end of December or the first of the year is when licenses will be granted with the first facility opening up around April. The applications will have to be turned in August, and there will be a limited amount of facilities that will be authorized to open within the state. Don Jefferies was concerned about the elimination of the morning shift at the Recreation Center, which is a part time position that a full time person covers; that person will have regular hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Steven Rodgers thanked the Council for their support of sending him to Police Academy, but that he was ineligible through the initial testing. He stated that he would go back in January to retake the test. Mayor Grantham recognized Denny Callen from the Casino, and the Mayor stated that she was told by the new owners that they weren’t planning on changing anything unless it was minor. Introduction to Bills; Counselor Dorroh introduced the readopting of the Conflict of Interest Ordinance in which the state law requires biannually. Councilperson Duckworth asked for the first reading, second by Councilperson Hood as follows: BILL NO. 2019-04 ORDINANCE NO. 2019-04 AN ORDINANCE OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI, TO ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE TO DISCLOSE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND SUBSTANIAL INTERESTS FOR CERTAIN OFFICIALS Councilperson Duckworth motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Grable, the question is will Bill No. 2019-04 pass and become known as Ordinance No. 2019-04, which resulted in the following vote on said question to wit: Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes Lyons Yes Councilperson Duckworth motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Rodgers with all in favor the meeting adjourning at 5:55 p.m. ATTEST: __________________________________ Mayor ______________________________ City Clerk