City Council

Page 397 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE September 3, 2019 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Tuesday, September 3, 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 Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Cheek (Absent) Councilperson Grable (Absent) Councilperson Hood Councilperson Reeves Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Duckworth 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. A Public Hearing to answer any questions or concerns that the public may have about the proposed tax rate was the first order of business. There was a question about the tax rate itself. Counselor Dorroh explained that the tax rate was from the State auditor based on changes in assessed valuations and inflation concerning the property tax. The proposed tax also limits increases by having a ceiling with any increases having to be approved by the voter. Counselor also pointed out that grants have been lost in the past for non-approval of the proposed tax rate. The proposed rate is as follows: ASSESED CURRENT PRIOR VALUATION TAX YEAR 2019 TAX YEAR 2018 Real Estate $31,882.364 $31,762,967 Personal Property $11,816,049 $11,770.019 Total $43,698,413 $43,532,986 The following tax rates are proposed: Amount of Property Tax Rate Tax Revenues Ceiling Budgeted (Per $100) General Fund $ 265,904.84 $ .6085 Special Sewer Tax 90,193.52 .2064 Library Fund 42,737.05 .0978 Public Health 75,991.54 .1739 Cemetery fund 18,965.11 .0434 Total $ 493,792.06 $ 1.1300  Page 398 Councilperson Bullington made motion for approval of the proposed tax rate at $1.1300, second by Councilperson Lyons which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes The next order of business was the approval of the regular session minutes of September 3, 2019. Councilperson Lyons motion to approve, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion to approve the closed session minutes, second by Councilperson Duckworth, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Counselor Dorroh summarized the Planning & Zoning minutes by stating that the board was making the recommendation to the Council to approve the drafted ordinance for zoning regulations for medical marijuana with the modifications of being opened from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. for facilities and having the standard 1,000 feet within any existing school, church, or daycare center for all types of facilities. The Board also recommended that all types of facilities would be inclusive of B1 zoning districts. The next step will be the Public Hearing with the addressing of the ordinance at which time the Council can make changes or adopt the ordinance at the next meeting. Police/Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported the intake of 42 dogs and puppies, 29 cats and kittens, with 3 animal being redeemed and 3 euthanized for illness and one died shortly after intake. On July 19, 2019 there was a surprised biannual inspection by the Missouri Department of Agriculture with a full house of 57 animals, and there were no non-compliant items. The kennels were resealed which helps prevent parvo, worked 15 neglect cases, and provided 21 spays and neuters. The Shelter received complaints about animals being shot with a pellet gun in the Jefferson area with an investigation being ensued. Pellet guns are illegal in Caruthersville and violators can be fined or prosecuted. The shelter is still working on pricing an aggressive animal pen, and they have to take in strays and emergencies first because of the heavy volume. The Shelter has also linked up with a group of truck drivers networking to adopt animals. Code Enforcement; Sonya Fuller reported working on letters and mailed out 22 letters, 11 properties were mowed by the City with taxes being assessed, and 9 cases have been closed. There’s a lot of dumping in vacant lots and alleys. It was suggested to revisit by making announcements on the radio about the availability of the dumpster in the Maintenance yard. Also, the Water office can be called to set up a call to someone that will assist fora nominal fee to remove items. Park & Recreation; Wes Deere reported that the Pee Wee football team will play Charleston, MO next week, and the following week the will play in Kennett, MO. The Park board voted unanimously for the 24 hour access at the Recreation Center. Mr. Deere would like to have the 24 hour access in place by October 1, 2019. Some of the regulations are that you have to be 21 years old; no one else can Page 399 use your card and if so it will be deactivated. The Council will review the regulations and make a decision at a later time. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that starting tomorrow is the beginning of the Lunch and Learn, where there will talk about modern consumer health issues with lunch being provided. Patrons will have the ability to check out hot spots and take them home to get information on health topics on the internet. Geri-Fit and Gentle Yogi is ongoing, and the Wall of Distinction sponsored by the Historical Society will be presented September 27, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium. The following candidates that will be honored are Lee Dorroh, Al Jackson, John Sellers, Terry Swinger, and Ophelia Wade. Public Works report; Paul Shaw reported that he and the Mayor had met with the USDA in regards to the letter of conditions for the FDA bond issue. They were also told that the City could apply for a grant for 35 percent off equipment and vehicles for a loan at 3 and half percent. Part of the bond issue is to advertise for bids for the Vacuum truck. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes Mr. Shaw talked with John Chittenden and discussed what damages from the flood would be done first as follows: Sonic, Westwood, Taven lift station, behind the Elementary School, and two force mains. A meeting was attended by Paul Shaw and the Mayor with Governor Parson, Senator Blunt and Congressman Smith at the Delta Center. Business from the floor; Ann Jefferies wanted to know if there was any public effort in addressing infants and toddlers not being in car seats, and if there was any education towards letting the public know the importance of placing infants in their car seats. Ms. Jefferies was told that the PIN office addressee’s those concerns and gives car seats away. Betty Toles was concerned about tall trees and bushes being a safety issue on 15th and Ward. Mayor Grantham stated that the problem would be taken care of. Introduction to bills; Counselor Dorroh introduced a bill for establishing and fixing the rate of taxation for the year 2019. Councilperson Duckworth motion for the first reading by title only, second by Councilperson Lyons as follows: BILL NO. 2019-05 ORDINANANCE NO. 2019-05 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AND FIXING THE RATE OF TAXATION AND LEVYING THE TAXES AND DECLARING THAT PURPOSE OF WHICH THE SAME SHALL AND SHOULD BE USED FOR THE TAX YEAR 2019. Councilperson Duckworth motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Lyons. The question before the Council now is, shall bill No. 2019-05 to be known as Ordinance No. 2019-05 pass and become law, which resulted in the following vote on said question to wit:  Page 400 Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes Councilperson Lyons made motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Duckworth Yes Upon returning from closed session and with no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Duckworth, with all favor. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor _______________________________ City Clerk