City Council

Page 420 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE December 16, 2019 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, December 16, 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 Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Reeves (Absent) Councilperson Rodgers (Absent) Councilperson Duckworth (Absent) Councilperson Bullington 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 December 2, 2019. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Councilperson Grable motion to approve the closed session of December 2, 2019, second by Councilperson Bullington, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to close the City offices for Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2019. Councilperson Grable made the motion, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Bullington Yes Mayor Grantham asked for a motion to accept G & C Contracting as the only bidder for the flood repairs for the City in which the procurement policy has been followed. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following votes: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Page 421 Bullington Yes Mayor Grantham and Mitzi Dell have been conversing concerning the needed projects for repairs within the City. Ms. Dell assures the City that what FEMA and SEMA don’t cover that she will be able to get a grant to cover the differences. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion for the use of Ms. Dell’s administrative services and grant preparation skills. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Bullington Yes Chief Tony Jones reported that the department would not be hiring an officer at this time. Karol Wilcox reported that with the Animal Shelter being shorthanded with Chris Thacker being out the traps had to be tripped because it’s a two man job, weekenders are being called to cover holidays, and cover a few hours during the week. The dogs that are at large limited at being apprehend, but pending cases can be dealt with by filing a complaint with the police department. The Shelter is in the middle of annual inspections, and will be getting their heating unit tomorrow which will help out with the ring worms. Fire report; Fire calls from December 2, 2019 through December 16, 2019 are as follows: 12/2; Vehicle accident on Rt. Y & County Rd. 524, 12/3; Clothes dryer smoking on Cotton, 12/3; Fire alarm sounding due to cooking on Pine, 12/5; Structure fire with moderate damage on Walker, 12/8; Shed on fire on Beckwith, 12/11; Report of smoke in home with nothing being detected on Ward, 12/12; Fire alarm sounding due to cooking on Truman, 12/16; Bales of hay on fire on County Rd. 362. Public Works; Paul Shaw reported FEMA spending the last couple of weeks in the City doing site inspections on the flood damages. Followed up with the USDA regarding the grants for equipment, and should know something by January. Rogers Hydrant has been called to fix hydrants on Marilyn Dr. and Cotton Ave. An emergency replacement for the sewer on 10th and Eastwood was conducted, and the drainage on Mooreland Dr. and South Ward was repaired at the reduced rate that had been discussed previously. Mayor Grantham asked for a motion to pay the invoice of $20,000 from G & Contracting. Councilperson Lyons made the motion, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following votes: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Bullington Yes The pump was found that had been stolen from the City, and there was damage, restitution will be sought. The hydrant on 14th & Walker would have to have a valve inspection conducted which would cost approximately $3,500, and there’s not enough pressure for the hydrant to be in use. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that as Building Inspector he has gotten with several contractors letting them know requirements concerning building permits. Mr. Gilmore assessment of  Page 422 all the junk throughout the town and the junk cars with the probability of some having title loans that the plan would have to be a community effort to clean up. The blighted buildings could be taken care of through a grant process, and he will be getting an updated list of the teardowns; the grant application starts in April. The trash pickup of the mattresses, furniture, tires, etc. will be a volunteer program, with the mindset of starting anew, dates will be decided upon. Property owners will be responsible from here on out for anything that is left or dumped on their property. Parks & Recreation; Breakfast with Santa was a huge success with 400 people in attendance. Don Grable reported that the heater that was purchased last year was actually a boiler that has to be within 15 ft. from the manifold to work properly; it has to be replumbed. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that there’s a feature of the library with the Amigos Library Services on YouTube that can be viewed. The final Christmas Storytime is tomorrow night with Mrs. Santa as the guest reader, Santa will do photo opts and pass out candy canes. More Net that provide internet services for the Library did a complimentary assessment of the Library’s security and network effectiveness throughout the building, and the Library will make strides towards more efficiency. Budget report; McDowell & Middleton have merged with Thomas, Speight and Noble, CPAs. Councilperson Lyons made mention of the Sales Tax Distribution Notices, and a draft of the annual audit from Smith & Davis that were in the Council packets. Business from the floor; Ann Jeffries inquired of the dog killings, and Chief Tony Jones stated that there had been no movement. Paul Jefferies inquired of the couple taking outside Christmas decorations with a shopping cart reported by the Pemiscot Press. Chief Jones stated that it shouldn’t be hard to figure out who the culprits are. Councilperson Bullington had questions about the list of businesses that hadn’t paid their taxes for 2019; Mayor Grantham will be getting with the City Collector to inquire of the procedures for collection. With no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor _________________________________ City Clerk