City Council

Page 426 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE January 21, 2020 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Tuesday, January 21, 2020 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 Duckworth Councilperson Bullington (Absent) Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Reeves Councilperson Rodgers 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 January 6, 2020. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval, second by Councilperson Rodgers with all in favor. Councilperson Hood motion for approval of the closed session minutes of January 6, 2020, 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. Fire report; Fire calls from January 9, 2020 through January 21, 2020 are as follows: 1/9/20; Smoke scare due to cooking on East 8th St., 1/18/20; Structure fire with moderate damage on West 16th St., 1/19/20; Dispatched to Belle Ave. and determined it was in Hayti, 1/19/20; Couch fire that had been moved to front yard at apartments on West 13th St. Public Works; Randy Guest reported that the software used by the Water department has been in use for over 18 years. CUSI will be converting to a new database, and the old software will eventually be obsolete. If the City goes with the new software at this time there will be a savings of $9,000.00, and the yearly service fee would drop by $2,000.00 monthly. The City would not be billed for the conversion until it’s up and running for $16,000.00. Councilperson Rodgers motion for approval of the software with a budget amendment to Water, second by Councilperson Cheek, which resulted in the following vote: Duckworth Yes Lyons Yes Page 427 Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that the Clean Sweep occurred Saturday, January 18, 2020 with 17 people showing up. They managed with what they had and picked up 122 tires and 20 mattresses. They’re looking to make another attempt Wednesday January 22, 2020 to pick up more trash. Mr. Gilmore is continuing to draw up a list for tear downs of blighted properties. Park & Recreation; Don Grable reported that Youth basketball is underway, and there’s a $1.00 admission to the games. The pool is still being worked on; a sensor has been ordered which will alleviate the heating problem, all the plumbing has been accomplished. Library report; The Boston Globe made contact with Ms. Tidwell, and wants to do a feature of the Library focusing on the Job Center. The Library will sponsor Souper Bowl Sunday where different soups will be shown how to prepare. There have been 4 cameras installed within the Library and 4 more will be installed outside later on. Once all repairs and carpet installation is completed there will be an open house. Mayor Grantham reported that the Medical Marijuana Group has 3 plants in Colorado that are very successful. They want to meet with the Council and have a public meeting to explain all aspects of the business. Once they are up and running tours of the facility will be conducted. Business from the Floor; Charles Cain inquired of the write up of separation of duties for the Water department and City Collector in the audit. Counselor Dorroh stated that separation of duties for those two areas has been ongoing since he’s been employed by the City. It’s not feasible for the City to employ someone with the limited resources, but oversight should be done. Mr. Cain wanted to know if daily deposits were being done. The Water department does nightly deposits escorted by the Police department, the City Collector does not. Mr. Cain also wanted to know who’s responsible for abating nuisances; the tenant is first then the landlord, but both can be cited. Councilperson Hood motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Duckworth Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Upon returning from closed session and with no further business to come before the Council Councilperson Hood motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor, the meeting adjourning at 5:40 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ ______________________________ Mayor City Clerk