City Council

Page 428 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE February 3, 2020 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Tuesday, February 3, 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 Jerry Hudgens Sergeant at Arms Rodgers (Absent) Councilperson Duckworth Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Reeves 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 21, 2020. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons with all in favor, Councilperson Bullington abstaining. Councilperson Hood motion for approval of the closed session minutes of January 6, 2020, second by Councilperson Duckworth with all in favor, Councilperson Bullington abstaining. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Lyons with all in favor. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion for approval of changing the meeting to Tuesday February 18, 2020 in observance of Presidents’ Day Monday, February 17, 2020. Councilperson Duckworth made the motion, second by Councilperson Hood which passed unanimously. Counselor Dorroh introduced Bill 2020-01 for the relocation of utility lines for the Corps of Engineers project to reconstruct the flood wall. The ordinance will grant the Mayor authority to execute documents for ROWs, cost sharing, and development agreements for the relocation of lines. Counselor entertained a motion for the first reading by title only as follows: BILL NO. 2020-01 ORDINANCE NO. 2020-01 AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SUCH DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RELOCATION OF UTILITY LINES THAT INTERFERE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FLOOD WALL BY THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS Page 429 Councilperson Grable motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Hood; the question is will Bill No. 2020-01 pass and become known as Ordinance 2020-01, which resulted in the following vote on said question to wit: Duckworth Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Police report; Assistant Chief Jerry Hudgens reported that the department had been looking at constructing a metal building for storage for some time. Quotes and estimates are being checked into, and will be relaying the information to the Council. Mr. Hudgens wanted to know if City employees could do the work instead of bidding it out. Counselor stated that the prevailing wage wouldn’t be a problem as long as the project was under $75,000. Mr. Hudgens also provided data for Calls of Service for 2019 as follows: Caruthersville 6,508 Hayti 2,926 Steele 1,075 Sheriff 2,800 The Police department‘s calls of service is almost more than all the above agencies combined and they’re shorthanded, and are actively trying to recruit. Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported that the Humane Shelter license has been renewed for another year, with no write ups. There were 29 dogs picked up for the month of January. The pack of 4 dogs running in the area of 4th and Grande are very aggressive, and Ms. Wilcox was bitten by one of the dogs. Three of the 5 dogs running in another pack have been caught. The heaters have been installed and are working very well. Fire report; Fire calls from January 30, 2020 through February 3, 2020 are as follows: 1/30; Fire alarm sounding at Cotton Warehouse, 1/30; Smoke coming from a building on 15th & Laurant, resulting from a wood burning stove, 1/30; Dumpster on fire at Caruthersville Country Club. Training for the month of January was Extrication Equipment Techniques and the uses of Rit-Paks. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported attending the Economic Development meeting, and completing the cleanup endeavor. Mr. Gilmore is also working on getting rid of derelict cars. The primary focus at this time is cleaning up 3rd St., and getting property owners on board with the cleanup. Mr. Gilmore also would like for the City to acquire the old Cecil Gas Station for more parking for the Armory. A business located in Hayti is looking to relocate in Caruthersville. The building will be located in front of TeRoy’s in which there will be storage units with several being climate controlled. Park & Recreation; Lamonte Bell the new Director of Parks & Recreation reported on getting a lot of ideas from people to bring money in, and different programs for the youth. Mr. Bell has been painting, and hopes to have the pool up and running soon. Library report; Teresa Tidwell State of the Library 2019 is as follows: 1. Began an opt-in email newsletter and opt-in bulletin for Sunday movies  Page 430 2. A page was added to the website for the Pemiscot County Historical Society with Throwback Thursday presenting photos from the archives each week. 3. Geri-Fit piloted a nation-wide group; Gentle Yoga was added, with Handy Crafters being the longest running group and still adding members. 4. Stellaluna along with the St. Louis Repertory Theater had productions for the Schools. 5. First Assembly of God sponsorship of Sunday movies bringing treats and toys. 6. Fishing Classes through Missouri Department of Conservation. 7. Essential Oils classes through the Reconnect Wellness Center in Sikeston, MO 8. Improvements to the Library including a new projector and sound system donated by Lane Southern Whitehead and family, hand sanitizer station and diaper changing station, carpet, and LED lights. 9. Children’s Storytime, Summer Reading, and Early Literacy Programs. 10. Streaming videos for patrons such as documentaries and health programs. 11. Received numerous grants for active learning, supplies, internet hotspots, tablets, books. Economic Development; Mayor Grantham reported A2H is working with the committee on a grant for a feasibility study. The Building Local Prosperity will be meeting monthly; the Local Leadership team will be meeting quarterly, with the first meeting being April 14, 2020. Caruthersville will be submitting a video of the town to HGTV Hometown Makeover. Mayor Grantham also reported that Gail Sheppard the owner of the blighted building downtown has been put in touch with David Davis who has interest in the building. Mr. Davis owns the building beside it, and believes that it’s salvageable. Mitzi Dell is working on a grant to increase the size of the waterlines going out to Arcosa and any other potential business. If there was a fire, from the old Wal Mart on there wouldn’t be enough water to put out the fire. There’s a business looking to be established by the radio station that would employ 25 people that deals with pipe fittings. Arcosa has 400 employees, and the business that will construct in front of Teroy’s will employ 5 people. Advertising for bids for the Water and Waste Water projects has been posted, and will be opened February 27, 2020. MODOT will be installing lights at Exit 4 and Exit 6, and bids for the flood wall take place in June. The City of Caruthersville will end up spending 25 million for improvements to the city with all the ongoing projects. With no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor, the meeting adjourning at 5:50 p.m. ATTEST: ___________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk