City Council

Page 454 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE April 20, 2020 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, April 20, 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 Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable 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. The first order of business was the approval of the regular session minutes of April 6, 2020. Councilperson Duckworth motion for approval, second by Councilperson Cheek with all in favor. Councilperson Duckworth motion to approve closed session of March 16, 2020, second by Councilperson Cheek with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Mayor Grantham made mention of the letter sent by Pam Treece, County Clerk regarding the Municipal elections being postponed until June 2, 2020 by Governor Parson in response to Covid-19. Absentee voting is still taking place, and can be cast in office through June 1, 2020. Ballots can be mailed out through May 27, 2020. Mail outs must be received in County Clerk’s office by 7:00 p.m. June 2, 2020. The contact number for any questions is 333-4203. The Caruthersville Housing Authority Board is requesting the appointment of Lancy Mansfield and the reappointment of Pam Gardner to the Board of Commissioners effective May 2020. Councilperson Duckworth made motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Abstain Grable Yes Hood Yes Duckworth Yes Page 455 Chief Tony Jones reported that the curfew is still in place until further notice. The Missouri Highway Patrol investigated a vehicle accident on 7Th St. that resulted in a fatality. Fire report; Fire calls from April 5, 2020 through April 20, 2020 are as follows: 4/5/20; Smoke scare due to cooking at Taven apartments, 4/11/20; Fire alarm sounding due to cooking on South Ward, 4/16/20; Grass fire in median on I55, 4/17/20; Structure fire with moderate damage on W 8th St., 4/19/20; Vehicle accident with extrication on 7th and Maple resulting in one fatality. Public Works report; The crews have been working on the following projects: • Hydrant on 14th and Walker was shut down from spewing • Repaired a three inch water main on Westwood • Assisted Code Enforcement with structure removal • Replaced collapsed sewer line on Westwood Code Enforcement wants to know if the spring cleanup should be postponed due to Covid-19. Councilperson Duckworth motion to postpone, second by Councilperson Grable which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Duckworth Yes Library report; Ms. Tidwell and Ms. Snow are working three days a week answering phones and working on projects. Ms. Tidwell is working at home the other days working on online library cards, answering questions, social media, and completing two grants. Ms. Tarpley hours have been reduced, and is deep cleaning, stripping, and waxing floors. The other workers have been laid off. Ms. Tidwell has been asked by the State Librarian to serve on a task force to help develop safety guidelines and stages of activity, leading to the reopening of public libraries after the stay at home order is lifted. They are also working on the summer reading program. New business; Mayor Grantham received a notice that a $20,000 grant has been allocated to the airport. Governor Parson will be allocating funds to the City and County amid Covid-19. The Casino needs storage space for tents; and the Council will be letting them use the old Brown Shoe building. The Casino is also donating 10 flags that will be put up at the Water tower. Introduction to bills; Counselor Dorroh introduced a bill for the donating of easements along the flood wall to the St. Francis Levee District for the improvements of the flood wall. Councilperson Grable motion for the first reading as follows: BILL NO. 2020-04 ORDINANCE NO. 2020-04 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE GRANTING OF EASEMENTS TO ST. FRANCIS LEVEE DISTRICT OF MISSOURI FOR THE DEMOLITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FLOODWALL  Page 456 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI, as follows: Section 1. The City Council hereby approves the granting of all necessary easements to the St. Francis Levee District of Missouri along the Caruthersville floodwall to allow for the demolition of the existing floodwall and the construction of a new floodwall. The City hereby waives any compensation for the granting of such easements. Section 2. The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute documents granting all such easements on behalf of the City. Section 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage and approval. READ TWO TIMES, PASSED AND APPROVED on this 20th day of April, 2020. APPROVED: __________________________________ Sue Grantham, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ Takella Motton, City Clerk Councilperson Duckworth motion for the second reading by title only, the question is will bill No. 2020-04 pass and become known as Ordinance 2020-04 which resulted on said question to wit: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Duckworth Yes Mitzi Dell provided a resolution in regards to Covid-19 affecting the City for a hazard stipend for fire and police employees for hazardous duty. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Duckworth, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Duckworth Yes Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel and real estate. Councilperson Cheek motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable which resulted in the following vote:  Page 457 Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood 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 in favor. ATTEST: ______________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk