City Council

Page 461 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE May 18, 2020 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, May 18, 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 Rodgers Councilperson Duckworth (Absent) 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 May 4, 2020. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Cheek with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion to approve reports and bills, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Next on the agenda were the introduction of a couple of bills relating to the financing of the Water Waste Water projects through the USDA and bond issuance. Councilperson Grable motion for the first reading by title only, second by Councilperson Lyons as follows: BILL NO. 2020-06 ORDINANCE 2020-06 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN ADVANCE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE MISSOURI PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Councilperson motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Lyons; the question is will Bill No. 2020-06 pass and become known as ordinance No. 2020-06. Councilperson Bullington motion for passage, second by Councilperson Grable resulting in the following vote: Rodgers Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Page 462 Councilperson Bullington motion for the first reading by title only second by Councilperson Grable for the next bill as follows: BILL NO. 2020-07 BILL NO. 2020-07 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BOND, SERIES B IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,900,000 WITH THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE MISSOURI; PRESCRIBING THE FORM AND DETAILS OF SAID BOND AND THE COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT AND SECURITY THEREOF; AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ACTIONS AND DOCUMENTS AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO. Councilperson Grable motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Lyons; the question is will Bill No. 2020-07 pass and become known as Ordinance 2020-07. Councilperson Lyons motion for passage, second by Councilperson Hood resulting in the following vote: Mayor Grantham asked for approval of the following appointments as follows: Library Board/Terry Callen(final 3 year term), Sally Fisher (final 3 year term), Jock Grantham(final 3 year term) Betty Toles ( 2nd year term) City appointments: City Clerk/Takella Motton, Court Clerk/Nyoka Rushing, City Counselor/Lawrence Dorroh, Municipal Judge/Mike Hazel, City Engineer/John Chittenden, Code Enforcement/Barry Gilmore, Building Commissioner/John Ferguson, City Prosecutor/Lawrence Dorroh Department Heads: Fire Department Chief/Charlie Jones, Public Works Director/Paul Shaw, Parks & Recreation Director/Lamonte Bell, Librarian/Teresa Tidwell Public Works appointments: Bookkeeper/Virginia Glass, Water Waste Water Distribution and Street & Sanitation Supervisor/James Elliott Police appointments: Assistant Chief of Police/Jerry Hudgens Sr., Captain Chief Investigator/Terry Privett, Lieutenant/Jeremy Darnell, Sergeant/Paul Meacham, Sergeant/Shane Wiseman, Corporal/James Beaver, Corporal/Rodney Jackson, Corporal Investigator/Dustin Fitzwater, Patrolman/Kaleb Johnson, Patrolman/Matthew Vincent, Patrolman /Terry Elmore, Patrolman/Matthew Julius, Patrolman/Bryan Lacey, Patrolman/Corey Vaughn, Humane Officer/Chris Thacker, Patrolman (PT)/Jerry Hudgens Jr., Patrolman (PT)/David Ward, Police Clerk/Sarah Rudd Councilperson Bullington motion for approval of all appointments, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Rodgers Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Police report; Chief Tony Jones proposed having a trial run of lifting the ban of fireworks within Page 463 the city limits for July 4, 2020. There would be requirements of picking up trash, and 10:00 p.m. being the end time. There was discussion about Chief Jones bringing to the next meeting the guidelines for the trial run, and Counselor Dorroh providing an ordinance that would keep the existing ordinances in place, but making allowance for the trial run. Fire report; Fire calls from May 6, 2020 to May 18, 2020 are as follows: 5/6/20; Structure fire with moderate damage at B&D Recycling, 5/7/20; Fire alarm sounding due to cooking on Bushey, 5/10/20; Pot left unattended on stove with minor smoke damage, at West Haven. Fire inspections were done at Dollar Tree and New Life Nutrition. The three pumpers and tanker had the annual preventive maintenance certification conducted; issues that were found will be corrected. The outdoor warning sirens also had an annual preventive maintenance, with one siren having four batteries replaced. Fire hose testing was conducted on the 1998 pumper, and the 2012 pumper testing will occur Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Public Works; Paul Shaw reported that the street sweeper had been running, and will continue on a regular basis once training is conducted. Spraying for mosquitos will occur soon, and Mr. Shaw will inquire about a spray for the gnats. The crew worked hard to get everything picked up in a timely manner after the storm. Mr. Shaw recommended to surplus the rod truck with possibly getting at least $2,500 for it. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Rodgers Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that he was aware of the furniture being put out in some areas of the City. A lot of people aren’t aware of the cancellation of the spring cleanup. Mr. Gilmore will be making announcements on the radio about the rescheduling. In the meantime the residents can bring those items to the dumpster in the Maintenance yard. A house was torn down on 3rd St., and the Cooks’ lot is on its way of being cleaned up. The house on West 11th St has a month to be torn down; the City made the offer, and the owner thinks they could get it done cheaper. There have been 109 notices been sent out, and follow up is the next step. Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that when the Recreation Center opens back up June 1, 2020 there would be stipulations as follows: No entrance to the office, everything would have to be done at the window. Only six people could be in the weight room with one hour intervals. The pool would allow ten people, but would be getting with Ms. Tate for confirmation. There will be no basketball at this time, but everything else is being allowed. There will be a line formed with markers for social distancing. The Recreation Center will be sanitized again before opening, and for the time being regular hours will be conducted. Hours are subject to change if business slows down. Sign in sheets will be conducted for monitoring purposes, and will request patrons to wear masks. Councilperson Rodgers inquired about the trees being stored at the Recreation Center. They need to be planted pretty soon so they won’t be lost. Mr. Bell will be checking on the trees, and there was discussion of having the ceremonies at a later date.  Page 464 Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that they had a soft opening with seven people attending. The cart will continue to be outside for patrons; curbside service will also continue. The water fountain is closed off, and the Library will be closing at 4:00 p.m. to sanitize. Children will not be able to return as of yet until it’s deemed safe. New Business; Randy Guest, Baseball Commissioner reported that with the reopening of the State they are planning to move forward with a later season. Of the 300 signups 40 will not be playing; there’s still great interest. The Commission has made contact with other organizations throughout the State, and some have had their first tournaments last weekend. Everyone has reported success and cooperation with the social distancing. The Babe Ruth and Utrip baseball organizations will be conducting the season. The following are the recommendations that have been given and the Commission plans on implementing for social distancing: Practice will be immediately with games starting in June. They will suggest that parents drop off the kids for practice, and coaches will promote the importance of hygiene. Bleachers will be removed, parents can bring chairs and practice social distancing; no groups unless it’s family. Concession stands will run like the restaurants; signs will be up about keeping social distancing while in line. Bathrooms will be open with regular bleach cleaning of surfaces being performed. Hand sanitizers will be placed in dugouts and concession stand areas. Dugouts will be extended to allow separation of kids, and non-players will not be allowed. Adjustments to the game itself will be made to avoid as much close contact with players, coaches, and umpires as possible. Councilperson Lyons inquired about a waiver being possibly constructed. Councilperson Cheek motion to allow the baseball season to be open up, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Rodgers Yes Bullington Absent Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Abstain Hood Abstain Reeves Yes There were two other ordinances on the agenda that will be reviewed at a later date by Counselor Dorroh regarding the franchise tax and utilities with Ameren. With no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Grable which passed unanimously. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor _________________________________ City Clerk