City Council

Page 470 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE June 15, 2020 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, June 15, 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 Hood Councilperson Reeves Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Duckworth/Glass Councilperson Bullington (Absent) Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable 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 June 1, 2020. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Councilperson Hood motion to approve reports and bills, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. The next order of business was the certification and the commissioning of the oath of office. Mayor Grantham read the election results from Pam Treece, Pemiscot County Clerk, which is presented on the next page. The City Clerk administered the oath of office. Page 471 Page 472 Effective July 1, 2020 the employer contribution rates for the City employees will change as follows: General (2.50%) Police (3.40%) Fire (6.30%) Each employee retirement benefits will be calculated by the percentages relative to their actuarial department and salary. Police report; Chief Tony Jones reported that Paul Meacham would be resigning from the police force effective July 1, 2020 if he receives his vacation that’s on the books in a lump sum, or July 22, 2020 if he has to take is remaining vacation days. There was a question about the selling of fireworks; with this being a temporary trial, there will be only one fireworks stand for this year. Fire report; Chief Charlie Jones reported fire calls from June 2, 2020 to June 15, 2020 as follows: 6/2/20; Individual burnt insulation off wires on West 11th St., 6/7/20; Electric pole burning at the top in alley behind Grand, 6/8/20; Tractor trailer truck on fire with moderate damage on Route U. Rodgers Hydrant Service Company will be testing for the next three weeks. The City’s fireworks display will occur July 4, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. at the Bunge Grain Company lot. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that three people had been hired on for the mowing, in which two are part time and one full time until they go back to school. There could be two additional part time workers hired on to abate nuisances. Mr. Gilmore has 147 Notices out with various states of completion. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported receiving $8,548.00 for the grant concerning Covid19. They will be getting the self-checkout and nine chrome books. The summer reading program starts Tuesday, June 16, 2020, and 65 have signed up. Craft bags will be given out weekly. Budget report; Jimmy Lyons reported that the fiscal year ends June 30, 2020, therefore the current budget needs to be adopted temporarily for next year. Councilperson Grable made motion to adopt, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes No revenue was generated for the month of May from the Casino due to its closing. The Sales Tax revenue has been up. Mayor Grantham made mention that since opening back up the Casino is up from last year, and is planning to be open until 3:00 a.m. on the weekends. Economic Development; Jana Merideth reported that the BLP clean-up was a success, Downtown Tourism will meet Thursday, June 18, 2020, Workforce Development meets June 22, 2020, Economic Development Action meets June 23, 2020, and the Local Leadership Team will meet in July. New Business; Mayor Grantham reported that the local businesses are donating towards cleaning the sidewalks on Ward and 3rd St with the work being done by Jimmy Jackson. Mayor Grantham also reported that the Sanitation services will be going out for bid for the City. Mayor Grantham’s Council Committee appointments are as follows:  Page 473 Finance Police & Fire Street & Sanitation Water & Sewer Jimmy Lyons Johnny Hood Don Grable Barbara Rodgers J.J. Bullington Teddy Cheek Barbara Rodgers Don Grable Teddy Cheek Don Grable Paul Glass Jimmy Lyons Johnny Hood Jennifer Reeves Jennifer Reeves Paul Glass Insurance JJ. Bullington Barbara Rodgers Jennifer Reeves Jimmy Lyons Mayor Grantham’s Board Member appointments are as follows: Tree Board Planning & Zoning Board Jane Ellen Lazenby (reappointed d 2019) John Ferguson (appointed 2017) Tom Tidwell Cathy Clark (reappointed 2018) Dustin Price (appointed 2017) appointed 2018 Martha Fowlkes (appointed 2017) Lisa Curtis (reappointed 2019) Ex Officio Karen Meeks (appointed 2018) Mike Trainor (reappointed 2020) Johnny Hood John Buchanan (appointed 2018) Jarred Yates (appointed 2020) Ex Officio Lamonte Bell Ross Hubbard (appointed 2020) 3 yr. with/limit Steve Motton (appointed 2018) Parks & Recreation Charles Davis (reappointed 2020) Paul Crysler (appointed 2020) Steve Rodgers Ex Officio Michael Buttrom Jimmy Jackson Jessica Rose Don Grable Katie Houston (appointed 2020) Lemira Parks Karen Meeks (appointed 2020) Airport Board Cemetery Board Board of Adjustments Glen Haynes Ex Officio Polly Lunceford John Ferguson John Ferguson Jimmy Lyons Sandra Hooker Lancy Mansfield Cris Cobb City Paul Shaw Katherine Parkinson Crystal Fugate Dick Reade Melissa McClain Kelly Smith Baughn Merideth Luther Robinson Tommy Clayton Councilperson Lyons made motion to approve the appointments, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Mayor Grantham made mention of the new laundromat that’s coming to town on 3rd St., and that the pictures of it were very nice. Mayor Grantham recommended the Council to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel and privileged communication. Councilperson Hood made the motion, second by Councilperson Grable which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Reeves Yes Page 474 Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Upon returning from closed session, and with no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Grable motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood; the meeting adjourning at 6:05 p.m. ATTEST: ______________________________________ Mayor ___________________________________ City Clerk