City Council

Page 475 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE July 6, 2020 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, July 6, 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 Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Reeves (Absent) Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Cheek 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 15, 2020. Councilperson Cheek motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons all in favor with Councilperson Bullington abstaining. Councilperson Hood motion for approval for the closed session, second by Councilperson Cheek, all in favor with Councilperson Bullington abstaining Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Mayor Grantham presented a letter from MODOT concerning the Adopt- A- Highway program requesting the pickup of liter at least four times a year, which would entail Exit 6. Councilperson Bullington motion to approve the agreement, second by Councilperson Cheek, with all in favor. Police report; Chief Tony Jones reported that Matthew Vincent was resigning from the police force effective July 7, 2020. The Council discussed the contractual agreement made by participants with the City, and their being subject to the conditions of fulfilling the agreement. Councilperson Lyons motion to accept the resignation with the understanding that Mr. Vincent would have to meet the financial liability of the contractual agreement. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, which resulted in the following vote: Grable No Hood Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes  Page 476 Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Chief Jones responded to the complaints about the fireworks being discharged before the time periods. Chief Jones explained that there’s really nothing that could be done unless someone actually sees who’s responsible and is willing to lodge a complaint. They do their best to control crowds, but will not jeopardize their lives to combat fireworks discharges without knowing where it’s coming from. None of the officers or the vehicles was damaged this year. The nation as a whole has the same problem of citizenry not abiding about rules and regulations. The only way to combat the problem with the high powered fireworks would be through legislation. Fire department; Fire calls from June 19, 2020 through July 6, 2020 are as follows: 6/19/20; Grass fire out of control in field near Arcosa, 6/25/20; Vehicle fire due to fireworks which was a total loss on Franklin, 6/25/20; Couch and chair on fire in alley behind Truman, 6/26/20; Grass fire due to fireworks on East 20th St., 6/30/20; Fire alarm sounding in Field house on Ward, 7/1/20; Alarm sounding by test by owner on Lincoln, 7/2/20; Trash container on fire due to fireworks on East 14th St., 7/4/20; Dead tree on fire due to fireworks on 10th & Belle. There have been 90 people that have renewed their Rural Fire Subscription to date. There has been 48 fire calls to date compared to 74 last year. Public Works; Paul Shaw reported that the contractors were working on Sonic’s sewer, and about to wrap things up. A manhole was repaired and replaced on Westwood that had collapsed in a field. The crew finished up work remaining on an Eastwood property. The contractors will be back next week, and will start on Jiffy Jim’s lift station. Delta Regional contacted DNR letting them know that the City was having problems due to the flooding. Delta Regional will be financing the 10% that the City would have to pay for its portion that FEMA and SEMA doesn’t pay. The water well is coming along with the casing being put in the ground. There was a question about FEMA’s response to the CIP liners that may not being covered due to the age of the pipes; the City will be pursuing the effort to get it done. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that 199 notices were out, 1000 tires had been picked up, and 80 plus county lots had been cut by the part time workers. There was discussion of the different residents that had piled up junk in their yards, and the continuing cycle of trying to abate the nuisance and citations through the courts. The expense that the City incurs with taking care of properties in most cases will never be compensated for. Counselor Dorroh will be working on bid notices and packages for sanitation services that will hopefully alleviate some of the junk within the City. Bid notices will be posted by July 15, 2020, and by July 30, 2020 will be look at having a conference for proposals for sanitation services. There will be discussion of the bid package at the next meeting, opening of the bids will by mid-August. Once awarded, the contract will be in place October 1, 2020. Mayor Grantham reported that she was working with a program funded through the U S Department of Labor that allows individuals to get trained for the workforce. Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that everything is coming along smoothly and admissions were on the rise. Page 477 Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported the wrapping up of their Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces for Active Learning grant. The coffee bar, kitchen cart, portable tables with lighter chairs, large screen TV that can be moved around on a cart, a teen corner, puzzle table, and craft corner are all the smart spaces being utilized. Also the window seals were fixed from the water damage, and carpet squares improve the look of the library. City Collector; Paige Gillock wanted to know exactly what the Council wanted her to report. They would like to know the percentages of tax bills that are actually being paid, and the delinquent taxes. Ms. Gillock reported that she had made a call to ClearBasin about credit card collections, and asked if there was a fee for copies. Counselor Dorroh suggested a fee schedule to be adopted for copies. There was also discussion of coming up with something bright for yard sales that officers would be able to see to check for compliance. New Business; Counselor Dorroh presented the State Block Grant agreement for the airport seal and coat for the airport in the amount of $19,501.00 with the City matching $2,167.00 which will be voted on with the ordinance. Business from the floor; Anne Jefferies gave accolades through the eyes of someone that hasn’t been in the area for a long time the progress the City has made to Ward Ave. Buildings have been torn down that were blighted, sidewalks cleaned, which creates lightness. She has witnessed a clear vision that the City expires to move forward. Mayor Grantham talked with Dave Wyman with MODOT and Ameren about street lights. Ameren will be sending price points for the lighting of the entrance ways for the City, which has to be approved by MODOT. The Mayor also talked about the drainage on Route U and a spot on Truman; she will ask about the lines on Truman that someone inquired about. Introduction to bills; Counselor Dorroh asked for the second reading by title only of the following: BILL NO. 2020-08 ORDINANCE 2020-08 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LIGHTING BY ELECTRICITY OF THE STREETS, AVENUES, ALLEYS, AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES IN THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE, IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AND OTHER ELECTRIIC SERVICE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY, BY CONTRACT, SETTING FORTH THE TERMS OF THE PROPOSED CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY AND UNION ELECTRIC COMPANY D/B/A AMEREN MISSOURI, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, AND PERMITTING SAID COMPANY TO ERECT, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN POLES, LINES, WIRES, CABLES, TRANSFOREMERS, AND OTHER APPLIANCES IN THE STREETS AND ALL OTHER PUBLIC PLACES, NECESSARY FOR AND APPURTENANT TO THE PERFORMANCE OF SAID CONTRACT AS DESCRIBED HEREIN. The question is will bill No. 2020-08 pass and become law known as Ordinance No. 2020-08, Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood resulting on said question to wit: Grable Yes Hood Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes  Page 478 Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Counselor Dorroh asked for the second reading by title only of the following: BILL NO. 2020-09 ORDINANCE 2020-09 AN ORDINANCE RENEWING AN EXISTING FRANCHISE AND GRANTING FOR A PERIOD OF TWENTY (20) YEARS TO UNION ELECTIRIC COMPANY D/B/A AMEREN MISSOURI, A CORPORATION ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, A NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE, RIGHT, PERMISSION AND AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT, RECONSTRUCT, EXCAVATE FOR, PLACE, MAINTAIN, OPERATE, AND USE ALL EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES, DEVICES, MATERIALS, APPARATUS OR MEDIA INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DUCTS, LINES, PIPES, HOSES, CABLES, CULVERTS, TUBES, POLES, TOWERS, WIRES, CONDUITS, CONDUCTORS, MANHOLES, TRANSORMERS, UNDERSGROUND VAULTS, SWITHGEAR, CAPACITORS, RECEIVERS, AND TRANSMITTERS, WITH ALL NECESSARRY OR APPROPRIATE APPURTENANCES AND APPLIANCES IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, IN, ALONG, ACROSS, OVER AND UNDER THE STREETS, ROADS, ALLEYS, SIDWALKS, SQUARES, BRIDGES, AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES IN THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE AND AREAS DEDICATED TO THE CITY FOR PUBLIC UTILITY USE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSMITTING, FURNISHING AND DISTRIBUTING ELECTRICITY WITHIN AND THROUGH SAID CITY, PRESCRIBING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH GRANT, IMPOSING CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS UPON THE GRANTEE, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, SUCCESSIVELY, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. The question is will bill No. 2020-09 pass and become law known as Ordinance No. 2020-09, Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons resulting on said question to wit: Grable Yes Hood Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes The next bill introduced was the following: CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI BILL NO. 2020-11 ORDINANCE NO. 2020-11 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A STATE BLOCK GRANT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE MISSOURI HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI, as follows: Section 1. The City hereby approves and authorizes the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City of Caruthersville, Missouri, a contract with the Missouri Highways and  Page 479 Transportation Commission providing for financial assistance to the city for the following improvements to the city’s airport: Crack Seal, Seal Coat and Remark Airport Pavements Section 2. The form of the Agreement approved herein shall be in the form attached hereto. Section 3. The Council hereby approves the appropriation of $2,167 in matching local funds for the project. Section 4. That 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 6th day of July, 2020. APPROVED AS TO FORM ______________________________ __________________________________ Lawrence Dorroh, City Attorney Sue Grantham, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ Takella Motton, City Clerk Councilperson Lyons motion for second reading by title only, second by Councilperson Hood, the question is will Bill No. 2020-11 pass and become law known as Ordinance 2020-11, resulting on said question to wit: Grable Yes Hood Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes With no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. ATTEST: ____________________________________ Mayor ___________________________________ City Clerk