City Council

Page 480 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE July 20, 2020 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, July 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 Jerry Hudgens Sergeant at Arms Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Reeves Councilperson Rodgers (Absent) Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons (Absent) 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 July 6, 2020. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. The next order of business was approval of reports and bills, Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Under presentation of petitions, letters, and other communications; Mayor Grantham recommended the approval of the resignation for Dustin Fitzwater. Councilperson Cheek motion for approval second by Councilperson Hood which resulted in the following vote: Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Glass Yes Bullington `Yes Public Works; Paul Shaw reported that under the FEMA project the Taven lift station was being worked on. The East 20th St STP project was also in the works with a preconstruction meeting for next Monday. The next FEMA project would be the force main on Stonewall Dr. A new valve will be installed on the hydrant at 8th and Ferguson on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. The paving projects are underway, and the well on 3rd St. is almost complete. The sewer main on Hwy 84 is being rodded out, trying to get the sand out. The lift station at the Humane Shelter is down, and a bypass pump has been running. The pumps are bad that service the Caruthersvilla Apt., Taven, and the Nursing Home. The company that has been servicing them recommends purchasing new pumps. The price of a rental, which the City has been doing, would purchase a new pump. If the City acts expediently a pump can be purchased at the  Page 481 sales price of $35, 950 that regularly goes for $48,000. Councilperson Bullington made motion to purchase the pump out of Economic Development Sales Tax if possible and if, not Sales Tax Capital Improvement. Councilperson Grable second the motion, which resulted in the following vote: Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Once the budget is reviewed a second pump will be looked into. Police report; Jerry Hudgens reported that a lot of cased are being dropped because by the time it goes before the court people refuse to testify, and it’s a revolving door. The department is short five officers with no applicants at this point. The City’s pay scale is not attracting potential candidates, and the Council is hesitant to pay for academy training with officers leaving before their contract is fulfilled. There was also discussion of the City recouping monies from officers that have left without fulfilling their contracts. Fire report; Fire calls from July 14, 2020 through July 20, 2020 are as follows: 7/14/20; Structure fire on 532 County Rd with moderate damage, 7/17/20; report of fire coming from a vehicle on I55/412, noticed a burn pit burning at marker 5.0. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported 246 notices being sent out, 97 properties have been mowed, which is not inclusive of City or County properties. There have been two dump truck loads of tires sent off, and the 404 W 11th property is next in line to be taken down. Between June 1, 2020 and July 15, 2020 there have been 31 dumpsters from the limb pile which is equivalent to 139 and a half tons of trash. Park & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported ordering more sanitizers, admissions have been good, workers were brought in to clean the riverfront, and porta potties were ordered in preparation for the Catfish tournament. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that they were in week six of eight for the summer reading program with 120 signups. Mary Ann Wright with Lincoln University 4H has been doing the online presence, with craft projects each week. The Delta Company from Cape Girardeau will do the link for next week. City Collector; Paige Gillock presented the Council with a report with a breakdown of the delinquent taxes collected from January 1, 2020 through July 20, 2020 which totaled $117,248.17 for real estate and $40,771.83 for property taxes. Ms. Gillock also presented a revamp business application with the business phone and owner phone being included. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. Economic Development; Jana Meredith reported BLP Workforce Development conducting a survey of five questions relating to identifying employee needs, which is due July 29, 2020. The AGAPE Impact Mission Feed painted the wall on 4th St., and look to having a mural painted in the future. A2H and Arts Council planning making tool is still in its rough draft; the stakeholders meeting is Thursday, at Page 482 9:00 a.m., August 13, 2020 at First State Bank. Ms. Merideth wanted to know if the Council would want to go through a private agency or Bootheel Regional Planning Commission for grant application for the Economic Developer. A Community Developer was also mentioned that would work hand and hand with an Economic Developer. Councilperson Bullington motion to pursue the grant with Bootheel Regional Planning Commission, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Once Jana Merideth gets more information on the Community Developer, the Council will make a decision whether or not to pursue. The Economic Development Action Team meets at 5:00 p.m. in the Safe Room July 25, 2020. Counselor Dorroh reported that he had received a call from Liberty Utilities concerning an easement along the floodwall to serve Bunge to relocate their gas lines. Councilperson Grable made motion to grant the easement, second by Councilperson Cheek with all in favor. Counselor reported that the City is now the owner of Reynolds Park and the two lots formerly owned by the Downtown Caruthersville Association which is at 2nd and Walker. The river park property has restrictions for park purposes only; on the west side restricts all memorials, unless it relates to S D Reynolds. All other lots are free of restrictions. All easements have been granted for the Levee District for the floodwall. Counselor prepared to different forms for the bid packets one is for a standard form that details everything, and one that gives a solution type approach that seeks proposals for various services such as standard service, yard waste, municipal, commercial, and recycling services. The timeframes are as follows: July 15, 2020 publication, July 20, 2020 RFP, July 31, 2020 Conference in which questions can be addressed concerning the bid packet, August 14, 2020 submission deadline, Oct 1, 2020 contract awarded. Business from the Floor; Shawn Craig addressed the Council about a sewer problem that he has been dealing with for some time at CMV. Mayor Grantham referred Mr. Craig to James Elliott, and maybe once of the contractors could aide in diagnosing the problem. Wes Gives had a problem with paying City taxes, but not receiving any City services. Mayor Grantham stated that she would give his number to Lawrence Dorroh for guidance. Mayor Grantham made mention of conversing with Workforce that would pay half the salary for three individuals that they would train or we could train. The present accountants would let the City use their old software for $25 a month for a bookkeeper. The other two individuals would be heavy equipment operators. More details will be discussed at a later time. Mayor Grantham entertained a Motion to adjourn, Councilperson Grable made motion, second by Councilperson Hood, the meeting adjourning at 6:17 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ _____________________________ Mayor City Clerk