City Council

Page 483 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE August 3, 2020 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, August 3, 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 Terry Privett Sergeant at Arms Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Reeves Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullington 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 20, 2020. Councilperson Cheek motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood being approved, with Councilperson Lyons abstaining. The next order of business was approval of reports and bills, Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Cheek with all in favor. Under presentation of petitions, letters, and other communications; Mayor Grantham reported that ASA Asphalt could include in a change order the paving of a section of Eastwood from 19th St to 20th St. for the price of $12,152.38, and asked for a motion to put it in the budget. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Counselor Dorroh reported on the conference meeting with the potential bidders for the Solid Waste Disposal contract. The meeting was for the bidders to ask any questions about the bid packet, and for them to offer solutions for waste management. Any additional questions can be answered through email by August 14, 2020. Page 484 Fire report; Fire calls from July 31, 2020 to August 3, 2020 are as follows: 7/21/20; Alarm sounding at Cotton Warehouse, 7/25/20; Fire alarm sounding on S. Ward, 7/26/20; Structure fire with moderate damage on Ferguson, 7/28/20; Structure fire with moderate damage on Madison, 7/31/20; fence on fire with minor damage on Playground Rd., 8/2/20; Smoke scare on Stonewall Dr. Also, there were fire inspections conducted at the Caruthersville schools. Public works; Paul Shaw reported that a water tap had been conducted on W. 19th St., and a sewer tap on Marilyn Dr. The street paving project is ongoing, and G & C is working on the 20th St. FEMA project filling holes making ready for the STP project for paving. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported several more notices going out, and mowing has taken place every day. There have also been a couple of citations that have gone out. The foundation of the laundromat has been set; the building will take place soon, and the adjacent apartments are being worked on. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that the library roof had been patched, but eventually would have to be replaced, there’s a quote for $125,000; excluding the auditorium it would be $99,000. The coil on the main air conditioner needs replacing, for now it’s cooling. There’s a quote of $8,700.28. It was suggested that the insurance should be looked into. The summer reading program is winding up. City Collector; Paige Gillock reported that the Animal Shelter offered to be responsible for the dog tags. They turned in $72, and Ms. Gillock ordered more; the Shelter has a receipt book in place, and the dog tags. Councilperson Lyons made motion that the Shelter could handle the task instead of the Collector, second by Councilperson Glass, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Reeves Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes New Business; Councilperson Hood expressed concerns of the struggle in having adequate manpower for the City. There are five positions that need filling on the police force, and the City is losing its employees because they’re seeking better pay. With Public Works and Public Safety being the life source, Councilperson Hood expressed that the City would have to come up with a plan to control the bleeding. Councilperson Don Grable submitted a plan outlining pay rates that the Finance Committee will take into consideration at their meeting Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Chief Investigator Terry Privett expounded upon how violent crimes had increased, and with the limited manpower, shifts were being covered, but sometimes working 10 days straight. Investigative work is being done with the possibility of losing evidence because of the shortage of adequate coverage. Motion was made to adjourn, with all in favor, the meeting adjourning at 6:00 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ ____ Mayor City Clerk