City Council

Page 512 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE December 7, 2020 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday December 7, 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 Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Spence Councilperson Rodgers (Absent) 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 November 16, 2020. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Bullington all in favor, with Councilperson Lyons abstaining. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval of closed session minutes of November 16, 2020, second by Councilperson Cheek all in favor, with Councilperson Lyons abstaining. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Mayor Grantham gave notice of the General Municipal Election being held Tuesday, April 6, 2021 beginning at six o’clock a.m. and closing at seven o’clock p.m. for the following offices: Councilperson Ward I, II, III, and IV all two year terms. Any person desiring to file as a candidate can do so at the City’s Clerk office in the Municipal Building at 200 West Third St beginning December 15, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. through January 19, 2020. On the first and last day of filing the City Clerk’s office will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Missouri Department of Revenue issued a letter stating that they will no longer issue courtesy sales and use tax rate change letters to businesses. The rate changes will be posted on their website at least 15 days before their effective date. They are viewable to every business that makes sales within the state of Missouri. If you use the MY Tax Portal, businesses can see the most up-to-date rate for each registered location. The half cent tax for the hospital that passed June 2, 2020 went into effect October 1, 2020. The County will now be responsible for sending out in any tax changes to Page 513 businesses in the County. At this time the City Collector will aid in letting businesses know of the changes that are taking place. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion for the City employees to be off Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Police report; Chief Tony Jones reported that there have been thefts in the area of ATV’s, UTV’s, trailers, and lawnmowers. Everyone should be on the alert, so that if anything comes up missing the police can view cameras in a timely manner. The department is looking at getting cameras in all the parks, in keeping the citizenry safe. Fire report; Chief Charlie Jones reported fire calls from November 19, 2020 through December 7, 2020 are as follows: 11/19; Mutual aid call to Holland MO for two structure fires which were a total loss, 11/19; Gas leak at Mann’s Fish Market around the water heater, 11/21; Structure fire on Laurant with moderate damage, 11/24; Vehicle accident with one injury on Rt. U & I55/412 overpass, 12/01; Fire alarm sounding due to dust and steam on Highland, 12/02; Structure fire with moderate damage on Broadway, 12/04; Smoke odor on Eastwood, 12/07; Structure fire with moderate damage on Eastwood. Training for the month of November was Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Practices, which was held at the Armory. Chief Jones thanked everyone involved for making his 50th anniversary celebration such a momentous occasion. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that he had been talking with Dr. Gardner and Claire Lane about the dedication of Industrial Dr. to James (Dinky) Lane. It was decided to let Dr. Gardner continue to mow and clean up the property, and have the Water Treatment Plant building named after James (Dinky) Lane. There’s a property on Beckwith that’s coming down today, and there’s property on Kelly Dr. that has a lien, which has to be released before anything can be done with it. Mr. Gilmore stated that he was still working on getting three trailers out of the City. The Transfer Station and Recycling Center is not an option for disposal. Mr. Gilmore has been conversing with an individual that’s interested in obtaining the trailers. With C. H. Young Grocery being a business there has to be asbestos and lead paint tests conducted before it can be torn down. A letter has been sent to the owners for the cost of the project. Councilperson Hood motion for approval of the dedication of the Water Plant to James (Dinky) Lane, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that some minor repairs had taken place at the Library. Ms. Tidwell received an email from a lady from West Memphis stating that this Library was the only one around that had a book that she had been searching for. With books only being able to be checked out by residents of Pemiscot County or mailing and processing fees for non -residents; the lady suggested paying $100. The book was packaged and sent out, with receipt of the donation. City Collector; Paige Gillock reported she had sold 50 business license with an additional 20 being sold today. Tax Collections from November 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020 are as follows: Sewer/$16,567.18, Library $7,847.29, General/$48,838.69, Health/$13,956.89, Cemetery $3,483.27. Collections from December 1, 2020 through December 7, 2020 are as follows: Drainage District/$1,400, Sewer/$8,016.48, General/$23,634.51, Library/$3,797.31, Health/$6,753.37, Cemetery/$1,685.45. Page 514 Insurance report; Councilperson Bullington reported that there will be an Insurance Committee meeting Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall. Business From the Floor; James Green had a complaint about the Police and Code Enforcement alerting him to take down signage that was in violation of City Code and operating a business in a residential area. Counselor Dorroh quoted the ordinance of signage being allowed during construction, and taken down two weeks after completion for his particular incident. Counselor also explained that you can obtain a permit twice a year, but continuous selling would be a business in which you cannot have in a residential area. Councilperson Hood motion to go into closed session for the purpose of hiring personnel, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Upon returning from closed session and with no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Hood motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Grable the meeting adjourning at 6:00 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor ______________________________ City Clerk