City Council

Page 553 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE June 7, 2021 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday June 7, 2021 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 Spence Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Glass (Absent) Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood 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 for May 17, 2021. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. Councilperson Grable motion for approval of the closed session minutes of May 17, 2021, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Police report; Chief Tony Jones reported that some of the kids in the community are using the toy gun air assault rifles and oribies to shoot people, which is an assault. They are also running through yards at night shooting at each other, which can be dangerous with a resident not being able to tell that it’s a toy gun. The police would rather for the guns to be shot in the park or somewhere else during daylight rather than the streets. On June 12, 2021 the auction will take place for Churchill, and there will also be a Back to School event at French park. The Health Clinic with the military personnel will also be going on June 11, 2021, so there will be a heavy police presence. There will also be a strong police presence at the car show at French Park on June 20, 2021. Fire report; Fire calls from May 1, 2021 to June 7, 2021 are as follows: 5/21/21; Structure fire with minor damage on East 10th St, 5/30/21; Minor grass fire on I55/412, 6/1/21; Overturned farm truck on Highway U & Rt D. There were 121 letters sent out for Rural Fire Subscriptions. Membership runs from July 1, 2021 until June 30, 2022. The subscription is $100 per year, and no one is charged for a fire call if they’re a member. Page 554 Public Works; Paul Shaw reported receiving a letter from MRWA presenting the City with a rebate check from the 2019 Construction Loan Program in the amount of $8,172.44 from excess funds existing after the closing of the program. The rotors are up and running at the Waste Water Plant, and work on the Third Street Plant should be occurring by Wednesday. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that the C H Young grocery is done, with a little bit of debris left to be cleaned up. The summer workers have been mowing, and the burnout on Ward is at the top of the list to be taken down. Liquor inspections will be done this week, and if there’s inclement weather the mowers will clean up and organize the map and storage rooms with shelving. Park & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that the metal detector is in place, and he hired a couple of youths from the youth program he’s partnered with. This in turn will provide more manpower, and they’re planning to paint the Recreation Center and the Armory. The Tree Board/Beautification met at French Park and discussed usage for their one to five year program. They found locations to place the trees, and spotted ones that need removal. Also, observed that the walking trail needs expanding, posts need replacing to prevent tearing of sod, need second set of bleachers on Daeoc Rd side, and the east part of the park that’s unplanted is ready for expansion . Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that this was the first week of programming for summer reading, with 35 to 40 kids attending. This year, parents have been participating with their children. Collections report; Paige Gillock reported that she was preparing for the tax sale and sending out statements. Collections from June 1, 2021 to June 7, 2021 are as follows: Real Estate/$2,573.79, Personal Property/$995.53, Miscellaneous/$100.00, Total Taxes/$3.217.84k Fees/451.48, Total Collections/$3,669.32. New Business; Councilperson Rodgers introduced a new ministry moving to town; Pastor Chauncey and Assistant Pastor Tequila. Pastor Chauncey graduated from Caruthersville High in 2005, and came back to the community to give back. They are being sponsored by Toys for Tots, and will be giving out toys June 19, 2021 at French Park from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Also, between the hours of 3:00 p.m. until 8:45 p.m. there will be an event (Juneteenth) in which there will be food, music, speakers, games, face painting, softball, basketball, etc. for the entire community at French Park. Business From the Floor; Barry Gilmore made mention that the street sweeper is repaired and the company that repaired it will be training the person that will be operating it in all aspects of the machine. By the end of the month the street sweeper will be in operation. The Churchill Auction will start at 9:00 a.m. at the Storage Shed and 11:00 a.m. at the Chaparral, absolute no parking on levee. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel and real estate. Councilperson Hood made motion, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Rodgers Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes  Hood Yes Page 555 Upon returning from closed session, the Council had discussions about the fireworks as to whether or not to allow citizens to be able to shoot fireworks within the City limits. Counselor Dorroh will draft an ordinance with guidelines as to what type of firework is allowed and time factors. There will be a Notice in the paper of the proposition allowing the citizens to take part in the decision making. There was a vote for the consideration of allowing fireworks within the city limits for common fireworks, all in favor, with one opposing before the decision of the Notice to the Public. With no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor, the meeting adjourning at 6:25 p.m. ATTEST: _______________________________ Mayor _______________________________ City Clerk