City Council

Page 556 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE June 21, 2021 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday June 21, 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 Hood Councilperson Spence Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable 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 June 7, 2021. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. Councilperson Rodgers motion for approval of the closed session minutes of June 7, 2021, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. Mayor Grantham requested the meeting to be moved to Tuesday July 6, 2021 with the July 4, 2021 holiday being observed Monday, July 5, 2021. The City employees were not off for the Juneteenth holiday due to time constraints, and the Mayor asked Council what they proposed to do about it. Councilperson Cheek recommended a personal day for the employees, second by Councilperson Bullington which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Police report; Chief Tony Jones reported wanting to get a couple of the officers signed up for classes on mental health, which would train them on being able to tell the difference between drug induced psychosis or actually mental health issues. The officers were introduced to put faces with the names, and another candidate will be graduating Friday from Lincoln University. NBC news will be following his progress with the police force.  Page 557 Mayor Grantham asked if anyone had any comments about the July 4th fireworks. Officer Jesse Johnson started off by saying that the department was so shorthanded that there weren’t enough officers to cover shifts. With groups of 100 to 200 shooting fireworks it’s impossible to know who could shoot a 40 millimeter firework shell. The manpower isn’t there to man such crowds, and they can afford another officer to get hurt. There was discussion for and against allowing fireworks to be shot within the City limits, and the pro and cons of allowing fireworks to be shot. Counselor Dorroh stated that the temporary ordinance that was passed last year only allowed for common fireworks not for the high powered ones that are being shot. There was a consensus that there was a bigger problem than the July 4th fireworks, and that the community needs to come together to solve the problem. Councilperson Bullington proposed to allow the fireworks, but to have guidelines, and to not to have the police go into large crowds, and follow the ordinance for common fireworks. Counselor Dorroh introduced a draft ordinance which included timeframes for July 3, 2021 9:00 AM until 10:30 PM and July 4, 2021 9:00 AM until 11:30 PM, prohibiting special fireworks, and taking out sections for the sale of fireworks. Councilperson Grable motion for the first reading by title only, second by Councilperson Cheek as follows: Bill No. 2021-02 Ordinance No. 2021-02 An Ordinance temporarily permitting the discharge of fireworks in the city of Caruthersville and imposing restrictions thereon Councilperson Lyons motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Hood, the question is will bill No. 2021-02 pass and become known as Ordinance 2021-02 which resulted in the following vote on said question to wit: Hood Yes Spence Yes Rodgers Abstain Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Fire report; Fire calls from June 8, 2021 through June 21, 2021 are as follows: 6/8/21; Smoke scare with AC unit on Carleton, 6/12/21; Vehicle fire resulting in oil leak onto motor on I55/412, 6/12/21; Small grass fire on roadside on I55/412, 6/13/21; Vehicle fire with moderate damage to engine on East 12th St., 6/15/21; Smoke scare due to cooking on East 18th St., 6/17/21; Structure fire on porch with moderate damage on Laurant, 6/17/21; Grill on front porch on fire with no damage to structure, 6/18/21; Small fire on back porch with minor damage on West 5th St., 6/20/21; Derelict vehicle on fire inside carport with minor smoke damage to structure on East 5th St. There have been 75 fire calls to date compared to 40 a year ago. On August 7, 2021 the City’s fire insurance rating will be surveyed, which has not been done in five years. Public Works; Paul Shaw reported that the hydrants are being flushed. The Water Plant is having problems; the well main has to be dug up. There will be spraying for mosquitos this week, and gravel has been ordered for French Park. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that the grass was being mowed, trash was picked up at the parks, and a ribbon cutting will be conducted soon at the new laundromat. A house on Laurant will be Page 558 demolished soon as well as the one on Ward Avenue. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that Penny Brantley, local artist, was in town last week, and donated three paintings for the Exchange Building through the Arts Council. They are presently on loan at the Library where they can be viewed. Ms. Tidwell was named to the Missouri State Library Standards Committee representing the smallest libraries within the state. Collector report; Paige Gillock turnover report for May is as follows: Real Estate Tax/$2,977.56, Personal Tax/$265.01 Total Tax/$3,621.30, Collectors Commission/$64.83, Business License/$250.00, City Sticker/$30.00, Yard Sale/$35.00, Dog Tags/$150.00, Total Overall/$4,151.13, Due City/$4,039.12, Assessment Fund/$47.18. Economic report; Representative Jason Smith was here for the tour and round table at Grizzly Jig, and commended on the vision plan for the City. BLP Workforce Development will meet Monday July 28, 2021. BLP Tourism will be partnering with the Chamber, and Grizzly Jig is allowing them to have a fish fry during the Catfish Tournament; fish plates will be sold on July 24, 2021. There will be a catfish cook off; 100 teams will be involved bringing in tourism. If successful, BLP is looking towards next year incorporating with the Backyard Barbecue. The Arts Council meets next week and will be renewing for River Lights in August and September for the displays. Marybeth Byrd will be performing on the Grizzly Jig parking lot Saturday July 24, 2021 as part of the Catfish Tournament. Business From the Floor; Dr. Lisa Gardner talked on behalf of the BLP Cleanup Committee about systems being in place for cleaning up the community. Dr. Gardner stated that she has seen the passion and the fatigue within the community. Dr. Gardner expressed with the energy and organizing that the City could indeed be cleaned up one step at a time. Mary Beth with Woody’s Lounge expressed concerns with the weekend rental of the Armory, and how it affected her business with the parking on her parking lot and the Roundhouse parking lot, and the trash being left. Mary Beth felt as though the Armory was full to capacity, and that is was a safety issue. Mayor Grantham stated that steps were being taken to critique the application process, and that the City was sorry for the event that affected her business. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to go into closed session for the purpose of real estate, personnel, and negotiation of a contract. Councilperson Lyons made the motion, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Upon returning from closed session, Councilperson Grable motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor, the meeting adjourning at 8:05 p.m.  Page 559 ATTEST: ____________________________________ Mayor _____________________________________ City Clerk