City Council

Page 571 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE August 16, 2021 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, August 16, 2021 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 Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Spence (Absent) Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Glass 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 for August 2, 2021. Councilperson Cheek motion for approval, second by Councilperson Rodgers all in favor, with Councilpersons Grable, Bullington, and Hood abstaining. Councilperson Rodgers motion for approval for August 2, 2021 closed session minutes, second by Councilperson Glass all in favor, with Councilpersons Grable, Bullington, and Hood abstaining. Councilperson Cheek motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Glass with all in favor. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to change the meeting date to Tuesday, January 7, 2021 in observance of Labor Day. Councilperson Bullington made the motion, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Mayor Grantham reported that a bid had been placed for the Airport roof, and another one had just recently been placed. The Council will have to compare the two, and make a decision at a later date. Fire report; Fire calls from August 4, 2021 to August 16, 2021 are as follows: 8/4/21; Smoke scare with no damage on Laurant, 8/5/21; An 18 wheeler leaking diesel on I55, 8/6/21; Got call about a Page 572 large brush fire, turned out to be tires being burned on County Rd 524, 8/15/21; Fire alarm sounding at Caruthersville Middle School with nothing being detected. There has been 101 fire calls to date compared to 59 this time last year. A survey will be conducted Tuesday, August 17, 2021 for the insurance rating for the department, and also filled out paperwork for storm weather certification. Public Works; Paul Shaw reported that bids had been conducted for the City’s surplus equipment. Out of the eight pieces of equipment being available to be bid upon, four bids took place. The 2005/1500 Truck was awarded for $1,160, 1997/2500 Flatbed $520.00, 2005/1500 Humane Truck $950.00, and the 2005 Chevrolet Suburban for $1,051.55. Councilperson Grable motion to accept the bids, second by Councilperson Rodgers, which resulted in the following vote: Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that this will be the last week for two of the summer workers. One of the workers will continue to work through the work study program until the end of the season for mowing. Another one of the workers will be attending college next semester, and will continue with the City as a regular full time employee operating the street sweeper along with other duties. Park & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that all the plumbing was complete at the Recreation Center. The Park Board met last Wednesday and talked about ways of improvements and Mr. Bell will be visiting other Recreation Centers to get ideas. There will be a customer appreciation event sometime in October. Councilperson Grable worked on getting the computers updated, and training will take place to get the Recreation Center on track. Mayor Grantham stated that the internet will be worked on among other things to get the Recreation Center up and running. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that the Library’s audio books weren’t being checked out because of the change of technology with streaming. So the audio section will be incorporated with the fiction section. The new diversity books that were awarded through the state are on display next to the checkout stand. The Historical Society Wall of Distinction voting has taken place, and the ceremony will take place Friday, September 24, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.; the names will be announced soon. The jazz concert Friday, August 13, 2021 was very well received. City Collector; Paige Gillock presented her Collections Abstract Report from August 1, 2021 through August 16, 2021 as follows: Real Estate $3,927.22, Personal Property $48.74, Miscellaneous $85.00, Total Taxes $3,064.20, Total Interest and Fees $996.76, Total Collections $4,060.96. Economic Development; Jana Merideth reported that Shad Burner will be at the Library August 24, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., BLP Cleanup will meet Tuesday, August 17, 2021, Downtown Tourism will meet Thursday, August 19, 2021, and Workforce Development will meet August 23, 2021. Jim Grebing, Economic Developer with Kennett, MO is honing in on the food industry with Value Added Ag., Ms. Merideth, and can get more information if interested. Tammy Tankersly sent a contact with the governor’s office if the City decides to celebrate being workforce ready. The Arts Council met with Gary Lucy about the Muriel on the north side of the Exchange building. Page 573 Jana Merideth presented the Council with some figures for the signs/planters as follows: Highway U at $376.00 and Highway 84 at $1,627.00. For the new one at the end of South Ward Figures are as follows: Seven cubes of brick/$1,235.00, Masonry 26 bags/$546.00, Four tons sand/$240.00, Labor/$2,700, Concrete footing 23’ x 11’ does not include lighting and irrigation nor the sign which can run from $1,900.00 to $2,200.00. Ted Jones with Pollack Broadcasting contacted Ms. Merideth about videotaping footage within the City that will be played at the football games. Councilperson Grable motion to accept Highway U and Highway 84 pricing from Ronnie Huffman Masonry, second by Councilperson Bullington, which resulted in the following vote: Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Business From the Floor; Chief Tony Jones made mention of the lights in Kennett that change colors depending on the event with it being worth looking at for South Ward through grant funds. Sharon Gardner wanted to thank the City for all it does, but was concerned about the paving on Collins. Mayor Grantham stated that there was paperwork submitted on how much it would cost to pave Collins, but far exceeded what was expected. Another bid would have to be submitted to proceed with the paving. Charles Cain was concern about the tree growing out of the Historic Water Tower as to whether or not it was rooted. Paul Shaw said that it sprouted from under the seal from condensation. Mr. Cain can also asked about pressure washing the old paint off the Third St. Plant, which is in the works , the concentration was on the inside first. Mr. Cain asked about the trees growing in the gutters of the City Hall building, and the tree growing off the roof, which the summer workers are slotted to start on tomorrow. Introduction to Bills; Bill No. 2021-03 Ordinance No. 2021-03 An Ordinance Of Caruthersville, Missouri, To Establish A Procedure To Disclose Potential Conflicts of Interest And Substantial Interests For Certain Officials Councilperson Bullington motion for the first reading by title only, second by Councilperson Cheek with all in favor. Councilperson Cheek motion for the second reading by title only, second by Councilperson Bullington with all in favor. The question being shall Bill No. 2021-03 pass and become law known as Ordinance 2021-03, which resulted on said question to wit: Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes  Councilperson Hood motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel and real estate, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Page 574 Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Upon returning from closed session and with no further business to discuss, Councilperson Hood motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Grable which passed unanimously. ATTEST: ____________________________________ Mayor ____________________________________ City Clerk