City Council

Page 575 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE September 7, 2021 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Tuesday September 7, 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 Lyons Councilperson Cheek Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Spence Councilperson Rodgers Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullington Councilperson There was a Public Hearing preceding the Regular Session meeting to answer any questions or concerns that the public may have about the proposed tax rate. With there not being any questions, the proposed tax rate was presented as follows: ASSESSED CURRENT PRIOR VALUATION TAX YEAR 2021 TAX YEAR 2020 Real Estate $31,525,989 $31,808,576 Personal Property $12,019,050 $11,477.959 Total $43,545,039 $43,286,535 The following tax rates are proposed: Amount of Property Tax Rate Tax Revenues Ceiling Budgeted (Per $100) General Fund $ 270,763.05 $ .6218 Special Sewer Tax 91,836.50 .2109 Library Fund 43,501.49 .0999 Public Health 77,379.53 .1777 Cemetery Fund 19,334.00 .0444 TOTAL $ 502,814.57 $ 1.1547 The number of members necessary to consider a quorum being present, the Mayor called the Page 576 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 16, 2021. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable all in favor, with Councilperson Lyons abstaining. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval for August 16, 2021 closed session minutes, second by Councilperson Glass all in favor, with Councilperson Lyons abstaining. Councilperson Glass motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Lyons with all in favor. Mayor Grantham introduced a Proclamation declaring September 17, 2021 through September 23, 2021 as Constitutional Week for the 234th anniversary of the signing of the constitution of United States of America. Barbara Merideth with DAR invited everyone to come out September 17, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. for the ringing of the bell at the riverfront commemorating Constitutional Week. Ms. Merideth also stated that with Wreaths Across America; Maple and Morgan Ridge cemeteries had been officially added. They are at almost 500 wreaths and would like to be able to put a wreath on every veteran’s grave. Police report; Chief Tony Jones proposed to have the speed lowered to 10 mph for the whole block of the Elementary School for the safety of the children during school hours. Counselor Dorroh will be preparing an ordinance in the effect. Fire report; Fire calls from August 20, 2021 through September 7, 2021 are as follows: 8/20/21; Fire alarm sounding due to cooking on Hickory, 8/22/21; Structure fire with moderate smoke damage on East 4th St., 8/23/21; Small grass fire on I55/412, 8/30/21; CPD requested assistance at the scene of an accident on Truman. Training for month of August was Hybrid and Electrical Vehicles. Public Works report; Paul Shaw reported that the clear well on 3rd St. would have to be cleaned out. Mr. Shaw presented a map that showed what needed to be cleaned and cameraed, manholes to be repaired, and manholes unable to be located. There’s a grant that will cover 100 percent of the sewer project, and ASA will be able to do Collins and Cherry in the process. Collins can be covered through the Bond Issue and Cherry through Capital Improvement for $59,439.95 and $15.406.38 totaling $74,846.33. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion for approval of the proposal. Councilperson Rodgers made motion, second by Councilperson Grable which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Mr. Shaw stated that the bypass pumps at 20th and Lincoln and at the old Water Plant are out for bid for lift station improvements, which will be covered under the grant also. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that the Asbestos tester will be here this week to look at the Tiger Hut. There’s a house on Eastwood that will demolished and one on Grand. The  Page 577 Street Sweeper trainer will be here Thursday for training on the equipment. The Lyons Club will be doing clean up on the South Ward overpass September 11, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that Exercise Unlimited was here on Friday and reconditioned all the equipment in the weight room. A ladder was ordered for the pool, in which the donation will be used for; and Memphis Pools replaced valves in the pool. Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported that the HVAC had been installed. The Wall of Distinction ceremony will be held September 24, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at the Library. The honorees are Opal Caruthers, Betty Jackson, Lillie Mansfield, Dr. C. W. McCaskill, S. P. Reynolds, and Glenn Whitener. The Bootheel Community Theater will host a play; How to Host a Murder Mystery Dinner Party, September 24, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained through Christina Williams $20.00, and are for reservations only. Economic Development; Jana Merideth reported that Workforce Development and DAEOC were doing some of the same things and were partnering with each other. Shad Burner explained more about funding and incentives and where they come from at the meeting in August. BLP met with Sunil Mungee and talked about hosting a job fair at Brown Shoe. BLP, Value Added Ag, and Cleanup will meet September 14, 2021, Downtown Tourism September 16, 2021 and Workforce Development September 27, 2021. Ms. Merideth provided the Council with quotes on signage for the new Exit 6 sign, Highway U, and Highway 84. The Council will look at the numbers and vote at the next meeting. New Business; Councilperson Grable stated that Randall Swindell wanted to know if the City would sell him a parcel of land to expand his property 35 feet. Counselor Dorroh will research to see if there are any restrictions for cemetery purposes. Councilperson Grable was concerned about the calls he was getting about trash pickup. If Wastepro is called about missed trash they will come back and get it or get it the next day. If there’s a problem with limbs and debris feel free to call them. Sharlette Jackson and Anjanette Irby are interested in having a community prayer at the riverfront from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on October 2, 2021. They will need help with refreshments, and would like everyone to participate and wear masks. There will be a chain prayer, praise dance, and words of wisdom. Councilperson Hood motion for approval for the use of the pavilion at the riverfront to be available for the gathering of prayer, second by Councilperson Cheek, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Business From the Floor; Sharon Gardner gave thanks for Collins St. being on the list for repairs. Ms. Gardner made mention of the Blytheville Quality of Life Unit on Facebook that gives information to the public about code enforcement, ordinances, and things that are going on. Counselor Dorroh introduced Bill 2021-04 for the tax rate for the Public Health Fund for a tax rate of $.1777, Sewer Tax Fund $.2109, Library Fund $.0999, Cemetery Fund $.0444, and the General Page 578 Fund tax rate of $.6218 for the year 2021. Councilperson Lyons motion for the first reading by title only, second by Councilperson Cheek with all in favor as follows: BILL NO. 2021-04 ORDINANCE NO. 2021-04 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AND FIXING THE RATE OF TAXATION AND LEVYING THE TAXES AND DECLARING THAT PURPOSE OF WHICH THE SAME SHALL AND SHOULD BE USED FOR THE 2021. Councilperson Cheek motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. The question being shall Bill No. 2021-04 pass and become law known as Ordinance 2021-04, which resulted on said question to wit: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to go into closed session for the purpose of real estate, litigation, and negotiation of contract. Councilperson Lyons made motion, second by Councilperson Rodgers which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Cheek Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Rodgers Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Upon returning from closed session, Councilperson Spence was concerned about making decisions without knowing the financial position of the City with not having financial reports for a year from the accountants. The City advertised for a bookkeeper, with no applicants applying, and will advertise again. By having a bookkeeper the City would be more independent by being able to have their own system. Councilperson Bullington motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Cheek, with all in favor, the meeting adjourning at 7:30 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor _______________________________ City Clerk