City Council

Page 697 PUBLIC HEARING City of Caruthersville The City of Caruthersville conducted a Public Hearing Tuesday January 3, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council room of the Municipal Building. The purpose of the hearing was to get input from the community concerning the proposed zoning classification at the end of South Ward on the east and west side. The exception would be Industrial 1 and Industrial 2 zones, with the changing of the R1 zoning to B1. There were residents and church parishioners concerned about recreational facilities being located on South Ward. They viewed the facilities with having increased traffic geared towards criminal activities, feared decrease in property values, and they opposed changing a residential zone to a business zone. There were those who would rather have a recreational marijuana facility to be put in another part of the town. There were also those who welcomed a recreational marijuana facility for a tax base for the City. Members of Good Day Farm, Nate Steele, Sam Allen, Ryan Hargett, and Len Rinehart were at the hearing. They reported that they would be building a million dollar building, employing 20 full time people, and in addition to the sales tax revenue,the City could impose and additional 3 percent increase in tax revenue. They stated that every product was regulated, and the property would be highly secured with live security guards. Counselor Dorroh made mention that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation for this particular Public Hearing was to change the zoning classification from R1 to B1 so that a fast food restaurant would be able to come in with the gas station coming. It would take an ordinance to change the zone which was not being presented at the present, and decisions weren’t going to be made at the regular session meeting concerning the rezoning. There would also have to be another Public Hearing concerning zoning classification for recreational marijuana. Mayor Pro Temp Hood motion to adjourn in order to conduct the regular session meeting with all in favor. CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE January 3, 2023 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Tuesday January 3, 2023 immediately following the Public Hearing 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 Glass Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Rittenberry Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Spence Councilperson Robinson Councilperson  Page 698 The number of members necessary to consider a quorum being present, the Mayor Pro Tem 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 December 19, 2022. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons made motion for the approval of the closed session minutes for December 19, 2022, second by Councilperson Glass with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval for the reports and bills, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Presentation of Petitions, Letters and other Communication; Planning & Zoning conducted a meeting Tuesday December 20, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the zoning of medical/recreational facilities. Motion was made to allow recreational marijuana in the B1 zone, there were 2 abstentions, 3 yes’s, and 2 no’s. The Commission recommendation to the Council was to allow recreational marijuana in the B1 zone same as the permitted allowance of medical marijuana for any B1 zone within the City. Counselor Dorroh reiterated that a Public Hearing would have to be held to address recreational marijuana. There was talk about annexation further out towards Stub town, but the process would be long and tedious. Councilperson Lyons motion to have a Public Hearing for February 6, 2023, second by Councilperson Grable which resulted in the following vote: Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported that the end of the year license renewal for the Shelter had been submitted. The Shelter started out the year with 53 animals and ended with 53 animals which weren’t the same; 500 to 600 animals entered the Shelter. With the funds being raised by the Shelter the following took place: 2021 2022 Veterinarian Bills $27,400 $41,480 Food & Supplies $14,055 $28,000 Ms. Wilcox also reported that during the storm there weren’t any animals reported perishing, in which 21 were pulled in during the storm. Fire report; Fire calls from December 22, 2022 to January 2, 2022 are as follows: 12/7/22; 911 report of a building across from Hays being on fire with nothing being detected, 12/26/22; Shed on fire on Laurant which was a total loss. There were 129 fire calls in 2022 compared to 160 in 2021. Alliance; Dustin Sterling reported that the Industrial Treatment Plant was started up, with the demand of water doubling over Christmas weekend. There was a boil advisory sent out by DNR until The BAC T samples were collected and submitted because of the startup of the Plant. Page 699 Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that the Water Office will be closed for the rest of the week due to COVID. Late fees will be waived with the office opening back up Monday January 9, 2023. There have been three houses torn down and more are scheduled for tomorrow. Crews were out Thursday through Monday taking care of leaks during the holiday. Collections report; Collections from December 21, 2022 to December 31, 2022 are as follows: Real Estate $227,936.40, Personal Property $90,533.45, Drainage Districts $7,769.70, Miscellaneous $3,635.50, Total Taxes $328,590.98, Interest & Fees $1,924.90, Total Collections $330,515.88. New Business; Mayor Pro Tem entertained a motion to change the next meeting to Tuesday January 17, 2023 in honor of MLK Day. Councilperson Lyons made motion, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Business From the Floor; Charles Cain wanted to know where the recreational marijuana facility was located in Kennett. Good Day Farm group stated that it about 2000 feet from the High School, which is located where Dr. McPherson use to practice. Olin Parks wanted to know if the City was getting broadband connected to the residences. The funding is in place, and the engineer had been selected, but the entity servicing the area has not been determined bidding has to take place. Terry Privett stated that as far as the recreational marijuana issue, he didn’t think that there would be a huge influx of crime. He wasn’t crazy about the idea, but that the City needed other streams of income to continue to operate. Assistant Chief also stated once the gas station broke ground there would be more cameras installed in the area. Anita Cain wanted to know why the recreational marijuana couldn’t be considered for Industrial Dr. instead of rezoning the area. It was stated that the group was concerned about the distance to the church. Mayor Pro Temp wanted to thank everyone that helped with the bell ringing, it was the best year ever since his involvement in 2014. Barry Gilmore stated that he had contact information for the Good Day Farm group that anyone with questions could call. Councilperson Lyons motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Upon returning from closed session Councilperson Grable motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. ATTEST: _____________________________ Mayor ____________________________ City Clerk