City Council

Page 705 PUBLIC HEARING City of Caruthersville The City of Caruthersville conducted a Public Hearing Monday February 6, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council room of the Municipal Building. The purpose of the hearing was to get input from the community concerning adult use marijuana being classified in the B1 zone, and considering changing a section of the district to B1 which consist of the C1 zone, inclusive of the section of the B1 on the east side of S. Ward. 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; they opposed having a marijuana facility in close proximity to a residential area. 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, and that the City should be ran as a business regardless of their personal opinions. Police officers also chimed in on traffic stops with regards to alcohol and prescription drug abuse compared to the effects of marijuana. CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE February 6, 2023 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday February 6, 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 Spence Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass (Absent) Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Rittenberry 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 January 17, 2023. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons made motion for the approval of the closed session minutes for January 17, 2023, second by Councilperson Rittenberry with all in favor. Councilperson Grable motion for approval for the reports and bills, second by Councilperson  Page 706 Hood with all in favor. Next on the agenda was the agreement between the City and the School District concerning the School Police Services Program. The School District would pay the City $40,000 per officer annually which could vary dependent upon the term in which service begin and end. Councilperson Hood motion for approval of the cooperative agreement, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Bullington Abstain Lyons Abstain Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to change the meeting date to Tuesday February 21, 2023 in observance of Presidents Day. Councilperson Lyons made the motion, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. The audit has been completed, and the Finance Committee will be meeting to discuss recommendations in improving upon the findings that continue to be an issue, and will approve the audit once the Finance Committee bring recommendations before the rest of the Council. Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported the Shelter had taken in 41 animals in January, and five in February. Ms. Wilcox reported that the situation on Eastwood is ongoing with the pit bulls, and as it stands the owner has over 40 charges against them. There was a person attacked by the dog(s) during the ice storm, and Ms. Wilcox wanted to know if a dangerous dog charge could be moved ahead in the court process. Also, if an animal could be euthanized for severe injury sustained by the animal to a human. Counselor stated that severe injuries is stipulated in the ordinance, and liability could be ensued by seizing animals. Ms. Wilcox suggested community service rather than imposing fines that don’t work. Counselor stated that community service could be imposed, but stiffer penalties would result in having to provide a Public Defender for indigents. The Hays dog was apprehended by Matthew Wimberly the Human Officer. Fire report; Fire calls from January 18, 2023 to February 6, 2023 are as follows: 1/18/23; Smoke scare due to cook stove at Walker Terrace, 1/23/23; Structure fire with moderate damage on Highland, 1/26/23; Dumpster on fire at Cory Martin’s, 1/27/23; Pile of brush and debris on fire at 10th & Truman, 1/30/23; Extrication of driver of 18 Wheeler striking concrete barrier on I55/412 bridge, 2/3/23; Tires on a trailer on fire on I55, 2/5/23; Tractor tire on fire in front yard on Laurant. Training for the month of January was “Fit Testing of MSA Air-Pack Mask”, conducted by Chris Senter of Sentinel Fire Equipment. Blue Valley Public Safety Company will install the Federal Outdoor Warning Siren on 10th & Ward Thursday February 9, 2023. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that Visu Sewer was here all week and is working on 9th & Belle and Zaida. It looks like the missing manhole is connected to the ditch behind the Recreation Center and Visu Sewer will be working on point repairs. Paving of the ramp road will occur sometime in February, and awaiting the control panel to come in for another well source. The sweeper should be up and running by next week. Page 707 Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that Mayor Grantham connected him with a grant source for possibly funding to redo the stalls in the showers, and putting extra pavilions in the parks to accommodate birthday parties, family reunions etc. Mr. Bell inquired about a leak near the pavilion at French Park in which Barry Gilmore will be looking into. There have been 68 additional new memberships and 37 renewals. The 5th grade basketball league placed third in the championship in Cape Girardeau, and the championship game for the High School basketball team will be in Hayti, MO at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday February 8, 2023 and will be on YouTube. Library report; Marsh Hayes reported that parts are no longer made for the theater lights; the panel will have to be rebuilt which will be cheaper than getting a new panel. Surveys are being conducted for the automatic doors; the grant is promising. Councilperson Bullington reported that she and Councilperson Lyons had attended a meeting in Dexter, and found that the Brownsville grant would be an excellent source for getting salvage yards tested at 100 percent. There are also demolition grants that are available that could be tapped into. Mayor Grantham reported that Mississippi Rivers Towns and Cities Initiative in which the City is a part of, are writing grants for all the cities up and down the Mississippi for solid waste and recycling. The Mayor did let them know that the City would be interested in taking part of the grant process. Convoy of Hope will be here helping the City with the painting and organizing rooms at the Armory February 24, 2023 through March 3, 2023, any volunteers will be welcomed to help. Business From the Floor; Olin Parks stated that he didn’t think that the revenue from marijuana sales would really benefit the City that it was a drop in the bucket. Mr. Parks wanted to know if there was revenue obtained from City stickers having to be obtained from the payment of taxes, and why it’s not being resolved. Mayor Grantham stated that people usually pay later with penalties being imposed. Mr. Parks stated that the main issue is where the marijuana facility would be located. Mr. Parks was also interested in if broadband would be solicited for providers, which it will have to go out for bids once the state gives the go ahead to do so. Charles Davis on behalf of the Levee District is wanting permission to replace 100 to 250 ft. section of Ralph Clayton Rd. with asphalt/concrete. The construction of the ramp has created a minor drainage problem on the road. Mr. Davis reported that the start on the floodwall wouldn’t occur until the ramp is completed, and that the easement would be a modification to the floodwall. Ron Attaway wanted an update on the property in question on 18th & Franklin formerly known as Eddie Taylor church, which the City owns. Counselor Dorroh will be conversing with Mr. Attaway after the meeting to get more details. Counselor Dorroh entertained a motion for the authorization of the dual representation of the Levee District and the City by disclosing the conflict of interest regarding the easement. Councilperson Hood made the motion, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes  Page 708 Hood Yes Introduction to Bills; The first bill on the agenda is concerning the easement that the Levee District wants granted. Councilperson Lyons motion for first reading by title only, second by Councilperson Bullington, with all in favor as follows: BILL NO. 2023-02 ORDINANCE 2023-02 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE GRANTING OF AN ADDITIONAL EASEMENT TO ST. FRANCIS LEVEE DISTRICT OF MISSOURI FOR CORRECTION OF A DRAINAGE PROBLEM ON RALPH CLAYTON ROAD Councilperson Lyons motion for second reading, second by Councilperson Grable, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for passage, second by Councilperson Bullington, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Counselor Dorroh introduced a bill that would change the Commercial zone to the B1 zone on South Ward. Councilperson Lyons motion for the first reading, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor as follows: BILL NO. 2023-03 ORDINANCE 2023-03 AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY TO THE B1 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT Councilperson Bullington motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. Councilperson Grable motion for passage, second by Councilperson Hood which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Counselor Dorroh introduced the next bill that would address the Public Hearing for adult use marijuana. Councilperson Grable motion for the first reading by title only, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor as follows: BILL NO. 2023-04 ORDINANCE 2023-04 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE SO AS TO AMEND THE REGULATIONS RELATING MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND TO ESTABLISH LAND USE AND OTHER REGULATIONS RELATING TO ADULT USE MARIJUANA IN CONFORMITY WITH ARTICLE XIV OF THE CONSTITUTION OF MISSOURI AS AMENDED BY THE ADOPTION OF Page 709 AMENDMENT 3 AT THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2022. Councilperson Bullington wanted to know if the medical marijuana ordinance which passed was the same as the adult use marijuana ordinance, which it is, but the taxation and some of the definitions are different. Councilperson Lyons motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Grable, with all in favor. Councilperson Grable motion for passage, second by Councilperson Rittenberry, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson No Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Councilperson Bullington motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel and property, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Upon returning from closed session; Councilperson Bullington made reference to annexation out by Stub Town to look at start working on for expansion. With no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn. Councilperson Hood second the motion with all in favor the meeting adjourning at 7:15 pm. ATTEST: _______________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk