City Council

Page 717 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE March 20, 2023 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday March 20, 2023 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 Rittenberry Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Spence Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullington (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 March 6, 2023. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons made motion for the approval of the closed session minutes for March 6, 2023, second by Councilperson Glass with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Rittenberry with all in favor. The next order of business was the City’s mowing bids, and there was only one bid turned in. Councilperson Lyons motion to accept the bid from Russ Riggs. There were no bids on the cemetery, so the City will take on the mowing of the cemetery. There was discussion of updating the rules and regulations for the rental of the Armory, and an increase in fees. From July 2022 to February 2023 utilities have been $7,841.82 and the rentals have brought in $5,735.00. Councilperson Grable made motion to table until the next meeting before instituting changes. Councilperson Lyons second the motion which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes  Page 718 Fire report; Fire calls from March 7, 2023 to March 20, 2023 are as follows: 3/7/23; Fire alarm sounding on State Highway U, 3/7/23; Received 911 call that a field was on fire threatening a structure on Highway 164 & DD result being a ditch bank being burned off, 3/11/23; Vacant structure on fire with moderate damage on East 13th St., 3/11/23; Small fire in furnace on Grand that was extinguished, 3/16/23; Vent hood on fire in West Haven, 3/17/23; Mutual aid request to Portageville for structure fire. The National Weather Service in Memphis will be conducting a Storm Spotters Course at the Public Library from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 27, 2023. The public is invited to attend. Public Works: Dustin Sterling operations report for February 2023 is as follows: Administrative; The electronic Discharge Monitoring Report for the month of November submitted to DNR on March 8, 2023. The Compliance Monitoring Report for Groundwater Systems for February was submitted to DNR. Treatment; Third Street Water Plant operating normally, Waste Water Treatment Plant had a 95.2% BOD removal efficiency, and a 97.5% TSS removal efficiency. Regulatory; Eight Bac-T samples and 29 Waste Water samples all passed DNR. Collection/Distribution; There were 31 customer service orders and 32 line locates completed. Project Updates; The electrical panel for Well #3 hasn’t been delivered, and a schedule delivery date hasn’t been scheduled. The blower motor for the Industrial Treatment Plant has been delivered and has been scheduled to be installed. Repair expenses were under budget at $4,299.00 and chemical expenses were under budget at $1,153.00. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that the trailer on 3rd St. is the Construction trailer for the group that’s constructing the new flood wall. The Vac truck will be taken for its’ maintenance service Wednesday, and will be back on Friday. The decals have started to be put on the vehicles and equipment. Ralph Clayton Street will be closed off for about two weeks for the allowance of working on the drainage issue. Mowing will start with the lots on 3rd, 4th, 7th and Eastwood streets, and the crew will be taking on the cemetery mowing. Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that there will be mobile trucks coming in for health fairs, and for the slow months they’re looking into entertainment avenues. Collector report; Paige Gillock’s collection report March 1, 2023 to March 20, 2023 is as follows: Real Estate $4,647.66, Personal Property $3,390.44, Drainage Districts $175.00, Miscellaneous $1,190.00 Total Taxes $8,358.32, Interest & Fees $1,044.78, Total Collections $9,403.10. Business From the Floor; Don Jeffries reported on the status of the Historic Water Tower and the Jeffris Family Foundation. The Historic Structure Report has been completed and submitted to the Jeffris Foundation. The estimated cost for the restoration cost of the Historic Water Tower is $663,077, and with a five percent inflation cost for three years it would be $750,000. If invited to participate in the Jeffris Foundation Capital Campaign Challenge Grant, there will be three years in which to raise the money. The Jeffris Foundation would provide one third of the cost, which would be $250,000, and the Historic Committee would have to raise $550,000 within those three years. There’s a deadline of April 1, 2023 as to whether or not the Committee thinks they can raise the money within the three years. The Jeffris Foundation will meet April 25, 2023, and issue an invitation to submit a proposal outlining a fund raising strategy, which will be due by mid-July. The Board will meet Page 719 again in August for the final decision upon which projects they will assist in financing. Acceptable donation gifts for fund raising are as follows: any personal or business donations, foundational grants, state or federal grants, and in kind services at market value. No single donor may donate more than 25% of the total cost of the project. Councilperson Hood wanted to know if there were any updates concerning Cedric the Entertainer’s project. Mayor Grantham stated that the group was supposed to come in February, but is looking at the end of March to try and come. With there not being any more business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn. Councilperson Grable second the motion with all in favor. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk