City Council

Page 720 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE April 3, 2023 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday April 3, 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 Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Rittenberry Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Spence Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass (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 April 3, 2023. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood all in favor with Councilperson Bullington abstaining. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Rittenberry with all in favor. Mayor Grantham presented the Council with the Fireworks agreement for approval. Councilperson Grable made motion for the budgeted item, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Unfinished Business; Discussion continued concerning the Armory rental and rules and regulations. Councilperson Lyons made motion for the Armory rental to be $400.00 for the first five hours and an additional $50.00 in excess of five hours; the deposit will be $200. Councilperson Grable second the motion, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Page 721 Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Councilperson Bullington made motion for the rental of any of the ancillary rooms to be $50.00 per hour, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Police report ; Assistant Chief Terry Privett presented to the Council a pepper ball gun that the police force will be using to disperse crowds. The gun will be used to shoot towards the ground, but can be used on non-compliant individuals same as the Taser with a warning been given. There also have been changes made to SOP’s, pursuit policies, use of force, and force continuum in which Counselor Dorroh will be reviewing. Bids were submitted for the lumber to get the evidence building project started for the following: Hubbard $5,177.97, Lowes $5,389.66, and Menards $5,605.60. Councilperson Bullington made motion to accept Hubbard’s bid, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Humane report: Karol Wilcox reported the Shelter took in 54 dogs in March and are in crisis mode with having to do the stray holds and vetting for Rescue. Nine dogs have been taken in April, and there’s a problem on Cotton with an owner having 20 dogs. The fifteen puppies will have to come in within the next week, and will work on getting them to Rescue. At this time no owner surrenders are possible. The Shelter is going through 55 1bs of dog food a day which has never happened. Ms. Wilcox wanted to know if the City could start charging for the disposal of an animal when an animal dies at home. It’s costing the City money to dispose, the veterinarian will charge at least $45.00. Councilperson Bullington made motion to charge $25.00 for cremation for an animal dying at home. Councilperson Rittenberry second the motion, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Fire report: Fire calls from March 23, 2023 to April 3, 2023 are as follows: 3/23/23; 911 call for electric pole on fire at the Boat Club Shute with nothing being detected, 3/24/23; Request for water shuttle on State Highway 164 for a structure fire, 3/27/23; Request for a lift assist on East 8th St., 3/30/23; Smoke scare due to cooking at Walker Terrace, 4/1/23; Gas leak in which meter was turned off  Page 722 at Riverview, 4/1/23; Trash totes set on fire at laundry mat, 4/2/23; Tires, debris, and grass on fire on East 9th St. Training for the month of March was a Storm Spotters Course on March 27, 2023 at the Public Library. Chief Charlie Jones gave notification of his retirement for May 31, 2023. May 1, 2023 he has worked as fire fighter, fire chief, and engineer for 53 years. May 1, 2023 he will have been fire chief for 37 years, and worked under seven mayors and three fire chiefs. Chief Jones has been proud to give his services to the City, and would like to thank the Mayor and Council for their support throughout his career. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that a temporary building will be delivered April 24, 2023 for the Marijuana dispensary. Retail sales should be occurring by mid-May. Road repairs are continuing; completed is one on Walker, two on 4th St., and the sidewalk in front of City Hall. Next on the agenda is the Bus Barn, Greenwell, and S. Ward. E billing roll out will come in your email that you provide to the Water department. The email will have an attachment that you click and you can pay as a guest or sign up and sign in. Currently 76 people have signed up within a week; if you have autopay E billing will be available to you. Asbestos samples were taken today on Laurant, East 5th St., and another burnout, in which those burnouts will be on the list to be torn down if all is clear. Mr. Gilmore thanked Chief Charlie Jones for all the help and support he has given him while employed with the City. Parks & Recreation; Lamont Bell reported that he would start giving the Council a condense version of what he gives to the Park Board monthly. Red Cross will have a blood drive April 14, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center. Collector report; Collections from March 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 are as follows: Real Estate $4,726.76, Personal Property $4,283.55, Drainage Districts $651.56, Miscellaneous $1,321.00, Total Taxes $11,452.89, Interest & Fees $1,613.32, Total Collections $13,066.21. Insurance report; Councilperson Spence made mention of the insurance renewal for the Airport, in which Councilperson Rittenberry presented the quote for $1,743.00. Councilperson Lyons motion for the renewal, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Abstain Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Mayor Grantham stated that she get a lot of questions about broad band. Bootheel Regional has to go before the State with documents which comes from the company which has to be approved. Bid packets should be available by the end of the month. Assistant Chief Privett asked if the Council would look into other options in selling City assets. Money is being loss with sealed bids, when assets are worth more than it sells for. Trade in offers are also at a loss, when you can sell at a higher rate. Counselor Dorroh will be looking into different avenues. Councilperson Lyons motion go into closed session for the purpose of personnel, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Page 723 Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Rittenberry Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Upon returning from closed session, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood which passed unanimously. ATTEST: _________________________________ Mayor _________________________________ City Clerk