City Council

Page 733 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE May 16, 2023 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Tuesday May 16, 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 (Absent) Sergeant at Arms Spence (Absent) Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass (Absent) Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Fales Councilperson Grable (Absent) 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 May 1, 2023. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of the closed session minutes for May 1, 2023, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Bullington which resulted in the following vote: Robinson Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Hood Yes Unfinished Business; Mayor Grantham asked for the election of Mayor Pro Tem. Councilperson Lyons move to nominate Johnny Hood, second by Councilperson Bullington, which resulted in the following vote: Robinson Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Hood Abstain Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported that the Shelter has 87 animals in spite of the adoptions and rescues. There were over 100 free rabies shots given at the clinic Saturday May 13, 2023, and they’re getting ready for annual inspections. They will be doing appointments only at this time while  Page 734 painting platforms, sealing kennels, and replacing wood to the outside platforms. The Shelter will also be hosting an event at the Library June 13, 2023, and will be set up at the car show for a pin up pageant that supports the Humane Society. Fire report; Fire calls from May 1, 2023 to May 13, 2023 area as follows: 5/1/23; Brush fire in ditch on County Road 362 &363, 5/1/23; Structure fire with mutual aid requested by Hayti it was a total loss, 5/2/23; Structure fire with moderate damage on Grand, 5/5/23; Fire alarm sounding due to Fireplace on Grand, 5/8/23; Small fire on back porch with minor damage on Cotton, 5/12/23; Fire alarm sounding due to system malfunction on Laurant. Public Works; Dustin Sterling presented the Operations report for April as follows: Administrative; The electronic Discharge Monitoring Report for April was submitted to DNR, and the report for Groundwater Systems was submitted. Treatment; The Third Street Water Plant operated normally, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant had a 98.2% BOD removal efficiency and a 99.8% TSS removal efficiency. Regulatory; There were eight Bac-T samples taken, and 33 Wastewater samples, all passed DNR. Collection/Distribution; There were 17 customer service orders and 48 line locates completed. Project Updates; The electrical panel for Well #3 was installed, startup will begin once Ameren complete their service installation. Safety; The Safety Meeting was on Driver Safety, Vehicle Backing Safety, and Distracted Driving Prevention. Repair Expenses was under budgeted by $29,605.00, and Chemical expenses were $352.00. Mr. Sterling also presented a memorandum of agreement for the year service from July 1, 2023 through June 20, 2024. The Council will review and vote at the next meeting. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that all Notices that didn’t comply, mowing started today. The sheet piles was supposed to start to go in Monday at the flood wall, but has been delayed. The Ward entrance will be closed and traffic will be going in and out on the Walker side of the flood wall. Stop signs are being put up, no big truck signs, and mirrors for traffic flow. The substations on Cotton and Truman are scheduled to be torn down and removed. The new substation is ready with all underground wires and 35 ft. fiber poles. DNR has an activated mandatory lead assessment program which identifies the customer side and the City side for lead. The cost would range from $800,000.00 to 1,000,000.00 to implement. There are grants available, but you have to be at a certain rate to be eligible. Our rate is $28.00 per 5,000, and would have to almost double to qualify. Mr. Gilmore proposed to take advantage of the free service MRWA offers for a rate study before any decisions are made. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Robinson Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Hood Yes Business From the Floor; Don Jeffries reported having a meeting with the Mayor, and Bootheel Regional Planning Commission concerning the BRPC’s research and applying for grants to assist the City in its restoration efforts of the historic water tower. The first $48,000 would go to the engineers to determine the restoration process, then to proceed with the fund raising as needed to cover the cost of Page 735 each restoration phase of the process, the exterior then the interior. Logan Meeks has been requested to continue as project engineer. Mr. Jeffries has been notified by the Jeffris Foundation that the Historic Structure Report has been approved, and was given instructions for the submission of a draft proposal by July 1, 2023 to meet the challenge grant if invited to participate. After being reviewed by the Foundation, suggestions for improvement will be sent back. If suggestions are not given by July 15, 2023 the draft is to be considered as the final product. If there are suggestions the final proposal has to be submitted by July 20, 2023. We will know if we are invited to participate by August 9, 2023. Councilperson Hood reported that he had taken his group of children that he works with to the Water Plant for a tour, and thanked Dustin Sterling and his crew for the informative guide of the operations of the plant. They are looking forward to the tour of the Waste Water Plant next. Counselor Dorroh drafted a couple of ordinances that would address fees for out of town emergency responses and implementation of a program to charge mitigation rates for services by the fire department. The Council and Chief Charlie Jones will look over the ordinances, and a decision will be made at the next meeting. Business From the Floor; Olin Parks inquired about broadband as to what carriers would be solicited and their capabilities. Mayor Grantham stated that there’s a process regarding the broadband grant, and that the process was getting closer to being able to bid out. With no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Bullington motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor _________________________________ City Clerk