City Council

Page 736 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE June 5, 2023 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday June 5, 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 Hood Councilperson Spence Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullingon Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Fales Councilperson Grable 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 16, 2023. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. Mayor Grantham asked for a motion to move next meeting to Tuesday June 20, 2023 in observance of Juneteenth. Councilperson Hood made motion, second by Councilperson Lyons with all in favor. Mayor Grantham requested approval of Lynn Moss as Fire Chief. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Appointments of the following officers were in order: Kevin Curtis/Assistant Chief, Randy Guest/Captain, Jerry Hudgens Sr. /First Lieutenant, and Troy Meals/Second Lieutenant. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Glass, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Page 737 Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Police report; Chief Tony Jones reported that the Safety Grant which required traffic stops resulted in violations of child safety restraints, seat belts, and one felony and misdemeanor arrest during the stops. Councilperson Fales wanted to know about the fireworks for this year, which will be discussed closer to the time. Councilperson Fales was also concerned about squatters in a house close to her property, which could possibly be on the list to be torn down. Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported that they had attended the Antique Car Show in which there was a pageant that raised $1,300.00 for the Shelter. There has been three long runs built with one more to go, the two city kennels are ready and prepped for roofs, and the bottoms to be redone and painted, eight out of fourteen inside kennels have been repaired. There have been problems with people declaring animals as services animals and bringing them into businesses. There was a pit bull in a business and it almost bit someone. There are rules and regulations for service animals, and emotional support animals. Counselor Dorroh will be researching, but a dangerous animal is prohibited whether or not it’s a service animal or emotional support animal. Ms. Wilcox also reported that 17 animals are out for adoption, and 19 were taken in. It’s costing $500.00 to $600.00 a week to feed the animals, but there have been some vetted for adoption. Fire report; Fire calls for the month of May are as follows: 5/1/23; Ditch bank on fire due to field being burned off on County Rd 362 & 363, 5/1/23; Mutual aid request for structure fire in Hayti a total loss, 5/20/23; Overturned Ryder truck on I55/412. Public Works report; Dustin Sterling asked for the approval of the Memorandum of Agreement with the base fee for the fixed rate for the year of service for $729,552.00 for services July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Bullington, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that Carl Kelly has been released to come back to work. Awaiting for Ameren to power up the well panel; generating paperwork geared towards work orders/requests which should expedite matters. The current Water Works systems read 90% of the meters digitally, and with repeaters it would capture 99% of the meters. All meters have been installed and the next phase would be the installation of the repeaters. The repeaters are a budgeted item, which would roll over to the next year’s budget. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Bullington which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes  Page 738 Fales Yes Grable Yes There have been issues with the trash services, the City generates a lot of trash, which was not in the planned scope of things with Wastepro. There will have to be another day added to keep up, which will be on Fridays. The speed has also been reduced when workers are on the back of the truck, they can no longer go more than 10 miles per hour, which slows down pickup, and they’ve had break downs. The problems should be resolved within the next two weeks. Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that there have been issues with the Sports Complex, and guidelines have been instituted to prevent conflict, which will be posted at the Complex. In the off season the Complex will be available 24 hours to the public, with the responsible parties cleaning up. During Little League season the public may use the fields until 4:00 p.m. If the fields are being prepped, the public may use the outfield only. The main power switch may be accessed by the Director of Parks & Recreation, and the lights are to be turned off before leaving the Complex. The Recreation Center has joined Heartland Football in which there will be a six game season and the play off, 3rd-6th grade. Jimmy Jackson will run the program, signups are starting now with practices starting the end of July, and games starting in August. There will also be flag football K-2nd grade. The Stop the Violence Event will start Saturday with a soft opening of two to three hours to look at participation. There will also be a car wash Friday morning at the Recreation Center for the Boys to Men group to raise money for field trips this summer. Collector report; Paige Gillock collections from May 1, 2023 to May 31, 2023 are as follows: Real Estate $2,138.52, Personal Property $825.61, Drainage Districts $130.00, Miscellaneous $855.00 Total Taxes $3,238.66, Fees & Interest $710.47, Total Collections $3,949.13. Business From The Floor; John Christian was concerned about the flooding of his property on Carleton during rainfall from drainage from the Court House going into his garage and up against the foundation of his house. Counselor suggested to talk to the County Commission if it’s coming off the court house parking lot. Introduction to bills; Counselor Dorroh provided two drafts of a bill concerning service fees for the City for the uninsured in town or out of town. One of the ordinances would address insured and uninsured the other just uninsured out of town fire calls. Councilperson Grable motion to table upon further examination, second by Councilperson Hood which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Resolution No. 2023-02 authorizing the filing of an application with the Missouri Department of Naural Resources, State Revolving Fund Program for loans under the Missouri Clean Water Law (Chapter 640, RSMo.). Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood second, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Page 739 Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Resolution 2023-03 of the City of Caruthersville adopting a Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023. Councilperson Lyons motion for adoption, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes The Neptune is asking for extension on their water bill. They currently have a $4,000.00 water bill, and their bill has been adjusted in the past because of leaks. Barry Gilmore will like to have some idea what they will generate revenue before electing to give an extension. Councilperson Lyons motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel and legal, second by Councilperson Hood which resulted in the following vote: Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Upon returning from closed session; Councilperson Lyons stated with Lynn Moss years of service it would put him at $20.01/hr. on the salary schedule. Councilperson motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor __________________________________ City Clerk