City Council

CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE August 7, 2023 Page 747 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday August 7, 2023 in the Council room of the Municipal Building at which time and place the following were present: Takella Motton City Clerk Lawrence Dorroh City Counselor Sue Grantham Mayor Tony Jones Sergeant at Arms Lyons Councilperson Fales Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood (Absent) Councilperson Spence Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullington 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 July 18, 2023. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Glass all in favor with Councilperson Lyons abstaining. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Glass, with all in favor. The next order of business was the letter of engagement from Smith & Davis to conduct the audit of the City. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Mayor Grantham announced that there will be a meeting at City Hall August 10, 2023 for the bid opening for Broadband at 2:00 p.m. There will also be a meeting with the Department of Conservation at City Hall August 17, 2023 regarding opportunities that could be of interest to the community from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Police report; Chief Tony Jones announced that he had been tested for the Highway Patrol, and if selected he would be resigning in December. He has enjoyed and appreciated his tenure, but wanted to do what he always dreamed of doing.  Page 748 Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported as follows: Intake/22 dogs, nine cats, six kittens. Outtake/eight dogs, four puppies, 12 cats, and five kittens. Euthanized/6 animals. There were five dogs dumped out by the Shelter, which had to be tracked with them being anti-social. The dogs were caught, and the owner will be cited for abandonment. The last kennel is being worked on which requires painting and the tin roof being put on. Last week alone there were 42 reports for citations turned in, and repeat offenders will continue to be ticketed until they surrender or correct the problem. Fire report; Chief Lynn Moss reported that there were 15 fire calls for the month of July, with two being outside of the city limits, and mutual aid in Kennett, MO. There were 95 rural fire subscriptions turned in, and the training for the month was for electrical car fires. Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that the Stop the Violence Movement Back to School event will take place Thursday August 10, 2023 at the Recreation Center from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. , there will be vendors, and educational activities taking place. The Red Cross blood drive will take place at the gym August 25, 2023. Swim team signups will occur August 19, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The flag football team will be picked by the end of the week, and they well start playing in September. Turnover for the month of July is as follows: Intake $5,302.25, Expenses $382.71, and turnover $4,919.54. City Collector; Paige Gillock reported collections from July 1, 2023 through July 31, 2023 are as follows: Real Estate $11,983.61, Personal Property $506.92, Drainage Districts $1,301.92, Miscellaneous $10,534.99, Total Taxes $20,279.25, Interest & Fees $4,052.22, Total Taxes $24,331.47. The tax sale will occur August 28, 2023 on the court house steps at 10:00 a.m. Business From the Floor; Amad Bates introduced himself, and has accepted a Supervisor position at Divine Holiness Outreach Center after turning down a position with an accredited school. Mr. Bates has aspirations to give back to the community, and will be working with the after school programs. He also has been certified in counseling and mentoring for drug rehabilitation for the Recovery Center. On August 19, 2023 Mr. Bates will be hosting a back to school giveaway, there will be bouncy houses for the kids and food will be provided. Donations can be dropped off at Divine Holiness 1203 E. 18th St.; contact the FACEBOOK page of Amad Bates or Deandre Davis for more information. Michael Starks was concerned about a $500.00 water bill, in which Mayor Grantham asked him to come to City Hall at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday to discuss his bill. Councilperson Lyons motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel, second by Councilperson Bullington which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Upon returning from closed session Councilperson Grable motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Bullington with all in favor. Page 749 ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk