City Council

Page 808 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE April 1, 2024 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday April 1, 2024 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 Terry Privett Sergeant at Arms Lyons Councilperson Fales Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood 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 March 18, 2024. 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 of March 18, 2024, second by Councilperson Robinson, with all in favor. Councilperson Hood motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. Notice was given for a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday April 3, 2024 regarding zoning for a local business. Notice was given to bidders for a demolition project; bid packets can be obtained at the City Clerk’s office, with the bid opening occurring at 4:00 p.m. Thursday April 18, 2024. Police report; Assistant Chief Terry Privett reported that there were two applicants inquiring about the Police Academy and salaries while attending the academy. Councilperson Lyons relayed that there would have to be a Finance Committee meeting before making any decisions. The Highway Safety Grants; DWI and Seat belt will be occurring simultaneously along with the Click or Ticket which starts today, and the others starting May 20, 2024 through June 2, 2024. Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported the intake for March was 77 animals. There are currently 98 in house animals at this time with there being over 200 for the year. There were 29 adoptions, 19 return to owners, and six euthanizations. There were also 28 puppies taken off the streets, and are at  Page 809 various stages within the adoption process. The staff will be going to Pest Sense in Sikeston Saturday April 6, 2024 and will be hosting an adoption event. The Vaccine Clinic and City tag sale is April 20, 2024, and the April 27, 2024 5k signups are going tremendously well. There have been a lot of abuse and neglect cases recently, and they’re keenly aware of the breeding of a rare pit bull breed that’s being monitored. Fire report; Chief Lynn Moss reported responding to four calls since the last meeting as follows: one brush fire, two structure fires, and one vehicle fire. There was in house training covering the use of various extrication equipment with the new firefighters. There will be five firefighters attending the Fire Department Instructor Conference April 18th through April 20th, 2024. The fireworks display for the City will be occurring July 3, 2024 with J & M Displays, the same company that has been doing the display for years. Chief Moss will be looking at getting certified with the company to be able to shoot fireworks. Councilperson Lyons made motion to accept the agreement same as last year for $7,250.00 with an amendment to the Sales Tax budget, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement. Councilperson Grable second the motion, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Parks & Recreation; Councilperson Hood reported that the pool was being looked at in getting repaired, and everything else was running smoothly. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore had the following to report: The City replaced eight stop signs and poles, and the City owned properties were mowed. Any of the streets that are on the grant list can be substituted, and it will be 2025 before the grant gets approval. There is roughly 197,000.00 committed to street improvements for 2025; leaving 200,000.00 for improvements for 2024. They have been cutting and measuring street repairs, and once it’s all done concrete will be able to be poured within a few days weather permitting. Information is being gathered for estimates for the card reader at the airport. The repeaters weren’t installed last week, hopefully this week. Mr. Gilmore, Tyler Hall, and Gina Glass have been meeting and discussing improvements to service obligations. Library report; Councilperson Fales reported that the theater has been updated, and there will be a staff training session Wednesday April 3, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. Ms. Hayes is keeping up with the grants, and working on Summer reading. You can get free glasses at the Library to view the eclipse on April 8, 2024. The White Glove & Party Manage Tea Party is April 20, 2024, and The 4H Art Show is April 23, 2024. Collections report; Paige Gillock Collections Report from March 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024 is as follows: Real Estate $1,559.86, Personal Property $1,769.81, Miscellaneous $1,995.00 Total Taxes $4,738.00 Interest & Fees $586.67, Total Taxes $5,324.67 Mayor Grantham has been working on getting the street lights on Truman more enhanced with 200 watt bulbs, if permission is granted from MODOT they would cost $684.00/mo. for the City. Page 810 Business From the Floor; Dondli Hayes Jr. was concerned about his water bill and the charges on his account, and subsequently his water being turned off. Mayor Grantham stated that the matter would be looked into and asked Mr. Hayes for a good time for him to come to the Water department. Counselor Dorroh introduced a bill that would change the frequency and compensation of the Council meetings. Councilperson Lyons motion for the first reading by title only with the adjustment of the (3rd) Monday of each month of holding meetings. Councilperson Hood second the motion with all in in favor as follows: BILL NO. 2024-03 ORDINANCE NO. 2024-03 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FREQUENCY OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI AND CHANGING THE COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL Councilperson Lyons motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Robinson, with all in favor. Councilperson Hood motion for the passage, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes There will be a meeting April, 15, 2024, but the next meeting will be May 20, 2024, and the subsequent meetings will be on the (3rd) Monday of each month. Councilperson Grable motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Upon returning from closed session, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood, which passed unanimously. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor _______________________________ City Clerk