City Council

Page 811 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE April 15, 2024 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday April 15, 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 Jerry Hudgens Sergeant at Arms Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Fales Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Spence Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass 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 1, 2024. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons made motion for the approval of the closed session minutes of April 1, 2024, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Councilperson Grable motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. Next on the agenda was the certification of the election, and the City Clerk gave the oath of office, and swore in the elected officials. Page 812 Police report; Chief Jerry Hudgens reported that the homicide that occurred April 7, 2024 investigation was ongoing, and they were looking at having more arrests. Chief Hudgens also wanted to let everyone know that with the police force being shorthanded that calls will have to be prioritized. Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported that the adoption over the weekend was very successful, out of the 19 dogs 18 were adopted out, but 21 were taken in. There have been 51 puppies taken in for the month of April, with there being over 200 animals in the Shelter at this time. Fire report; Chief Lynn Moss reported that there had been four fire calls since the last meeting; three brush fires and one structure fire. The Woods Service CO. will be doing the annual maintenance and pump certifications Thursday April 18, 2024. Staff will be attending the FDIC conference in Indianapolis, IN Thursday April 18, 2024. On July 3, 2024 will be the July 4th fireworks display, and there will be certifications obtained to be able to shoot fireworks by our local firemen. Public Works; Tyler Hall monthly report is as follows: Administrative/Submitted the Major Water User report, the eDMR, and the Compliance Monitoring Report for Groundwater Systems to DNR for March. Water Wastewater Treatment/Greased all clarifier rake drive and bearing grease points, and all bearings and motors for the oxidation ditch rotor at WWTP. The field at the WWTP was disked for land application of sludge, the inspection hatch was opened to remove debris to ensure proper operation throughout the plant, removed and cleaned UV lights and assemblies to prepare for disinfection, and cleaned the well house at Well 6. There were three samples sent to evaluate treatment efficiency; the Wastewater Treatment Plant is operating at 97.5% BOD removal efficiency and a 97.1% TSS removal efficiency. Regulatory/There were eight bac-T samples and 28 wastewater samples taken all passed DNR. Collection & Distribution/ There were sections of the mainline on 15th St. and Truman that were jetted to clear obstructions. Debris and trash buildup was removed from the Jiffy Jim lift station. Assisted Hayti with a mainline sewer blockage. CK Power resolved the battery voltage issue at the 20th & Lincoln LS, and the South Ward LS generator was evaluated and it was determined a new ATS display screen is needed; staff is awaiting quotes. Both pumps were pulled from 6th & Beckwith LS to remove debris, and one was sent for repair. Both pumps were pulled at the Recreation Center LS to remove debris, and one was sent off for repair. There was a sanitary overflow at the South Ward LS. Pump 3 wasn’t able to keep up due to Pump 2 impeller breaking. All three pumps were pulled, and the working pump was placed on the discharge line, and a bypass pump was delivered to supply flow to the WWTP in the event of another pump failure. One main line was repaired, and five service leaks. There were also 41 customer service orders including jetting seven customer laterals. Safety/The monthly Safety meeting covered slip, trips, and falls along with back injury prevention. The February Repair expense were under budget by $19,881.00 and the Chemical expenses were under budget by $8,443.00. Emergency Management; Charlie Jones provide the Council with the Promulgation Statement to sign for the Emergency Management Plan, and asked for its adoption. Councilperson motion to adopt the Emergency Management Plan, second by Councilperson Grable with all in favor. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that the cost of getting a new pump would be  Page 813 $76,320.00 for the South Ward LS, which is the main artery for the City sewer. Councilperson Grable motion for approval to come out of the Sewer Extension Fund. Councilperson Lyons second the motion which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes The cost of rebuilding a pump would cost $49,870.00 out of the Sewer Extension Fund. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes The cost of a maintenance agreement out of the Sewer Extension would be $30,240.00 for 2024-2025 and $31,190.00 for 2026. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Mr. Gilmore recommended to continue to rent the bypass pump for added protection at a cost of $3,000.00/wk. maxing out at $8,694.00/mo. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Mr. Gilmore is getting prepared for the summer mowing, the bid packets have been given out for the demolition of the building at 311 Ward, and the bids will be open April 18, 2024. There will be a 90 day period upon accepting the bid. The Repeaters were installed, and will save on reading meters in which signals don’t get to; should get close to 99%. Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported intake for March at $6,287.00, Interest & Drafts $117.93, Total $6,404.93, Expenses $370.03, Turnover $6,034.90. There were new treadmills brought in, they’re downsizing to increase space, and selling off old equipment to make upgrades. The flickering lights in the gym will be fixed once a lift can be obtained. Mr. Bell introduced Dennis Taylor who has Page 814 been working with him on getting the pool up and running. Mr. Taylor stated that the circulation pump has been having problems for years, and has a bad design. The person that installed the pool came, and the evaluation was that there was no filter system, the only semblance was Steffan Troxel vacuuming the pool every day and pouring chemicals in the pool, which is ok for the short term, and you have a plan in place. Also, the sand for the sand filter should have been silicic sand not regular sand for the filtering, and all the valves are froze up. To get the pool up and going it will take the following: 1. Remove the existing pump, and replumb the existing vacuum sand filter 2. Replace the existing vacuum sand filter interior laterals and install new filter silicic media 3. Rewire the new installed filter pump 4. Provide and install two metering pumps with the related new tubing 5. Provide and install a liquid filled vacuum gage Labor and materials would be $36,920.00 Councilperson Grable motion to approve the proposal to get the pool updated. Councilperson Robinson second the motion, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Absent Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Absent Collector report; Paige Gillock Collections Report from April 1, 2024 through April 15, 2024 is as follows: Real Estate $2,977.24 Personal Property $1,765.23 Drainage Districts $341.50 Miscellaneous $9,580.84 Total Taxes $13,979.69 Interest & Fees $685.12 Total Collections $14,664.81 Business From the Floor; Lora Hynds talked about how important it was to improve the Diane Sayer Recreational Center. At one time there were 30 people participating in water aerobics before the pool went down, and the swim team was in place. Ms. Hynds commented on how people benefit from the use of the pool for rehabilitation, and that it should be a destination spot for people to come to. James Mott was concerned about potholes, he has had to have his vehicles realigned because of them. Mr. Mott challenges each Councilperson to examine the pot holes in their respective Wards. Mr. Mott inquired about asphalt instead of gravel in the potholes. Jerry Hudgens commented on him and Barry Gilmore having a plan before his incident, and would be getting back on track. Mr. Gilmore stated that currently the big potholes were being cut. Councilperson Hood motion to go into closed session, second by Councilperson Bullington, which resulted in the following vote: Bullington Yes Lyons Absent Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Absent Upon returning from closed session, Councilperson Hood motion to adjourn, second by  Page 815 Councilperson Bullington, with all in favor. ATTEST: ___________________________________ Mayor ____________________________________ City Clerk