City Council

Page 841 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE September 16, 2024 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday September 16, 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 Lyons Councilperson Fales Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Spence (Absent) Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass (Absent) 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 of September 3, 2024. Councilperson Bullington motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Bullington, with all in favor. Police report; Chief Jerry Hudgens reported as follows: There were 957 calls since the last meeting involving arrests, assaults, deaths, etc. A shooting took place after an event at the Community Center. The victim wasn’t cooperative as to where the incident took place or who did the shooting; an investigation took place, but nothing credible at this time. The camera system has experienced significant failure, but they’re in the process of getting costs of repairs. The newly hired officers are veterans, and are adjusting quickly. The cadet is into several weeks into Academy, and doing well. Humane report; Karol Wilcox report is as follows: Intake 51 cats/kittens, 49 dogs/puppies; Adopted out 15 dogs and 12 cats; Sent six to Rescue, and Euthanized three. Awaiting the material to fix the back kennels and for the installment of the panic alarm and the camera repairs. The 10th St. to 12th St. Beckwith to Truman area was dealt with 12 dogs being captured. Also, was able to get the last straggler on Playground Rd. The next problem area to be targeted is Brown Ave. With the abnormal intake the veterinarian bills are up from last year at $26,173.12, and supplies are up by $31,345.90. Donations are down, and the concern is keeping the non-profit afloat. The Glow Golf Tournament will take place October 18, 2024, thanks to Don Grable. Dr. Embry has scheduled a vaccine clinic October 12, 2024 starting at 10:00 a.m.; rabies vaccines are $15.00. Fire report; Chief Lynn Moss reported three calls since the last meeting as follows: Grass Page 842 fire caused by a tree limb hitting a power line, Gas leak caused by a pilot light on stove going out, and Ceiling fan shorted out and caught on fire. Preplanning for the new Casino is the training for this month; fire drills were conducted at all three schools. Public Works/Alliance; Michael Apperson Operations Report for August 2024 is as follows: Administrative/Submitted the eDMR and the Compliance Monitoring Report for Groundwater Systems to DNR. Waste/Water Treatment/The UV is currently down, which prevents reducing the E. Coli in the effluent water, and DNR was made aware July 26, 2024. Regulatory/Eight Bac-T samples, and 32 wastewater samples were taken and passed DNR. Collection & Distribution/There were 60 work orders completed. Safety/Alliance staff trained in PPE usage. Repair expenses were under budget by $1,255.00, and Chemical expenses were under budget by $2,223.00. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that the Levee well was up and running, and Flynn Drilling will be pulling the Third St. well to identify the problem and do the necessary repairs. Robertson Paving has completed Phase 1 of the paving project. ASA had the lower bid for Phase 2 for $171,985.23 with Robertson bidding $201,609.00. Councilperson Bullington motion to accept the lower bid, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Robinson Yes Bullington Yes The Street budget has $142,017.64 left, with $50,000.00 committed to the 3rd St./First State Bank project and the balance of $92,717.64 going towards Franklin from 14th to 15th, Cemetery entrance, Park Lane form S. Parkview to Hwy U,W 18th from Truman to Ward, W 12th from Beckwith to Carleton, and W 11th from Carleton to Ward. Visu Sewer will have to make some adjustments to the lateral on W 18th between Truman and Grand in order to get a clearer a picture as to what’s going on. Rodgers Hydrant is done with flushing, with a report being available soon. Boring is continuing with the laying of fiber. A questionnaire will be mailed out regarding the feeder lines to residents’ homes for the lead service line project. If there’s no response there will be door to door surveys conducted for the required information. Vandevanter will begin finishing up rebuilding the wet well at the S Ward lift station, and once completed this will close out the rebuild/rehab of the three primary lift stations of 6th and Beckwith, Adams and E 9th, and S Ward. The order for the demolition of 311 Ward will expire on September 18, 2024; if it’s not begun by that time there will be a hearing before the Building Commissioner. A Planning & Zoning meeting will take place soon for a request of rezoning, and also a Board of Adjustment meeting for a request for a zoning variance, with hearings having to take place. The cleanup of 925 Grand was a success, and interviews will be conducted soon to fill Larry Green’s position upon his retirement. Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported July turnover as being $8,120.47 and August $4,117.19. Kickball sign-ups are ongoing until October 18, 2024. Bids will have to be extended again for the showers and stalls. The Park Board member recommendations are as follows: Gladys Hood, Cindy Grissom, and Khiry Carter. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of the recommendations, second by Councilperson Bullington, which resulted in the following vote:  Page 843 Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Abstain Robinson Yes Bullington Yes Introduction to Bills; Counselor Dorroh introduced the following bill; BILL NO. 2024-06 ORDINANCE 2024-06 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A REAL ESTATE CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE AND FLEURETTA HUNT AND AUTHORZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND PERFORM SAID AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY Councilperson Lyons motion for the first reading, second by Councilperson Bullington, which passed unanimously. Councilperson Lyons motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Hood, which passed unanimously. Councilperson Lyons motion for passage, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Robinson Yes Bullington Yes 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 Hood Yes Robinson Yes Bullington Yes Upon returning from closed session, and with no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Hood with all in favor. ATTEST: _______________________________ Mayor _______________________________ City Clerk