City Council

Page 863 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE December 16, 2024 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session on Monday December 16, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. 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 Jerry Hudgens Sergeant at Arms Fales Councilperson Grable Councilperson Hood Councilperson Spence Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons 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 December 2, 2024. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Lyons all in favor with Councilperson Grable abstaining. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Bullington all in favor, with Councilperson Grable abstaining. Under presentation of petitions, letters, and other communications; Mayor Grantham presented the Housing Authority Agreement. Counselor Dorroh made mention of the amendments, and that Ms. Melinda Mott was in agreement. Councilperson Grable motion for approval giving the Mayor the authority to sign, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Police report; Chief Hudgens end of the year report 2024 annual statistics is as follows: Calls for service 8,500 Incident reports; 1,519 not including crash reports Fugitive arrests; 242 Deaths; 18 and one homicide Weapon offenses; 27 Assaults; 73 Animal calls; 41 Domestic violence calls; 81. The criminal investigations report submitted by Sgt. Jesse Johnson is as follows: Page 864 2022 2023 2024 3 Homicides 1 Homicide 1 Homicide 7 Shootings 4 Shootings 3 Shootings 2 Armed Robbery’s 1,454 grams Meth Seizures 302 grams Meth Seizures 978 grams Meth Seizures 400 grams Cocaine Seizures 2 Firearm Seizures 7.2 grams Cocaine Seizures 6 Firearm Seizures 9 Controlled Drug Buys 319 grams Marijuana Seizures 4 Search Warrants 1 Search Warrants 4 Firearm Seizures 6 Controlled Drug Buys 1 Undercover Operation 3 Search Warrants 4 Undercover Operations 4 Federal Indictments 17 Controlled Drug Buys 5 Federal Indictments 4 Federal Indictments Chief Hudgens stated that the department continues to strive to uphold the highest standards of law enforcement while attempting to earn trust and build relationships with the citizens. In amidst of staffing shortages the officers continue to demonstrate resilience and adaptability, working tirelessly to safeguard the streets and provide services to our citizenry. Humane report; Karol Wilcox report is as follows: License renewal in January is at a cost of around $800.00. State veterinary inspection cost $450.00 per quarter, and they have outstanding issues that could result in fines to Ms. Wilcox the licensee. Donations have been used for the purchase of dog food, but has become a strain with the huge increase in intake. Safety issues; no panic button nor fire alarm, one camera is down, and two are needed. All animals are treated with a parvo shot, worming, and treated for flies on intake per veterinary protocol. The Humane absorbs all the costs; help is needed on the charged neglect cases. More costs are absorbed when animals leave the state, and sometimes adoption fees are waived to get animals placed. Animal control; Ms. Wilcox has put over 70,000 miles on her personal vehicle driving animals to their destinations, a backup vehicle is needed when Matthew Wimberly is not available. Purchases; Mr. Wimberly needs a cell phone upgrade, all dogs are supposed to be scanned for a chip, need a new one; need more traps, and would like an appointed officer as a shelter liaison. Animal Ordinance; Need upgrade to make it more forceful towards repeat offenders and for the dangerous animal. Fire report; Chief Lynn Moss reported four calls since the last meeting as follows: 12/3/24; Gas leak on Truman, 12/6/24; Extrication on Hwy U, 12/7/24; Structure fire on East 12th St., 12/8/24; Structure fire on East 12th St. Fire training for the month of December was “Fire Response to Active Shooter”. The department will be participating with Ring the bell for Salvation Army December 23, 2024. Water & Sewer report; Alliance Operations Report for November is a follows: Administrative/Submitted eDMR and Compliance Monitoring Report for Groundwater Systems, with both passing DNR. Water & Wastewater Treatment/Both plants running efficiently. Regulatory/There were six Bac- T samples and 25 wastewater samples taken, with all passing DNR. Collection & Distribution/Completed 48 work orders, replaced a lead service line, jetted and pumped manholes, fixed five setters that were blown off, and have begun entering points in GIS. Safety/Training was for proper PPE and hazardous material control. Repair Expenses were under budget by $8,283.00 and Chemical Expenses under budget by $7,802.00.  Page 865 Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that everything for Fiber was ready to go, accept for the agreement with the Port Authority to get a communication hut set up. Once the agreement is in place it will take two to three weeks for the concrete work and wiring. The County hope to have the Transfer station up and running under new management by January. Work will began Monday December 16, 2024 for work on the Ward Ave. access to Reynolds Park. Mr. Gilmore spoke with MODOT on the evening of the 12th; plans are being finalized for final approval on drainage and road widening for the Travel Center. Received a call this morning requesting information and requirement for a building permit. At this time the Street sweeper is down; Key Equipment will be doing the repair to get it up and running. The 311 Ward Ave. building is down, all is needed is backfilling when weather permits. Recreation report; Lamonte Bell report for the November turnover is as follows: Intake $4,371.63 Expenses $790.47 Turnover $5,162.10. Basketball signups are ongoing for grades Pre-K-6th Grades. The racquetball room is being turned into batting cages, which will be a great asset for the schools as well as generating money for rental of the rooms from other schools and trainers. Library report; Tacara Sullivan reported that the security system had been updated and is now active. There has been more leaking around the windows, but it is still under warranty. Ms. Sullivan Christmas Event will be tomorrow from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Collector report; Paige Gillock Collections Report from December 1, 2024 through December 16, 2024 is as follows: Real Estate $78,758.73 Personal Property $23,583.57 Drainage Districts $540.00 Miscellaneous $1,225.00 Total Taxes $103,383.90 Interest & Fees $723.33 Total Collections $104,107.23. Business From the Floor; Councilperson Hood thanked everyone’s participation for the Bell Ringing at Hays. With no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn. Councilperson Hood second the motion, which passed unanimously. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk