City Council

Page 888 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE April 22, 2025 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session on Monday April 22, 2025 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 (Absent) 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 April 7, 2025. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, but to go into closed session for the closed session minutes, second by Councilperson Bullington all in favor with Councilperson Lyons and Spence abstaining. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Bullington with all in favor. Mayor Grantham presented the certification of the election as follows: Page 889  Page 889 Councilperson Bullington motion to accept the certification of the election, second by Councilperson Lyons, which resulted in the following vote: Fales Yes Grable Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Next on the agenda was the invoice for CDBG Fiber Optic Network Construction Material and Labor for $500,000.00 with the remaining balance being $1,503,184.00. Councilperson Lyons motion to follow up with the grant procedures before submitting the City’s portion of payment. Councilperson Grable second the motion, which resulted in the following vote: Fales Yes Grable Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Police report; Chief Jerry Hudgens commended the citizenry with a lot of events occurring over the weekend without major incidents. Humane report; Karol Wilcox report is as follows: Intake; 15 dogs and six cats/kittens, some of the animals were trapped and there was one serious neglect. Since the death of Dr. Gall, they’ve being talking to veterinarians about euthanasia concerning aggressive, very hurt, or feral animals. The Shelter has dealt with two situations on multiple animals, one being with a gentlemen breeding mastiff/pits, pit bulls, and dogo argentinos. There is also a house on Highland with over 40 animals; reaching out to Rescue to remove some of the animals. The vaccination clinic and 5k is Saturday April 26, 2025. There will be zero tolerance concerning citations on city tags and rabies shots after the event. May 31, 2025 is the third annual Ms. Bootheel Antique Car Show Pin - Up Pageant. The event will be on the Casino parking lot beginning at 1:30 p.m. October 12, 2025 is the third annual Glow Golf Tournament at the Country Club, spearheaded by Don Grable. Fire report; Chief Lynn Moss reported six fire calls as follows: 4/425; Carbon monoxide detector alarm on Walker, 4/11/25; Alarm set off on 18th & Compress Rd., 4/13/25; Grass fire at 13 mile marker on I55, 4/14/25; Limbs on fire in alley on 10th & Truman, 4/16/25; Mutual aid request by Hayti for Mary St. in Deering. Received payment for out of town call on February 26, 2025 in the amount of $944.58. Public Works; Alliance monthly report is as follows: Administrative/Submitted eDMR and Compliance Monitoring for Groundwater Systems to DNR. Water & Wastewater/The plants are running efficiently. Regulatory/There were six Bac-T samples and 36 Wastewater samples taken, and all passed DNR. Collection & Distribution/There were 77 work orders completed, and staff is continuing to enter GIS data points. There were leaks fixed on 3rd St, 12th St, Westwood, Marilyn Dr, Jefferson, Hwy 84, FCC building, Hemp business, Pemiscot Office, and Carleton. They also jetted manholes on 8th & Ferguson, 9th St, Gayoso, and Westwood. Repair Expenses were over budget by $1,876.00 due to a main Page 890 break. Chemical expenses were under budget by $14,514.00. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore report is as follows: A permit was issued for repairs to Sonic after storm damage. They should be up and running in two weeks. Street repairs were done on 13th & Ward, 7th & Walker, 9th & Greenwell, and Carleton. The Street department has been working on drainage issues on 3rd & Truman, and West 11th & Jefferson. In the meantime, as time permitted, city properties were mowed. The Vac truck had been down after a jetter hose got stuck in a sewer main, but will be up and running shortly. The problem on East 8th St should be resolved. DNR confirmed that the City was correct in shutting of the resident’s water to prevent sewage discharge in the street. The demolition of 1110 Beckwith has been delayed due to weather, hopefully it can be done by the week of the 21st through the 25th. Trojan is scheduled to repair the UV system at the Waste Water plant on April 24th and 25th, 2025. The meter loop on the airport hangar is being replaced, and waiting on the vendor for the card reader installation. There’s an estimate of $30,950.00 for the repair of the pump for the storm water lift station, and $83, 390.00 for a replacement. Mr. Gilmore recommends the repair expense. Councilperson Lyons motion to approve the repair expense out of Sewer Extension, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Fales Yes Grable Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes The Armory has an underground gas line that needs repairing, in which the valve has been shut off. Hill Electric quote is $2,500.00 and Mitchell’s Construction & Plumbing is $1,649.20. Councilperson Lyons motion to accept the $1,649.20 quote. Councilperson Glass second the motion, which resulted in the following vote: Fales Yes Grable Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Parks & Recreation; Lamonte Bell reported that he had spoken with Tally McAlister Cleaning Service about servicing the Recreation Center, and that they would be getting back with him. The Recreation Center is in need of a HVAC unit, and Mr. Bell will be getting a third bid before making a decision. Councilperson Bullington motion to go with the lower bid once the third bid is obtained, to come out of Sales Tax Capital Improvement, second by Councilperson Glass, which resulted in the following vote: Fales Yes Grable Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes  There was discussion of restructuring the Park Board in order to expedite matters concerning Parks & Recreation. Mr. Bell also reported that the roof was in need of repairs, and he had estimates. Counselor Dorroh stated that specs would have to be drawn up, bided out with prevailing wages, and advertised. Library report; Tacara Sullivan reported that there will be a Mother’s Day Snack and Paint Event May 6, 2025, sign-ups have started. DAR presented the Library with a poster along with two books in honor of National Library Association Week. There were over 50 children attending the Easter Hunt/Storytime Activity. A Suicide Prevention Seminar will be hosted by FCC April 26, 2025, and the John VanAusdall 19th Annual River Run will also be taking place. Summer reading sign-ups begins May 1, 2025. The Library will be closed for Mother’s Day May 10, 2025, and Memorial Day weekend May 24th and 25th 2025. There will be a Kennett Job Center Event May 29, 2025. City Collector report; Paige Gillock collections report from April 1, 2025 through April 21, 2025 is as follows: Real Estate $1,494.83 Personal Property $1,036.98 Drainage Districts $713.50 Miscellaneous $573.95 Total Taxes $3,503.13 Interest & Fees $316.13 Total Collections $3,819.26 Budget report; Councilperson Lyons reported that interviews would be held at the Cotton Gin at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2025 for the Accounting position. Councilperson Lyons motion to go into closed session for the purpose of the closed session minutes of April 7, 2025, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Fales Yes Grable Yes Spence Yes Robinson Yes Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Upon returning from closed session, and with no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Grable motion to adjourn. Councilperson Lyons second the motion, with all in favor. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ City Clerk