City Council

Page 932 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE September 15, 2025 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, September 15, 2025, 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 Hood (Absent) Councilperson Spence Councilperson Robinson Councilperson Glass (Absent) Councilperson Bullington (Absent) Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Fales Councilperson Grable 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, 2025. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Robinson all in favor, with Councilperson Grable abstaining. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Robinson, with all in favor. Counselor Dorroh reported that the pickle ball court bids for the concrete, installation, and lighting needing to be extended until October 1, 2025 right before the next meeting on October 6, 2025. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes There were three quotes for the Municipal Court roof replacement as follows: M. C. Coatings LLC $80,000.00, Prime Roofing $68,048.34, and Roof and Gutter Pros LLC $65,000.00. Councilperson Lyons motion to accept Roof and Gutter Pros bid, and for it to be taken out of Sales Tax. Councilperson Grable second the motion which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Page 933 Barbara Merideth introduced the Proclamation for Constitution Week with the Mayor’s signature and the City seal to be observed September 17 through September 23, 2025. This marks the 238th anniversary of the framing of the Constitution; the ringing of the bell will be at the floodwall Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Sponsorship for Wreaths across America is underway, order forms can be obtained from Ms. Merideth, City Hall, and the Library. Police report; Chief Jerry Hudgens reported the following: There were 769 calls from August 18, 2025 through September 15, 2025. David Ward has retired, and there’s potential of losing another officer. The flock camera system is underway, and still awaiting for the city wide cameras to be repaired from the storm damage. The police department remains committed to working with the community, and the city leadership to ensure the City remains a safe and welcoming place for all. Humane report; Karol Wilcox reported that there were 125 vaccines given Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Humane Shelter. The Vaccine clinic could possibly take place on a quarterly basis in the future. The Glow Golf Tournament and an Adoption Event in Cape Girardeau, MO is coming up in October. The Shelter is close to capturing the dogs they’ve been tracking, they’re owned not strays. Fire report; Chief Lynn Moss reported ten fire calls as follows: 8/29/25; Grass fire on Adams 08/31/25; Grass fire on I55 at MM 12, 9/1/25; Structure fire on Copeland Dr, 9/1/25; Grass fire on I55, 9/2/25; Corn field fire on Hwy D, 9/2/25; Electrical short on Truman, 9/8/25; Structure fire/Shed on Copeland, 9/9/25; Grass fire on I55 MM 4, 9/9/25; Vehicle accident on I55 MM 14, 9/10/25; Corn & Bean fire in field behind Zaida. Tornado drills with be at Caruthersville Public Schools on September 17, 2025. There will be a Region Mutual Aid meeting in Jackson, MO September 18, 2025, and Firefighters Day at the Library September 23, 2025. Public Works/Alliance; Michael Apperson’s Operation report is as follows: Administrative/Submitted August Compliance Monitoring Report for Groundwater Systems to DNR. Water & Wastewater Treatment/The Water plant ran efficiently. The clarifier will be drained to address issues, and the field has been prepared to handle the sludge. Regulatory/There were six Bac-T samples and 32 wastewater samples taken, in which there will be issues with E. coli and Total Suspended until the clarifier issues are resolved. There were also THM/HAA and Nitrate samples taken. Collection & Distribution/Continuing with the GIS data points, Completed 55 locates, Leaks were fixed on Vest, Greenwell Sampling Station, Riverwalk, Little Pizza Heaven, Ward & 8th St., Ferguson, Franklin, Cotton, and Oak St. Safety/Training was on Chlorine Cylinder change outs. The repair expenses were over budget by $1,054.00, and Chemical expenses over budget by $1,740.00. Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that a bracket had been ordered for the stop sign on th 7 & Ward, which will take eight to ten weeks to be delivered. The Driver’s License office will reopen Wednesday September 17, 2025. October 10, 2025, will be last billing of dumpsters by the City. The Water office will be getting a new credit card reader. The title deeds were given to the City for 4th & Eastwood, and the 1200 block of Laurant. Also, Mr. Gilmore will be obtaining a couple more titles for demo. The Airport Tree project will be underway once the clearance for bats takes place in October. Hangers will start to be placed on customer door for things that need to be done by the occupant.  Page 934 Advertising of any kind of signs is not allowed at random places within the City. You will need to check with Code Enforcement for any questions about signage. Mowing grass into the streets is also against the City ordinances, and you can be fined for the offense. Library report; Tacara Sullivan reported the following: 9/12/25 through 9/14/25 The Bootheel Community Theatre performed “Willy Wonka Jr.”, which sold out. 9/23/25; Hosting “Stop, Drop, and Read” Story time/Activity. 9/26/25; Pemiscot County Historical Society will hold their Wall of Distinction, honoring Ron Birmingham, Billy Booth, John England, Charles Albert Faris, and Glenn O. Petersen. 9/27/25; The fourth annual “Jess Walk starting at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Library, the event honors Jessica “Precious” Rose by raising funds in memory for academic scholarship. Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to appoint Betty Weaver to the Library Board. Councilperson Lyons made the motion, second by Councilperson Robinson, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes City Collector; Paige Gillock Collections Report from September 1, 2025 through September 15, 2025 is as follows: Real Estate $1,309.31 Personal Property $1,154.74 Miscellaneous $1,317.50 Total Taxes $3,429.93 Interest & Fees $351.62 Total Collections $3,781.55. Budget/Finance; Rita Jones reported continuingly paying weekly bills, she was added to City Visa cards as account manager, with autopay. She’s in the process of setting up a city wide Amazon account to be linked to one credit card. Also, attended a webinar with the new project manager for the new software with a tentative plan to start one on one training, and entering live information. Councilperson Lyons made a motion to accept the budget for adoption, second by Councilperson Grable, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes New Business; Mayor Grantham entertained a motion to approve drug screening by Drug Screening Services LLC as a more convenient cost-effective way at $55.00 per negative results with an additional $37.00 for positive results being sent off. Councilperson Lyons made the motion, second by Councilperson Spence, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Business From the Floor; Pastor Jim Tom who’s the Chaplain for the Police, Fire, and Sheriff departments commended the Police department for their handling of a mental illness situation Page 935 that could have escalated into something serious without incident. Councilperson Lyons motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel, second by Councilperson Robinson, which resulted in the following vote: Spence Yes Robinson Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Upon returning from closed session and with no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Grable, with all in favor. ATTEST: ________________________________ Mayor ______________________________ City Clerk