City Council

Page 954 CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE December 1, 2025 Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday, December 1, 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 Glass Councilperson Bullington Councilperson Lyons Councilperson Fales Councilperson Grable Mayor Pro Tem Hood Councilperson Spence (Absent) Councilperson Robinson 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 November 17, 2025. Councilperson Hood motion for approval, second by Councilperson Robinson all in favor with Councilpersons Grable and Glass abstaining. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval of reports and bills, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Next on the agenda was the Housing Security for the Housing Authority. After January 31, 2026 there will no longer be housing security for Housing Authority. They can no longer support the cost of securing a police presence. But, like any other safety concerns within the City, they will be addressed by the police force. Unfinished Business; Wayne Smith and Chris Crysler recommended Techlight for the contract for the lighting for the pickleball courts even though they weren’t the lowest bidder. Techlight had a superior product in the amount of $31,202.00 and a quicker shipment date as opposed to Rozycki Lighting for $29,272.00 and eight to ten weeks for shipment. Councilperson Grable motion for approval, second by Councilperson Bullington, which resulted in the following vote: Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Robinson Yes Humane report; Karol Wilcox report is as follows: Animals in care 118, Intake since last meeting Page 955 was 11, Adopted out 18, and Owner redeemed three. The Shelter is still over the capacity, and are still waiving the adoption fee to try and move dogs out for the holidays. The connection to Pemiscot Dunklin Fiber is working out great. With the help of the CPD; eight dogs that have been running for over a year have been removed from the streets permanently. Also, worked a group of animals out of an abandoned property. Concentrated areas are still being worked, but dogs are being released or dumped. Those that have been tracked back to owners; citations have been issued. The Shelter has been winterized. Dr. Bill Embry updated rabies shots on 30 animals, which helps in not having to transport two or three at a time to meet state standards. The Shelter is now clear for any parvo, and are referring people to Rescues that want to owner surrender. The inclement weather plan is in place, Matt will cover Shelter operations, and will work to switch off days when it calls for. Fire report; Chief Lynn Moss reported one fire call since the last meeting as follows: 11/20/25; Fire on a pile of limbs on 10th & Truman. Will be participating in the Christmas parade, December 6, 2025. Public Works/Alliance Michael Apperson introduced the new manager, Joe Hellwig. Mr. Apperson reported that the Industrial Plant is not broke. The biggest issue at this point is not being able to pump chlorine, and a regulator would correct the problem. Hawkins quote is $3,650.00 plus shipping cost. Councilperson Lyons motion for approval to come out of the Water Fund account. Councilperson Grable second the motion, which resulted in the following vote: Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Robinson Yes Also, a rotor is needed for the oxidation ditch for it to operate properly. Cogent quote is $9,420.00. Councilperson motion for approval with the funds coming from the Waste Water Bond account. Councilperson Grable second the motion, which resulted in the following vote: Glass Yes Bullingon Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Robinson Yes Code Enforcement; Barry Gilmore reported that the demo on 308 E 4th St. would be occurring December 11, 2025, and that the roads had been brined today for inclement weather. Library report; Tacara Sullivan report is as follows: 11/13/25; Submitted the Public Library Survey for the state. 11/18/25; Over 16 kids participated in the Thanksgiving Story Time & Pumpkin Pie Playdoh Activity and the 1st Annual Turkey Waddle Race. 11/19/25; The cleaning of the parking lot lights were completed by Jess Cagle, and Joplin’s did the Christmas décor. 11/20/25; Participated in the Elementary School Career Fair. 11/25/25. Hosted a “Feeding Frenzy” with the MO Dept. of Conservation with them bringing in animals for the kids to feed. City Collector; Paige Gillock Collections Report from November 1, 2025 through November 30, is  Page 956 as follows: Real Estate $73,303.73 Personal Property $27,014.69 Miscellaneous $2,605.00 Total Taxes $101,153.18 Interest & Fees $1,770.24 Total Collections $102,923.42. Budget/Finance; Rita Jones report is as follows: Working with Tyler Technologies over the past couple of weeks with building the accounting side of the new software system. Attended several live webinars, and uploaded multiple reports and spreadsheets. The program will allow for the tracking of expenditures and revenues remarkably well. Continuing to pay bills weekly, conduct tax payments online, and make deposits for the Recreation Center. Also, keeping a record of all the Recreation Center memberships that are being purchased. Call for Business From the Floor; Davida Nellums wanted to follow up with the cleanout of a culvert on 14th & Franklin. Mayor Grantham apologized for the delay, and will attempt to check it out within the next couple of weeks if the weather holds. Counselor Dorroh introduced the following bill as follows: BILL NO. 2025-20 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-20 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTERS 100 AND 135 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE Councilperson Grable motion for the first reading, second by Councilperson Lyons, with all in favor. Councilperson Lyons motion for the second reading, second by Councilperson Hood, with all in favor. Councilperson Grable motion for the passage of the bill, second by Councilperson Bullington, which resulted in the following vote: Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Robinson Yes Councilperson Lyons motion to go into closed session for the purpose of personnel, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote: Glass Yes Bullington Yes Lyons Yes Fales Yes Grable Yes Hood Yes Robinson Yes Upon returning from closed session, Councilperson Lyons motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Robinson, with all in favor. ATTEST: ___________________________________ Mayor ____________________________________ City Clerk