City Council

CITY OF CHARLESTON City Council Meeting April 9, 2024 Meeting Minutes Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jackie Whiteside at 6:30PM. Councilwoman Monica Goodin, Councilman Rick Toon, Councilman Clark Dugan, Councilman Phil Halter, City Attorney Tabatha Graham, Chief of the Department of Public Safety, Robert Hearnes, Jr., City Clerk Ali Morris, and Department of Public Safety Officer Austin Henson were present. Resolution NO. 1112: A Resolution Accepting and Approving Certified Results of General Election held on April 2, 2024. Councilman Toon made a motion to approve the resolution and election results. Councilman Dugan seconded the motion. All were in favor. None were opposed. The motion carried and Resolution NO. 1112 was approved. Oath of Office for Newly Elected Councilmembers: The oaths of office were administered by City Attorney, Tabatha Graham to the two newly elected council members, Jason Oliver and Cedrica Polk. Presentation of Plaques to Outgoing Councilmembers: Plaques of gratitude for their service as councilmen were presented by outgoing Mayor Jackie Whiteside to outgoing councilmembers Philip Halter and Clark Dugan. Election of Mayor for the term of April 9, 2024, through April 8, 2025: Councilwoman Goodin made a motion to appoint Rick Toon as Mayor. Outgoing Mayor, Jackie Whiteside seconded the motion. All were in favor. None were opposed. The motion carried and Rick Toon was appointed as Mayor. Election of Chairman Pro Tern for the term of April 9, 2024, through April 8, 2025: At this time, Mayor Toon explained that they normally appoint a council member who has served at least one term to this position. However, the only person on the council that has served over one term at this point is Jackie Whiteside. Councilman Whiteside made a motion to appoint Councilwoman Goodin to the chairman pro tern position for the term of April 9, 2024, through April 8, 2025. Councilman Oliver seconded the motion. All were in favor. None were opposed. The motion carried and Monica Goodin was appointed as chairman pro tem. Consideration of Prior Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman Whiteside to approve the minutes from the March 12, 2024, meeting. Councilwoman Goodin seconded the motion. All were in favor. None were opposed. The minutes were approved. Report of City Business: City Manager, Greg Luehmann began his report by explaining that he met with John Gilmore and Christy Wilson from Horner Shifrin to discuss the progress being made on the lead service inspections. The remaining 500 homeowners who have not been inspected have been contacted by city office personnel and are making appointments to be inspected. He also met with Kendra Gibson to discuss the completion of the Hequembourg Pond and Hillhouse Park projects. Luehmann also met with Stephen Orr and discussed opportunities for grants related to fire equipment and training. The city manager mentioned that he met with Reggie Young to discuss a donation to the city from the James Byrd Estate to assist in cleaning up and redeveloping structures in blighted areas. Luehmann stated that the funds are now in place, and he is very excited about the project and appreciates the donation. It was also discussed with Mr. Reggie Young about renaming the park in Plainview and Mr. Young did the research on the property and it was actually donated by the City of East Prairie Lumber Company with no restrictions on naming the park. Councilman Whiteside asked if we could now make a motion to rename Plainview Park to be named after the Byrd Foundation. Hudson Byrd was present and said he was unsure of an official name at this time. The City Attorney recommended the renaming of the park to be tabled until an official name is determined, and an ordinance would be necessary as well. It was mentioned that a house had burned on Deal Street. It was a total loss as the house was completely destroyed. The house was occupied at the time, and it was during the power outage. A local citizen volunteered a truck and trailer for use during the recent Spring Cleanup and helped some people get their unwanted items to the provided dumpsters. Overall, the cleanup was very successful. Mayor Toon asked about the lead inspections and what if we are fifty inspections short for example. The city manager explained that we are still in the first phase of the project, and we only have to have a certain percentage of inspections completed by October and we have already met that requirement at this time. There has been no lead detected at this time. Councilwoman Goodin said she had a couple of questions. One was regarding new 911 equipment. Chief Hearnes said the 911 equipment is funded by the county and the Sheriff's office would be the hub for where it is installed. They update the equipment every few years and the new installation should be completed at the end of May or beginning of June this year. Goodin also asked about the Annual Earthquake Summit meeting mentioned in the Department of Public Safety report. Chief Hearnes said he usually attends every year and had to leave early this year, but they put on presentations and go over dams in Southeast Missouri and other places that have experienced disasters. Hearnes mentioned that the meetings are usually attended by local government officials. An update on the dog kennel was given and about 80% of the project seems to be completed. Mayor Toon said Public Works Director, David Harris, and his crew are hard workers. The kennel will have 16 units, with some bigger than others. At full capacity it could probably hold 20 dogs. Councilwoman Goodin mentioned she read in the Public Safety report that a couple of dogs had been adopted, which is nice. Councilman Whiteside asked about the two vicious dogs that were mentioned and the owner that complied. Chief Hearnes explained that the owners took them out of the city limits. Councilwoman Goodin mentioned that the Molly French Garden Club along with her foundation "Dogwood Trees for Charleston" has planted over 30 trees this spring and over 100 total in the last two years. Goodin said not all of the trees are Dogwood trees and we need to start planting bigger trees as well. At this time, the city manager asked Sherry Austin to give a report on the Solar Eclipse festivities that occurred on Monday, April 8th. Austin began by thanking CHARM and the Chamber of Commerce for all of their hard work on the event as well. She said they were overwhelmed by the amount of people who showed up. She also said the Missouri Extension Office and 4H were also there and very involved. Farm Credit was set up to give away food and eclipse glasses. Austin said they were all unsure of what to expect but they estimated approximately 150 were present in AD Simpson Park alone. Austin said she tried to personally speak to each person and find out where they had traveled from. Multiple CHARM and community members heard many visitors comment on the "hospitality" of our community. She named off various cities from 19 other states that visitors had traveled from, including Babylon, NY and one had even traveled from France. Austin said it was a great event and it was amazing to see so many people visit our small town. Apparently, many visitors said as they were traveling the path of the eclipse, they continuously checked the weather and Charleston was showing the best weather conditions. Austin said visitors were surprised to be greeted with such hospitality and she along with others invited them to check out the downtown area before leaving. Old Business: The only item under old business was to discuss renaming Plainview Park after the Byrd Foundation and that topic was tabled until an official name is decided on. New Business: The first item of new business was to discuss appointing a replacement council member to the Housing Authority Board and the Land Clearance Development Board. Clark Dugan was on the Housing Authority Board in representation of the city council and now his spot needs to be replaced. David Manker spoke up from the visitor's section and said that the same person used to serve on both boards. City Attorney, Tabatha Graham said that they are going to get that changed. Councilwoman Polk volunteered to be on the Housing Authority Board. A motion was made by Councilwoman Goodin to appoint Councilwoman Polk to the Housing Authority Board. Councilman Oliver seconded the motion. All were in favor. None were opposed. The motion carried and Councilwoman Polk was appointed to the board. A motion was then made by Councilman Whiteside to appoint Councilwoman Goodin to the Land Clearance Development Board. Councilman Oliver seconded the motion. All were in favor. None were opposed. The motion carried and Councilwoman Goodin was appointed to the board. Next on the agenda was Robert Murphy to discuss a potential business on East Marshall Street. Murphy stood up and addressed the council. He explained that he owns the lot at 404 East Marshall, and he has been dabbling in BBQ. He is wanting to bring in a prefab building to start with before building something permanent. Murphy provided blueprints of the potential building as well as some photos that were provided to the council members in their packets. Murphy said he planned on putting up a screened in pavilion with picnic tables for customers. The city manager asked Murphy if the building would be anchored down. Murphy said yes, it will be. Mayor Toon asked if he would have to meet the inspection requirements of the health department and Murphy replied yes, he has already contacted them. Councilman Whiteside noted that the location is already zoned for commercial business so that part is good to go. Councilwoman Goodin asked about the parking and drive-thru configuration. Murphy said there are two existing drives and that he would figure out the best flow for that once he receives blessing from the city council. The council collectively agreed to give Robert Murphy their blessing to install the prefab building and establish the BBQ business at 404 East Marshall. The final item on the agenda was Talisha Mays to discuss how to organize a candidate meet and greet for next year. Mayor Toon told Mays that they would make a decision on that based on how many candidates end up running. Mays said she did not agree with that because no matter how many candidates there are, by not having the meet and greet, it does not allow the community to meet the candidates and give them an opportunity to communicate. Mayor Toon said that city hall did not present the meet and greet. Mays said she is confident that there will be more than two people running next year. Councilwoman Goodin explained that it is up to the candidates to do their own campaigning. Councilman Whiteside stated that the meet and greets have never been promoted or hosted by the city. Todd Clodfelter, the Chamber of Commerce Director, spoke up and said that the meet and greet would be something that the Chamber could potentially host. Recognition of Visitors: Dollette Jones, Rita Whitney, Hudson Byrd, Irene Hudson, Orlean Braswell, Sherry Austin, Catie Austin, Talisha Mays, Cal Coleman, Todd Clodfelter, Paul Page, Robert Murphy, Donnie Murphy, Sheila Shankle, Tiffiny Shankle, David Manker, and Jeff Sams were present. Mayor Toon asked if any of the visitors would like to speak. Talisha Mays stated her name and addressed the council again and said that she had spoken to the city manager the previous month about Labor Day and if residents were going to be able to have something. Chief Hearnes said nothing after dark, so after 8PM the parks will be shut down on Labor Day. Hearnes went on to explain that last year there were people partying until 4:30-5 AM and they cannot have that happen again. Hearnes also explained that people from surrounding areas think that Charleston is the party city to come to on Labor Day and then things get out of control, and they want to prevent that from happening. Mays said that was not the response she was expecting, but she accepted it. Todd Clodfelter, Chamber of Commerce Director, addressed the council and stated that the Chamber voted to have extra security at the carnival during the upcoming Dogwood Azalea Festival. Adjourn: A motion was made by Councilman Whiteside to adjourn the regular session and go into closed session to discuss personnel. Councilwoman Polk seconded the motion. All were in favor. None were opposed. The motion carried and the regular session was adjourned. ATTEST: City lerk Presiding Officer City Clerk Mayor