Board of Aldermen Meeting

CITY OF WILLARD BOARD OF ALDERMEN/GREENE COUNTY JUNE 18, 2007 7:00 P.M. In attendance: Willard Mayor Jamie Schoolcraft left early; Willard Aldermen: Charles Whitehead, Bill Caplinger, Gordon O’Quinn and Louie Amodeo. Greene County: Commissioner, Dave Coonrod; Tim Smith; Jenny Fillmer Edwards; Roseann Bentley; Harold Bench; Becky Jungmann; Ryan Nicholls; Kent Morris; Dan Smith; Miles Park Willard: Chief Tom McClain; Kerri Gates; Charles Jones; Fred Gress; Kathy Blakemore; Karen Robson; Linda Murray Guest: Richard Simpson Mayor Pro-tem, Louie Amodeo called the meeting to order. Introductions were made. Fred Gress, Willard City Administrator, discussed Willard issues • Meadows Water acquisition • Lots of water line projects on going and funding • Safe Routes to School grant • Parks and pool busy Greene County Land Use • Kent Morris discussed the County Land Use Plan and provided Willard aerial photos for viewing. • County land use plan is being updated to reflect new development • County land use plan takes population of county to 500,000 • Draft to public hearing later this summer Highways • Dan Smith thanked Willard for their cooperation during ice storm. • Discussed rebuilding road near burn site, prep work in progress, paving should start next Wednesday, weather permitting. Building Permits • Tim Smith discussed the fact that Willard has hired Steve Vaughn as a building inspector. Fred Gress stated that he starts in July. He will shadow at Greene County. • County building permits are down, YTD about 407. This is the slowest since 1982. • Willard has more potential changes to Land Use Plan than any other community. 06-18-07 BOA-GC Minutes Page 1 of 4 Willard Board of Aldermen/Greene County Meeting June 18, 2007 Water issues-Tim Smith • Water is a significant long-range issue. Joplin is nearly out of water. Joplin will affect the entire area. • Greene County is working on a groundwater study to assess long-range availability of ground water. • City Utilities is considering selling water to areas outside of Springfield Storm water-Tim Smith • Greene County is here to help with storm water. Roseann Bently asked how fast Willard is growing. Fred Gress said very fast, including apartments. Public Information Office-Jenny Fillmer Edwards • Discussed the ice storm and new data editor at News-Leader Emergency Management-Ryan Nicholls • Always looking for new ways to work with municipalities. We want the Emergency Management office to work for whole county. • Earthquake drill this week. • Mitigation Funds-FEMA/SEMA. Willard must write a letter of intent in July. • NIMS-Sept 30 is deadline. Requires a new assessment tool. All communities must become NIMS compliant to receive funding. • Emergency Management office has been remodeled. Parks-Miles Park • In last 30 days, Spfd.-Greene County Park Board has finalized Oxbow area purchase and is finalizing equestrian facility • Parks is fortunate to have support of county. Tim Smith-Parks • Parks tax-new tax goes into effect July 1-that’s storm water money. Kerri Gates-Willard Parks • Willard has a grant for a new soccer complex. Ice storm set everything back but we’re growing. Also looking into more work near Frisco Highline Trail. Fred • Block building at trailhead is in sad shape, may not work for library, but Willard is looking into a multi-use municipal building and library may fit into that. • Fire Department is growing by leaps and bounds. 06-18-07 BOA-GC Minutes Page 2 of 4 Willard Board of Aldermen/Greene County Meeting June 18, 2007 • Library may need a bond issue. 911-Becky Jungmann • Sales tax passed in April and goes into effect January 1, 2008. Law Enforcement-Dave Coonrod • Dave Coonrod spoke as Sheriff Meritt absent. After D-RAC submits report, county plans to form a law enforcement task force to study funding options and priorities and make a recommendation to Greene County Commission. • Perhaps Greene County needs a minimum-security detention facility. Harold Bengsch • Lots going on regarding Homeland Security Task Force. Federal government is emphasizing regionalization. We are in Troop D. Missouri got more money per capita than most states. We are hoping funding stays high. Ryan Nicholls • Emergency Management renovation serves as regionalization efforts for Homeland Security Harold Bengsch • Missouri is in very good shape funding wise. • Flooding has compounded debris build-up along bridges • Greene County has sent a letter of intent to NRCS to fund debris removal from streams, funding is hung up in Washington. Juvenile Detention Alternatives-Roseann Bentley • County is exploring alternative sentencing for Juveniles as well as preventative programs. • Harold said Albuquerque has built a jail for 2,000 and it was meant to last for several years but now there are 2,700 inmates. • Roseann said Mo. General Assembly had promised an additional family court judge, but funding did not come through, but we have high hopes for next year. • Pharmacy Discount Cards will be available to county residents soon. Gives discount on prescription drugs. Willard Police Department-Chief Tom McClain • We have a new police facility with training room, armory, evidence room built with Law Enforcement Sales Tax. 06-18-07 BOA-GC Minutes Page 3 of 4 Willard Board of Aldermen/Greene County Meeting June 18, 2007 Crime Lab-Dave Coonrod • Bob Dixon and Shane Schuller are working hard on getting it back on track for next legislative session. We are hopeful. Willard drew numbers for door prizes. Meeting adjourned. ______________________________ Linda Murray Deputy City Clerk 06-18-07 BOA-GC Minutes Page 4 of 4