Board of Aldermen Meeting

MEETING MINUTES CITY OF WILLARD BOARD OF ALDERMEN PUBLIC HEARING MEETING October 14, 2024 6:00 P.M. Citizens Present: Shirley Keck, Debbie Ihrig, Christina McQueen, Marilyn Ulrey, Andy Groesbeck, Lisa Savage, Julie Carey, Sandra Wallace, Everett French, Jacquelyn Tutton, Pat Whitman, Jenny Williams, Jim Williams, David O’Connor, Greg Cash, Larry Whitman, Marta Mieze, Guy Weiland, Sharon Wildermuth, Angie Wilson, MJ Bentley, Misty Peak, Steve Cobb, Sam Baird, Don Ellis The tentative agenda of this meeting includes: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance. Call the meeting to order. Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. Roll Call Mayor Smith asked the City Clerk to conduct the Roll Call. The City Clerk conducted the Roll Call. Present: Mayor Smith, Alderman Biellier, Alderman Hill, Alderman Keene, Alderman Lancaster, Alderman Swatosh, Alderman Wilson 2. Agenda Amendments/Approval of Agenda Wes Young explained that the ordinances for water and sewer rate increases were left out of the packet and could not be added today due to the 24-hour rule. Motion was made by Alderman Lancaster and seconded by Alderman Biellier to accept the agenda with the missing ordinances for water and sewer. Motion carried with a 6-0 vote. Voting aye: Alderman Biellier, Alderman Hill, Alderman Keene, Alderman Lancaster, Alderman Swatosh, Alderman Wilson. 3. Consent Agenda: “A Consent Agenda allows the Board of Aldermen to consider and approve routine items of business without discussion. Any member of the Board of Aldermen, the City Staff or the Public may request removal of any item from the Consent Agenda and request that it be considered under the Regular Agenda if discussion or debate of the item is desired. Items not removed from 10/14/2024 BOA Meeting Agenda Page 1 the Consent Agenda will stand approved upon motion by any Board member, second and unanimous vote to “approve the Consent Agenda as published or modified.” a. Minutes from the Regular Meeting September 23, 2024 b. September/October 2024 Outstanding Invoices, Checks, and Draft Paid Invoices c. Department Head Reports d. Board Attendance Report Motion was made by Alderman Keene and seconded by Alderman Hill to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried with a 6-0 vote. Voting aye: Alderman Biellier, Alderman Hill, Alderman Keene, Alderman Lancaster, Alderman Swatosh, Alderman Wilson. 4. Current Outstanding Invoices, Draft and Check Paid Invoices for September/October 2024. Motion was made by Alderman Biellier and seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the Current Outstanding Invoices, Draft and Check Paid Invoices for September/October 2024 as stands. Motion carried with a 6-0 vote. Voting aye: Alderman Biellier, Alderman Hill, Alderman Keene, Alderman Lancaster, Alderman Swatosh, Alderman Wilson. 5. Citizen Input None 6. Ordinance Amending the City of Willard Code to Authorize Certain City Officials and Employees to Speak on Behalf of the City on Social Media, in the City of Willard Missouri (1st Read) Wes Young explained the need to designate certain officials and employees to be able to speak on behalf of the City on Social Media. He referenced examples of times when employees posted comments in response to issues that were not necessarily the view of the City, and the employees were not designated to speak on behalf of the city. The City Clerk conducted the First Read. Second Read and vote will be held at the October 28, 2024, BOA Meeting. 7. Public Hearing – Consider and Recommend Amendments to the City of Willard Municipal Code Book, Chapter 705: Waterworks System, Section 705.040: Water Rates, and Chapter 710: Sewer Use and Sewer Rates, Section 710.470: Rates. 8. City Administrator Remarks Wes Young said the tablets have arrived that will be used at the meetings for the packets instead of paper packets. Those will be utilized starting at the next meeting on October 28, 2024. Mr. Young recognized Mike Ruesch for filling in for him while he was out on vacation. 10/14/2024 BOA Meeting Agenda Page 2  9. New Business There was discussion about if there is a way with the data provided, if Wes can pull rates to show an across-the-board flat rate. Wes said we can’t really do any estimations without involving Carl Brown. The discussion continued to include the need for rate increases due to the need incurred because of delayed maintenance. There were a few ideas shared about possible solutions to the higher rate increase for out-of-town customers. Wes is going to share the rate increases for the past ten years on our website so customers can see the comparisons. Wes told the aldermen they have the last say in how to proceed and we can do what they want but the repairs must be made. We will need to conduct a Public Hearing since we will be changing the proposed rate increases. 10. Unfinished Business None 11. Recess Open Session Motion was made by Alderman Biellier and seconded by Alderman Lancaster to Recess the Open Session and Open the Closed Session Pursuant to RSMO Section 610.021 #(1) Legal and Pursuant to RSMO Section 610.021 #(3) Personnel at 8:06 p.m. Motion carried with a 6-0 vote. Voting aye: Alderman Biellier, Alderman Hill, Alderman Keene, Alderman Lancaster, Alderman Swatosh, Alderman Wilson. 12. Open Closed Session Pursuant to RSMO Section 610.021 #(1) Legal and Pursuant to RSMO Section 610.021 #(3) Personnel. Included in the motion for Item #11. 13. Call the Meeting to Order Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 8:08 p.m. and asked the City Clerk to conduct the Roll Call. 14. Roll Call The City Clerk conducted the Roll Call. Present: Mayor Smith, Alderman Biellier, Alderman Hill, Alderman Keene, Alderman Lancaster, Alderman Swatosh, Alderman Wilson. 15. Close the Closed Session and Reconvene the Open Session Motion was made by Alderman Lancaster and seconded by Alderman Biellier to Close the Closed Session and Reconvene the Open Session at 8:25 p.m. Motion carried with a 6-0 10/14/2024 BOA Meeting Agenda Page 3  vote. Voting aye: Alderman Biellier, Alderman Hill, Alderman Keene, Alderman Lancaster, Alderman Swatosh, Alderman Wilson. 16. Adjourn Meeting Motion was made by Alderman Lancaster and seconded by Alderman Wilson to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m. Motion carried with a 6-0 vote. Voting aye: Alderman Biellier, Alderman Hill, Alderman Keene, Alderman Lancaster, Alderman Swatosh, Alderman Wilson. _____________________________________ Janice Gargus, City Clerk 10/14/2024 BOA Meeting Agenda Page 4