CITY OF CARUTHERSVILLE, March 5, 2018
Be it remembered the Council of the City of Caruthersville met in regular session Monday March 5, 2018 at 5:00 pm in the Council room of the Municipal Building at which time and place the following were present:
- Mike McGraw-Mayor
- Takella Motton-City Clerk
- Lawrence Dorroh-City Counselor
- Tony Jones-Sergeant at Arms
- Rittenberry-Councilperson
- Hood-Councilperson
- Merideth-Councilperson
- Grantham-Councilperson
- Rodgers (Absent)-Councilperson
- Duckworth-Councilperson
- Bullington-Councilperson
- Cartee-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 February 20, 2018 regular session minutes. Councilperson Duckworth motion to approve, second by Councilperson Merideth which resulted in the vote:
- Rittenberry -Yes
- Hood – Yes
- Merideth – Yes
- Grantham -Yes
- Duckworth – Yes
- Bullington – Yes
- Cartee – Abstain
Councilperson Bullington motion to approve the reports and bills, second by Councilperson Grantham, which resulted in the following vote:
- Rittenberry Yes
- Hood Yes
- Merideth Yes
- Grantham Yes
- Duckworth Yes
- Bullington Yes
- Cartee Yes
Presentation of petitions, letters, and other communications; The future occupancy of the Municipal Court building for the Council meetings is awaiting some additional tables. The tables will take 4 to 6 weeks for delivery, the purchase price being $1,069. Councilperson Cartee motion for approval for the purchase, second by Councilperson Grantham, which resulted in the following vote:
- Rittenberry Yes
- Hood Yes
- Merideth Yes
- Grantham Yes
- Duckworth Yes
- Bullington Yes
- Cartee Yes
Unfinished business; Councilperson Merideth made contact with Johnny Copeland, and he’s willing to help with the coyote problem. The foothold traps is what he uses, which again, don’t harm whatever gets caught in the trap. His main concern is the permission from property owners to come onto their property, and the concentration would be to one target area. Copeland would run traps every day for a minimum of 2 weeks at $400 per week. Counselor Dorroh stated that the City could facilitate the effort of getting permission with the property owners.
Mayor’s report; There are continued negotiations between Jim Rosen and a Nevada investor concerning the Wal-Mart property. The Arts Council meeting with the City didn’t take place due to a scheduling conflict with Counselor Dorroh; they rescheduled for next week. The Housing Authority board has terms that will be up April 1, 2018, and Mayor McGraw reappoints Rodney Fisher and Joey Ledford. The Planning & Zoning Commission member Carolyn Robertson resigned due to health reasons, and Mayor McGraw appoints Steve Motton to replace her. Councilperson Duckworth motion for confirmation of the appointments, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote:
- Rittenberry Yes
- Hood Yes
- Merideth Yes
- Grantham Yes
- Duckworth Yes
- Bullington Yes
- Cartee Yes
The FEMA Park has a potential buyer. Earl Bullington addressed the Council by letting them know that Cedric the Entertainer is interested in the property. The purchase would be contingent upon Planning & Zoning recommendation and the Council’s approval of the lot size and dwelling size with other such amendments deemed necessary. The property would consist of single dwellings and townhouses; the contracts will be received by next week for review.
The Carnell property is a go ahead from the legal standpoint, the Marlar project has slowed down due to rain, and the Recreation roof has been stalled due to wind and rain. The flood gates are closed except for at Bunge’s entrance; the Casino will continue to be open unless the river stages get to 44 ft.
Police report; Chief Tony Jones reported that a position was still available within the department. He recommends that Shane Wiseman with 12 years’ experience of law enforcement to be hired on at level M. Councilperson Grantham motion for approval, second by Councilperson Hood, which resulted in the following vote:
- Rittenberry Yes
- Hood Yes
- Merideth Yes
- Grantham Yes
- Duckworth Yes
- Bullington Yes
- Cartee Abstain
Shelter report; Councilperson Hood reported from February 1, 2018 to February 28, 2018 that there were 18 dogs and 7 cats at the shelter. Intake; 28 dogs and 7 cats, Owner’s pickup; 7 dogs, Rescue; 8 dogs and 1 cat, Euthanized; 1 dog and 7 cats, Dead; 1 dog and 5 cats, Food; 50 lbs. for dogs and 40 lbs. for cats, wildlife; 18 dead squirrels, 15 dead rabbits and 3 trapped, 22 dead skunks and 38 trapped, 9 dead opossums and 8 trapped. Chief Tony Jones stated that with the rising water deer are coming to the area. They are wild animals and he recommends that they are not approached if trapped, call the authorities.
Fire report; Councilperson Hood reported fire calls from February 21, 2018 through March 5, 2018 as follows: 2/21/18; Smoke scare on Walker with nothing being found, 2/25/18; Ceiling light shorted out on Gayoso, 2/27/18; Fire alarm sounding due to cooking at McCarty School, 3/1/18; Vehicle fire with moderate damage on 15th and Davis, 3/4/18; Mutual aid to Kennett on standby at station 2. Training for the month of February was a tour of Lady Luck Casino for pre-planning of the facility, with 17 members participating. With the public not knowing when the shelters are open or what doors are used to go into the shelters. Chief Charlie Jones presented a proposal from Canedy Sign & Graphics for 2 sign monuments for the shelters at the Middle and Elementary schools. The signs have arrows directing the public the way to go to enter into the shelters; with a light flashing alerting the public when it’s open. The Sheriff’s department is donating the lights that go on top of the signs. The monuments would cost $13,530.99, with half having to be paid upfront and the other half upon completion. Half of the payment would come out of Emergency Management and half out of Sales Tax. Councilperson Cartee motion for approval, second by Councilperson Grantham, which resulted in the following vote:
- Rittenberry Yes
- Hood Yes
- Merideth Yes
- Grantham Yes
- Duckworth No
- Bullington Yes
- Cartee Yes
Code Enforcement; Sonya Fuller reported surveying several properties; any letters being mailed to abate the nuisance will have until the end of March. The Mers Goodwill volunteers are continuing working with Street and Sanitation. There was a question about a couple of properties on Grand, and Sonya Fuller stated that she had made contact with the property owners. Councilperson Cartee thanked Ms. Fuller for following up with an incident that occurred on a Churchill property. DNR was contacted about the matter by Sonya Fuller.
Park & Recreation; Wes Deere reported that basketball season will wrap up by next Monday. Baseball and softball has been slow moving and there will be a cut off if there’s no more sign-ups. Dry weather will be the deciding factor for the startup of the roof and installation of the playground equipment.
Library report; Teresa Tidwell reported the CHS Drama Club will be presenting “The Wizard of Oz” at the Library theater. Admissions is $7 with showings 6:00 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday showings at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Preparation is being made for summer reading, and the theme will be Libraries Rock.
Water & Sewer; Paul Shaw reported that bids had been opened for the Clarifier project which was budgeted for $45,000. The lowest bid was from Fab-Tech in the amount of $44,700. Councilperson Cartee motion for approval of the lowest bid from Fab-Tech, second by Councilperson Duckworth, which resulted in the following vote:
- Rittenberry Yes
- Hood Yes
- Merideth Yes
- Grantham Yes
- Duckworth Yes
- Bullington Yes
- Cartee Yes
Insurance report; Councilperson Rittenberry reported that the bidding process for the health insurance is underway, and the current carrier would like to set up a renewal rate meeting with the City. The meeting will post for 5:30 pm Tuesday March 13, 2018.
New business; Councilperson Cartee reported that Paul Shaw has been elected to the Regional 7 District Missouri Rural Water Association. This allows him to participate in training and courses that the City would normally pay for.
Councilperson Merideth motion to go into closed session for legal matters, second by Councilperson Duckworth which resulted in the following vote:
- Rittenberry Yes
- Hood Yes
- Merideth Yes
- Grantham Yes
- Duckworth Yes
- Bullington Yes
- Cartee Yes
Upon returning from closed session, Councilperson Merideth made motion to contract with Johnny Copeland to trap coyotes on the south end of the field in town for 2 weeks at $400 a week contingent upon the permission of property owners. The motion was second by Councilperson Grantham, which resulted in the following vote:
- Rittenberry Yes
- Hood Yes
- Merideth Yes
- Grantham Yes
- Duckworth No
- Bullington Yes
- Cartee Yes
Councilperson Cartee motion to adjourn, second by Councilperson Bullington with all in favor, the meeting adjourning at 6:47 pm