Approved Minutes

The Carl Junction City Council met in regular session on Tuesday February 5, 2008 at 7:00 PM at City Hall. Mayor Pro-Tem Walter Hayes called the meeting to order with the following present: Richard Zaccardelli, Barbara Evans, Carl Skaggs, Mark Powers, Pat Smith, Dee Lynn Davey, Walter Hayes and Wayne Smith. Also present was City Clerk Maribeth Matney and City Attorney Mike Talley.

AGENDA

Pat Smith motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Carl Skaggs seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Pat Smith motioned to approve the consent agenda as presented. Dee Lynn Davey seconded. All in favor. No opposed.

PUBLIC FORUM

There was no one for public forum.

APPOINT POLICE OFFICER – NICK LINDER

Chief Haase stated that they had been testing for a new police officer and would like to hire Nick Linder. He is a local boy and he has tested well. He has been through the Police Academy. His brother is a police officer in Webb City. Chief Haase feels he will do a good job for the City. Walter Hayes would like to appoint Nick Linder as a Police Officer for the City of Carl Junction. Mark Powers motioned to approve Walter’s recommendation for appointment of Nick Linder. Pat Smith seconded. All in favor. No opposed.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Walter reported that he had met with the employee’s this last Thursday to get input on our plan. They would like to keep the prescription card plan the way it is if possible. He discussed raising the out of pocket limits to $2000 or $3000. But there was not but $10 difference in the premiums. The council discussed the proposals. Walter also stated that we discussed the Flexible Savings Account and the tax dollars that you can save with that program. Dee Lynn said that is a good plan. Walter also reported that Cox’s rate of $244 doubled when they reviewed the health applications. It was disappointing that that option was no longer viable. We will have to make a final decision at our next council meeting. Wayne also explained to the employee’s how our group insurance works. Walter suggested we set up a committee for next year and begin looking in August at our benefit programs. Richard asked about an area group working together for better rates. Delmar said that the Chamber of Commerce in Joplin has started looking at that. They are going to have a meeting on 2/26/08 that we might want to attend. Walter said that it might help in the long run so that our premiums do not jump so high from year to year but are more manageable. It seemed to be the consensus of the employee’s to keep the buy up program the same but the council needs to decide what they want on the base plan. Mark said we need to set a policy on the % of what the city can afford to cover. Walter did say that in the past the council treated this as part of their compensation. Mark responded that we need to keep an eye on revenues versus expenses. There was a lot of discussion of the employee’s paying 10% and the City paying 90%. Mark stated that he feels obligated to keep it the same this year since it is so late but look at next year for changes. Walter said we need to look at the whole insurance program. There are a lot of options to look at. Carl commented that health insurance is for catastrophes. It was also stated that the employee might manage the plan better if they share the costs. There was more discussion before the council moved on to other business.

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS

Next the council reviewed the ordinance on the memorandum of understanding for transportation planning. Steve said that this gives us a seat at the table with the Joplin Area Transportation MPO. Before we gave input but did not have a vote. This gives us a vote. Pat Smith motioned to put “AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF JOPLIN, THE CITY OF WEBB CITY, THE COUNTY OF JASPER, THE COUNTY OF NEWTON, THE HARRY S TRUMAN COORDINATING COUNCIL, THE MISSOURI HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF CARL JUNCTION, MISSOURI, CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION PLANNING FOR THE JOPLIN, MISSOURI METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION TO ENSURE CONTINUITY IN THE COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED URBAN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS FOR THE JOPLIN, MISSOURI ENVIRONS” on 1^st reading by title only. Carl Skaggs seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Pat Smith motioned to put it on second reading by title only with a roll call vote. Carl Skaggs seconded. Zaccardelli-y, Evans-y, Skaggs-y, Powers-y, P Smith-y, Davey-y, Hayes-y, W Smith-y. Motion on Ordinance #08-05 was approved by roll call vote, signed by the Mayor, attested by the City Clerk and made a part of the permanent records of the City of Carl Junction.

Pat Smith motioned to put “AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH SPRINT AND ASSIGNING A PERCENTAGE OF THE SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS TO THE MISSOURI MUNICIPAL LEAGUE” on ₁st reading by title only. Carl Skaggs seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Pat Smith motioned to put it on second reading by title only with a roll call vote. Carl Skaggs seconded. Zaccardelli-y, Evans-y, Skaggs-y, Powers-y, P Smith-y, Davey-y, Hayes-y, W Smith-y. Motion on Ordinance #08-06 was approved by roll call vote, signed by the Mayor, attested by the City Clerk and made a part of the permanent records of the City of Carl Junction.

REPORTS

The City Clerk went over the Administration report with the council. Richard asked about a Thom’s Station Trail Phase #3. He would like to extend it into Briarbrook. Steve stated that it will be 2010 before there will be any more funds. We can look at another style of grant for extending the trail. The City Clerk asked for clarification about how wide the access to the Country Club Park should be from Briarbrook. Pat asked if we would allow golf carts and if they would need parking space. Richard said that he felt parents would drive carts there. Walter suggested we start with a bicycle path and if necessary we can it widen if a road is needed.

Richard then stated that we need to figure out when we are going to stop picking up debris. Some of the residents are waiting for tree trimmers and our guys are getting ahead of them. Jimmy said that the bucket truck will be in the Briarbrook area this weekend and they will be in Oscie-Ora Acres next week. Jimmy said that FEMA only gives us so much time. Richard said that the tree climbers are putting the debris by the curb expecting us to pick it up. Richard then suggested we consider buying a Bobcat. They seem to be very handy. It was stated that they are about $30,000 - $35,000. We may have to make another round of debris pickup. Richard said that the tree trimmers are going to charge extra if they have to haul them off. Dee Lynn said that we should try to help. It was stated that we should have Jimmy look at his schedule. Delmar said that we will be dealing with this all summer and we need to draw a line.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The Nuisance Committee had nothing to report.

The Public Facilities Committee had nothing to report.

The Park/Pool has scheduled a meeting for 2/19/08 at 6:00 PM.

The Code Review met tonight. They have almost finished the sign ordinance and they hope to wrap it up soon. They will then send it to P&Z for review.

The Budget/Finance Committee met last Friday with Jimmy and reviewed the Park/Pool Fund and the Street/Alley Fund. They will be meeting again this Friday at 9:00 AM.

Human Resource Committee needs to set a date for reviewing the job description for the City Administrator.

The Citizen’s for Better Life Committee had nothing to report. Richard asked why the Citizens for Better Life Board was not mentioned in the contract. Mike Talley explained that once the building changes hands the agreement will be between the City and the Area Agency for Aging. He then explained that is why we passed the new section in our code book creating the Senior Citizens Committee. That group is meeting this Thursday at 1:00 PM with their kick off meeting. They need to consider the agreement lease and look it over. We also need to let Mike Talley know if there is anything we want to change. We are looking at a 3/1/08 closing but we need the lease agreement first. Mike Talley is going to go through Barrister Title Service for the closing and title search. Mike Talley also stated that this agreement is modeled after Neosho’s agreement.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mike Talley reported he received a letter from Daryl Edwards with a proposal from Fredrickson’s to use the land they claim on the Joplin Trails for a sum of $14,000. The offer is only good for 60 days. We would need to evaluate easement rights.

The City Clerk asked the council if they had reviewed the Fats, Oil and Grease ordinance in their packets. Kurt needs to know if it is alright so that he can submit it to DNR for approval. This is part of our agreement with DNR. Mike Talley would like to approve it first. The council was OK with it but asked that the City Attorney have a chance to tweak it. Mark Powers also stated that we need to give it to APD.

Delmar asked about the rain gutters. The City Clerk said that she had the files for Mr. Talley to review.

Steve Lawver reported that he is applying for a storm shelter grant. It is a 75%-25% grant. In order to make application we need to have our Environmental Phase I Study updated to go in with the application. Kurt said that they no longer do that but he talked to Sprenkle & Associates and they will do it for $3500. Tri-State was going to charge $6500-$8500. After some discussion it was stated to wait until the bond issue passes and then we can update it and apply for the grant money.

NEW BUSINESS

Richard Zaccardelli said that the Senior Center wants to honor our public works employee’s at a luncheon tomorrow and hopes that they all will show up. He has also received complaints on the memorial at Briarbrook Drive and Fir Rd. It keeps getting bigger. He asked what the City should do since it is in our easement. Chief Haase said that it is not obstructing the view for traffic. Jimmy has also received complaints. Walter said we could address it in an ordinance. Dee Lynn suggested we put a time line on it. There was a lot of discussion regarding memorials.

Richard asked for some fact sheets on our community center. Steve said he has some and will get them to Richard.

Walter Hayes said that the DARE graduation is this Thursday at 7:00 PM. They are estimating about 260 kids. It was also suggested that we contact Jim Hembree with USDA regarding money for our Community Center. Steve said he had already talked to him and we do not qualify for any of their grants.

ADJOURNMENT

Pat Smith motioned to adjourn the meeting. Carl Skaggs seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.

CITY CLERK                                         MAYOR