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January 8, 2008
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MARIBETH MATNEY, CITY CLERK |
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Approved Minutes
The Carl Junction City Council met in regular session on Tuesday January 8, 2008 at 7:00 PM at City Hall. Mayor Mike Moss 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. City Attorney Mike Talley was not present. AGENDA Pat Smith motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Carl Skaggs seconded. All in favor. No opposed. The council reviewed the closed minutes of 11/20/07. Walter Hayes motioned to approve the consent agenda as presented. Barbara Evans seconded. All in favor. No opposed. PUBLIC FORUM Scott Wheeler, 4419 West 28th Place, Joplin, addressed the council regarding a fireworks display. He would like to do another fireworks show this year and wanted to see if the City would get involved. He would like to do it around the 4th of July. June 28th is the last Saturday before the 4th. Last year it cost $5000 and it was all donated. He will still push for donations but would like to spend $8000 this year on fireworks. He would like the City to get involved. There was some discussion if there would be other activities during the day before the fireworks. La Donna Allen helped last year but Scott has not had a chance to talk to her yet. He would like some kind of commitment for some advanced advertising. Mayor Moss said that we need to check with Mike Talley and that we could add a line item in our budget. He asked that Scott write a formal proposal for the council along with some monetary figures for the budget consideration. Scott said he would get back with the council. He will also check with other groups also. AUDITING PROPOSAL FROM MENSE, CHURCHWELL & MENSE The council reviewed the letter from Chris Churchwell regarding his proposal for our annual audit. Richard asked if they do the audit for FEMA. The City Clerk responded yes. Carl Skaggs motioned to accept the proposal. Pat Smith seconded. All in favor. No opposed. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS The council reviewed the ordinance approving a settlement agreement with US Cellular with a 5% contribution to MML like we did with the Verizon settlement. Carl Skaggs motioned to put “AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH U S CELLULAR AND ASSIGNING A PERCENTAGE OF THE SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS TO THE MISSOURI MUNICIPAL LEAGUE” on 1st reading by title only. Richard Zaccardelli seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Carl Skaggs motioned to put it on second reading by title only with a roll call vote. Richard Zaccardelli seconded. Zaccardelli-y, Evans-y, Skaggs-y, Powers-y, P Smith-y, Davey-y, Hayes-y, W Smith-y. Motion on Ordinance #08-01 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. The council reviewed the ordinance and contract with Cunningham Sandblasting. Walter asked about the epoxy paint. Jimmy responded that DNR wants us to go with epoxy because the chlorinated rubber has fumes. Richard Zaccardelli commented that they need a city license. It was also stated that they were giving us a break on the price due to it being the off season. Carl Skaggs motioned to put “AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CARL JUNCTION, MISSOURI AND CUNNINGHAM SANDBLASTING & PAINTING CO., INC., TO CLEAN AND REPAINT THE CONCRETE POOL SURFACES OF THE SWIMMING POOL OWNED BY THE CITY OF CARL JUNCTION, MISSOURI, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, FOR THE SUM OF $ 38,475.00 PLUS $14.50 PER FOOT TO REPAIR CRACKS OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT; PROVIDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID CONTRACT FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CARL JUNCTION, MISSOURI” on 1st reading by title only. Dee Lynn Davey seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Pat Smith asked about a warranty. It was responded that there is a 1 year warranty. Carl Skaggs motioned to put it on second reading by title only with a roll call vote. Richard Zaccardelli seconded. Zaccardelli-y, Evans-y, Skaggs-y, Powers-y, P Smith-y, Davey-y, Hayes-y, W Smith-y. Motion on Ordinance #08-02 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. Next the council reviewed the ordinance approving a contract with Leonard and Margaret Hall. The City Clerk explained that the closing date will be set in the future but no later then April 20, 2009 so that she may sell the building. Pat Smith motioned to put “AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONTRACT FOR SALE OF REAL ESTATE BETWEEN THE CITY OF CARL JUNCTION, MISSOURI AND LEONARD LEROY HALL AND MARGARET L. HALL, HUSBAND AND WIFE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO PURCHASE 205 NORTH RONEY, CARL JUNCTION, MISSOURI, DESCRIBED AS ALL OF LOT NUMBERED NINETEEN IN ORIGINAL TOWN OF CARL JUNCTION AND PART OF THE VACATED BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE BODY OF THIS ORDINANCE; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ACCEPT A WARRANTY DEED TO SAID PROPERTY FROM LEONARD LEROY HALL AND MARGARET L. HALL; AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF THIRTY-ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($31,000.00) TO PURCHASE SAID PROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SAID CONTRACT; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, CLERK AND SUCH OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CITY AS NECESSARY TO EXECUTE AND PROCESS SUCH DOCUMENTS TO CONCLUDE SAID PURCHASE” on 1st reading by title only. Dee Lynn Davey seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Pat Smith motioned to put it on second reading by title only with a roll call vote. Barbara Evans seconded. Zaccardelli-y, Evans-y, Skaggs-y,
Powers-y, P Smith-y, Davey-y, Hayes-y, W Smith-y. Motion on Ordinance #08-03 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. She commented that Jimmy and Sproul’s are working out the issue with tree stumps in the embankment. She also reported that the Building Board of Appeals had met the night before and that both owners of the properties agreed they should be demolished. One party did not have the money to demolish and the City might have to do it and put a lien on the property. The other party said that they would like to do it themselves and the board gave them 40 days to complete it. The City Clerk also stated that the Building Inspector had identified 2 other structures that we are starting the process on. Jimmy Chaligoj reported that they will be finishing up with Oscie-Ora Acres on the debris pickup and then take a week off and then start the final round of pick up. Mayor Moss said he had a lot of compliments on the job being done. Richard Zaccardelli also said he had a lot of residents compliment the crew. We also got a letter from Bill Sanders in appreciation of all our departments. Steve Lawver stated that we finally got ahold of the school district on the bond issue. Mayor Moss reported that he had talked to Phil Cook, David Stephens and another woman that he did not know her name. Mayor Moss informed the council that Mr. Cook said he was not supporting the issue and that we were wasting the City’s money. It would be better if the City built a bridge from Briarbrook over to Pennell. He said that there was no use for a community building and that if we built a bridge he would be behind that. Mayor Moss told him that the bridge alone was $4 million and that did not include the approaches. He said that Mr. Cook told him that the YMCA is looking at the Grandpa’s building in Airport Drive. He said that the community center would not benefit the city. Richard said that the Y wants to build ballparks. Mayor Moss said that is just what Phil Cook relayed to him. He said that Mr. Cook is very opposed and that we did not have enough information on it. Richard said that the Chamber is behind it. Mayor Moss said that David Stephens and the other lady left during the meeting due to another commitment. Mayor Moss stated that he had felt the City and school were working together but now he is not so sure. He also said that he had been trying to get ahold of Mr. Cook for 30 days and the secretary kept telling him that he was busy and would get back with the Mayor. There was a lot discussion regarding the meeting between Mr. Cook and Mayor Moss regarding this issue. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Nuisance Committee had nothing to report. The Public Facilities Committee reported that the City Clerk met with Gene McMeen on 12/27/07 about the lights and they are ready to start this project. He then listed off the lights they are going to start installing. Mark Powers stated that there is a cable line on the East side of the Joplin Street bridge along Center Creek that has limbs hanging on it and is about to break. He thought it might be a main line. It was stated we will get ahold of Mediacom regarding the line. The Park/Pool had nothing to report. Pat said that she would like to set up a meeting for budget purposes. It was stated that they would meet on 2/19/08 at 6:00 PM. The Code Review had nothing to report. They will meet on 2/5/08 at 6:00 PM. Walter said that the P&Z need to meet on the sign ordinance that they have so far. Steve reported that they want the whole section before they review it. They do not want it piece mealed. Walter said that the code review committee wants to do it in small sections at a time. The Budget/Finance Committee reported that they will start meeting with department heads to start on the budget. Human Resource Committee had nothing to report. The Citizen’s for Better Life Committee had nothing to report. Richard said that we need to get with Mike Talley to see what the next step is. They have provided him with the legal description he asked for. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Walter asked about high speed internet. He stated in Louisiana they are getting it state wide and using fiber optics. There was a lot of discussion about this. Steve stated that Empire has fiber optic lines and that we have been talking to a company about providing internet service to our residents. Delmar then reported that he and the Mayor have discussed the gutter issues at the Police Building. He has been trying to get it fixed over a year now. He is asking the council to authorize the Mayor to do something about it. We could write a letter that if it is not fixed by a certain date then we are going to have it fixed and bill it to them. Pat Smith motioned to have Mike Talley draft a letter regarding our problem with the guttering and authorizing the Mayor to sign it. Barbara Evans seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Steve reported that he has applied for a grant for a 2nd leaf vacuum for Jimmy and for some education materials for storm water that is being required by EPA. This grant money would come from Missouri DNR. NEW BUSINESS Chief Haase reported that the crime lab is being taken over by the Highway Patrol and that he will be moving budget money from the crime lab fees to cover the annual maintenance for his voice recording system. We had $3500 for crime lab and the maintenance will be about $2000. If we don’t maintain it we will have an outdated system quickly. He also would like to go out for bid on his patrol cars like he did last year. He has one car that is eating him up in maintenance. He does not think the prices will have changed much. Richard Zaccardelli asked if he would check out a Ford Bronco at 232 W Briarbrook Lane. It has South Carolina license plates that are expired.
Mayor Moss stated that we have a closed session on the agenda concerning the City Administrator position. He stated that if we are talking about the position in general it needs to be in open session, if we discuss individual personnel then we need to go into closed session. Mayor Moss asked the question do we want to look for a City Administrator. He said that he can’t do it at all times and we need a professional. The ice storm hit on a Sunday and he was able to take care of a lot of things but there might be another crisis where he can’t. Dee Lynn said that other employee’s are picking up the slack. Maribeth and Steve are taking care of most of it and that we need to think about taking care of the people who are doing the job. Mayor Moss said that he has delegated to Steve and Maribeth to do various things that he couldn’t. He stated that people perceive that Steve is running the City but he is not doing anything that the he has not directed him to do. He said that is not fair to Steve. Mark Powers said he would like to hear from the employees on the need for a City Administrator. Chief Haase said that he put in a proposal with the council and there are places and times a City Administrator is needed. It has created some problems in not having one. If Phil Cook had not been brought in so late in the situation it might have been different. It is a critical position. Jimmy Chaligoj said that they are running just fine. Steve Lawver stated that it is a much needed position in instances. We have been able to cover the load but is there something we have missed. He does not like the position he has been put in. We have had to take up the slack. He suggested we look at the job description and define it to what the council wants. Mayor Moss stated that Steve and Maribeth work real good together. City Clerk, Maribeth Matney, stated that it was nice sometimes to have a fall guy that could take the heat off of the department heads occasionally. Maribeth also stated that she and Steve had talked about it a lot and that he covered pretty much what their discussions have been. They have been handling the day to day needs and projects as they come up but the question is are we missing anything and if so what is it and can we do it if needed. She also stated that the City Administrator was hired to help the council. He was supposed to be a person that took a load off of them and reported back to them. Her question to the council was “Are things going the way you want them to or is there something missing or lacking without a City Administrator?” ”Have you seen an increase in your load that was not there before?” “Do you need someone?” Mayor Moss recognized Steve Fredrickson in the audience. He said that he has sat out there and watched and some has been good and some has been bad. It seems that the bad had been outweighing the good. The City has good people in charge and maybe you just need to change their compensation. The last 3-4 months seem to have run smoothly. Mayor Moss then recognized Ron Daniel in the audience. He said he is not sure the City needs the extra expense or a City Administrator. He said to wait 3-6 months to see how it is working. Pat Smith said that she likes the way it has been running and knowing what is going on. She did not like not knowing until they got here. Mayor Moss said during a crisis he might not always be available. He then went over the ice storm situation and what he all had to do. Richard stated that during the tornado Joe was invaluable in contacting state officials and knowing who to talk to. Richard said it all comes down to the style of management. He needs to be building support for the City. Somebody also has to be the one to say no sometimes. If we are going to have a City Administrator we will need to budget for it. We could let the department heads run their departments and have this person develop bonds for the City. Walter Hayes said that our staff does a good job. If we are going to fill the job as described we do not need to fill the spot. Dee Lynn talked about the budget and if that is all they are going to do we need an accountant then. She asked Maribeth if she was going to do the budget and she replied she had planned on it. Dee Lynn also stated that when they hired Jim Whisenant they told him that they wanted everyone to be treated the same and that maybe they had not been fair in that situation. There was discussion about emergencies. It was stated that Bill Dunn was our emergency coordinator. It was suggested we have a committee to handle it. It was also commented that Steve and Maribeth have been covering meetings. Walter Hayes said several years ago we talked about a City Planner for long term planning. Maybe we need to look at that again. Mayor Moss also said that’s we are at the low end of the pay scale. Carthage pays $85000-$90000 and Webb City pays $72000. He is not sure what we need but we definitely need professionalism. Carl Skaggs stated that we have good department heads now but we may not always have them. There was also discussion of whether a local person or an outsider would be a better fit. Mayor Moss said if we decide to fill the position we need to open it up for everyone. We have had a Mayor from Republic approach the City about contracting the services. The concept sounds good but it is a new concept. Steve Fredrickson said that the elected officials and the Mayor are selling themselves short. Mark Powers said that we need an emergency manual for the council on procedures to follow. There was a lot of discussion regarding that and it was agreed that it needed to be done. Richard said it has been a good discussion and that the council needs to think about it. Carl Skaggs suggested making a punch list of job duties and see if the duties need to be rewritten. Wayne Smith stated we need to decide what we want first before we do anything else. He suggested they all put together a job description and then see if it is even possible to fill that position. CLOSED SESSION PER RSMO 610.021(3) Carl Skaggs motioned to strike the closed session off of the agenda. Pat Smith seconded. All in favor. No opposed. ADJOURNMENT Carl Skaggs motioned to adjourn the meeting. Wayne Smith seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.
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