JUNE 8, 1998

CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order by Mayor Fleetwood.

ROLL CALL OF ALDERMEN: Roll call of aldermen present read by clerk. These aldermen were present: Herman Davis, Delmar Guthery, Don Davidson, Leon Harris.

ORDER OF BUSINESS:

Citizen’s Comments: Alderman Davidson said Community Betterment Youth wanted to have a dance at the City Park in the tennis court – a fund-raiser for school French club. More information will be given at next meeting.

Gary Emrick spoke about increase in water rates. He averaged his bill for four months, and said the new rate will increase his bill from $4.42 to $10.80 – a 145% increase.

Mayor Fleetwood addressed this issue. Water/sewer combined have lost over $500,000 over the last four years. Four utility funds should cover their own expenses. City needs to increase use rate to cover expenses of operating the departments.

Mr. Emrick asked if sewer rate would increase. Mayor Fleetwood said, no, the only change is in water rates. Mr. Fleetwood said Mr. Emrick’s bill at 4,000 gallons per month would average out approximately 33 cents per day in a 30 day billing period. Mr. Fleetwood spoke about the City’s need to maintain water distribution system. Mr. Emricks says he does not understand changing the minimum charge from 2,000 gallon minimum to 1,000 gallons.

LIQUOR LICENSE ORDINANCE: City Attorney’s office is re-writing this chapter of City Code.

BILL #6/98.7 – PROPOSED ORDINANCE #552: An Ordinance To Establish Rate Schedule For Sale Of Water As Authorized In Section 98.34 Of The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Ava, Missouri.

Bill read by City Clerk. Motion made by Don Davidson to approve first reading of bill. Second to motion by Herman Davis. Motion approved. All in favor. Record of vote: Davis, aye; Guthery, aye; Harris, aye; Davidson, aye.

Second reading of bill by City Clerk. Motion made by Delmar Guthery to approve second reading of bill. Second to motion by Leon Harris. Motion approved. All in favor. Record of vote: Davis, aye; Harris, aye; Davidson, aye; Guthery, aye. Thereupon Bill #6/98.7 was duly passed and approved and numbered Ordinance #552.

BILL #6/98.8 – PROPOSED ORDINANCE #553: An Ordinance To Establish Sexual Harassment Policy To Be Included In City Of Ava, Missouri Code Of Ordinances – Administration.

Bill read by City Clerk. Motion made by Herman Davis to approve first reading of bill. Second to motion by Don Davidson. Motion approved. All in favor. Record of vote: Davis, aye; Harris, aye; Davidson, aye; Guthery, aye.

Second reading of bill by City Clerk. Motion made by Don Davidson to approve second reading of bill. Second to motion by Leon Harris. Motion approved. All in favor. Record of vote: Davis, aye; Harris, aye; Davidson, aye; Harris, aye. Thereupon Bill #6/98.8 was duly passed and approved and numbered Ordinance #553.

SCOCOG CONTRACT: Administrative proposal from SCOCOG to provide administration of CDBG loan for Copeland through Missouri Department of Educational Development float-loan program.

Motion made by Leon Harris to approve proposal from SCOCOG. Second to motion by Herman Davis. Motion approved. All in favor.

CDBG WATER STORAGE TANK: Took soil samples last week. Target date to submit design plan to DNR is June 19 – after that, bids will be let.

PUBLIC HEARING –PLANNING/ZONING: Public Hearing will be held, Tuesday, June 16, 1998, at 6:30 P.M., by Planning & Zoning Commission, to hear re-zoning request by Delmar Guthery to rezone property for Agriculture to R-1 Single Family Residential to expansion of Sundown Ridge Estates Subdivision.

PHONE LINES AT POLICE STATION: Municipal Court Clerk, Melissa Sellers, spoke to Board about telephone system at police station. The set-up now is wires run from City Hall to P.D. When it rains or is windy, the phone service does not work. Right now there is only one phone in the building that works, which is in the Chief’s office. At present that phone line is strung across the floor to the clerk’s desk. To replace wiring from City Hall to police department would cost $1,400 – price quote from Hailey’s.

Bids for two direct phone lines to building:

Hailey’s - $848 for two phones

GTE - $446.91 for two phones - $75 to $85 per hour for installation

Motion made by Herman Davis to approve bid from Hailey’s for $848. Second to motion by Don Davidson. Motion approved. All in favor.

TRASH TRUCK BREAKDOWN/REPAIRS: City trash truck has been in repair shop with drive-line malfunction. There was discussion on considering taking bids for a truck.

POLICE CAR DAMAGE: One of City police cars was involved in a traffic accident on May 14, 1998. Total loss-$2,600-totalled value. To repair would require the $1,000 deductible. The car involved is ’92 Ford with 20,000 miles on the new motor. Aldermen felt City should repair the car. Motion made by Leon Harris to repair car. Second to motion by Delmar Guthery. Motion approved. All in favor.

Later in the meeting, City Attorney Smith spoke to Board about the responsibility of repair to police car that was damaged in traffic accident. Missouri has comparative fault in accidents – there is not a "no fault accident" in the state. Our insuror will have to work with Mainus’ insurance – a determination will have to be arrived at of percentage of "fault". Mayor said he would call Gallagher-Bassett back about this.

CEMETERY MAINTENANCE: Rick Graham, Maintenance Department Superintendent, spoke to Aldermen about mowing the cemetery. They have started having problems with individuals planting flowers, shrubbery and placing small fences, etc., on graves.

Clerk read from Code of Ordinance 26-3 trees & shrubbery; and, 26-81 Bric a brac.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Chief Woods spoke to Aldermen about needed repair to fire truck – valve on pump is broken. Mr. Woods said there needs to be some wiring done at the fire station. He said firemen can do the wiring work, and they are asking for permission to buy the conduit and materials. Also, board needs to consider a hot water heater, and blocking over the windows in back of building.

Alderman Davidson said City needs to start getting bids on the work that needs to be done.

Aldermen spoke of the high heating bills on the building last winter. Aldermen asked Chief to provide a list of things that they feel need to be done.

Aldermen gave approval for firemen to do the wiring project – approximate maximum to be spent-$300.

PERSONNEL: Mayor asked board for approval of hiring of four employees:

James Anderson – floater – part-time

Robbie Burke – brush crew – seasonal

Rustin Ryan – brush crew – seasonal

David Harper – brush crew – seasonal

Starting wage for all is at $6.00 per hour.

Motion made by Delmar Guthery to approve hiring of four employees. Second to motion by Leon Harris. Motion approved. All in favor.

PUBLIC SQUARE: Fire Chief Woods spoke to Aldermen about the electrical services and set-up on Public Square used by vendors at Poke Salat Festival. He said there are some broken boxes and unsafe connections for electrical service. He asked that City have these repaired.

COUNTY LIE DETECTOR: County has proposed that City share cost of purchasing lie detector equipment. Law enforcement has been using out-of-town certified operators. Douglas County Sheriff Koop has attended training to be certified to operate the equipment. City will also send an officer to be certified as an operator.

BIDS FOR ASPHALT MACHINE: Ozark Mountain; Shoring & Supply Co.; Contractor’s Supply Co. Street Department Superintendent obtained bids for this equipment. Will be presented at a later meeting.

POUNDMASTER: Rick Graham spoke to Aldermen about the dog pen used to confine dogs at City pound. He said City needs to have a new pen built. He was asked to get price quotation on building a new pen.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Accounts payable were reviewed by Aldermen. Motion made by Leon Harris to approve accounts payable as presented. Second to motion by Delmar Guthery. Motion approved. All in favor.

CITY MERCHANT’S LICENSES: Some businesses have not paid City License renewal fee. City Attorney suggests making a photocopy of Ordinance and give to Police Chief to give to businesses who have not paid.

POLICE COMMISSION: Linda Myers, Chairman, reported on interviews. Police Commission interviewed seven applicants. Commission has submitted names of two applicants for Board to consider for full-time police officers:

Dwayne Huddleston & Bradley Hanger

Steve Wilson to be considered as alternate if one of the other two cannot take the job.

Motion made by Herman Davis to hire Dwayne Huddleston and Bradley Hanger for full-time police officers. Second to motion by Leon Harris. Motion approved. All in favor.

Mayor Fleetwood said Sheriff Gary Koop has suggested City and County coordinate investigative officers. Alderman Don Davidson asked if we could get a C.O.P.S. grant. Melissa Sellers, Court Clerk, is to call and see. City Attorney Smith spoke in favor of this suggestion.

Mayor asked if one of our officers should be promoted as Sergeant, night shift supervisor. This is same position held by Tim Matthews.

Motion made by Herman Davis to adjourn meeting. Second to motion by Leon Harris.

Meeting adjourned.

On June 22, 1998, minutes were:

-----Approved by Board of Aldermen as written

-----Corrected or amended by Board of Aldermen