August 24, 1998

Present: Mayor Scott Fleetwood
Alderman Herman Davis
Alderman Delmar Guthery
Alderman Don Davidson
Alderman Leon Harris
Marilyn Alms, City Clerk
City Attorney, Carl Smith

News Media: Keith Moore, Herald Publishing; Art Corum, KKOZ

Guests: An attendance register was provided for guests to sign.

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

ROLL CALL: Upon call of the roll, the following aldermen were present: Herman Davis, Delmar Guthery, Don Davidson, Leon Harris.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of August 10, 1998, meeting were mailed to Aldermen for their review, and copies of worksessions on July 2 & 7, that have not been approved, were given to aldermen for their review. Motion made by Don Davidson to approve minutes. Second to the motion by Herman Davis. Motion carried. All in favor.

CITIZEN’S COMMENTS:
Christal L. Kroll, Senior Girl Scout Troop 656, spoke to Aldermen about directional signs to post on Public Square to designate location of City Hall, Sheriff’s office, Community Center, Museum. She is asking permission to place (4) sign posts at each corner of Square. Aldermen said they would need to make sure signs did not obstruct view. Post is 4" x 4" – she is proposing universal signage. Tom Woods asked if a bracket on street light posts would work. Board of Aldermen asked for an example of what she is proposing. Mayor said she would need to work with Randy Hawkins, street department superintendent.
Dominic Kroll, member of Scout troop, is working on citizenship merit badge, and one of the requirements is to observe a City meeting. He introduced himself to the aldermen and told them why he was attending the meeting.
Elbert Luna spoke about condition of sidewalks. He mentioned on west side of Ava High School; and N.E. 5^th Street to N.E. 3^rd on north side of 5^th Ave., there are no sidewalks and kids walk to school along these streets. He reminded Aldermen that residents had passed a capital improvement tax to improve sidewalks, especially in school area.

AVA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION – LARRY MORRISON: Larry Morrison submitted a sketch of park where Ava House is planned. Architect met with them today and he recommends building on level ground, rather than the hillside. 240’ between cement bleachers and the land in proposal. Larry asks to move their land, granted to them by the City, 100’ further east – which allows them to dig footings on level ground, rather than on hillside. Existing fence is boundary that was first proposed. He discussed parking. Building on level means building from metal up – not two floors of cement, which will save on construction costs. Mayor said Council will need to go out to the facility and look at this – will take this request under advisement.
Delmar Guthery asked Mr. Morrison to drive stakes and flag the boundary he is proposing. Aldermen will look at this on Thursday morning.

GARAGE SALES PROPOSAL: Mayor got samples of ordinances of other towns from Missouri Municipal League, and gave an overview of items in these ordinances. He asked for aldermen’s suggestions of how they wanted to handle garage sale regulations. Aldermen asked City Attorney for his opinion. He said the regulations mentioned are within legal limits.
Biggest complaint from citizens seems to be blocked driveways. Council proposed $1.00 permit fee. Would have to post permit on location. Need to include in ordinance about sign posting and picking up garage sale signs.
Don Davidson asked about zoning – is this just for residentially zoned areas – we have some homes located in business district. He suggested wording "selling from residence". Fine for violation was discussed. $50 was suggested, and also $25 was suggested.
Carl Smith recommended making violation a misdemeanor, then courts set the fines – they will be aware of repeat violations.

CITY CLEAN-UP: Code of Ordinance Section 82-37. Sets clean up months as May & October. There was discussion about best dates for City crews. Mayor will discuss this with department supervisors.

CEMETERY LAND PAYMENT AGREEMENT: Mayor sent letters to three Ava banks about refinancing. They have advised our 8% interest is a good rate, but we’ve been paying on this since 1980 – banks advise us to make larger principal payments and pay off sooner.
Mayor recommends stepping up principal payments – he has researched the agreement and does not find early pay-off penalty.
Leon Harris suggests core drilling the north section of the 1985 Addition – it is platted out – we’ve had trouble with running into rock in digging graves. If this is too rocky to dig, we would be just as well to abandon what is plotted and survey east section.

SUPERVISOR’S TRAINING: Information on some seminars for training for supervisors was submitted to aldermen to take & review, for later consideration.

WWTP/SEWER LINES: Mayor met with Dave Cavendar of Scott Consulting Engineers, about infiltration/inflow into treatment plant. We’ve been discussing use of flow monitoring equipment & smoke testing. Our treatment plant operator called other cities to see what equipment they were using. We will be looking at approximate price of $1,000 to buy smoke blower and equipment. Expensive flow monitoring equipment has been recommended by Scott Consulting Engineers. Glen Dale Robertson, treatment plant operator, is checking to see if other cities successfully use this type of equipment.

SURPLUS AUCTION: Vehicles for sale by MO D.O.T., at auction at Mexico, MO. List given to Aldermen for their information.

FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT: Fire Chief, Tom Woods, spoke to Aldermen about equipment being considered for fire department. Cascade oxygen systems to fill oxygen bottles for fire fighter’s equipment has been researched. He discussed the differences of services provided by four different vendors. Seems like P.G. Walker has a good deal; Tom said he would like to research this further. Aldermen were in agreement for him to get further information. Tom also presented a list of equipment needed for 1^st Responder truck. Aldermen asked for a summary of the cost of the equipment proposed.
Aldermen had some questions about the number of fire fighters responding outside the City limits, and does this leave enough men in town if a City call comes in. Tom said MO Conservation Commission had a meeting last week with local fire departments – this state agency is working on a master plan for emergency fire protection county-wide.

SWIMMING POOL REPAIRS: No pool parties are scheduled, our life guards have all gone back to school and pool manager has other employment. Mayor recommends closing pool for season. He said we need to do some research to find water loss and need to make some decisions concerning the pool maintenance. Water department superintendent is going to mark water level each day in attempt to find where water is leaking out of pool.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Computer print-out was submitted for aldermen to review. Total amount due by 8-25-98, is $3085.68.
Mayor said we will have two police cars and pick-up to advertise for sale by bids.
Motion made by Don Davidson to approve accounts payable as presented. Second to motion by Herman Davis. Motion approved. All in favor.


CLOSED SESSION: Motion made by Leon Harris to move into closed session for discussion of personnel pursuant to RSMo 610.021(3). Second to motion by Herman Davis. Motion approved. All in favor.

OPEN SESSION/ADJOURNMENT: During closed session, Fire Chief Woods spoke to aldermen about monthly pay-off of fire fighters. He presented names of firemen who should be on monthly City payroll: Tom Woods, Justin Colburn, Eddie Maggard, Keith Moore, Shannon Dalton, Mike Bristol, Trent Murray.
The other volunteers are to be paid $50 per month if they attend fire meeting & respond on calls.
On each months expense sheet, the fire chief will designate who is to be paid.
Motion made by Don Davidson to amend August 10, 1998, minutes regarding fire department pay schedule. Firemen who are not designated as 1^st responders will be paid $50 per month – if they attend monthly fire meeting and fire calls. These are: Reggie Johnson, Mike Collins, James Rance, Terry Green, David Melton. Second to motion by Leon Harris. Motion approved. All in favor.

Three month wage evaluation for two police officers: Brad Hanger and Dwayne Huddleston. Their starting wage is $8.50 per hour. Mayor recommends wage increase of $.25 per hour for each officer.
Motion made by Herman Davis to increase wage of Brad Hanger and Dwayne Huddleston from $8.50 per hour to $8.75 per hour, after three month wage review. Second to motion by Don Davidson. Motion approved. All in favor.

In-house job posting:
Cemetery – Ernie Irwin
Street Department – Jeff Denney and Sam Miller, in-house; Justin Colburn from public applicants.
Leon Harris recommended Jeff Denney for Street Department.

Delinquent electric bill at Meadowbrook Manor is $12,413.36. Settlement agreement - $300 per month. Motion made by Herman Davis to accept resolution on Meadowbrook Manor agreement. Second to motion by Don Davidson. Motion approved. All in favor.

Stop signs – at some intersections there are no stop signs. Carl Smith submitted a list of intersections that need to have signs. He cautioned Aldermen about City’s responsibility and liability in case of auto accidents if streets are not properly signed.
Motion made by Herman Davis to purchase stop signs for all intersections on list submitted by Carl Smith. Second to motion by Don Davidson. Motion approved. All in favor.

Employee handbook – Scott & Judy are working on personnel handbook – cost to print will be around $4.00 each. Motion made by Don Davidson to approve expense of employee handbook. Second by Herman Davis. Motion approved. All in favor.

Motion made by Herman Davis to adjourn meeting. Second to motion by Don Davidson. Motion approved. All in favor.

Meeting adjourned.

On September 14, 1998, minutes were:

_____Approved by Board of Aldermen as written

_____Corrected or amended by Board of Aldermen

_________________________________
Mayor Scott Fleetwood