The Carthage City Council met in regular session on the above date in the Council Chambers at with Mayor Dan Rife presiding. Fire Chief Ryan Huntley gave the invocation. Police Chief Bill Hawkins led the flag salute.
The following Council Members answered roll call: Brandi Ensor, Chris Taylor, Trudy
Blankenship, David Armstrong, Robin Blair, Terri Heckmaster, Ed Hardesty, Alan Snow, and
Tiffany Cossey. City Administrator Greg Dagnan and City Attorney Nate Dally were also
present.
The following Department Heads were present: Police Chief Bill Hawkins, Fire Chief Ryan
Huntley, Public Works Director Zeb Carney, Parks & Recreation Director Abi Almandinger,
Assistant City Administrator Traci Cox, and City Clerk Miranda Deal.
Mr. Snow made a motion, seconded by Ms. Blair, to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2023
Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Rife told the Council that there was a Proclamation done for the late Mayor Harris, and
that there was also a Proclamation for the National Day of Prayer that happened on May 4.
There were no citizens present during Citizens Participation.
Mr. Snow reported that the Budget Ways & Means Committee is between meetings. The
meeting for May 8 has been rescheduled for May 15 at 5:30.
Ms. Blair reported that the Committee on Insurance, Audit and Claims met on this date and
approved the claims.
They heard from Caden Pennick at 831 E 5th St. He asked the
committee to waive the interest fees on the special tax lien for that property. The amount was
roughly $2,600. Ms. Blair made a motion, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, to waive the interest
fees for 831 E. 5th. Motion carried.
They also discussed the new Recreation and Event
Coordinator job description. Ms. Blair made a motion, seconded by Mr. Taylor, to approve the
job description as presented. Motion carried. There were also a few other job description
changes within the Administration department.
The Deputy City Clerk job description had
accounts payable removed from it, and that was added to the Administrative Assistant's job
description at City Hall. The court job descriptions were also changed to reflect an adjustment
in salary due to being mispointed during the salary study. Ms. Blair made a motion, seconded
by Ms. Cossey, to approve all four job descriptions as presented. Motion carried.
There were
City of Carthage
also staff reports given on the Opengov training and staffing changes at City Hall. The next
meeting is scheduled for May 23.
Mr. Snow reported that the Public Safety Committee is between meetings with the next
meeting scheduled for May 15 at 5.
Mr. Hardesty reported that the Public Service Committee is between meetings with the next
meeting scheduled for May 16.
Mr. Armstrong reported that the Public Works Committee met on May 2. The committee
discussed surplussing some supplies that were at the end of life for the street department, but
could be donated and used further at Cedar Hill Cemetery. This surplus and donation appear
in Resolution 2002.
The committee also discussed the Safe Streets for All draft, which appears
in Council Bill 23-30. The next meeting is scheduled for June 6.
Special Committee and Board Liaison Reports were given by Ms. Ensor for the Library Board.
Mayor Rife reported that the budget is coming along and that there are still meetings
happening to perfect it.
During reports from Council Members, Mr. Armstrong reported that he met with Ms.
Almandinger to review the Civil War Museum videographer bids. He is hopeful that they will
get a good quality video that will benefit the museum.
Police Chief Bill Hawkins reported that he has a new officer graduating from the Police
Academy this upcoming Thursday.
Fire Chief Ryan Huntley reported that his new employee has started and that the Fire
Department is back up to full staff. He also reported that the boat he ordered a long time ago
was finally delivered last week.
Parks and Recreation Director Abi Almandinger reported that the Municipal Park Playground is
coming along nicely and that work on Carter Park has begun. She also reported that repairs
and clean-up work was being done at the pool to get it open on time. She also reported that
the demolition of the Rock Stadium had begun.
Assistant City Administrator Traci Cox reported that the sales tax came in at $215,000.00 for
the month and that it has exceeded the budgeted amount for the year. She also reported that
the Use Tax came in at $73,797.00 which has now doubled the revenue from last fiscal year.
City Administrator Greg Dagnan reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission has been
working hard on reviewing and updating the Comprehensive Plan. Once they have perfected it,
it will come to Council for approval. He mentioned the budget meeting being rescheduled due
to other conflicts, the forensic audit is moving forward, and the Municipal Court has completed
all the suggestions that were recommended by the State Court's office.
He also mentioned that
he and Mr. Carney learned about the rail division at MODOT and they will be speaking with the
City's attorneys regarding the railroad lawsuit. He also apologized for amending the agenda,
he realized that the Over 60 Center contract was left off and the budget committee will review it
at Monday's meeting.
He reported he is waiting to hear from the EPA regarding the next steps
City of Carthage
that need to be taken, and that he will be sitting down with the two new Council members this
week.
The Committee on Claims filed a report in the amount of $2,362,886.42. against the following
funds: General Revenue $111,606.17, Public Health $4,450.34, Lodging $2,392.04, Public
Safety $7,148.95, Parks/Stormwater $1,920.00, Fire Protection $23,258.71, Golf $10,571.84,
Use Tax $243.83, ARPA $12,899.70, Public Library $75,000.00, Payroll $263,394.84, and
Carthage Water & Electric $1,850,000.00. Ms. Blair made a motion, seconded by Ms.
Blankenship, to accept the report and allow the claims. Motion carried.
There was no Old Business.
Under New Business, Jeff Meredith presented to the Council that the City had received the
Industrial Development Grant and explained what the next steps would be. The next step for
the City is to have an appraisal done on the property that will be purchased South of the
hospital.
C.B. 23-30 -- An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute an (SS4A) agreement between
the City of Carthage, USDOT and FHWA for the development of a new comprehensive safety
action plan known as Safe Streets and Roads for All, in the City of Carthage, Missouri was
placed on first reading with no action taken.
C.B. 23-31 -- An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a three-year contract with the
Carthage Chamber of Commerce for Specified Services in the City of Carthage, from July 1,
2023 to June 30, 2026, in the City of Carthage, Missouri was placed on first reading with no
action taken.
C.B. 23-32 -- An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a three-year contract with
Vision Carthage for Specified Services in the City of Carthage, from July 1, 2023 to June 30,
2026, in the City of Carthage, Missouri was placed on first reading with no action taken.
C.B. 23-33 -- An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement between the City
of Carthage and the Carthage Humane Society for animal control services for the City of
Carthage, Missouri was placed on first reading with no action taken.
C.B. 23-34 -- An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute a Contract between the City of
Carthage and the Carthage Over 60 Center for services in the amount not to exceed
$23,000.00 was placed on first reading with no action taken.
C.B. 23-35 -- An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Missouri
Department of Economic Development for acceptance of a Community Revitalization Grant, in
the City of Carthage, Missouri was placed on first reading with no action taken.
Mr. Armstrong made a motion, seconded by Ms. Ensor, to approve Resolution 2002 -- A
Resolution approving the declaration as surplus to the City's needs and authorizing the
disposition of a Husqvarna 336FR Weed Eater and a Husqvarna 150BT with disposition via a
donation to the Cedar Hill Cemetery Trust. Resolution 2002 was adopted after a roll call vote of
9 yeas and 0 nays. Ayes: Brandi Ensor, Chris Taylor, Trudy Blankenship, David Armstrong,
Robin Blair, Terri Heckmaster, Ed Hardesty, Alan Snow, and Tiffany Cossey.
City of Carthage
During Closing Comments, Mr. Snow congratulated the High School seniors who would be
graduating on Thursday. Mr. Armstrong thanked the kids from Mr. Newport's class for
attending and getting the extra credit. Ms. Blair expressed her gratitude for all the new
sidewalk work around town. Many thanks were extended to Jeff Meredith for all of his work on
the Industrial Development Grant.
Ms. Heckmaster made a motion, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, to close the meeting according
to section 610.021 (1), the agenda includes the possibility of a vote to close part of the meeting
to discuss legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a public governmental body or
its representatives and its attorneys followed by a roll call vote on the board of 9 yeas and no
nays. Ayes: Brandi Ensor, Chris Taylor, Trudy Blankenship, David Armstrong, Robin Blair,
Terri Heckmaster, Ed Hardesty, Alan Snow, and Tiffany Cossey. Motion carried at 7:04 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
Mr. Armstrong made a motion, seconded by Mr. Snow, to return to the regular session of the
Council Meeting, followed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas and no nays. Ayes: Brandi Ensor, Chris
Taylor, Trudy Blankenship, David Armstrong, Robin Blair, Terri Heckmaster, Ed Hardesty, Alan
Snow, and Tiffany Cossey. Motion carried at 7:41 p.m.
Ms. Ensor made a motion, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, to adjourn the regular session of the
Council Meeting. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m
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