Carthage City Council receives reports on demolition of Carl Lewton Stadium, increasing tax revenues

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