From Staff Reports
Head stones, sewer improvements, a fire department grant, plans for a new subdivision along with regular reports kept the Puxico Board of Aldermen busy at the Sept. 25 meeting.
Present were Mayor Rick McLean and aldermen Gary Burns, Charles Fann and GS Kilbreth. Peter Coutavas was absent.
The Sept. 20 meeting had been postponed due to the lack of a quorum.
Michael and Mary Rodgers, who purchased grave sites in Section B of the City Cemetery which is designated for flat monuments only, asked the board to consider changing the designation to one that would allow upright stones. In July, 1968, when Section A and B of the City Cemetery opened, Aldermen adopted Ordinance 697 which stated "no marker other than a flat marker shall be erected on in grave site" in this addition. The Rodgers have the option of trading the plots they own for those in another section that does allow upright stones, but since they have several family members who have grave sites in Section B, they do not wish to trade.
After discussion, the aldermen tabled the issue until the next meeting which would give other people who have already placed flat stones in these sections to voice their feelings concerning making a change.
The aldermen approved moving ahead with the sewer improvement project after hearing Greg Bell from Smith & Company, the city's engineering firm, present plans for the sewer improvement project required by the Department of Natural Resources. The plans call for two separate contracts: first, camera/video of 20,000 feet of line and 7,000 feet of slip lining to be placed in lines to prevent leakage, and second, an upgrade at the lagoon to improve ammonia rates. The request for bids on these contracts will be placed in the paper, with the bid opening scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at Puxico City Hall.
The city clerk stated she had been in contact with Mitzi Dell, a professional grant writer who previously has written grants for the fire department. Dell would be willing to write the FEMA grant for a new fire truck. This grant has just opened for submissions with the deadline for submissions being Oct. 26. The fire chief is to supply information Dell needs to write and submit the grant application.
Under new business, plans were presented for the new subdivision located on the west side of town named Arrowhead Lake Estates. Burns moved the plat for the subdivision be approved if all parts of the plans were in compliance with the regulations set in City Ordinance Chapter 400, "Subdivision Regulations." Kilbreth seconded and Burns, Fann and Kilbreth agreed.
Maintenance supervisor David Hawthorne reported the 2006 Ford maintenance truck needs spark plugs replaced, which is a specialized job and he has made an appointment for the repair work. Ray Payne donated a piece of mowing equipment to the city that can be attached to a tractor and allow for close mowing around fences and possibly headstones. Kilbreth has a tiller he is willing to sell the city for $700. Hawthorne stated the tiller would be useful in several departments. Burns moved the city purchase the tiller from Kilbreth for $700. Fann seconded. The motion carried with Burns and Fann agreeing. Kilbreth abstained.
Marshal Rick Sheren reported the marshal's office had worked several cases and assisted the county and highway patrol on seven occasions.
Larry Doublin, animal control officer, discussed the dog pound and said the 1993 Mazda truck was working well.
Fire Chief Stacy Starnes reported the fire department had worked six fire calls and five medical assists. Starnes asked the mayor to appoint Roland Wolfe and Steven Gross as firefighters. After McLean's appointments, the aldermen approved the action.
Mike Sullivan will be offering two computer classes at the library for the public beginning in October. Sullivan is charging $40 per person per class. Classes are a basic computer class on Thursday afternoons and an intermediate computer class on Monday afternoon and will last for seven months. The librarian asked Teresa Morris be approved as a substitute librarian. The board asked Morris turn in a job application for its approval.
The work on the nutrition center to repair water damage from leaking pipes has not yet been done. McLean asked Steve Riney be contacted to look at the damage to see what work is needed.
No decision was made on Resolution 18-01, a resolution in support of Missouri Proposition B, a gas tax increase on the November election ballot,
Properties with buildings that are either dangerous or a health nuisance was discussed. The house on the property at 202 E. Owen Avenue has been demolished and the rubble left on the lot. The house on the property at 211 N. Turnbaugh Street was in disrepair and burned during the past month, leaving the walls still standing. Letters need to be sent to the owners of these two properties stating that the dangerous building/health nuisance must be removed.
The board of aldermen made no decisions in the closed session. Fire Chief Starnes did tell the board he felt he only needed one assistant chief and he wished to keep Eugene Goodale as assistant and move Jesse Crank to captain. The board stated the decision was Starnes' choice.