City of Fredericktown finds new administrator
By Robert Vanderbrugen | Democrat News
Sunday, May 20, 2007
In other actions:
The City has formally established a fund at New Era Bank for donations to the Animal Shelter Donation checking account. During the work session, Mayor Karen Yates said she believed about $170 has already been placed into the account. The money will be earmarked for use only at the Fredericktown shelter to help the animals and maintain the facility according to the Council.
The mayor expressed her gratitude to all the city employees including David and Eli Whitener and Kenny McDowell, the Azalea Board, the Lion’s Club and especially to the electric department employees who had been going on “very, very little sleep” to keep the electric problem under control. Yates said it was a “great, great festival.”
Ward II Alderman Paul Hale Jr. said this was his last meeting with the Council. He has purchased a home outside the city limits and has resigned from the Board of Alderman. Hale also said his wife is going to have twins and they are excited about the birth.
Interim City Administrator James Dismuke told the Council a public meeting has been arranged at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday, May 17, 2007 at the old Dumpling Pot building on South Mine la Motte. The meeting is to hold discussions with the local residents about the Northtown redevelopment project that is underway. Dismuke said a meeting of the local landlords was held last week and he found their response favorable. Dismuke said rezoning in the area will be done on a case by case basis. He also said although the meeting is to discuss the Northtown project, the public in general is invited to attend. Dismuke also said he intends to have the budget amendments ready for the aldermen by the June 11 meeting. He concluded his report by congratulating the Council on their choice of Michael O’Gara for the position of City Administrator.
In Remarks of Personal Privilege;
Alderman Paul Hale Jr. said he was grateful to the mayor, the City Council and especially to the people who elected him to the position of Ward II alderman. He hopes he is leaving the City “in better shape then when I arrived.”
Council adjourned.
Work Session:
The work session of Monday evening went quickly. A discussion was held regarding the D/C powered charger and batteries originally purchased for the Cap America substation. Council debated about selling the equipment. The batteries have not been used in two years and would fail at some point if not utilized. Don Wasson said they might be able to use the equipment at the Kelly Street substation.
Junior Shell reported the repairs to the water lines at the Business Park have been completed. Shell said R and K has pressure tested the lines and they passed. The company is also offering an extended five year warranty and will provide details of the offer to the City in a follow up letter. The grass damage and how best to repair the damage at Classic Equine was also discussed.
Aldermen are reviewing the ordinance prohibiting disorderly conduct and related Bond schedule. They are considering amendments and/or additions to the ordinance. No formal action was taken at this meeting.
Dismuke talked about the difficulty getting the full Transportation Tax Committee together at one time. The committee is also in need of names of persons interested in serving on the committee. Dismuke said bids on the paving program will be opened May 23. He wants the contractors to have more responsibility for the work, rather than city employees.
Community development Specialist Robert Sullivan spoke to the aldermen about the nuisance abatement program. Sullivan said he has issued 13 warnings recently and has about 16-20 pending on his desk. Of the 13 issued, ten have responded and taken care of the problem. Sullivan most of his notifications start from complaints received by residents. He said he would prefer to work with the residents and landlords. He expects the residents and/or landlords to create a plan to clear the nuisance and a time frame to complete the repair/removal/or clean-up. Sullivan said, “If they work with us, we’re gonna work with them.”
Aldermen went into closed session for four personnel matters, two real estate matters and one litigation matter.
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