Mayor Karen Yates opened a public hearing just before the Full Council meeting to allow comments on the property tax rates proposed to be set by ordinance for the City of Fredericktown. No comments were heard and the meeting was closed at 6:41 PM.

In other Council business;

Three positions are open on the Park Board and the City is inviting any local residents to apply. Requirements are that applicants must be US citizens and have been residents of Fredericktown for at least two years immediately prior to the appointment. If interested contact City Hall, 783-3683, or your alderman.

Yates reported a job well done by the Fredericktown Fire Department and City Electric concerning a short term power outage which occurred last Saturday. A jumper shorted out and caused a small grass fire. The problem was quickly resolved.

City Administrator Michael O’Gara reported his attendance at a few meetings recently including the 15 year anniversary of ClaRu DeVille and the groundbreaking ceremony for New Morning Apartments on North Chamber Dr.

City Engineer Tim Baer updated the Council on the Courthouse ISTEA Grant Project. He said MoDOT had approved the plans and the plans are now sent to the Federal Highway authorities for their approval. Baer said they expect to hear from the federal authorities in a couple of weeks and then (if approved) bids can go out, The bidding process require a 21 day publication in a newspaper. Baer estimated the construction could begin sometime in Spring.

The aldermen adopted a volunteer recognition policy. The policy provides guidelines for the recognition of individuals who volunteer their time and meet certain criteria in community service. Some requirements are;

Has volunteered for the City of a non-profit organization operating within the City or Madison County that resulted in a benefit to the City.

Has volunteered at least 200 hours annually. Such volunteerism did not arise out of the course of employment or be a trade or like association or organization.

Did not gain monetarily either directly or indirectly other than reimbursement for expenses incurred during the volunteer work.

The volunteer work must not have been recognized formally by another organization.

The volunteer work must not have been for a recreation organization in which the volunteer or the volunteer’s family benefited from as a result of the volunteer work. Contact your alderman or City Hall for details.

Council passed the real estate and personal property tax rates. The tax rate is expressed in cents per $100 valuation.

General 0.6893 and Parks 0.1195 for a total 0.8088.

An ordinance regarding not  providing utility services outside city limits was tabled until the ordinance could be changed to be more inclusive of current agreements.

A resolution creating a separate bank account for the Parks department was adopted by the aldermen.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the City of Fredericktown have entered into an agreement regarding findings of violation and an Order for Compliance on Consent. The ordinance was unanimously agreed to during the meeting. The City agrees to make every reasonable effort, subject to financial constraints identified and addressed in the City’s Continuing Improvement Plan (CIP) and as incorporated into the City’s Plan of Action...to diligently and expeditiously implement the measures identified (in the Order) to correct current deficiencies with the City’s publicly owned treatments works (POTW) for treating wastewater, and to improve the management operation and maintenance of the City’s entire wastewater infrastructure... By agreeing to the Order on Consent, the City may avoid the imposition of penalties. City Hall commonly refers to this as the      “infiltration” problem.

Fredericktown is one of seven city’s dealing with this problem according to City Attorney Kim Moore.

Ward I Alderman Brandon Hale said he received a report from Kenny McDowell on the numerous activities and projects the employees had completed in just four days. Hale said he was pleased with the report.

The recent street repairs on Monroe and Head Dr. are having a positive effect on the storm water runoff according to Ward I Alderman Paul Fritch. Ward III Alderman Fay Shrum referred to Mine La Motte St. in a similar tone. Ward III Alderman Mark Tripp said he did receive one complaint regarding the rain and flooding.

Tripp said he had attended the open house last Sunday for Oaks Terrace apartments next to the Senior Center. The apartments are designed for seniors and the disabled to have easier access a with greater security and comfort.

Ward II Alderman Rick Polete said he had a complaint about the tree being torn down in front of the Civil War Museum. Foundation members had said the tree posed a serious danger to anyone walking by the tree because it was so old and weak. Yates said she believed a Dogwood was to replace the tree.

Junior Shell also acknowledged the cooperation between the wastewater employees and the water department on making some repairs very quickly one very hot day last week.

Council went into closed session for one litigation and two personnel matters.

They approved the new budget after closed session.