Fredericktown held a works session and Full Council Monday, October 27. The next city hall meeting will be at 6:30 PM on November 10, 2008.

During the work session aldermen discussed four issues, the first being the position of meter reader and electric groundman. Mayor Danny Kemp  asked for the discussion about the positions to be done through the personnel committee, which was re-started some weeks ago by the council.

The agreement  providing janitorial services from Tonya Minson to city hall was reviewed. Some typos were corrected in the ordinance and the aldermen passed the agreement at Full Council.

They also discussed the position of Emergency Management Director (EMD) for the city. The position was previously held by the former 911 supervisor Bill Starkey. The aldermen agreed to Rebecca “Becky” Hunt as the new EMD. The position is in addition to her responsibilities as the Madison County Health Department Administrator. (The EMD will oversee the coordination of resources and the response and recovery of local, state, federal and private agencies in emergencies).

The final work session item was a discussion about the lease-purchase transaction with Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities (MAMU) for the electrical substation at Cap America.  An opportunity to re-finance the MAMU lease agreement is presented by the contract according to Interim City Administrator Jim Dismuke. Ward I Alderman Brandon Hale said he wanted further information to be sure the re-finance rates would not be more expensive to the city in the long run. The aldermen tabled the ordinance at Full Council for further review.

The work session adjourned.

During the Full Council session Jane Parker spoke to the aldermen about Project Happy Feet (PHF). Parker said she is affiliated with the Show Me Missions at Calvary Temple Church in Fredericktown and the organization has chosen to help support Project Happy Feet as an additional community project. PHF will provide a playground for disabled children in Fredericktown. The project is supported by donations and community involvement. Parker said there will be a chili supper at 6 PM on November 1 at Calvary Temple. There will also be a walk-a-thon on November 15 in support of Project Happy Feet with details available about the fund raiser at the chili supper. Parker said “We want this to be a total community project.” The walk-a-thon is expected to begin at Fredericktown High School and continue through town to Walmart. Parker asked for the DARE police car to lead the walk-a-thon and a Fredericktown Fire Truck to follow behind the participants for safety. The walk is estimated to take three hours; from 9 AM to Noon.

Mayor Danny Kemp’s reminded everyone to drive safely and watch for children out on Halloween night. Kemp also said there will be two Movies in the Park beginning at 8 PM Halloween night. The first movie will be Monster House, followed by the Spiderwick Chronicles.

Kemp brought up the issue with the cease and desist order the city has received from the US Army Corps of Engineers.            (Through a Freedom of Information Act request; A copy of the order is available at the Democrat News for review). The city is contacting local, state and federal agencies arguing against the order. The Council is asking for local community support in their efforts and has placed a letter to the editor in the Democrat News; signed by all the aldermen, in that regard. City officials have already received a letter from the office of House Speaker Rod Jetton. His letter states is expressing his “displeasure” regarding the order.

In other business;

City administration were discussing the employee recognition picnic to be held shortly. Kemp said the community may participate if they choose by bringing food to the event. Kemp said he will be talking to Country Mart about some purchases for the picnic. Council had stated previously that city tax dollars would not be used for the recognition meal. Employees attending the picnic will be allowed to leave for the day with pay afterwards, except for the police officers on duty. City Marshal/Police Chief John Wright asked the mayor if the officers would then receive overtime pay since they had to continue working after the recognition picnic. Kemp said the city would work something out.

Gregg Shinn provided a financial report to the aldermen. In one section of the report Shinn pointed out the city had $84,000 in bad debt in the previous budget. Shinn said the loss of the money came from people failing to pay their final utility bills and moving, among other reasons. Shinn said the electric utility fund was showing a nice profit. About $591,788 was in the account according to Shinn. Hale said the electric fund needed to have the balance in it to cover any significant costs changes in the purchase power funds for electricity. Shinn  also pointed out some of the other utility accounts and what they owed to the general fund. Shinn said the Parks Department owed the general funds about $40,000. Hale questioned the procedure by which the city was tracking the Parks budget with regard to the general fund. Shinn said the Council could track the Parks department in the budget as a department or as a fund, whatever way the aldermen choose to do it. Most cities subsidize their parks in any case according to Shinn.

Interim City Administrator Jim Dismuke said he would like the aldermen to re-visit some of the disconnect fees the city now has and the costs of penalties the city imposes on late utility payments. Dismuke said this would be a good time for the city to look at these issues as there are some surplus funds in the utility accounts. Dismuke said “We can be sensitive to people having trouble making ends meet.” Dismuke also said he would like the Council to “beef-up” the meter reader position. He said the building inspector position is working well. Dismuke said the move back to Fundware was a good move with Shinn’s help. Dismuke said the old budget had a lack of completed capital improvement projects in it. The new budget has significantly more with the wastewater and sanitation projects and the purchase of a  fire truck. He also complimented the people involved with the work getting the commercial property completed along Highway 72 by the roundabout.

Council read the City Marshal’s report; six complaints of tall grass, five complaints of junk in yards, eight complaints of disabled vehicles with eleven abatement notices being mailed.

The police department report showing 747 calls answered with reports on; four assaults, five burglaries, four domestic incidents, three driving while suspended or revoked, three for failure to keep to the right half of the road, one for failure to stop at a stop sign, two for possession of a controlled substance, five for possession of liquor by a minor, one for resisting or interfering with an arrest, Two for resisting arrest, two for motor vehicle tampering, two warrants served, two for endangering the welfare of a child, two prohibited vehicles, two property damage reports, two equipment violations, one for no insurance, one for littering, one for no valid operators license, two for disturbing the peace, three for drug paraphernalia, six for safekeeping, one for stalking, six for stealing, and two for unlawful use of a weapon.

In remarks for the general public;

Members of the transportation Tax Committee again complained about the money in the fund being used for other purposes such as street repair. They believe the money was earmarked to be strictly used for sidewalks and curbing. They feel they have been taxed twice for the same service. Dismuke said a public hearing will be arranged in a few weeks with the committee to hear complaints about the use of the funds in the Transportation Tax.

Harold Thomas was sworn in as Ward I Aldermen. He replaces Paul Fritch who resigned a few weeks ago.

Council motioned and passed to accept the only bid received on accounting services.

Council was advised of the siren warning system bid they approved was not accepted by USDA, who is providing some of the funding. The aldermen were told  through Attorney Kim Moore, the USDA would only allow the acceptance of the lowest bid on the siren warning system. However, if the alderman accepted the higher of two bids received for the system, they would have to pay the difference between the low and high bid.  Doing so could have the city facing a possible lawsuit brought by the company with the lower bid.  It was noted the lower bidding company has already filed two law suits elsewhere. The aldermen tabled the discussion in order to have more technical information made available to them.

Council approved the preliminary plat of Madison Village along Highway 72 at the roundabout. Planning and Zoning had already approved the plans. The final plat was forthcoming at a later date according to City Engineer Tim Baer.

In Remarks of Personal Privilege;

The aldermen all welcomed Harold Thomas as the new Ward I Alderman. The consensus was Thomas would be a great addition to the Council.

Ward I Alderman Brandon Hale also commented on all the activities going on in the old Sonderman Building. He was glad the building wasn’t just sitting there unused. Hale also commented on the signs placed on the marquee on the old movie theater. Hale said Raymond Skaggs had purchased the lettering for the signs which announce upcoming local events.

Ward III Alderman Mark Tripp gave his support for Jane Parker and the Show Me Missions Team and Project Happy Feet. Tripp said the park would not be just for children, but  for all to use. “Not everyone understands what it is like to be the parent of a special needs child and I am glad to see this thing going.” Tripp also said Shawn Harper, former NFL tackle, now a motivational speaker will be at Calvary Temple on November 9.

Ward II Alderman Rick Polete wished everyone a safe Halloween.

Dismuke said he was glad to see the Kranjec land project          (Madison Village) moving along quickly and things were working out extremely well with the project.

Ward I Alderman Harold Thomas was looking forward to his work on the Council and helping the community. He said thanks to the Council for their comments and support.

 A closed session followed for two personnel matters and two contract matters.