The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at Tarkio City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted. The meeting was called to order by Interim Mayor Timothy Morehouse. Roll call was done by Clerk Becky Jones: aldermen Mike Klosek, Scott Poppa, Ed Hunkins, and Andy Riley were all present. City employees present were: Chief Tyson Gibbons, Police Officer Adam Stanton, Park Superintendent Kevin Bennett, and Building Inspector Jesse Payne. Visitors present were Mike Shaw, Mike Klosek, Sr., Gary Henson, Dustin Lambertson, Curtis Hedrick, Linda Laderoute, Dave Lee, Sharon McCall, Dallas Prather, Rachel Graves, Ann Schlue­ter, Blu Dow, Nancy Hurst, Monica Bailey, Jamie Barnett, Frank Schupp, Steve Klute, Julie Fischer, Megan McAdams Larry McKinnon, Robert Sundell, and Mark Caufield. The board approved the minutes from the regular meeting October 11, 2016, and a special meeting October 17, 2016, as distributed.
Riley handed out to Interim Mayor Tim Morehouse and the board a draft copy of the performance audit from Beard-Boehmer & Associates, PC, Certified Public Accountants of Columbia, Missouri, on the agreed-upon procedures.
Election Filings for April 4, 2017, will open on December 13, 2016, at 8 a.m. and will close on January 17, 2017, at 5 p.m. The position of Mayor, a one year unexpired term, and a seat on the North Ward (Scott Poppa’s position), and a seat on the South Ward (Andy Riley’s position), each two-year terms, will be on the ballot for election.
Dustin Lambertson, Tar­kio R-I FFA Advisor, was present to talk about the facility the Tarkio Ag Department will be building to the south of the bus barn. They will be receiving a $25,000 grant from Monsanto to help build the building to house animals. Lambertson explained the entire area will be fenced in and they will be buying a manure spreader to pick up and haul off the animal feces. There is only three acres so there will not be a huge number of animals.
Gary Henson was present for Ag Partners to request tax abatement on the new facility they will be building at the former Oswald Ag property at the bottom of Main Street. The building will be approximately $500,000 and bins will also be built at this site.
Linda Laderoute from Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments attended the meeting by request of Tarkio Renewal and Atchison County Development Corporation to speak on Community Development Block Grants. Linda explained the city is allowed to apply for two CDBGs in one year, one on the behalf of and one for the community. Linda also explained some of the requirements to apply for a CDBG.
Interim Mayor Morehouse read Resolution 46.16, a Resolution to allow him to sign any banking needs for the City of Tarkio. The Resolution passed.
The Airport Capital Improvement Program report is due December 1, 2016. The clerk was informed to send it in with the information that was provided for the 2015 CIP report.
The board was asked to approve the adoption of the revised 2016 MIRMA Police Model Policy; the approval is requested to be done by January of 2017. The board tabled this until the December 14, 2016, meeting.
The Board of Aldermen had tabled Bill 198.16 from October. Discussion was held on how to proceed with this ordinance. The bill is pertaining to changing the regulations on building on vacant lots. The board is considering putting the item on the ballot for the April 4, 2017, election.
Department
Reports
Ed Hunkins – Fire Department: The firemen’s annual fund drive has been receiving donations and it is going well. The drive helps in purchasing equipment for the volunteer fire department. The ISO rating for Tarkio was rerated and Tarkio’s ISO has come down from an 8 to a 6/6Y. This rating effects how insurance companies charge the customer on their home insurance. Tarkio residents should see a decrease in their insurance. They are hoping to get the rating down to a 5 next year with the purchase of more equipment.
Michael Klosek – City Buildings: The Community Building porch floor is going to be repaired November 10 by Mr. Dow. The ceiling in the back room of City Hall, that is falling, needs to be looked at and the city given estimates by a contractor.
Andy Riley – Street Department: Riley gave Quimby’s street department report. The area at the corner of 3rd and Main was completed and extra work was done to tie the curb into the street at that area. The extra cost of handicap area was $3,750. The Christmas decoration lights are being tested and changed out. Several windmill workers have parked at the RV Park and most will be here for a year. The chat and salt mixture is ready for the winter season and they are prepared for the snow.
Scott Poppa – Parks and Pool: Poppa had nothing to report.
Chief Gibbons – Police Department: Gibbons gave his report of traffic stops, investigation and training. Gibbons reported 209 pounds of unused or unwanted prescription drugs were taken in on the drug drop-off day. Gibbons reported the help wanted for the open position has gotten no qualified applicants.
Adam Stanton – Building Inspector: Stanton asked the board about applying for a 15% grant to replace the street pickup. The consensus of the board was to apply for two SUVs and they will decide later on what is needed.
Interim Mayor Timothy Morehouse: Had nothing to report.
Clerk Jones: Jones asked if anyone had questions regarding their department’s financials.
The board voted to pay the outstanding bills. The meeting moved into executive session. After the executive session closed, Klosek made a motion to allow Jessie Bolin to work as a reserve police officer for the Tarkio Police Department. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Tarkio Board of Aldermen will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at 6 p.m. at Tarkio City Hall.