The Fairfax Board of Aldermen met May 16, 2018. The meeting was called to order by Ryan Kingery, Mayor, at 6:30 p.m. Roll was taken. Those in attendance were: aldermen Kristi Duering, Michael Oswald, and Beth Graves; Mayor Ryan Kingery; City employee Steve Stevens; City Clerk Kristy McDonald; Treasurer Danny Kemerling; Chad Gray with the Missouri Dept. of Conservation; Alva Stoner; and Thomas Enright with the Conservation Service.
The tentative agenda was approved, as well as the regular minutes of April 18, 2018.
Chad Gray with the MO Department of Conservation and Thomas Enright with Conservation Service were present to speak to the council about the turkey vultures in the park. The city has had multiple complaints about the vultures so Chad presented options to get rid of them as suggested by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Turkey vultures are protected under the migratory bird treaty act and illegal to kill. The most effective option is to shoot blanks into the tree every evening for 3-5 weeks. Chad and Thomas then left the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Alva Stoner was present to give the council an update on the water contract negotiation with the Atchison County Wholesale Water Commission. They are still in the process of completing any negotiation to the city’s contract and Alva will keep the council updated as new information becomes available. Alva then left the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
The board voted to approve accounts payable.
There was discussion about a city-wide clean-up day. The city would like to rent a dumpster for the residents of Fairfax to use. It will be available June 15-17 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on the south side of the city barn. Due to landfill regulations and health and safety concerns, residents cannot dump the following items: hazardous waste, biohazardous waste, medical sharps, ashes, vehicle batteries, dead animals or liquids such as paint, oils, grease, herbicides, chemicals, gas tanks, fluorescent bulbs, explosives, fireworks, appliance, tires, or pesticides.
City council members prepared a list of properties that have trash, junk, weeds, or any other nuisance on the property and the city will be sending letters to the property owners. There was also discussion about changing the city’s junk nuisance ordinance to include any appliances and furniture that are intended for indoor use that are outdoors on properties. That will be completed at the next council meeting.
Staff Reports
Danny Kemerling was not able to present his treasurer report due to the accountant working on the accounts. He will email the report to the council when it is completed.
Kristy McDonald reported that the credit card payment software has been updated and customers can now pay their water bill online. She also presented the council with an insurance quote to cover the new playground equipment.
Steve Stevens reported that the city’s fire truck is due for pump testing and they will get that scheduled soon. They are taking  two electric meters out of the park and doing some re-wiring. Tanton Ray donated his time and equipment to haul the skid steer rental for the street repairs to Fairfax from St. Joseph and back. The city greatly appreciates Tanton for his help.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. The next meeting is June 20 at 6:30 p.m.