The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Thursday, February 4, 2021, with Mayor Chris Chamberlain presiding. Board members present were Ron Deatz, Lisa Farmer, and Lavon Paukert. City Clerk Emily Schulte was also present. Mayor Chamberlain called the meeting to order at 5:18 p.m.

The meeting agenda was approved.

Bill 1211 –

Filing Municipal Cases with the Associate

Circuit Court

Bill #1211 – Filing Municipal Cases with the Associate Circuit Court – was read by Deatz. The aldermen approved the first reading. The second reading was read by Paukert and it was also approved. Mayor Chamberlain declared Bill #1211, Ordinance #1211.

Bill #1211

Ordinance #1211

An Ordinance Authorizing The Filing Of Municipal Cases Of The City Of Rock Port, Missouri With The Associate Division Of The Associate Circuit Court Of Atchison County, Missouri

Whereas, Section 479.040 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri authorizes any city with a population of less than 400,000 to elect to have the violations of its municipal ordinances heard and determined by an Associate Circuit Judge of the circuit in which the city is located; and

WHEREAS, if such election is made, all violations of that municipality’s ordinances shall be heard and determined before an Associate Circuit Judge or Judges; and

WHEREAS, after a municipality elects to have the violations of its municipal ordinances heard and determined by an Associate Circuit Judge, the Associate Circuit Judge or Judges shall commence hearing and determining such violations six months after the municipality notifies the presiding judge of its election; and

WHEREAS, with the consent of the presiding judge, the Associate Circuit Judge or judges may commence hearing such violations at an earlier date; and

WHEREAS, the City of Rock Port, Missouri (the “City”) has previously established a Municipal Court, but now elects to have all violations of its municipal ordinances heard and determined by an Associate Circuit Judge of the 4th Judicial Circuit being the Circuit in which the City is located.

Now, therefore, be it ordained and established by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Rock Port, Missouri, as follows:

Section 1. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 479.040 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri, the Board of Alderpersons has elected to have the violations of its municipal ordinances heard and determined by an Associate Circuit Judge of the 4th Judicial Circuit.

Section 2. The City Clerk is authorized to take all actions necessary to transfer the City of Rock Port’s Municipal Court to the 4th Judicial Associate Circuit Court and effectuate the transfer of the City of Rock Port’s Municipal Division cases to be heard in the Atchison County Associate Circuit Court.

Section 3. The court costs for all City of Rock Port ordinance violations heard and determined by the Associate Circuit Court shall be increased to the sum of $15.00. This increase in court costs will be effective upon the completion of the transfer of the Municipal Court cases to the Associate Circuit Court.

Section 4. There shall be assessed for all City of Rock Port ordinance violations heard and determined by the Associate Circuit Court a Court Automation Fee (“CAF”) in the amount of $7.00. This fee will be effective upon the completion of the transfer of the Municipal Court cases to the Associate Circuit Court.

Section 5. The provisions of this ordinance shall supersede any conflicting provisions contained within the City of Rock Port’s Code of Ordinances.

Section 6. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage and approval.

Section 7. This ordinance shall not be codified.

This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the 4th day of February, 2021.

The meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.

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The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Chris Chamberlain presiding. Board members present were Ron Deatz, Lisa Farmer, Lavon Paukert, and Todd Stevens. Also present were Chief of Police Shannon Sherwood, Superintendent Trevor Hale, and City Clerk Emily Schulte. Amy Thomas was a visitor.

Mayor Chris Chamberlain called the meeting to order then led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting agenda was approved.

The aldermen voted to approve minutes of the January 20 and February 4, 2021, meetings.

City Consent Agenda

The city financial statements, accounts payable, tax report, delinquent tax list, and all board and departmental reports were apprpoved.

Utility Consent Agenda

The utility financial statements, accounts payable, purchased power and water statements, take or pay water use report, water loss reports, Utility Clerk report and City Superintendent report were apprpoved.

Tourism Board

Appointment

Mayor Chamberlain’s appointment of Preston Jones to the vacant Tourism Board position was discussed and approved.

Skyline Drive

Mayor Chamberlain reported a resident having complaints regarding the bollards installed before the MoDOT-owned east access to Skyline Drive. The resident believes the narrow roadway makes it difficult for larger vehicles to pass each other as well as get turned around. However, compliments for the recent snow removal on the street were received.

Superintendent Hale then inquired how the board would like to proceed with MoDOT following Ms. Jarvis’ recent email. Alderman Stevens expressed interest in continuing to explore the 50/50 cost share option. With the application deadline quickly approaching in early April, and the extensive time and work commitment that will be required, everyone agreed they should begin the process for submission in 2022. Hale will let Ms. Jarvis know the city’s intentions.

Snow Removal

Alderwoman Farmer noted the number of citizens she witnessed unintentionally obstructing snow removal efforts on Main Street in recent weeks. Pulling in front of or between snow removal vehicles and equipment and parking in uncleared stalls not only causes delays in the snow removal process but can cause a hazard to employees as well as other motorists and pedestrians. When city employees are actively clearing snow from Main Street, it is asked that everyone remain aware of their surroundings.

Abandoned Vehicles

This was tabled.

Chief of Police

Shannon Sherwood

Tickets written regarding snow ordinances seem to be remedying the problem in most instances. Nuisance tickets have also been issued for residents with excessive trash and abandoned buildings. It was inquired if liens could be placed on the properties that fail to comply with these ordinances.

City Clerk Emily Schulte

The court transfer process is continuing; county officials and the Presiding Judge have been updated on the passing of Ordinance #1211. The Tourism Board still has a vacancy and is accepting applications. They are also preparing to purchase new Main Street Christmas décor. The Park Board met and discussed the upcoming pool season. The Park Board president reached out to Clerk Schulte regarding the merry-go-round and incoming pool staff along with the pool financials.

Supt. Trevor Hale

Superintendent Hale reported on battling the recent winter weather. The city has had frozen meters and residences which have experienced freezing on their end. The dump bed on the city’s recently purchased truck was made operable, increasing the truck’s value. It was inquired if we should expect to experience rolling blackouts, to which Hale responded it would be very unlikely. Though it is still a good idea to assist with lightening the electrical load during times of severe weather.

Hale handed out copies of the maintenance agreement between the Park Board and the city along with changes he would like to see made. The park services agreement wages spreadsheet in the Park Board report was also referenced. The contracted agreement amount has not been increased since 2017, and the city has averaged an annual loss of $13,000 per year in wages associated with park and pool tasks. If reworking the agreement, Clerk Schulte asked if a section could be added for administrative tasks, specifying which tasks should be completed by what party. A list of tasks was presented for consideration. It was the consensus that conversations might need to take place between the Board of Aldermen and the Park Board concerning the current agreement.

Alderman Lisa Farmer

Alderwoman Farmer complimented Hale and his department on keeping up with the winter weather and the conditions of city streets.

Mayor Chamberlain

Mayor Chamberlain noted wanting to schedule a spring clean-up this year. A date will be discussed at an upcoming meeting. Chamberlain’s position on the Atchison County Development Corporation’s budget board will become vacant when he leaves office and asked if anyone would be interested in filling his seat. Alderwoman Farmer volunteered. ACDC has also requested 2021 bullet points of city highlights.

Chamberlain mentioned the Park Board president reaching out about verbiage used in last month’s Board of Aldermen meeting minutes regarding the merry-go-round. Amendments to the minutes were not requested.

Executive Session

The aldermen voted unanimously to adjourn into executive session at 7:05 p.m. for personnel matters pursuant to Section 610.021(3) RSMo.

The executive session adjourned and regular session resumed at 8:13 p.m. and the regular meeting adjourned.