The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at 6:03 p.m., following the 2021 tax rate hearing, with Mayor Amy Thomas presiding. Board members present were Ron Deatz, Lisa Farmer, Kelly Herron, and Todd Stevens. Also present were Superintendent Trevor Hale, Utility Office Manager Terri McGuire, and City Clerk Emily Schulte. Visitors were Scott Jones, Lynn Hunter, Patty Kemerling, Emma Easley, Amber Ward, Jim Hickock, W.C. Farmer, Scott Driskell, and Jake and Betty McCall.

The meeting agenda was approved, as well as the  minutes of the June 16, 2021, meeting.

Rainbow Drive

Nuisance Property

Residents of Rainbow Drive were present to discuss concerns with a property on their road. The property contains several nuisances including junk vehicles, trash, and barrels with unknown contents. There are several children living next door whose safety should be considered. It was inquired if the property owner has ever been cited or given a deadline to clean up the property. Stevens asked if they have seen any improvement with the property in recent weeks. Residents confirmed that items do get taken out, but then other items are brought in. Chief Sherwood is in contact with the property owner, who believes the property was grandfathered in from city ordinances when annexed. They are working to clean it up and asked that they be given a few weeks.

It was asked if the city had ordinances against these violations, to which Chief Jones responded that Ordinance 235.180 Junkyards is likely what they would be looking for. It was reiterated that residents were not asking that anyone get into any type of trouble, they would just like to see the property cleaned up. Another resident noted his property value has decreased due to the nearby nuisance property and inquired if he could receive a property tax reduction, as the time has come for some type of relief. It was also questioned if the property is really the site of a construction business, and it was confirmed that no business license is held or has been applied for.

Compost Site

Emma Easley was present to address the closure of the compost site. Many residents don’t have another option for their leaves and grass clippings and inquired why it was closed and asked if there is a plan to reopen. Stevens confirmed the site was closed abruptly as excessive branches were dumped on multiple occasions following one of the past storms. City staff don’t have the time to continuously remove the banned materials, so it was decided to lock the gates.

Amber Ward asked why the city couldn’t open a branch site like other towns have. Her opinion is that it is the city’s responsibility to keep the site open, cleaned up, and penalize offenders. Stevens responded that is what was done by locking the gate. Unfortunately, the decision also hinders non-offending citizens. As for a branch pile, the city’s permit was revoked due to citizen complaints, unauthorized materials being dumped, and noncompliance with the DNR permit. To reopen a new branch pile site, a new permit would have to be obtained and potentially a new location secured. How the branches would be disposed of would also have to be determined.

Consent Agendas

Aldermen approved the city financial statements, accounts payables, tax report, delinquent tax list, and all board and departmental reports, and the utility financial statements, accounts payables, purchased power and water statements, take or pay water use report, water loss reports, Utility Clerk report and City Superintendent report.

2021 Tax Rate

Bill #1213 – 2021 Tax Rate was read by Stevens. The first reading was approved unanimously. Bill #1213 – 2021 Tax Rate was read for a second time by Deatz. The second reading was approved unanimously. Mayor Thomas declared Bill #1213, Ordinance #1213. The tax rate approved was $1.1499.

Resignations

Preston Jones and Amy Alexander submitted their resignations for the Tourism Board, effective August 12.

Shauna Farmer and Katey Kroeger submitted their resignations for the Park Board, effective August 11. Shauna has been a Park Board member since August 29, 2007, and Katey since May 23, 2016.

Mayor Thomas thanked these board members for their service and requested that the city recognize Shauna Farmer and Lisa Wilczek for their 20+ years of dedication offering swim lessons at the city pool.

The resignations were approved.

Change Order

A change order was put in for the water tower. The option was taken to change out the paint, extending the warranty by 15 years. This change was within the project budget. The tower went online yesterday following the project duration of 22 days.

Pool Dates

Alderman Herron asked why the pool closing date was so early this year. It was explained that many of the guards left for college. Farmer noted that staffing becomes difficult towards the end of the season.

Special Event Permit

Deatz was contacted by Reed Martin who has once again offered to do fireworks for some of the home football games. He has not yet had a chance to submit a Special Event Permit application.

The aldermen voted to approve the special event permit application from Reed Martin to shoot off fireworks at home football games and pep rallies, once submitted.

Skyline Drive/MoDOT

Stevens has continued to correspond with Jennifer Jarvis of MoDOT regarding their section of Skyline Drive. Jarvis forwarded a contract between the city and MoDOT from 1963 showing the street should have been closed, however it should be noted that street names have changed since the contract was written. MoDOT is still interested in deeding the property over to the city and getting the matter resolved. It was questioned if anyone had vetted the maps yet for accuracy, which Skyline resident Scott Driskell claimed he had and they are correct.

Mayor Thomas asked if the city had any documentation on the subject. Schulte informed her she could start looking through old files, however a search for something from that far back would take time. It was also stated Jarvis should be asked if MoDOT had any other information in their archives.

Driskell asked what options the city is currently entertaining. He doesn’t foresee the slope being an issue, like the city does. If MoDOT were to fix the guard rail and deed it over, Driskell believes the city should reopen the road. If the city demands such high requirements, MoDOT could potentially shut down negotiations. He has put in a lot of work to keep the discussions going and would like to see it reopened soon, even if that means not repairing anything, or only repairing enough to satisfy MIRMA.

Deatz noted that costs of reopening the road would need to be considered when it gets to that point. Driskell added that a homeowner responsible for tearing out a portion of the road never had it repaired, nor were there repercussions.

City Clerk Emily Schulte

Schulte suggested a change in how the city budget is set each year. Instead of shifting yearly surpluses from Administration, Police, and Street for larger purchases, each department would get a percentage allotment from the budget and would allocate it as seen fit to present to the board for approval. This would include adding funds into a department reserve account for future larger purchases. The board was receptive of this idea. Once a rough draft is created, a work session can be set for the board to review and discuss.

MIRMA’s response to “Children at Play” signs was presented. These signs are typically discouraged for creating a false sense of safety; however, signage for school zones, pedestrian crossings, and playgrounds is encouraged.

The court transfer deadline of August 1 was met. City office staff and the city attorney put in numerous hours to ensure the OSCA checklist was completed on schedule. The City Attorney/Prosecutor Emily Bauman will now carry a majority of the burden with getting all remaining city cases entered for the Circuit Court.

Office staff would like to suspend pet licensing starting in 2022. The licensing process is time-consuming and unless the ordinance is enforced the amount of staff time spent far outweighs the income received. No board member took issue and concurred with the recommendation.

Rock Port Cabins is requesting a refund for overpaid hotel taxes. Bauman will send a letter requesting documentation from an audit or tax return showing the refund is owed prior to the city paying the amount.

Superintendent Hale

The compost site is closed as previously discussed. It was asked how the board would like to proceed with the site. A new security system is going to cost around $2,000 with a monthly fee for internet. The aldermen voted to open the site and get quotes for a new security system.

Alderman Kelley Herron

It was inquired if there was a timeline for the street repairs next to the school. Hale stated it would be a couple more weeks given the project was delayed.

Herron then passed along to Hale that Main Street looked great for the 4th of July holiday with the new street paint and the flags out.

Alderman Ron Deatz

The water tower project went great. Deatz appreciated all Hale did to get that accomplished.

Alderman Todd Stevens

Stevens stopped in on the water tower project a few times and was impressed with the job they did. The project was planned, budgeted, and executed well.

Awareness is key for issues within our community to be resolved, and this includes nuisance complaints. Some feedback has been received regarding the board not caring about complaints and nothing getting done with the ones received. Citizens are asked to remember that things take time and the city can’t do anything if it’s not first reported. That’s how we get better as a community, even if we can’t fix everything and must prioritize from time to time. Contact your Board of Aldermen representatives, Mayor, Police Department, or city offices and we will work with you towards resolution.

Mayor Amy Thomas

Thomas appreciates the communications with attorney, Emily Bauman, regarding nuisance topics. She has gone directly to some residents regarding nuisance complaints made against them in hopes of working on a solution. Hopefully it won’t be necessary, but the city might have to return to writing nuisance tickets at some point.

Everyone in attendance to address their concerns was appreciated as citizen feedback is necessary.

Executive Session

The aldermen voted to adjourn into executive session at 7:19 p.m. for personnel matters pursuant to Section 610.021(3) RSMo.

Regular session resumed at 10:34 p.m. and adjourned at 10:35 p.m.