The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Amy Thomas presiding. Board members present were Ron Deatz, Lisa Farmer, Kelly Herron, and Todd Stevens. Also present were Utility Office Manager Terri McGuire, Chief of Police Shannon Sherwood, Superintendent Brentlee Thomas, and City Clerk Emily Schulte. Visitors were Tierra and Corey Stoner, Scott Driskell, Kevin and Kim Johnson, Merle and Sonia Hale, and Jim Jochim.

The aldermen approved the amended meeting agenda and the minutes of the December 15, 2021, meeting.

Lift Station

Kevin Johnson explained that the campground they own utilizes Rural Water for their water supply, but their sewer is through the city. They inquired how their sewer bill is figured, as not all the water used at the site exits through the city’s lift station. Rural Water supplies the city with the meter readings and their sewer is configured from that. According to city ordinances, the Johnsons would need to meter their sewer and non-sewer water separately if not wanting to pay on the extra water. It was recommended they start with Rural Water and request an additional meter installation.

Tree Complaint

Jim Jochim expressed concerns over trees on his neighbor’s property. The trees are tall and if they fell in the direction of his property on the other side of the road they could land on his shed. The neighbor does not claim ownership of the trees, nor do they have any interest in addressing the concerns. A GIS map was supplied of the area being discussed. While Jochim’s property is in city limits, the neighbor’s property and the trees in questions are not. The city has no authority to address the concerns.

Residential Electrical Issues

Corey and Tierra Stoner were in attendance to discuss the power fluctuation and outage issues they have been experiencing at their residence for an extended period. They have hired several electricians to do work on the house since purchasing it, and they all have the same consensus that the issues are on the feed to the house.

The property was originally set up commercially with a three phase. Thomas believes the best solution would be to convert the property to a single phase, which would require work by both the city and the Stoners. Thomas also stated if the city purchased some line covers it could potentially eliminate some of the outages caused by large birds on lines.

Water Meter

Merle and Sonia Hale stated they have been having water leak issues at their residence for several months. Back in September the city left a note on their door regarding a leak, however the Hales were disappointed they didn’t shut it off. They are now working to repair their water lines, however the city placed a lock on the meter and they would like it removed. The Hales were asked if they were using the city’s meter as a personal shutoff to their property to perform maintenance, which they admitted they were. According to city ordinance, residents are required to have their own shutoff. Thomas offered to sell the Hales a pit the city has on hand if they are interested in installing their own shutoff near the city meter.

Skyline Drive

Jennifer Jarvis, MoDOT, was not able to attend the meeting, but sent Stevens an email regarding some options for Skyline:

1) The road would remain closed, MoDOT would remove the pavement and guardrail, seed the hillside, and they would retain ownership

2) If the city is wanting to reopen the road, MoDOT would replace the guardrail, supply the blocks, and the city would then need to take ownership

Mayor Thomas believes the city should talk with MIRMA regarding the options as it doesn’t sound like option 2 would address all their previous concerns. Driskell believes the road is in decent condition except for the bottom portion. Farmer stated there would still be the concern of motorists turning right at the bottom. Driskell believes the city could install a sign forbidding right hand turns that would remove liability. Mayor Thomas will call Jeff Arp to discuss options.

Consent Agendas

The aldermen voted to approve the city financial statements, account payables, tax report, delinquent tax list, the City Clerk, Chief of Police, and all board reports. They also approved the utility financial statements, account payables, purchased power and water statements, take or pay water use report, water loss reports, Utility Office Manager report, and City Superintendent report.

Lead Laborer Job Description

During the interview process a recommendation was made to eliminate the field supervisor position and create a lead laborer position in its place. The main differences in the positions will be the removal of some supervisory items. The aldermen voted to approve implementing a lead laborer position and adopting the job description as submitted.

Fire Department Trainings

The fire department’s annual report will be presented next month. Completed trainings for 2021 were submitted and approved.

Policy 2-18: Family and

Medical Leave Act

The city’s current policy reads: “FMLA only requires unpaid leave. We are not required to provide paid sick leave or medical leave in any situation where we would not have normally provided paid leave. However, the employee may elect or we may require that paid vacation, personal, family, medical, or sick leave accumulated by the employee be substituted for FMLA leave.”

Stevens proposes the following change: “FMLA only requires unpaid leave. However, accrued paid medical leave or accrued vacation can be used and run concurrently with FMLA, with prior supervisory approval.”

The aldermen voted unanimously to approve the revisions to Policy 2-18: Family and Medical Leave Act.

Utility Office Manager

Terri McGuire

McGuire had Thomas get a bid for tree trimming. It is not currently budgeted, but cannot wait another year. There are areas the city can maintain on its own, but there are several areas the city does not have the resources to maintain.

Superintendent

Brentlee Thomas

Thomas had an update regarding solutions for the Burke Circle lift station. Option 1 would be six to eight weeks to have parts rebuilt and cost $10,667. Option 2 would take 8-10 weeks for a new pump and cost $8,997. Thomas ordered the new pump, given the cost savings and that parts for the old pump are becoming harder to get. Stevens asked if they should go ahead with getting two and replace both at that lift station. McGuire and Thomas will look at the budget and order two if the funding can be found.

Thomas also recommended the city having a pole study done at some point.

Alderman Kelley Herron

Herron is still receiving compliments on the new Christmas décor purchased by the Tourism Board. He then expressed concerns with parked cars on the street following snow and the difficulty of city employees attempting to plow around them. Chief Sherwood had left the meeting and couldn’t respond if any warnings or tickets had been given.

Appreciation was extended to McGuire and Schulte for their work on budgets and committee preparations with the outside plant hirings. It was also addressed that the carpet throughout City Hall is becoming worn and looking less than presentable.

Alderman Lisa Farmer

Farmer has also received compliments on the new lights.

Alderman Ron Deatz

Deatz asked if any other board members read the MML Capital Reports. In the January 21, 2022, Capital Report there are several bills concerning municipalities that the Missouri Municipal League, as well as he, did not agree with and wanted to bring them to the attention of the other board members.

Alderman Todd Stevens

Stevens stated he sent the note out with clarifying questions regarding meeting visitors’ topics after seeing the agenda. Citizens are welcome to attend at any time; however, he would like to see pre-meeting conversations regarding visitors’ topics to ensure the board is prepared for the discussions. He also requested a list of city sewer customers who are on Rural Water for next meeting.

Mayor Amy Thomas

Mayor Thomas extended the many compliments she received regarding snow removal.

Executive Session

The aldermen voted to go into executive session at 7:40 p.m. for personnel matters pursuant to Section 610.021(3) RSMo and the leasing of real estate pursuant to Section 610.021(2) RSMo.

The executive session adjourned at 8:10 p.m. and the regular meeting resumed.

Hirings & Pay Scale Changes

The aldermen voted unanimously to approve the hiring recommendations and pay scale changes presented in executive session.

Other Business

Mayor Thomas thanked the hiring committee for their work and hoped the board understood her decision to sit out to avoid the perception of nepotism. Stevens suggested the board attempt to rein in side discussions during meetings as it causes confusion. He would also like to see the board offer more follow-up to meeting visitors.

The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.