The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Tarkio Mayor Mark Staten called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. Roll call was done by Tarkio City Clerk Danielle Madron: aldermen Jeff Agnew, Blu Dow and Andy Riley were all present; Scott Poppa was absent. Visitors present were City of Tarkio employees – Tarkio Police Chief Tyson Gibbons, Tarkio Police Officer Tyler Dorrel, Street Superintendent Jamie Quimby, Animal Control Officer Chris Hogue, and Building Inspector Jesse Payne; Tarkio Park Board members – Ashlee Driskell, Summer Reeves, and Paige Agnew; and citizen – Mike Klosek, Sr.
Mayor Staten asked for the approval of the April 12, 2022, regular meeting minutes and the April 18, 2022, special meeting minutes. Dow made a motion to approve the minutes and the motion was seconded and approved. The minutes from both meetings were accepted.
Mayor Staten informed the board that he would need to be replaced on the Zoning Board for the city. He talked to Tim Morehouse about taking his position. Tim agreed to take the position. Dow made a motion to appoint Tim Morehouse to the Zoning Board, Riley seconded the motion and the motion passed.
The board discussed some possible uses for the ARPA funding the city received. The Tarkio Board of Public Works has some projects they would like to complete using some of the funding as well. The Police Department would like to use some funds to buy new radios to improve communication. The board also discussed the possibility of getting new radios for the Fire Department.
The baseball field has new signage at the entrance gates to the parking lot next to the ball field off of 3rd Street. The gated-in area will now be handicapped parking only at all times.
Department reports:
Blu Dow, City Buildings – Clerk Madron asked Tommy Dow to look at the ceiling in the City Hall office. It is sagging some.
Jeff Agnew, Fire Department – The final payments on the turn-out gear have been made. Agnew discussed with the board the need for a new firetruck, as the one the City has is 30 years old. Research will be done to see what a newer truck will cost.
Andy Riley, Parks and Pool – The Parks Board has many activities planned for the rest of the year. They will be having a Par 3 Golf Tournament in August, Halloween Movie Night and Hay Rides as well as the Halloween Parade in October, and the Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade in December. The pool will be getting filled at the end of the week in preparation for opening day on May 31. Improvements were made to the crow’s nest at the baseball field. The Park Board is getting ready to start the new bleacher project at the baseball field.
Scott Poppa, Street Department – Quimby’s report was given:
• Repairs/Equipment – The white dump truck is going to have to be worked on. The front brakes are in need of repair. The skid steer has a bad hydraulic leak. Quimby has made arraignments to have it repaired.
• Brush Pile – This area is being used frequently and properly, but with the rains we have gotten recently, it is very muddy.
• Street Project – Herzog came and got everything prepped for new street matting on Friday, May 6, 2022. Quimby contacted Herzog on May 9 to find out when they would be returning to finish and was told it would be the week of May 16 to May 20. They will contact him later this week and let him know a specific date so preparations can be made for Main Street and Cedar Street in front of the rest home. There are a lot of milling from this project so we will be using them in some alleys that have washed out, and down by the dog pound road.
• City-Wide Clean-Up – This occurred the week of May 2 – 6. The cost of dumping 24.53 tons of rubbish was $2,067.45. When labor and fuel costs are added in, the total cost of the City-Wide Clean-Up was $4,501.53. Thanks to the Parks Department crew who assisted, this project was able to be picked up in a timely manner. However, there were piles that were out of control as usual, and once again the crew had to deal with feces. Quimby is going to work on a proposal with some options to alleviate these situations.
• Ditches & Tubes – There have been a few dig locates put in so that ditches could be dug out from silting in. One tube was installed. Leaves and winter debris continue to be cleaned up. Quimby is ordering a few more tubes, one to keep on hand and the other will be placed in the entrance of an alley.
Mayor Staten – Staten informed the board that the cross country coach was planning a 5k fundraiser for the cross country team. The fundraiser might not start until next year. The final flyover at the airport will be Friday, May 13. Upon completion of the fly-over, final payments to contractors can be made.
Chris Hogue, Animal Control – There are no animals in the city pound at this time.
Tyson Gibbons, Police Department – Chief Gibbons reports three incidents of breaking and entering of storage units here in town. A suspect was identified and an interview was conducted. Since the interview, no other incidents have occurred. Oil changes were done to two of the patrol cars and new tires were put on the third car. Chief Gibbons just attended the Missouri Police Chiefs Annual Conference. During the recent gas leak incident in town, deficiencies were found in the hand-held radio communication system. Chief Gibbons is looking into the possibility of using some ARPA funding for new equipment.
City Clerk Danielle Madron, Financials – Clerk Madron asked the board if they had any questions on the financials. The city’s annual audit has been completed. The city should receive the report sometime in June.
Mayor Staten announced an executive session would be held per Chapter 610.021 Section 1. Legal actions, causes of action or litigation (except those votes, minutes and settlement agreements must be opened to the public on final disposition, unless ordered closed by a court). The meeting entered into executive session. The executive session was later closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. The next regular meeting will be June 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
