The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Tarkio City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted at 6:00 p.m. Roll call was done by City Clerk Danielle Madron: aldermen Scott Poppa, Jeff Agnew, Blu Dow, and Andy Riley were present. Visitors present were City of Tarkio employees – Street Superintendent Jamie Quimby, Parks employee Chris Niles, Building Inspector Jesse Payne, and Police Officer Tyler Dorrel; Tarkio Board of Public Works employee Curtis Hedrick; Tarkio Park Board members Jeff Olsen, Ashlee Driskell, and Summer Reeves; and Marcus Hall, Gerry Tohill, Jessica and Scott Walker, Mike Klosek, Sr., Daryl Wiley, Megan McAdams, and Ashley Dalton.

Mayor Staten asked for the approval of the regular meeting minutes from February 8, 2023, and the special meeting minutes from February 15, 2023. Dow made a motion to approve the meeting minutes and the motion was seconded and approved. The minutes were accepted.

Marcus Hall filed a formal complaint about Police Chief Tyson Gibbons. Mr. Hall believes that Chief Gibbons was biased when investigating a crime that his son was accused of. He does not believe the case was handled properly and that Chief Gibbons should have investigated further into the information he had before pursuing the case. The City Council informed Mr. Hall that they would look further into this matter.

Gerry Tohill asked about the trash contract not stating anything about recycling. Mike Klosek, Sr., stated that they do not sort the trash themselves anymore.

The candidates for the April 4, 2023, general election are as follows: South Ward Alderman – Jeffrey Olson and Timothy More-house; and North Ward Alderman – Daryl E. Wiley and Scott Walker.

Mayor Staten read by title Bill No. 292.23, Ordinance No. 278.23: An Ordinance Adopting An Amended Budget For The City of Tarkio’s Fiscal Year April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. Riley made a motion to approve Bill No. 292.23, Ordinance No. 278.23. The motion was seconded and approved.

Mayor Staten gave the second reading of Bill No. 292.23, Ordinance No. 278.23. Poppa made a motion to approve Bill No. 292.23, Ordinance No. 278.23 and the motion was seconded and approved. Bill No. 292.23, Ordinance No. 278.23 was adopted.

Mayor Staten read by title Bill No. 293.23, Ordinance No. 279.23: An Ordinance Adopting A Budget For the City of Tarkio’s Fiscal Year April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Riley made a motion to approve Bill No. 293.23, Ordinance No. 279.23. The motion was seconded and approved.

Mayor Staten gave the second reading of Bill No. 293.23, Ordinance No. 279.23. Dow made a motion to approve Bill No. 293.23, Ordinance No. 279.23. The motion was seconded and approved. Bill No. 293.23, Ordinance No. 279.23 was adopted.

Mayor Staten read by title Bill No. 294.23, Ordinance No. 280.23: Trash Hauling Contract. Poppa made a motion to approve Bill No. 294.23, Ordinance No. 280.23. The motion was seconded and approved.

Mayor Staten gave the second reading of Bill No. 294.23, Ordinance No. 280.23. Agnew made a motion to approve Bill No. 294.23, Ordinance No. 280.23. The motion was seconded and approved. Bill No. 294.23, Ordinance No. 280.23 was adopted.

Mayor Staten read by title Bill No. 295.23, Ordinance No. 281.23 Ordinance: To Amend Chapter 320.030 Speed Regulations. Bill No. 295.23, Ordinance No. 281.23 died for lack of a motion.

Mayor Staten read a letter to the City Council from the Tarkio Board of Public Works, asking for approval of the appointments of Gary Henson and Jim Mather to the Board of Public Works Board. Riley made a motion to accept the appointments of Gary Henson and Jim Mather. The motion was seconded and approved.

Mark Mitchell and Tarkio Tech are going to be doing a fundraising event at the Community Building on April 1, 2023, to raise funds for local kids to receive scholarships to attend Tarkio Tech. They are asking for the rental fees to be waived for this event. Riley made a motion to waive the rental fees, as long as the $80.00 deposit was made. The motion was seconded and approved.

Mayor Staten asked for approval of a caterer’s license for River Rock Lanes for Tarkio Tech’s event on April 1, 2023, at the Tarkio Community Building. Agnew made a motion to approve a one-day caterer’s license for River Rock Lanes. The motion was seconded and approved.

Department Reports

Blu Dow, City Buildings – Travis Hicks has ordered the evidence room door from Burke and Sons Lumber Company in Rock Port. He will install it as soon as it comes in. Danny Beckman will be tuckpointing the front of City Hall when the weather stays consistently warm.

Jeff Agnew, Fire Department – The city has had to put a hold on ordering a new fire truck until it can get more information on getting a bond set to help pay for it.

Andy Riley, Parks & Pool – The fence that encloses the handicap parking area at the ballfield needs to be either removed or have a section taken out so that foot traffic can travel to and from the south parking area. If a section is taken out it would create a gate that could be used to collect money from if there are paid events taking place at this location. The bathrooms in the parks will be ready and open on April 3, 2023. Port-a-potties have been ordered to be used at the ball field on March 15, 2023, for the East Atchison high school baseball jamboree. This is being done so that there is no risk of freezing and breaking water lines at the bathrooms at the ball field, since temperatures continue to drop very low overnight. The parks will be open on April 3, 2023. This means that the nets will be installed at the tennis court and volleyball pit. Limbs and winter debris will be cleaned up as best as possible. Trash cans will be placed at the baseball field on March 13 so that it is ready for the jamboree. The Parks building is in need of deep cleaning. There is a large amount of old paint that needs to be disposed of. This may require calling a disposal company to come get it. It would also be a good idea to order a roll-off dumpster so that all unused, old, broken, etc. items can be disposed of.

Chris Niles and Bob Wooten have worked hard making the bottom of the infield fence at the baseball field safe and secure. They also made sure that the outfield fence is securely attached to posts. The broken slide at Niedermeyer park was replaced and is now open for use. Work at the baseball field is almost complete.

The highest donation made towards the baseball field renovation project has the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the March 15 EA Wolves Baseball Jamboree. The highest donation is the Duane “Clem” Clement Memorial. Clem’s family will be throwing out this first pitch.

Comedy Night will be held March 24 at the Tarkio Community Building. The park board will be having an Easter event April 1.

Scott Poppa, Street Department – Quimby’s Report:

• Repairs/Equipment – There were no major repairs just a few minor ones related to snow removal.

• Brush Pile – This area is starting to be used more with the warmer weather.

• Potholes – Since this winter has not been overly wet, the crew has been able to keep up with potholes so far. They still have a good supply of Aqua Patch.

• City-wide Clean-up – This has been scheduled for May 1-5, 2023. Because of manpower, there is an outside chance this will run into the week of May 8.

• Snow Event – There was a significant snow event on February 16. There were some long hours put in, but everything was kept open and safe. With only three workers, they were not able to do all properties on the 16th. They had to finish up on the 17th and 18th. There were 42 manhours worked on the 16th between the three.

• Ballfield Cement – The cement from this project has been disposed of. Atchison County Highway Department assisted with this.

• 2023 Street Matting – Quimby would like to put this out for bid to be opened in April so that the work can be scheduled.

• Ditches and Tubes – The crew has been trying to keep the storm drains clear and has cleared a few ditches where leaves and debris have gathered. Quimby is going to order some new tubes to have on hand. He is planning on replacing the tube in the drive for the baseball field and working on this ditch at that time to make it drain better. Dow made a motion to move forward with getting the bid packets put out for the street matting project. The motion was seconded and approved.

Curtis Hedrick, Tarkio Board of Public Works – There has been an issue with beavers getting in the lagoons. Trees have been cut down in an attempt to deter the beavers from this area. There is continued issues with rags and heavy paper clogging up the basket at the south lift station.

Mark Staten, Gould Peterson Municipal Airport – There was nothing to report.

Chris Niles, Tarkio Animal Control – All items that the inspector found have been addressed. The inspector has not returned at this time for reinspection. There have been two dogs in the pound this month; one of them is a habitual offender. Both have been returned to their owners.

Tyson Gibbons, Tarkio Police Department – Chief Gibbons is on vacation. March 18 will be the Bags-4-Paws tournament at the Tarkio Community Building and July 14 is the K-9 golf tournament.

Danielle Madron, City Financials – Clerk Madron will be attending MOCCFOA Mast Academy and Spring Institute in Columbia, Missouri, from March 12-16. These classes help her to obtain her certifications. Clerk Madron also asked the board for permission for Sherri Bowlin to clean the baseball field bathrooms as part of her cleaning duties. They stated they had no issues with this and suggested she also clean the bathrooms at the city parks when they are opened up.

A break was taken from 7:30 to 7:35 p.m.

Mayor Staten announced an executive session would be held per Chapter 610.021 Section 3, hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting a particular employee, etc. The meeting moved into executive session.

The meeting moved back into open session.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Next month’s regular meeting will be April 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.