The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Pro Tem Kelley Herron presiding. Other board members present were Lisa Farmer, Raechel Schoonover, and Kory Paris (by phone). Also present were City Clerk Emily Schulte, Chief of Police Derek Morriss, Superintendent Brentlee Thomas, and Utility Office Manager Terri McGuire. Visitors present were Roger Parshall, Fire Chief Scott Jones, and Park Board officers Jennifer Geib and Sheena Roup.

Mayor Pro Tem Kelley Herron called the meeting to order then led the meeting in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting agenda was amended to add an executive session pursuant to Section 610.021(1) & (3) RSMo to the end of the meeting and then approved.

Minutes of the May 17, 2023, meeting were approved.

Roger Parshall addressed the board concerning a property at 203 S. Water Street, which is located next to a 14-unit apartment complex he owns and also operates an airbnb from. Since purchasing the property, he has worked diligently to update the units and surrounding property, however a neighboring property has continued to deteriorate. Parshall inquired what the city has done, or is planning to do, with this property.

Alderwoman Farmer informed Parshall that the city does not currently have a building inspector, making it difficult to do much. There are many nuisances coming from the property as well as unsafe and unlivable conditions, including debris surrounding the home and a hole in the roof.

Chief Morriss has already spoken to them regarding some of the discussed issues and given a deadline for cleanup or they will be cited. Alderman Herron told Parshall the board will try to have some answers before the next meeting.

Fire Chief Scott Jones was present to address the board regarding emergency procedures. The Rock Port community is unique in that it has two dispatching systems, which unfortunately creates issues for the fire department at times. Jones asked what the procedure is when the fire department has calls involving electrical lines.

Thomas replied that they will respond in order to shut off power sources, but restoration likely wouldn’t be attempted until conditions are safe. Jones said the shutting off of power sources is all the fire department is concerned with.

Jones reiterated all they would like to see is some assistance when working those calls. Alderman Paris agreed with how important city response was in times of emergency.

Consent Agendas

The aldermen voted unanimously to approve city financial statements, accounts payable, tax report, delinquent tax list, the City Clerk, Chief of Police, all board reports.

They also voted unanimously  to approve the utility financial statements, accounts payable, purchased power and water statements, take or pay water use report, water loss reports, Utility Office Manager report and City Superintendent report.

Bid Opening

Mayor Pro Tem Herron announced the bid opening for a section of land located near the compost site. O.P. Contracting submitted the only bid, for a one-year lease at $300.00.

Alderwoman Schoonover voiced wanting to review terms and have further discussions, including with Trent Shineman who was just awarded a hay lease, prior to moving forward. Alderman Paris stated having spoken with Shineman and he was fine with the land being leased.

Schoonover’s hesitation was with having two leases within one plot of land. Alderman Herron believed if Shineman were to sign something stating he was alright with the agreement, he did not have a problem with moving forward with the lease.

Farmer moved to approve the bid from O.P. Contracting for a one-year lease of land near the compost site for $300.00. Paris seconded. Farmer, Paris, and Herron voted aye and Schoonover voted nay.

Orry Paris, owner of O.P. Contracting, then asked that since his bid was approved, he would now like to request that agreement be extended to a five-year lease at that $300.00 per year rate.

Farmer moved to approve extending the lease for O.P. Contracting leasing land near the compost site to five years for $300.00 pear year. Paris seconded. Farmer, Paris, and Herron voted aye and Schoonover voted nay.

There was discussion on when the lease would be ready to sign and terms of the agreement. Schulte asked the board and Paris of proposed property usages.

Paris then asked when he could begin utilizing the property. Schulte advised that usage should not begin prior to the agreement being signed. Superintendent Thomas suggested Paris sign a hold harmless agreement in order to begin utilizing the property prior to the lease agreement being signed. The aldermen voted unanimously to approve O.P. Contracting accessing the property early following signing a hold harmless agreement until the lease can be approved and signed at the next meeting.

Golf Cart Ordinance

City ordinances pertaining to golf carts were submitted for discussion. Alderman Paris pointed out Section 310.045 is not specific only to golf carts on city streets, but anything motorized including mini-bikes and scooters, but thought some believe it is determined upon motor size.

The current age requirement is 18 years old, but several have expressed interest in lowering that. While city officials did not agree with any age below the legal driving age, 16 seemed reasonable. It was then asked that if changing the ordinance is the consensus, will exceptions be made for younger kids who utilize golf carts to get to and from sports obligations and work. Schoonover asked Morriss if 16 was going to be enforced if the ordinance were changed, and Morriss stated it would be.

The topic will be readdressed in July and until anything is changed, it is up to Chief Morriss’ discretion as to how the current ordinance is enforced.

Special Event Permit

Jennifer Geib proposed the idea of a special event permit to sell alcohol wristbands during the 4th of July celebrations at the park. The aldermen voted unanimously to approve a special event permit for alcohol in the park July 3rd and 4th with the stipulations discussed.

Pole Attachment Agreement

Superintendent Thomas requested the discussion be tabled until July.

AAI 2023-24 / Bill #1232: Refund of Utility Deposits

Superintendent Thomas relayed that city auditors discussed with office staff the city’s policy of returning utility deposits following 24 months of good credit. In their opinion, this is no longer standard practice and it was recommended the utility consider revising that policy and return deposits at the time of service disconnection.

The first and second readings of Bill #1232 – Refund of Utility Deposits were read and unanimously approved. Mayor Pro Tem Herron declared Bill #1232, Ordinance #1232.

AAI 2023-25 / Bill #1233:

Net Metering

Superintendent Thomas presented an ordinance for net metering provided by MPUA. (Net metering is a policy that would give solar owners credit for energy their systems produce.)

The first and second readings of Bill #1233 – Net Metering  were read and approved. Mayor Pro Tem Herron declared Bill #1233, Ordinance #1233.

Active Transportation Plan

Clerk Schulte recapped information sent to the board via email the week prior. The Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments has presented an opportunity to collaborate with them to create a Community Active Transportation (CAT) Plan. All thought it seemed like a good opportunity for the community.

There was discussion on who to invite to be on the committee. Aldermen Herron and Paris agreed to participate, then Clerk Schulte and Superintendent Thomas were asked to be involved, with Lead Laborer Hudson as Thomas’ alternate. Alderman Paris will contact other prospects mentioned then Clerk Schulte will send out a group communication to get the project moving forward. Alderman Paris was unanimously approved as the Community Active Transportation Plan Committee chair.

Tourism Board Attendance

Attendance was discussed at the last Tourism Board meeting. All members present at that meeting were interested in enforcing a “three strikes and out” for missing three consecutive meetings, to exclude medical emergencies. The Tourism Board requested the city council’s assistance in this matter, as the mayor appoints and removes their members.

The aldermen voted unanimously to approve the mayor removing any member of the Tourism Board who misses three consecutive meetings, excluding for medical emergencies.

AAI 2023-26 / Bill #1234: Authorization to Participate in the Missouri Firefighters Critical Illness Pool

The first and second readings of Bill #1234 – Authorization to Participate in the Missouri Firefighters Critical Illness Pool were read and unanimously approved. Mayor Pro Tem Herron declared Bill #1234, Ordinance #1234.

Street Closure Request

A request to close a section of Clay Street for the 80s reunion on August 26 was approved.

Olsson Engineering Services

Superintendent Thomas is awaiting a second opinion from another engineer. This discussion was tabled.

RenoSys Pool Liner Contract

Attorney Gagnon emailed today to attempt setting up a meeting. There are no updates at this time.

Chief of Police Derek Morriss

Chief Morriss readdressed Parshall’s complaints regarding nuisance and dangerous building ordinances. He will reach out to Tarkio’s inspector to inquire about contracting work.

As for the alleged nuisance residence, Morriss stated he has been addressing the complaints as they are brought to his attention and those residents have been remedying them. McGuire relayed city offices receiving multiple complaints, including a recent one she herself inspected involving animal neglect. Schulte added they have yet to license their animals after multiple reminders. Morriss will contact them again on that matter.

Morriss did state that the department is still short staffed and they have had several other projects lately that take priority. Other repeat nuisance properties were discussed. Paris suggested reviews of the ordinances being discussed next meeting.

City Clerk Emily Schulte

Clerk Schulte relayed that a 4th of July committee, not organized through the city, has been formed. They have had contact with city offices coordinating ideas, events, and funding.

Schoonover believed the city should organize a committee annually, given events take place on city property. Farmer stated that committees have been attempted for years, however interest is usually low. Schoonover responded that we have the interest now, so we should attempt to keep it going.

Schoonover offered to organize a committee to begin meeting in January for 2024 festivities. Schulte suggested a bank account dedicated to this specific event and committee. The aldermen voted unanimously to approve the creation of a 4th of July Committee bank account.

Superintendent

Brentlee Thomas

M-Con will be in town over the next few weeks. They were here today to replace three fire hydrants and valves, the reason for the water outages. Two hydrants were non-functioning, making them a priority. Next, they will replace 600 feet of a 2” water main in the alley from Opp Street through Clay Street.

The city received six high volume water meters that will soon be installed to replace older meters and hopefully better track usage at those installation locations.

Electrical engineer Conley with HK Scholz was here last week assisting with some recloser issues they have been having. These issues have been resolved and the reclosers are working properly now. They will also be getting a quote for the repairs and replacements of several dangerous poles.

Tube replacement on Second and Nebraska is complete. More tube replacement and ditch cleaning to help with storm water drainage and undermining is scheduled to begin this week. This project has fallen a bit behind due to other projects.

Mowing, spraying, and street patchwork are occurring daily. City and utility projects have fallen behind schedule due to the baby pool project and other time spent assisting at the park. There are many critical projects needing attention. Utility and other city projects will take priority from this point forward and the park board will have to utilize their employees, donated labor, or contractors moving forward this year.

The I-29 lift station is now repaired. New electric meters are still being installed, cutting down on meter reading time significantly, and more than 250 meters are still on order.

Alderwoman Farmer inquired about Thomas’ thoughts on Chief Jones’ visit and if we should have a back-up phone number. Thomas stated he has always responded when he has received a call unless he was already in the bucket. It was also reiterated that on-call is still suspended; however, several city employees monitor their phones and messages from citizens frequently after hours and on weekends. Reimplementing on-call would create a blow to morale.

Alderman Herron noted that low priority citizen requests after hours differ from emergency situations like Jones was discussing. Alderman Paris believed there should be a secondary for emergency calls outside regular working hours. Alderwoman Farmer thinks if on-call is currently suspended, once an employee is off work, that means they are off work.

Schulte stated that she believed Jones was trying to ask what the fire department is supposed to do if city personnel cannot be reached if life or property is at stake. Could a person qualified to do so (lineman) be designated by the fire department to pull power if attempts to reach city personnel have failed? Superintendent Thomas did not see a problem with the department making that determination under those circumstances.

The aldermen voted to approve the fire department designating a certified individual to shut off city electricity, in an emergency situation, given attempts to contact city staff have failed.

The aldermen also approved having the Sheriff’s office release the city’s emergency contact numbers to any emergency personnel when requested.

Superintendent Thomas also reported having information from the Water Commission, but is awaiting further details from the bond council prior to reporting it to the board.

Schoonover inquired, as a business owner, if more notice could be given the next time there were planned outages. Farmer stated there were no other options than how the water outage today was handled. Thomas informed the board he only knew the week before that it would be this week, and he wasn’t told it would be Wednesday until the following Monday. Schoonover said even notice of a potential outage within a range of dates would be beneficial, then corresponding the exact date once it has been determined.

Utility Office Manager

Terri McGuire

Office Manager McGuire reported Superintendent Thomas looked into electric service charges and rates through MPUA. Paul Jenson informed him the Rock Port service charges are too low when compared with providers in our area. Thomas will bring a recommendation next month for putting our charges more in line with other local providers.

Alderman Kelley Herron

Alderman Herron is excited to see the Main Street property is finally coming down. He understands it was a long day with the water outages, but the hydrants have been replaced, which was the goal. A lot of work has gone into getting things cleaned up and organized down at the city barn, which isn’t going unnoticed. Herron then wondered if the city should ask MIRMA for recommendations on golf cart and motorized scooter ordinances.

Executive Session

The aldermen voted to move into executive session pursuant to Section 610.021(1) & (3) RSMo at 8:51 p.m. The meeting moved back into regular session at 9:40 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.