The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Amy Thomas presiding. Board members present were Lisa Farmer, Kelley Herron, Kory Paris, and Raechel Schoonover. Also present were Utility Office Manager Terri McGuire, Chief of Police Derek Morriss, City Clerk Emily Schulte, Superintendent Brentlee Thomas, and Deputy Clerk Tierra Stoner. Visitors present were Robert Paulo, Lavon Paukert, and Park Board members Jennifer Geib, Sheena Roup, and Devon Sons. Sarah Prickett and Amy Dowis with Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments were present via Zoom.
Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order.
The meeting agenda was approved.
Community Active Transportation Plan
Sarah Prickett shared her final draft of the Community Active Transportation Plan for Rock Port via Zoom. Dowis stated if no alterations were suggested, the next step would be for the council to accept the plan as presented then the Regional Council will submit the proposal to the Department of Health and Senior Services for their approval. The proposed Community Active Transportation Plan was approved.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
The minutes of meetings held August 16, 28, and 30, 2023, were approved.
Consent Agendas
The aldermen voted to approve the city financial statements, accounts payable, tax report, delinquent tax list, the City Clerk report, Chief of Police report, and all board reports.
They also approved 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.
Park Maintenance Agreement
Mayor Thomas recapped the board having a series of working meetings with and without staff and Park Board members to discuss the park maintenance agreement.
Mayor Thomas addressed a list of questions provided by the Park Board at their meeting.
Geib and Roup then stated needing to leave the meeting, but they could return later. Mayor Thomas told them the conversation would be tabled until they could return.
Mayor Thomas asked Schulte questions regarding ARPA funding, including if the funding could be spent on the items requested. Schulte confirmed they could. It was the opinions of Thomas, Farmer, and Paris that if the city were to quit mowing, the city should purchase items for the Park Board to take it over. Superintendent Thomas was asked about what equipment they use as well as what he would recommend for the park. He did state they should consider leasing equipment prior to purchasing.
The topic was tabled.
ARPA Funds
The funds remaining following project completions were discussed. With the cancellation of the pool slide, those funds have returned to the funds pool and need to be reallocated. Items being requested should be priced out and brought for discussion at the October meeting.
Special Event Permit Application
A special event permit for Reed Martin to shoot fireworks at home football games was presented for consideration and approved.
Paukert exited the meeting.
2024 Budgets
Schulte presented a draft general fund budget for 2024. She added a fourth category within the general expenses for costs incurred by the Board of Aldermen, as there have been several items recently which don’t fit among the other three categories. She would like their input on the addition being incorporated as she believed this could be the solution to determining the allocation of those charges.
Mayor Thomas inquired where the budget income line amounts come from and how they are figured. Schulte gave a brief explanation of the larger income lines, and stated they are typically estimated based on their histories.
Alderwoman Schoonover exited the meeting.
Mayor Thomas gave her observation of expenses increasing more rapidly than income. She then reported on the 2018 police car that will be going to the shop next week and the 2016 car that needs to be replaced.
Schulte requested guidance from the board for the topics discussed so the necessary alterations could be made.
Olsson Engineering Services
Superintendent Thomas is still awaiting his second bid. He relayed that Olsson could be removed from future agendas.
RenoSys Pool Liner Contract
There has been no update.
Pole Attachment Agreement
Thomas stated that the terms within the current pole attachment agreement are outdated and in need of updating. Several poles and attachments are not accounted for within the current agreement. Additionally, MPUA recommended increasing the pole rental charge from $3.00 per pole, to $8.00. Attorney Gagnon has drafted a letter he recommends sending to Rock Port Telephone. The aldermen approved sending the proposed letter to Rock Port Telephone.
Chief of Police Derek Morriss
Chief Morriss reported that Officer Seiter has submitted his resignation effective September 22.
Morris is not sure how to maintain a 24/7 department moving forward with only one officer. He was encouraged to make whatever decisions on scheduling he deems best.
Mayor Thomas then inquired about court dates and informed everyone arrangements have been made to have the police car serviced at Larson Motors in Nebraska City next week.
Morriss reported another grant has been submitted for radios.
Paulo exited the meeting.
City Clerk Emily Schulte
Clerk Schulte reminded the board of the proclamation request for Buddy Husing. The aldermen voted unanimously to approve a proclamation for Buddy Husing.
Superintendent Brentlee Thomas
Superintendent Thomas reported on crosswalks being painted and cold patch work being done.
A citizen concern was received regarding the visibility at the intersection of Fourth and Washington. Thomas agreed with the concern and found convex mirrors he proposed installing in the area in an attempt to remedy the issue.
An Atchison-Holt mutual aid agreement was proposed a couple years ago, but terms were never reached. It was proposed to once again attempt finding conditions both parties can agree to. Thomas will reach out to MPUA for guidance.
Geib and Roup returned to the meeting.
Alderman Paris had contacted Thomas regarding the time-based usage billboards being put up by Evergy. All electric providers have the ability to offer it, however a utility of Rock Port’s size does not have the manpower to do so.
Park Maintenance Agreement
Questions from earlier in the meeting were then resumed:
• In August the Park Board requested four checks be held until they could figure out their finances. They were not notified when the city went ahead and deposited them. Alderman Paris stated that was his fault as it was his opinion they should be deposited. Geib stated that should have been voted on by the Park Board prior to that happening.
• Geib stated that June items were added to the June financials after the fact and wanted more information. That was done to put June’s payroll within that month’s budget. That reimbursement was handled late due to issues with other park matters.
• Geib wanted to know the status of the credit card fees. Schulte told her it hadn’t reflected on the latest statement, but she had logged in to the online portal and told her two of the three fees had been refunded and that she would call on the third.
• Additional questions were asked regarding the credit card used by the park.
• The Sam’s Club membership charge made on the card several months ago was addressed.
• Geib asked why park board officers are not signing checks anymore. Schulte stated it was a practice that the park agreed to verbally a few years ago to reduce park officers having to come into the office, especially during COVID. The practice then continued for convenience. The Park Board stated they would like to resume signing their own checks.
Geib stated she believed there is also an issue with the charged August hours, however she didn’t have that information with her.
Midwest Data Center is giving them one free Wi-Fi connection, but they will need a second connection for their new camera system. She asked if the Police Department would be interested in assisting with the costs. It was also suggested to ask the school, since some of the cameras are around the ball field.
The school’s bonfire at the practice field was discussed.
Geib then inquired why the 4th of July account was not in the Park Board financials. Schulte relayed it was opened as a city account, not a park account. Geib stated that was not the intent of the money raised, and it should have all gone to the pool donations.
Alderman Kelley Herron
Alderman Herron has received good feedback on the crosswalks. Compliments were also heard regarding Chief Morriss being present for Old Fashioned Saturday Night.
Alderwoman Lisa Farmer
Farmer noted complaints regarding Main Street properties with boarded up and broken windows. She inquired what the timeframe is regarding replacing windows and if anything can be done with ones that keep breaking resulting with the glass falling onto sidewalks. Finally, one building should likely be inspected as its condition is starting to cause deterioration to the attached sidewalks.
Mayor Amy Thomas
Mayor Thomas appreciates everyone going above and beyond. The park is owned by the city and needs to keep it maintained.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
(Note: The minutes were edited due to space limitations. To read the full minutes, go to https://www.rpmo.com/meetings.)
