The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, February 12, 2024, at Tarkio City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited at 6:00 p.m. City Clerk Danielle Kephart did roll call: aldermen Scott Walker, Jeff Olson, James Navin, and Scott Poppa were all present.Visitors were: Mayor Jeff Agnew; city employees –  Police Chief Tyson Gibbons and Police Officer TeeJay Thomas; Fire Chief Mike Shaw; Tarkio Board of Public Works employees Jessica Walker and Danny Martin; Park Board President Tommy Dow; Chamber of Commerce members Ashlee Driskell and Jennifer Peregrine; and citizens Mike Klosek, Sr., and Danny Vietze.

Mayor Jeff Agnew asked for the approval of the January 15, 2025, regular meeting as distributed. It was approved. There were no additions, deletions or continuances to the agenda.

Ashlee Driskell and Jennifer Peregrine spoke to the board on behalf of the Tarkio Chamber of Commerce. They are wanting to move forward with purchasing banners for Main Street. They have been in contact with other cities about how those cities hang their banners and the size of them. They are waiting for measurements on the old banners that used to hang on the Main Street poles.

Candidates for the April 8 election are as follow: Scott Walker, North Ward Alderman; and Jeffrey Olson, South Ward Alderman. There will also be a tax proposal on the ballot: Shall the City of Tarkio, Missouri, Impose A Sales Tax of One-Half (1/2) of One Percent (1%) For the Purpose of Improving Public Safety?

Mike Shaw informed the board that the Rural Fire Board would be purchasing a Generac generator for the fire station. The cost for the generator and installation is $14,905.00. Chief Shaw asked if the city would be willing to cover the yearly service fees of $250.00. The board agreed that they would pay for this. Clerk Kephart will be adding this cost to the yearly budget.

Mayor Agnew gave the first reading of Bill No. 320.25 Ordinance No. 306.25: An Ordinance To Amend Chapter 367 Section 367.010 Definitions And 367.140 Snow Emergency Route Designation. Poppa made a motion to approve Bill 319.25 Ordinance 305.25. The motion was seconded and approved.

Mayor Agnew gave the second reading of Bill No. 320.25 Ordinance No. 306.25. Walker made a motion to approve Bill 320.25 Ordinance 306.25 and the motion was seconded and approved. Bill 320.25 Ordinance 306.25 was adopted.

Mayor Agnew asked the board if there were any changes that needed to be made to the proposed sick leave bank policy. No changes were needed. Poppa made a motion to approve the sick leave bank policy as presented and to add it to the current employee policy, The motion was seconded and approved. Clerk Kephart will add this to the employee policy.

The city’s annual MIRMA review was done on Tuesday. The city scored a 93% this year. There are two recommendations on the review that need to be addressed. The city will also need to work on a sidewalk replacement program policy.

Department Reports

Jeff Olson, City Buildings – They are waiting on a quote on the cost to fix the southwest door at the Community Building. Toilets have been temporarily fixed and will be worked on more this spring.

Scott Walker, Fire Department – There was nothing to report.

Scott Poppa, Parks/Pool – Poppa talked to the board about some railing that was supposed to be put up at the baseball field on the new bleachers. Poppa and Olson will be getting together with Craig McAdams to figure out where the railing went and what needs to be done to get railings put up.

James Navin, Jr., City Streets – A report from Street Superintendent Jamie Quimby was presented:

• Repairs/Equipment – The front loader had to have the control for the bucket replaced. It was getting close to the 3,000-hour full maintenance, so Quimby scheduled both to be done at the same time to save money on the mileage charge.

• RV Park – There are no campers at this time.

• Weather Event – There was a winter weather event last week while Quimby was on vacation and the guys did a good job taking care of the ice we received. There is a weather event this week also that the crew has prepped for as best as they can.

• Water Leak – The crew assisted with a water leak located in the alley between College and Sycamore streets just off of 12th Street. Charlie Kirwan and Quimby have discussed the repairs that will be done to smooth the alley up in the work area when warmer weather is here.

Jessica Walker, Tarkio Board of Public Works – The water company had their audit on February 5.

Mayor Agnew, Gould Peterson Municipal Airport – There will be a fly-in this year. There will also be a kite event at the end of July. More information will be put out about these events when it is received.

Chris Niles, Animal Control – There was nothing to report.

Chief Gibbons, Police Department – There have been several calls this month resulting in a few arrests. The Tarkio PD has been working closely beside the Atchison County Sherriff’s Office on several calls recently.

Clerk Kephart, City Financials – Clerk Kephart will be gone March 8-14 for the annual Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association Spring Institute. Clerk Kephart informed the board that she was still working on the budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and asked that any changes or needs be brought to her before the March 19 meeting.

Walker made a motion to enter into executive session per Chapter 610.021 Section 3 hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting a particular employee, etc. Navin seconded and all approved. The meeting moved into executive session.

Olson made a motion to close executive session and the motion was seconded and approved. The meeting moved back into regular session.

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. The next regular Tarkio City Council meeting will be held Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Tarkio City Hall. Citizens are encouraged to attend.