By Jesse Murphy

The City of Rock Port set course to address several things they are beginning to put in motion at their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 20.

First in new business, they approved licenses for three companies to operate in the city. They are Power Washing Rangers, VitaFuel, and Doll House Investments.

Next was addressing minors driving golf carts around town. Mayor JR Chaney said that the model is based off of many Missouri cities of similar size. It also includes driving strictly to the golf course, but concerns were made about crossing the highway.

“They gave us models from towns like Plattsburg and Albany,” Chaney said. “It’s 16 with a driver’s license and insurance required. I do think this is something we need to enforce.”

Chief of Police Derek Morriss was in attendance, but said he won’t be back on full duty for a few more weeks of recovery. He expressed that these individual changes won’t take away from the overall concern.

“If you look at it from a safety standpoint, it doesn’t matter if they’re going to the golf course or to school,” Morriss said. “I’m just saying from a safety standpoint, you’re splitting hairs there.”

Anyone caught driving underage will be sent to the juvenile office. The issue of parents whose kids get caught violating the ordinance might get upset and point out other kids who also regularly violate the former ordinance was discussed along with exactly how fines will be imposed.

“It’s a situation where you should be able to enforce it,” Chaney said. “But it’s like speeding, you’re not going to catch everybody. People speed all the time and a small portion of them get caught.

“So the laws and ordinances are there because it’s what people should do, and they should follow them. Are you going to catch everybody? No, but the ordinances are still there for safety reasons and protection.”

More discussion followed on the matter before ultimately approving to change the legal age to drive carts in town from 18 to 16 in accordance to state driving laws. They instructed Morriss to begin enforcing it after the ordinance is written and approved officially next month.

“The point of talking about all this to me is because we have kids that are being dangerous,” Alderman Chris Roup said. “The crappy part is that we’re going to make rules that will affect everyone.”

Next up was upgrades to the park bathroom. They would include installing stainless steel sinks and toilets and possibly a keypad lock and cameras outside the building to prevent vandalism, drug use, and people sleeping inside.

It was also mentioned that the city should have someone on staff to regularly maintain the park area. The idea would be to assign a current city staff member extra pay to take on the responsibility.

The city approved the expenditure of up to $10,000 annually out of the general fund to support the extra work. They also approved to take bids before the funds will be approved to be spent.

Dog boarding within city limits was brought up, and aldermen said that as of now they need a breakdown of possible issues that could arise. The city attorney is looking into it and will give more information soon,  but there was no vote on this issue at this time. There was an ordinance that was discussed recently, but the current aldermen asked to either review minutes or listen to a recording of that meeting.

Hiring of a new police officer was discussed with Morriss. He said that in order to be competitive in finding new officers, the city will have to increase pay and offer more benefits like a retirement package. The city has budgeted for up to three officers.

“I’d rather just do it myself than hire someone who could end up with us in a lawsuit,” Morriss said. “We already skirted by for years now.”

The matter continued into discussion about the city’s insurance company and how that affects hiring a new officer. Chaney mentioned that the county previously used the same company, but switched after the company started trying to meddle in governmental affairs. “What I do know is this is just talking,” Chaney said. “We’re not voting or doing anything like that. This is just trying to look at all angles possible for us. No matter what, I want our own officers on duty. A lot of smaller towns have the same issue on getting officers.”

As for street and road projects, Chaney said he got quotes on asphalt for Rainbow Drive, Liberty Lane and Colvin in town that will happen over the next few years. The city approved $85 for upcoming projects.

Currently the city is working on Clay to Market streets, to be followed by work on Underwood, the Y by the football field and Hillside Drive.

The city then discussed having Klosek’s provide regular trash service and various clean-up days. The cost would be added to the water bill. The idea is to eliminate nuisances involving people not regularly disposing waste. Klosek will be at the June meeting to give a proposal at which time the aldermen will vote on the issue.

More nuisances came in about trees not being trimmed over streets or alleys, into neighbors’ yards, downed limbs in ditches and yards and wood pallets sitting around and/or being used as fences.

Chaney informed the aldermen that MoDOT is going to install lights, repaint lines and increase safety measures at the intersection of Highway 136 and I-29. He said that they did not give a timeline on the project, but confirmed it was on the list.

The mirror tint on the windows of the city building will be taken down and replaced with a logo and more welcoming outside appeal.

What to do about the downed scoreboard was discussed. The city is going to file an insurance claim, possibly splitting the money with youth sports and the school, who paid for the board itself while city workers did the installation.

Due to lack of volunteers, the city changed the language of the ordinance to state that there will be no term limits for the tourism board.

Chaney lastly mentioned that the process is in motion to have one giant firework during the finale of this year’s display. He’s gotten approval from the FAA and other government agencies to launch the large shell and said it could be a draw to bring more people into town for the holiday.

The idea of starting a blacklight softball league was also discussed. Chaney said he’s already found interest from locals who could easily form teams to play.

The board closed to go into executive session to discuss personnel before adjourning. Their next regular meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. on June 18 at city hall.