Mayor Amy Thomas, right, presented certificates of appreciation to Shauna Farmer, left, and Lisa Wilczek, center.

Mayor Amy Thomas, right, presented a certificate of appreciation to Katey Kroeger, left.

The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Amy Thomas presiding. Board members present were Ron Deatz, Lisa Farmer, Kelley Herron, and Todd Stevens. Also present were Brentlee Thomas, Sam Lansdown, Officer Derek Morriss, Utility Office Manager Terri McGuire, Chief of Police Shannon Sherwood, and City Clerk Emily Schulte. Visitors were Scott Driskell, W.C. and Shauna Farmer, Mark and Lisa Wilczek, Katey Kroeger and Jim Hickok. Devon Sons and Jennifer Geib arrived later.

Mayor Amy Thomas called the meeting to order.

The meeting agenda was approved.

The minutes of the November 17, 2021, meeting were also approved.

Mayor Thomas invited Katey Kroeger, Shauna Farmer, and Lisa Wilczek to present Certificates of Service. Kroeger has donated a great deal of time and energy during her five years of service on the Park Board. Wilczek contributed over 20 years to the youth and citizens of Rock Port instructing Red Cross swim lessons. Farmer has been a valued member of the Park Board for 14 years and has also given over 20 years of her time overseeing the community Red Cross swim lessons.

Jim Hickok was present to thank the Board for getting the Rainbow Drive property cleaned up.

Office Morriss was in attendance to discuss his use of sick leave. He reiterated that the board had agreed his current use of accrued sick leave was acceptable; however, he believed at the last meeting it was being questioned and possibly stated that he could be abusing his leave. Alderman Stevens noted that the city’s FMLA policy doesn’t state whether sick leave can be used concurrently; the issue is more that the city’s policy needs to be tightened up. Discussion over whether sick leave could be used and for what duration of FMLA took place.

Stevens requested the conversation continue in executive session. Herron moved to adjourn into executive session. The motion received no second. Options for potential policy changes would be developed and presented at an upcoming meeting.

The aldermen approved the city financial statements, accounts payables, tax report, delinquent tax list, the City Clerk, Chief of Police, and all board reports. They also approved the utility financial statements, accounts payables, purchased power and water statements, take or pay water use report, water loss reports, Utility Office Manager report, and City Superintendent report.

Budgets

Bill #1214 – 2022 City Budget was read by Stevens. The first reading was approved. Bill #1214 – 2022 City Budget was read for a second time by Deatz. It was also approved. Mayor Thomas declared Bill #1214, Ordinance #1214.

Bill #1215 – 2022 Utility Budget was read by Stevens. The first reading was approved. Bill #1215 – 2022 Utility Budget was read for a second time by Deatz. It was also approved. Mayor Thomas declared Bill #1215, Ordinance #1215.

Bill #1216 – 2022 Park Board Budget was read by Stevens. The first reading was approved. Bill #1216 – 2022 Park Board Budget was read for a second time by Deatz. It wat was also approved. Mayor Thomas declared Bill #1216, Ordinance #1216.

A list of meeting dates for 2022 was submitted. All dates are currently set for the third Wednesday of the month. The aldermen voted to approve the submitted 2022 Board of Aldermen meeting dates contingent on the December meeting moving up one week.

The 2022 liquor licenses were approved.

Emergency snow routes were submitted for review and approved. It was asked that they be posted for citizens’ awareness.

City Attorney Emily Bauman reviewed and revised the pending emergency mutual aid agreement between the city and AHEC. The aldermen approved Bauman’s revisions and will forward the revised agreement to AHEC for review.

Policy 2-18: Family and Medical Leave Act

Clerk McGuire reported MIRMA’s HR-1 Call’s Jennifer Baird, Attorney at Lauber Law, reviewed Policy 2-17 and 2-18. After much discussion Clerk McGuire believes 2-18 FMLA is not in need of revision. Policy 2-17 Paid Medical Leave “Employees may use accumulated medical leave for an absence due to illness or injury and for routine medical/dental exams for themselves or their immediate family (children, spouse, parents).” leaves room for interpretation and could be revised.

Ms. Baird recommended that if the city believes that a leave qualifies for FMLA protection, the city should initiate the process, even though the policy states leave is based on the employee’s request. She also recommends that paid medical leave and FMLA time run concurrently.

McGuire requested changes to the current policy be submitted by the board and she would revise the policy. Stevens stated if extensive time is being taken, a cap should possibly be implemented. McGuire reminded the board the attorney recommended FMLA and sick leave run concurrently.

Brentlee Thomas was appointed as the new delegate to represent the city on the ACWWC Board. The recent resignation of the City’s Superintendent left the position open.

Deatz recommended a 5% wage increase for Brentlee Thomas and Sam Lansdown for stepping up during the employee shortage, retroactive to December 1. The increase is temporary until positions are filled. The aldermen voted unanimously to approve the recommendation.

Driskell was in attendance to discuss Skyline Drive. Stevens noted his last correspondence with Jarvis of MoDOT was requesting they replace the guardrail, but not proceed with deeding the property to the city at this time. He recognized the process was being drawn out, however the city is also partially to blame. Herron expressed concerns over putting tax dollars into a road the city doesn’t own. Deatz believes the alternatives generating from the 2020 engineering study are too expensive.

Driskell again asked that the city move forward with MoDOT by having them replace the guardrail and purchasing of the blocks. The larger blocks previously discussed, in his opinion, aren’t necessary. If the city worked together with MIRMA on their current issues with the road the city could submit that list to MoDOT and request the fixes be made.

Herron moved to leave the section of roadway closed and walk away from MoDOT discussions. The motion received no second.

Stevens stated he would move forward with attempting to have the railing replaced. The repairs to Skyline Drive will be weighed against other street repairs using the same prioritization scheme that has been used in the past. Driskell believes the city could simply ask MoDOT to pay for the materials and the city employees could do the concrete work. Stevens will contact Jarvis.

Stevens recommended tabling Skyline Drive to give time to discuss the issue with MIRMA and attempt setting a working meeting with MoDOT.

Herron moved to end discussions of the MoDOT owned portion of Skyline Drive. Farmer seconded. Herron and Farmer voted aye. Stevens and Deatz voted nay. Mayor Thomas voted nay. The motion failed.

Herron and Thomas were appointed as the two Board of Aldermen representatives for the 4th of July Committee that was created and approved in November.

Deatz and Stevens discussed scheduling interviews within the next few weeks for the open positions.

Department and Board Member Reports

Herron thanked employee Thomas for getting the new Christmas decorations hung.

Stevens asked the board if they were satisfied with level of detail in the police report. Deatz had some questions for Chief Sherwood regarding his report but stated he would come by and meet with him later.

Mayor Thomas reported several citizens have contacted her regarding the amount of work our small crew is performing.

Park Board – The Practice Field

Park Board members Devon Sons and Jennifer Geib were present. Sons suggested selling the practice field portion of the park to cut down mowing expense, as they can’t balance the 2022 budget. Mowing bids will be requested with the practice field separate to see the actual cost. Stevens offered to talk to the school about assisting in maintaining the practice field. McGuire reminded the board the Park Board also pays for water service to that location. Herron asked if the lifeguards could assist in mowing. Sons stated the Park Board no longer has a mower.

Herron moved to adjourn into executive session at 7:20 p.m. for personnel matters pursuant to Section 610.021(3) RSMo & Section 610.021(13) RSMo. Farmer seconded. All votes aye.

Regular session resumed at 8:43 p.m.

Deatz moved to promote Brentlee Thomas to interim superintendent. Herron seconded. All votes aye.

The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.