The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Monday, August 15, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. with Mayor Amy Thomas presiding. Board members present were Ron Deatz, Lisa Farmer, Kelley Herron, and Kory Paris. Also present were Superintendent Brentlee Thomas, Utility Office Manager Terri McGuire, City Clerk Emily Schulte, lead laborer Jarod Hudson, laborers Dennis Sherlock, Sam Lansdown, and Zachariah Enos, and officers Derek Morriss and Luke Seiter. Visitors were Tonya Lohman (Northwest District maintenance and traffic engineer) and Jeremy Jackson (maintenance superintendent) of MoDOT.

Lohman and Jackson were present to discuss a property located along Highway 136 in front of the Rock Port Cabins.

The triangular property contains a MoDOT right-of-way along Highway 136 and West 3rd Street on one side, and a City of Rock Port easement on the other two sides bordering West 4th Street and Nebraska Street.

The City of Rock Port easement is owned by the adjoining landowner, currently Keith Gross, but granted to the city for purposes pertaining, but not limited, to utilities and streets. City ordinances require the adjoining landowner maintain the property to the standards of those ordinances. The city easements on that parcel of property are 12’ setbacks.

The MoDOT right-of-way is owned by the State of Missouri. MoDOT will maintain this property two to three times a year regarding mowing/nuisance abatement. Their setback on this parcel of property is 15’ from Highway 136.

Though the property owner in this situation must maintain the areas designated as the city’s easement, they are not required to maintain the portion owned by MoDOT.

It was stated by MoDOT that their properties are not required to meet city ordinances, only state guidelines. It was then asked if the city could request additional upkeep from MoDOT for that property given Gross is adamant that Rock Port Cabins will not be doing the upkeep. With the number of roadways and right-of-ways MoDOT owns and their limited workforce, the amount of upkeep they are currently providing is all they can manage. The roadways take priority for both labor and budgetarily.

That ditch receives several complaints a year from both citizens and neighboring property owners regarding both the visual appearance and dangerous conditions the weeds present to  motorists attempting to utilize those intersections. It was then asked if the historical marker which previously resided there could be put back. Lohman and Jackson were not sure. Additional alternatives were discussed for that section to prevent the growth of weeds, however it was relayed that any requests made to MoDOT would ultimately land back in Lohman’s office and likely have to be decided.

While present, concerns were raised by the board for the tattered flags at the four-way and the current state of the Skyline Drive project along with the weeds in that area. Jackson would investigate the flag concern. As for the Skyline project, MoDOT is still waiting on the guardrail to arrive and Superintendent Thomas’ raised sewer manhole is still on backorder. As for the weeds, it will be maintained at the same consistency as the other property previously discussed.

Executive Session

The aldermen voted to adjourn into executive session for contract proposal matters pursuant to Section 610.021(12) RSMo at 8:35 a.m. The executive session adjourned at 9:05 a.m. and the regular session also adjourned.

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The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met August 17, 2022.

A hearing for the 2022 tax rate hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. No visitors requested to speak.

The regular meeting began at 6:02 p.m. with Mayor Amy Thomas presiding. Board members present were Ron Deatz, Lisa Farmer, Kelley Herron, and Kory Paris. Also present were Superintendent Brentlee Thomas, Utility Office Manager Terri McGuire, and City Clerk Emily Schulte. Visitors were Charlie Clodfelter (Restore Rock Port), and Sheena Roup and Tawni Ellis (Park Board and Trail Planning Committee members).

An amendment to add an executive session for legal matters pursuant to Section 610.021(1) RSMo. was requested. The amended meeting agenda was approved.

The aldermen approved the minutes of the July 20 and July 27, 2022, meetings.

Restore Rock Port

Charlie Clodfelter with Restore Rock Port was in attendance to inform the board of community improvement grant opportunities Restore Rock Port is pursuing. The specific grants currently being sought would entail a 100% match but with a $500,000 minimum out of pocket. Though that grant is still in draft form, there is discussion of that minimum being lowered to $250,000.

They are hoping to recruit several entities that can group together to achieve the grant stipulations, whether it be the Tourism or Park Board, fire department, future Main Street improvements by the city, or any other entity within the area looking to do or having recently done community improvements.

Clodfelter invited any entities who have had or are planning to have community improvement projects between March 4, 2021, to September 30, 2026, to contact Regan Griffin with Restore Rock Port about attending the September 8 meeting.

Other Visitors

Sheena Roup and Tawni Ellis were present to discuss the possibilities of a walking trail being built at the city park. Roup and Ellis are both members of the Park Board as well as the Trail Planning Committee. The newly formed group is looking into possible 80/20 grant opportunities for the project, however they are seeking the city’s blessing to build the trail, as the owners of the property. They will likely need to raise $70,000 prior to the project even beginning.

Alderman Paris inquired if they have a park concept for any potential future projects for the ball fields, existing or new pool, a splash pad, etc. to ensure none of the project would potentially have to be torn out to accommodate for something else. Roup and Ellis recapped the meeting they held the week prior discussing future park plans with entities who utilize our facilities.

Schulte inquired if the committee knew who would be responsible for all maintenance and repair items once the trail was complete – the city, the Park Board, or another entity. As the project is in the initial planning stages, that has not yet been determined.

The Trail Planning Committee is going to continue with their research and come back when the planning is in the final stages.

Consent Agendas

The aldermen voted to approve 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 and city superintendent reports.

Bill # 1219: 2022 Tax Rate

Bill #1219 – 2022 Tax Rate was read and approved. Bill #1219 – 2022 Tax Rate was read for a second time and approved. Mayor Thomas declared Bill # 1219, Ordinance #1219.

Solid Waste Disposal Contract

Schulte wanted to confirm the board wasn’t wanting to change any additional terms in the Klosek’s agreement prior to her sending it back. It was noted that after the first year the agreement turns into a month-to-month automatic renewal with only a 30 day termination notice required. Schulte relayed that the past contract renewed every two years. There was concern voiced that 30 days would not give the city enough time to find alternative service, if Klosek’s were to terminate the agreement within that time frame.

The aldermen voted to submit changes to the solid waste disposal contract including changing the month-to month automatic renewal to a yearly automatic renewal and a 90 day termination notice as opposed to a 30 day notice.

City Attorney

The city’s attorney, Emily Bauman, recently won her campaign for Andrew County Associate Circuit Judge. Her last month of availability to the city will be November of this year. The aldermen approved having the city send out Requests for Proposals for a City Attorney/Prosecutor.

An additional date, September 10, has been added to the list of Farmers Markets and they have again requested to close the section of Clay Street to the south of the Memorial Building between Main Street and the alley. The request was approved.

Schulte informed the board the password and authorizations were changed with Agilis for the GPS on the police department’s patrol vehicles, per the mayor. It was asked if the devices were now to be reinstalled or the service cancelled. Discussion on the GPS was tabled until the adjournment of the executive session scheduled for later in the meeting.

Charlie Clodfelter submitted an application to fill a vacancy on the Tourism Board. Mayor Thomas recommended Clodfelter for the vacancy and his appointment was approved.

The iPads purchased with ARPA funds have been received, however the two purchased for the fire department will need to be exchanged. Schulte ordered all wifi only devices, but the devices used in the fire trucks need cellular capabilities. It was asked if the fire department should pay the difference of $114 each for the exchange. The aldermen voted to approve the difference of $228 for cellular iPads be paid from ARPA funds for the fire department.

Superintendent

Brentlee Thomas

New Tech has completed their repairs regarding undermined streets. MIRMA also transferred the claim pertaining to Klosek’s tow bill on to them since the hole was a result of their boring.

The work on the school intersection is complete and it looks good. The new street lights have arrived and they are being installed as time allows. Tree trimming has been delayed, but is still being planned.

Utility Office Manager

Terri McGuire

Laborers Hudson and Sherlock just completed classes and testing for their water license. Each will receive a $.50 raise with a passing score. Officer Seiter will receive his 2% longevity raise on the next payroll.

The nuisance tracker is working well and several issues seem to be getting abated. It is a great tool if everyone will continue using it. There were some questions concerning what remedies the issue of junk vehicles. Does covering it with a tarp actually suffice? Schulte stated that has always been an acceptable standard relayed to her by Chief Sherwood. Mayor Thomas offered to look further into this topic.

Alderman Kelley Herron

Herron stated he can see improvements in the productivity of the police department and is thankful for all the officers are doing. He also appreciated Superintendent Thomas approving the replacement of the intersection by the school. It looks great and just in time for school to start.

He also extended a thank you to MoDOT for promptly getting the flags at the four-way replaced following the city’s concerns.

Alderman Lisa Farmer

Farmer received a concern over vines growing up utility poles as the citizen wondered if it could cause damage to the electrical once it reached the top. Superintendent Thomas stated he could go evaluate the areas in question.

Alderman Kory Paris

Paris expressed interest in evaluating the city’s utility rates to ensure the rates are where they need to be, especially for water and sewer.

Mayor Amy Thomas

Mayor Thomas expressed the need for a school bus stop ahead sign before a residence on Highway 136. She will reach out to MoDOT.

Executive Session

The aldermen voted unanimously to adjourn into executive session pursuant to Section 610.021(1) RSMo at 7:45.

The executive session was adjourned and regular session resumed.

Other Business

The board’s consensus was that Mayor Thomas had the authority to decide whether or not the police vehicle GPS devices were plugged back in. Thomas stated she would like to have them reactivated, but at this time only she will have access.