City’s Water Plant Upgrade Project Nearing Completion

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The Board of Aldermen of the City of Memphis met in regular session on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. in Memphis City Hall.  Mayor William Reckenberg called the meeting to order.  Aldermen present were:  Tom Glass, Jobe Justice, Chris Feeney, and Jenny Aldridge.  Others in attendance were:  City Administrator Allen Creek; Utility Supt. Stacy Alexander; City Attorney Brett Bozarth; and City Clerk Angela Newman.

Citizen Participation

Council addressed a citizen request from Judy Hesseltine to place decorations and landscaping materials on a cemetery plot not specifically allowed in the City Code.  Council agreed the request could be approved as long as the decorations and landscaping materials do not interfere with the maintenance of the cemetery or infringe on other plots.  Alderman Feeney moved and Alderman Justice seconded to give consent to the City Administrator to approve the request if it meets our maintenance guidelines.  Vote:  Glass, Justice, Feeney, and Aldridge, all aye.  Creek will contact the family and arrange to meet with them.

Job Descriptions

Attorney Brett Bozarth presented the revised job descriptions to the council for their review.  Bozarth has some questions to address with the City Administrator before finalizing the descriptions.  Bozarth also suggested a chain of command chart be incorporated with the job descriptions.

Re-opening of City Facilities

Council discussed the re-opening of city facilities that have been closed due to COVID-19.  Council agreed to re-open all facilities except for park restrooms, Lake ShowMe showerhouse, and playground equipment.  City Hall will continue to be closed to the public through May 31^st.  The public is reminded to continue to avoid socializing in groups that do not readily allow for appropriate social distancing of 6’, stay home if sick, wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face, sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of elbow, disinfect frequently used items and surfaces, and minimize travel to the extent possible.

Spring bulk clean-up will be discussed at the June council meeting.

Water System Improvements Pay Request #7

The consultant’s inspection report for the water treatment plant rehabilitation project from Brian Fifer was presented to the council.  The Contractor has submitted 95% of the equipment and material submittals for the project.

Concrete work on the south basin has started back up as well as epoxying cracks on the interior walls and floor. The contractor is 90% complete with the new chemical room walls and 95% complete with running the new chemical feed lines.  The new stainless steel east clearwell tank is constructed and is being Bac-T tested and then will be put on line.

The blower pad has been poured and valve vault set.  Electrical improvements are approximately 50% complete.  City crews have re-plumbed the piping between the clear-wells and water plant.  The west stainless steel clearwell tank is scheduled to start being constructed the first part of May.

A pay request was submitted from Keokuk Contractors in the amount of $313,472.27 and McClure Engineering Company in the amount of $8,195.20.

Alderman Justice moved and Alderman Aldridge seconded to approve pay request #7.  Vote:  Glass, Justice, Feeney, and Aldridge, all aye.

The council also approved an amendment to the agreement for engineering services with McClure (formerly Shafer, Kline & Warren,Inc.), of Macon, Missouri for water system improvements. splitting the initial project into two phases to try and accommodate additional funding sources.

Phase II would include distribution system improvements and repainting the water tower.

The engineer will prepare the Engineering Report and Amendments for submittal, review, and approval of the Missouri Water andWastewater Review Committee (MWWRC) for possible funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). This will include updating the opinion of probable costs for the distribution system and water tower repainting projects. The Engineer will assist the Owner in preparation of the MWWRC application and in coordinating with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)State Revolving Fund Program to reapply for inclusion on the 2020 Intended Use Plan. The Engineer will ensure the distribution system plans and specifications and the water tower repainting specifications are ready to rebid these projects.

Liquor Licenses

The following have applied to the City of Memphis for renewal of their liquor license for the period of July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

Roger Lee Robinson, dba The Party Shack – $150 For the sale of intoxicating liquors in the original package

Gary & Mary Young, dba Gas & More – $75 For the sale of malt liquor in the original package, including Sunday.

Sharon S. Uthe, dba Casey’s Marketing Co. – $450 For the sale of intoxicating liquor in the original package, and Sunday sales.

Robbin Griffith, Managing Officer, dba Dollar General #1228 – $150 For the sale of intoxicating liquors in the original package

Joy Alexander, dba Keith’s Café – $750 For the sale of intoxicating liquor (all kinds) by the drink and Sunday sales.

Alderman Justice moved and Alderman Glass seconded to approve the renewals as presented.  Vote:  Glass, Justice, and Feeney, all aye; Aldridge, abstained.

Settlement Claims

The council unanimously approved BILL NO. 20-7, an ordinance approving a settlement agreement and release with Robert Owings and Ella Owings compensating the property owners at 424 Dudley Street. The city paid $1,910.94 to reimburse the costs of sewer repairs that were done by a private contractor after it was determine that recent repair work performed by the city on adjacent water line likely was responsible for damage to the private sewer line.

The council unanimously approved Bill No. 20-8 – Ordinance approving a settlement claim and release with the Farm Shop in Edina.

The agreement adjusted the purchase and trade-in agreement between the city and the Farm Shop for two new mowers. After taking possession of two riding mowers via trade-in from the City of Memphis, the Farm Shop discovered that one of the mowers hour meters had previously been replaced and it wasn’t disclosed when the trade-in offer was established.

Department Reports

City Administrator Allen Creek presented a written report to the council reviewing the past month’s work activities as follows:

Closed all city areas with closed signs due to COVID-19; met with O’Donnell’s pest control twice to spray at the Fire Department building; Electric Department removed a pole, filled and seeded ruts at the Frank Wineingers property; set transformer; changed timer at station property; worked on circuit 4; Ruth Street is now on 7200 line; installed new meter loop at Rex Plex and installed new meter; installed new LED lights at Johnson park basketball goal; Water Department working on water plant project; Pittsburg Tank repaired a small leak on the new clear well tank; working on raising manholes as found in the Visu-Sewer report; the Road and Street department planted two trees along city right-of-way in observance of Arbor Day; the Road and Street department and the Water Department have been hauling conservation rock to Lake ShowMe; tree trimming and cutting; cleaning ditches and curb and gutter; W.L. Miller will begin working on ADA crossings along Highway 15 prior to the road resurfacing project scheduled for later this summer.

Creek presented information regarding the possible construction of a handicap ramp on the south side of the city square.  Estimated cost to put in a 4’ non-ADA ramp is approximately $2,000.  Creek is unsure if the sidewalk belongs to the City and will check further into this.

The Baker Farm is needing two new terraces constructed and one fixed.  Creek is working on getting quotes and will put in the upcoming budget.

Creek asked council direction on hauling dirt from a city residence to the school.  Mayor Reckenberg stated that the City had a mutual agreement with the health department and school regarding the Tiger Trail in which the City would contribute equipment and personnel, when available, for the maintenance and upkeep of the trail.  Creek will contact the school to verify what the dirt is to be used for.  Council instructed Attorney Bozarth to write a policy regarding the hauling of dirt and debris from private property, contingent upon the City’s need.

Kenny Stutsman is wanting to pay for gravel to be put on Johnson Street.  All adjoining property owners have agreed.  Council approved the request as long as everyone was in agreement.

Creek obtained quotes for a cement ADA ramp at the Fire Station in the amount of $18,000 – $20,000 and $15,000 – $18,000 for a wood frame composite deck.  Creek found a modular aluminum ramp on the market place for $1,500 and would like permission to look at it.  Council agreed.

Martin Custom Homes would like to place a single wide on their lot north of the existing double wide and would also like permission to move in more in the future.  The trailers are new and for sales purposes only and the property is zoned commercial.  Council agreed to the request.

The City recently received a used forklift through the NEMO Solid Waste Management District grant program to be used in the recycling department.  Creek has contacted Ferrellgas and Prairieland FS for an extra used tank for the forklift.  At this time, there is not one available and a new one is approximately $200.  Alderman Glass suggested contacting Pepsi to see if they might have one.  Council agreed to purchase a new one if a used one cannot be found.

A shipment of mixed recyclables was sold and shipped out recently consisting of PET, steel and aluminum cans in the amount of $1,900.  The price of the PET and steel cans are low at this time.

Creek asked council permission for Allen Garrett to hire for two positions to assist with mowing at the parks and with painting and cleaning at the pool in preparation for opening.  Also need one person to mow at the disc golf course at Lake ShowMe.  Council agreed to the three positions, suggesting that the person mowing the disc golf course could also be utilized to mow in other areas as needed.

Creek had asked the County Commissioners to contribute $13,000 towards the sealing of the city square.  The Commission did not budget for this expense and Creek asked council permission to proceed with the project.  Total estimated cost is $39,850.  Council agreed to proceed and suggested Creek address the Commissioners about gifting the inside of the city square to the City if the City is going to maintain it.

A potential new business had contacted Creek recently about coming to Memphis.  Creek contacted Shari Schenewerk from the Department of Economic Development for information on available programs.  Creek suggested the City build a package to have available for future business prospects and also suggested meeting with Schenewerk.

Utility Supt. Stacy Alexander praised the work of the water department on the water plant project and the electric department on finishing up several projects.  The electric departments apprentice lineman is also doing very well in his schooling and training.

Aldermen Reports

Alderman Justice brought a citizen concern to the council regarding the traffic on West Jefferson Street.  There is not a stop sign on that street and the speed of traffic is a concern with children in the area.  Council suggested having the police department patrol the area more in an attempt to slow down the traffic.

Council adjourned into closed session at 9:22 p.m.

Council discussed pending legal issues and pending lease agreements with the City Attorney.  Council also discussed various personnel issues.

Council set a special closed meeting pursuant to RSMo. 610.021(3) for May 21st at 5:00 p.m.

Alderman Glass moved and Alderman Aldridge seconded to adjourn from closed.  Vote:  Glass, Justice, Feeney, and Aldridge, all aye.

Closed session adjourned at 10:45 p.m.