City Council Discusses Annexation of Property at June Meeting

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The Board of Aldermen of the City of Memphis met in regular session on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. in Memphis City Hall.  Mayor William Reckenberg called the meeting to order.  Aldermen present were:  Tom Glass, Chris Feeney, and Jenny Aldridge; Jobe Justice was absent.  Others in attendance were:  City Administrator Allen Creek; Utility Supt. Stacy Alexander; City Marshal Jeremy Head; City Attorney Brett Bozarth; and City Clerk Angela Newman.

Citizen Participation

Alderman Feeney passed along a request from Brent Walker regarding possible annexation of his property into the City of Memphis.  Attorney Bozarth discussed the application process.  Council agreed Walker should contact Attorney Bozarth to prepare the application to be presented to the council.

Proposed Job Descriptions

At the May council meeting, Attorney Bozarth presented a draft of the proposed job descriptions for council review.  Bozarth will be meeting with City Administrator Creek and Utility Superintendent. Alexander in the near future to finalize the descriptions.

Water System Improvements Pay Request #8

The consultant’s inspection report for the water treatment plant rehabilitation project from Brian Fifer was presented to the council.  The contractor has submitted 98% of the equipment and material submittals for the project.  The south basin walls are 50% complete and will need to cure for 30 days before the epoxy coating can be applied.  The new chemical room walls are 100% complete and 95% complete with running the new chemical feed lines.  The east clearwell tank is on line and the west tank is 75% complete.  The overall project is 55% complete at this time.

A pay request was submitted from Keokuk Contractors in the amount of $358,499.60 and McClure Engineering Company in the amount of $8,044.40 and was unanimously approved by the board.

Airport Liability Insurance Quotes

Hawkins/Harrison Insurance submitted four quotes for the City’s airport liability coverage to begin June 15^th.  Quotes received were as follows:

Old Republic – $3,000.00 annual

Starr Aviation – $2,583.00 annual, Terrorism coverage would be an additional 5% of premium

AIG (current carrier) – renewal $1,955.00, Terrorism coverage would be an additional $352.00

Global Aerospace – 2- options

$1,260.00 – Terrorism additional $126 – 3-year policy negotiated each subsequent year

$1,450.00 – Terrorism additional $145 – 3-year guaranteed rate, annual installments

The council unanimously agreed to accept the 3-year guaranteed rate from Global Aerospace in the amount of $1,450.00 annually and to decline the terrorism coverage.

Adopt City Administrator Evaluation Procedures

The council discussed and agreed to add a comment section and signature line to the proposed City Administrator and Utility Superintendent evaluation procedures.  The process was unanimously approved with the proposed change.

Re-Opening of Restrooms/Shower House/Playground Equipment

City Administrator Creek reported the Scotland County Health Department did not recommend re-opening of park restrooms, lake shower house, or playground equipment.  Council agreed to keep the areas closed at this time.

Spring Bulk Clean-up

The council agreed to postpone residential bulk clean-up until fall.

Set Organizational Meeting Date

Council set a special meeting date of Monday, June 8th at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of swearing in the newly elected officials.

City Administrator

City Administrator Creek discussed with the council the amount of a pay increase for employees obtaining a Class D waste water license.  The council voted 2-0 to implement a $1.00 per hour pay increase to city employees obtaining a Class D waste water license.  Alderman Aldridge abstained. Mayor Reckenberg voted in favor of the issue.

Creek presented a proposed letter prepared by Attorney Bozarth to be sent to NEMR regarding fiber in the sewer lines.  Council agreed to send the letter.

A used digger derrick truck was purchased as discussed at the May council meeting.  A quote from Anixter Power Solutions for the tamp and hardware was presented in the amount of $3,356.59.  The council voted 3-0 to approve the purchase.

A quote for outdoor backboards at Johnson Park was presented from Wamco Athletics in the amount of $400 each for Blem Backboards. Three backboards are needed and total cost would be $1,200 delivered and installed.  The council voted 3-0 purchase of three Blem Backboards at a total cost of $1,200.

Creek contacted Shari Schenewerk with the Missouri Department of Economic Development regarding a meeting to discuss a package for future business prospects.  Schenewerk is available for a teleconference.

The land-apply agreements have been sent to USDA for their review.

Miller Asphalt will be sealing the square beginning Monday, June 8^th.  The fire department will wash the square on Sunday, June 7^thbeginning at 3:00 p.m.  The project will take most of the week to complete.  Creek is working with the recorder’s office on locating county and city property lines on the square, as well as reviewing how much of the sidewalks around the square belong to the City.

A new air compressor was purchased for the water and sewer department in the amount of $489.  The new air compressor replaced a 25-year old unit which needed a new motor and pressure switch.

The electric pole replacement project conducted with Tri-County Electric on Thursday was successful.  Creek is working with Utility Supt. Alexander and Foreman Jordan Fulk to implement a pole inspection program.

Creek met with W.L. Miller and received a quote to mill and hot mix approximately 50’ where Lovers Lane meets Highway 15.  W.L. Miller also quoted resurfacing Lovers Lane from Highway 15 to the elementary school drive.

Cardboard prices have risen recently to $120 per ton from $30 per ton.  Recycling products sold in the month of May totaled $4,700.

The pool is painted and ready to be filled this weekend with an expected opening date of Wednesday, June 10^th.  Allen Garrett, pool manager, has been in contact with the local health department regarding sanitation, checking temperatures, and gloves.

Creek was informed today the application for CARES funds from the county is on their website.  There will be an airport bid opening at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5^th in City Hall.  The lagoon pumps retrofit project with Vandevanter Engineering will begin on Monday, June 8^th and will take approximately three days to complete.

Creek has also met with several citizens regarding cemetery issues and worked with Department Foreman Roger Tinkle on several lake and street repairs.  A letter was sent out to a property owner on Cecil Street regarding a dangerous building and tall grass.

City Marshal Jeremy Head reported he has been verbally contacting property owners regarding tall grass violations.

Aldermen Reports

Alderman Feeney requested employees to compile a list of issues with the city’s PubWorks data collection and work monitoring program and suggested additional training.  Creek stated he had given the employees a directive following the last council meeting that they all needed to be utilizing the program.

Alderman Aldridge passed along complaints received regarding un-mowed areas of the cemetery and lake.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Reckenberg appointed Michael Buford and Lisa Preece to the Memphis Housing Authority Board.  The two appointments are made at the recommendation of Michele Johnston, Executive Director of the Memphis Housing Authority.  Buford and Preece will replace Jon Wullbrandt and Thelma Norton.

Meeting adjourned into closed at 8:45 p.m.

 Council met briefly with Attorney Bozarth regarding a legal issue update.

Closed session adjourned at 8:50 p.m.