The Board of Aldermen of the City of Memphis met in regular session on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. in Memphis City Hall. Mayor Aaron Dale called the meeting to order. Aldermen present were: Lane Campbell, Katie Harris, and Jenny Aldridge; Alderman Jobe Justice was absent. Others in attendance were: City Administrator Allen Creek; Utility Supt. Stacy Alexander; City Marshal Jeremy Head; City Attorney Brett Bozarth; citizens Danny Emel, Brent Walker, Fritz Gerth, Lucas Remley, Stacy Westhoff, and Keith Archer; and City Clerk Angela Newman.
Citizen Participation
Brent Walker and Danny Emel were present to update the council on their efforts regarding the proposed Lindell communications tower project.
Fritz Gerth proposed a week be set aside to celebrate law enforcement. Alderman Campbell moved and Alderman Harris seconded to proclaim the first full week in August as “Law Enforcement Week”. Vote: Campbell, Harris, and Aldridge, all aye. (Later in the meeting the date was changed to the second full week in August). Council will work together in the coming weeks to plan the events for the week.
Stacy Westhoff, representing the Widows Sons, addressed the council regarding closing off a portion of the city square on August 1stand August 15th. Their event on August 1st will be a bike/car night with a free-will supper. The day will start off with a poker run and scavenger hunt ride. There will be other activities throughout the evening along with music. The Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce will also hold their annual Peanut Days on August 1st.
The second event on August 15th will also include a free-will supper and a movie night featuring a film from the 70’s or 80’s. Westhoff suggested they include the Law Enforcement recognition that evening.
Alderman Harris moved and Alderman Aldridge seconded to approve the closing of the square as needed for both events. Vote: Campbell, Harris, and Aldridge, all aye.
Lucas Remley welcomed the new council members. Remley, a former council member, offered to share his past experience on the council and the ideas that were discussed during that time. Remley reported the renovation of the Sinclair Station is on-going and stated a new concrete pad is needed for the pole that holds the Sinclair sign. Remley will be donating two pumps and the existing pump will be moved to another location on the property. Other improvements are also being planned. Remley asked the council if city crews would be able to drill a hole and pour the concrete for the pole. Alderman Aldridge moved and Alderman Campbell seconded to give permission to City Administrator Creek to coordinate Remley’s request with city crews and the City will pay for the concrete needed. Vote: Campbell, Harris, and Aldridge, all aye.
Public Hearing
The Board of Aldermen, sitting as the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, held a public hearing on an application by Keith Archer for a variance from City Code Section 405.240 regarding the minimum side yard requirements for the property at 458 E. Jackson.
There were no citizen comments. The council voted 3-0 to approve the variance.
Water System
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 new 6″ concrete walls on the south basin are complete. Epoxy coating will start next week after all the bug holes are filled in the new walls. &W has completed epoxying cracks on the interior and exterior walls and the floor. There are 3 to 4 places that water is bleeding through on the new 6″ concrete walls and will have to be fixed on the other side of the common wall.
The new Stainless-Steel west clearwell tank is completed and online. The blowers have been set on the concrete pad and piping is 25% complete. The south sediment basin should be back on line by the end of August and the contractor has placed the new catwalk and flocculators in place.
The 10″ raw water line is still leaking at the place of connection to the existing 14″ PVC line. The contractor will dig this up once the basin work is completed.
City crews have completed the clearwell piping and will build a structure around the piping. The sub-contractor has completed the woven wire fence around the waste lagoon to the water plant.
Electrical improvements for the water plant are 90% complete and will be finished once equipment is in place.
Overall, the project is 65% complete and the next two months will see major progress by the contractor and his subs.
A pay request was submitted from Keokuk Contractors in the amount of $380,156.75 and McClure Engineering Company in the amount of $8,335.00. Both were approved by a 3-0 vote of the council.
RPC Appointments
A resolution to appoint a member and alternate member to the Northeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission’s Solid Waste Management Council was presented. Alderman Harris volunteered to serve as the member and Alderman Aldridge volunteered to serve as the alternate member. Harris will replace Alderman Tom Glass. She will serve the remainder of the term which expires on December 31, 2020.
Alderman Aldridge was appointed representative to the Transportation Advisory Committee.
Checking Account Bids
The council voted 3-0 to request depository bids for the municipal checking accounts. Bids will be reviewed at the August council meeting.
SCCC Fireworks
The council unanimously approved a request to allow the Scotland County Care Center to hold the facility’s annual fireworks display at a later date than what is normally allowed by City Code.
Animal Regulations
The council briefly discussed animal regulations in regard to the number of dogs allowed by one resident. The council postponed any further discussion to the August meeting.
New Forms
City Administrator Creek presented two forms for council consideration in regard to fill dirt. Currently, the City will haul excess fill dirt to a taxpayer supported entity within the community.
Private citizens would need to sign-up to receive fill dirt or to remove excavated fill dirt, concrete, or rock. Attorney Bozarth will create a liability waiver to go along with the sign-up form.
The forms were unanimously approved.
Creek also presented a form for the reinstallation of an electric meter following a fire. The form would require the property owner and an electrician to sign-off that it is safe for the electric meter to be reinstalled. Alderman
Liquor License
A liquor license application to sell beer and light wines by the drink from Corner Perk/Talia Hatfield was presented for approval. The request was approved by a 3-0 vote.
City Administrator
City Administrator Creek reported the airport apron bids came in over the estimate from engineers. Jviation engineer is working with MoDOT Aviation and FAA for further funding for the apron project as well as negotiating with the contractor since there was only one bid.
The T-hanger project also came in over the estimated cost. Currently, the city is still planning to construct eight hangars. Creek secured a 3rd party review of the cost analysis from Independent Fee Estimate (IFE) as required by the FAA. Cost of the analysis is $2,000 – $4,000 and is reimbursable through grant funds.
Creek is working with property owners to replace an 8” sewer line. The City will take over the line once the needed repairs are completed and inspected to confirm the work is satisfactory. Materials would be purchased by the City at an estimated cost of $5,000 with work completed at the property owners expense by a private contractor.
Alderman Aldridge moved and Alderman Harris seconded to approve paying for the materials for the 8” sewer line and manhole behind Memphis Mercantile and Scotland County Pharmacy. Vote: Campbell, Harris, and Aldridge, all aye.
Improvements have been made at the trap range which includes water, electric, and shelter improvements. Creek will be contacting the FFA sponsor at the school in regard to building additional benches at the trap range.
The water department is continuing to lay new water line and the electric department has been working to get the circuit 4 back online. The road and street department poured T-pads at the disc golf course and worked on the trap range improvements.
Creek discussed with the county commissioners a 70’ bridge that was slated to be given to the City for use at the swimming pool park area.
Creek was contacted by Josh Clarkweiss regarding taking any logs the city may have as trees are cut down. Mr. Clarkweiss is pursuing a grant to buy equipment and is needing to compile a list of locations that he would be able to retrieve logs from. The council agreed to the request.
Creek addressed a concern of spray planes flying over Lake ShowMe. Creek contacted area companies that may have planes currently in the area and requested they not fly over Lake ShowMe when landing or taking off from the airport.
Creek also reported on equipment repairs and several other various requests from the community.
Utility Superintendent
Utility Supt. Alexander reported continuing to seek additional funding for the Phase II water project. Engineer Philip Wilson will plan to be at the August council meeting. The lagoon pumps have been replaced by Willis Brothers and the old pit is currently being demolished by the city water department.
City Marshal
City Marshal Jeremy Head reported the department will be receiving a donation of three portable breathalyzers from the Canton Police Department.
Mayor Dale requested the council meet with the police department and a special meeting date was set for July 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Aldermen Reports
Alderman Campbell reported he will be meeting with Foreman Roger Tinkle regarding an elevated street concern he had received from a citizen.
Alderman Harris spoke with the council regarding a BBQ competition to be held the last weekend in September. Organizers will plan to be at the August council meeting with further information. Harris also inquired as to the possibility of extended pool hours one weekend per month. She had several positive comments following the opening weekend of the pool which featured extended hours. Creek will discuss with the pool manager.
Alderman Aldridge passed along compliments regarding the water line replacement project on Huntington and Green Streets as well as the square sealing project. Michelle Johnston had passed along her thanks to City personnel regarding the removal of several heat meters at Memphis Housing. Aldridge also asked if the PubWorks software was being utilized by all city personnel. Creek commented that there has been an improvement seen in the utilization of the program. He will be viewing a demonstration of an alternative asset management application from the City’s accounting software provider, GWorks, on July 8th.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Dale reported he had been contacted by Terry Smith regarding support efforts to re-open the road side park east of Memphis. Alderman Aldridge will follow-up on this request with the TAC committee and Regional Planning.
Mayor Dale requested the August council meeting be moved to Tuesday, August 11th. Council unanimously agreed to the request.
Meeting adjourned into closed at 9:39 p.m.
Council met with Attorney Bozarth regarding legal issues and ordinance procedures in closed session. Council also discussed personnel issues and reviewed attorney questionnaires.
City Attorney
Alderman Harris moved and Alderman Aldridge seconded to re-appoint Brett Bozarth as the City Attorney. Vote: Campbell, Harris, and Aldridge, all aye.
Closed session adjourned at 11:27 p.m.
