City Council held regular session Monday -

The aldermen held a closed session at the beginning of Monday’s meeting. They came back into open session about 6:35 P.M. and conducted a short meeting.

Mayor Danny Kemp reported his attendance at the 100th birthday celebration of Reva Rose at ClaRu DeVille Nursing Home. He also said he had attended a Missouri Public Energy Pool (MoPEP) meeting. Kemp said the Pickin’ on the Square has seen success in the two weeks since it began. He said it is “goin’ good.” Kemp said local businesses are supporting it and he has heard a lot of positive feedback concerning the event. Pickin’ on the Square will be held each Friday evening starting at 6 P.M. throughout the summer on the courtsquare in downtown Fredericktown. Alderman Brandon Hale said the special events at the “Pickin’” were drawing people to the event and more special events were planned for the summer.

Kemp also reminded everyone of the upcoming New Morning Apartments grand opening beginning at 2 P.M. on June 26. He also recognized Pense Brothers for the Relay for Life dinner and the efforts toward creating a historic district in downtown Fredericktown. Kemp said Carole Magnus wanted to dispel a rumor about buildings in the historic district. Once the district is formed, a voluntary application can be made to join the district. The property/building owner may still do as they wish with the building even being part of the historic district. If the building is completely modernized, only then would that affect the status as a member of the National Register, It does not affect the owner’s rights to their building. Property/building owners maintain all rights to the property/building as members of the district-if formed; That process is still underway. Membership in the district is strictly on a volunteer membership basis. No one has to join.

Under Remarks from the General Public, two complaints were expressed from the audience about not being able to hear some of the aldermen in some cases. A round of compliments were heard for the city employees who have been working on the Pickin’ on the Square event, including the police, streets and electrical departments. One resident of Lee St. complained of an overhanging bush along the street which poses a safety problem for children riding along the sidewalk. She was concerned about the children being poked in the eye with one of the branches of the bush. She was asking the City if they would trim the bush back so it no longer hangs over the public sidewalk. Council said they would look into the matter.

This week’s D-N packet contained reports from the Assistant Chief of Police for the week of May 26 to June 1, and the Municipal Court docket with receivables.

The Fredericktown police answered two property damage calls, two domestic violence calls, one burglary call, three harassment calls, two stealing calls, one assault in the 3rd degree and one sex offense complaint. Summons were issued for one count of Possession of Marijuana, one count of Drug Paraphernalia, one summons for Careless and Imprudent driving, one summons for Property Damage, three speeding violations, one stop sign violation, four citations for failure to wear a seat belt and two summons for Driving While Suspended.

A motion was made and passed to move the handicapped parking space in front of the Chamber back to the space near the front of City Hall.

A resolution was passed vacating a portion of the alley way next to the First Baptist Church on College Ave. The alleyway will be blocked by the church to increase traffic safety in the area according to Minister Tom Johnson.

A resolution was adopted establishing a VISTA donation fund. Americorp VISTA worker Although not in attendance at the meeting, Shanna Sorg has been working hard at economic development around Fredericktown; including the Pickin’ on the Square event, and was recognized by Ward III Alderman Mark Tripp for her efforts. Tripp also said “job well done” for other people involved in the Pickin’ event including Darryl Bell, Chris Smith, and Jim Dismuke.

A resolution was passed appointing Mayor Danny Kemp as Director and Ward II Alderman Rick Polete as Alternate Director to the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC).

Council is discussing holding an employee recognition dinner in the near future. Aldermen said the dinner can not be paid for by city funds, so donations from the mayor, aldermen, Council members or staff would be considered. Kemp said he would work out some kind of time frame with public works director Ken McDowell so that employees could attend.

Ward II Alderman Sie Merriman Sr. said he wants to have clear cut employee job descriptions to help eliminate job crossover conflicts. Other council members said they agreed.

The following discussion concerned who was responsible for signing bills generated by work being done at Memorial Park on the pool and the bathrooms. A packet of bills were presented to the City for work being done on the Rock Wall park bathrooms, but no one signed the bills and therefore, the bills had not been paid. For general accounting procedures, the Council said The pool expenses would go to Kenny McDowell and McDowell would report them to the Park Board. An emergency purchase of sand, costing $275 was approved by a former City official, but had not been reported to McDowell in order that the budget in that department be maintained. Purchases of $250 or less are routinely allowed without prior approval according to the aldermen.

Remarks of Personal Privilege;

Ward III Alderman Mark Tripp said the Farmer’s Market at the Jaycee Park Pavilion was a real neat idea. He said the money stays in the community and he encourages everyone to stop by.

Ward III Alderman Karen Wright said she wanted to acknowledge the work of the police department and the aldermen as well.

A second closed session followed.