City of Fredericktown Council meeting
By Robert Vanderbrugen/Democrat News
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The first item on the work session agenda was the liquor license ordinance which had been tabled at the last meeting. City attorney Kim Moore went over the ordinance with the aldermen, explaining some of the changes the re-written ordinance enacted and correcting any discrepancies in the wording. Although the ordinance has not been presented to the Full Council yet, and some sections have been removed, some information in the ordinance will still apply such as; Liquor license applications will be considered in the order received. The ordinance requires the application be submitted to the police department for investigation, including an FBI records check. Other requirements in the ordinance include the applicant beginning their operation within 30 days, or the application will become void. Fees, the number of licenses available, revocation procedure, allowances and restrictions are defined as well. Aldermen expect the ordinance to be available in its final form at the next meeting.
The Full Council did pass an ordinance creating an administrative procedure for payment of fees, taxes and license charges under protest after discussing the ordinance during the work session. The ordinance creates a procedure for determining the validity of a fee, tax, or license charge prior to the city spending the funds. A time limit of thirty days has been set in the ordinance for submitting a protest. The ordinance says the City Council finds the procedures established by the ordinance are in the public’s interest because they avoid unnecessary appeals by establishing the reasons for the claim and an early determination by the city of the validity of a claim. Remember to contact your aldermen or city hall with questions regarding any ordinances.
The Full Council meeting began about 7:00 P.M., after the closed portion of the work session.
Mayor Danny Kemp reported Pickin’ on the Square is still going good. He also reminded everyone of the “movie in the park” night starting at 9:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at Rotary Park (soccer field) in Fredericktown. The movie night is sponsored by local businesses Kemp said. The movie will be Grease. Everyone is encouraged to dress like a character from the fifties and bring lawn chairs, blankets or whatever is needed to be comfortable. The Boy Scouts will have a concession stand on site. Ward II Aldermen Rick Polete said there will be an antique car show beginning at 7:00 P.M. too. Reminder that no pets or alcohol will be allowed at the event.
Finance Director Chris Wienecke gave the financial report to the aldermen. The aldermen agreed to repay the Transportation Tax fund the remaining $90,000 the fund is due from the Electric fund. Auditors have noted the transfer in past reports, which was not allowed, and this final repayment corrects the transfer error according to the aldermen.
A discussion was held regarding the building code ordinance and the swimming pool ordinance which calls for a fence or wall to be built around swimming pools to protect children from accidental drowning. The wording in the building code defines a pool wall as at least four feet high and four feet out, which would then meet the code. The swimming pool ordinance calls for a fence, but doesn’t note the wording of the four foot wall. The aldermen agreed to review the ordinances and clarify the wording so the ordinances are in compliance with one another.
A motion was made to place used police shotguns up for bid. Marshal John Wright asked for permission to purchase new shotguns for the police department with the funds raised by the sale of the old guns. The Marshal’s report addressed three complaints of tall grass and weeds, four complaints of swimming pools without fences; (given to building inspector’s review), two complaints of junk/trash in yards and one complaint of a derelict vehicle in a yard. All complaints have agreed to resolve the problems according to the report.
The Fredericktown Police Department report had answered 308 calls during the period of July 10 to July 23, 2008. Those calls/complaints included: One for careless and reckless driving, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended, failure to keep to the right half of the road, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, one complaint for inducement of solvents, three for tampering with a motor vehicle, two for safekeeping, one for disturbing the peace, one lost or stolen property, one for resisting arrest, one for violation of an Ex-Parte order, eight for stealing, one for possession of alcohol by a minor, two for property damage, one for animal abandonment, one for animal cruelty and two informational reports. The following summons were issued: Two for failure to stop at a stop sign, eleven for exceeding the posted speed limit, three for a minor in possession of alcohol, one for failure to maintain financial responsibility, three for peace disturbance, one for driving while suspended and one for property damage. Ward II Alderman Rick Polete complimented the police on a recent response to a vehicle accident involving a broken natural gas main in which the officer remained calm during the threat of a gas explosion.
Ward III Alderman Mark Tripp said he appreciated all the work the electric ad-hoc committee is doing to keep the sale of the electric utility department moving forward. An emergency meeting has been called by Missouri Public Energy Pool (MoPEP) and the Council approved expenses for attorney Moore to attend, with some reluctance on Polete’s part. Tripp also said the committee has spoke with former mayor Karen Yates as a consultant on the electric sale at no cost to the city. The committee or Yates can not make any decisions about the sale and are simply being consulted for their opinions on what may be the best way to continue the process. They do not represent the city in any of the discussions or meetings according to Polete. All decisions will be made by the Full Council and a vote of the public when the time comes according to the aldermen.
Council approved a training travel request for Junior Shell and Vince Grieshaber for October at Lake of the Ozarks. The training is required every three years to maintain their licenses in public utilities management.
The Fredericktown Electric department employees (except meter readers) will be going to a four day-ten hour work week on a trial basis as of Monday. The department manager Don Wasson requested the change in order to save fuel costs, reduce overtime and cut expenses as reasons to make the change. Council approved the change which is temporary and the Council has asked the department to document the savings. A report will be provided to the Council at the next meeting.
An ordinance was approved to make a payment to Fronabarger Contractors, Inc. with a final payment of $20,000 to be approved for the work on the Town Square Project once a final walk through has been done.
In Remarks from the General Public;
Mary Brotherton said she feels animal control officer Dan Welker is “doing an excellent job.” She pointed out Welker responded to her house after she called about a possum in a trap, even though it was his day off. He also responded to the home quickly regarding the rabbit problem she has told the Council about at the last meeting. She also told the Council about her efforts to keep weeds out of her yard and that she expects the City to do the same on Lee street. She also said that gravel is washing down Lee St. and piling up on College Ave. after a rain storm and has gotten to be too much for her to sweep away. One other resident had complained about the problem as well according to Polete. Council said they would let Kenny McDowell know about the problem.
In remarks of Personal Privilege;
Ward I Alderman Brandon Hale said the “Dive In” and movie was well attended by an estimated 170 plus people. They plan on doing the free event again and encouraged everyone to come out and support the community.
Ward III Alderman Mark Tripp acknowledged all the hard work done by the youth from Calvary Temple and the Show-Me Missions. Tripp said they painted about 112 fire hydrants within city limits and did so with little down time. He said about 25 hydrants were left to be painted and they would come back next week to finish the job. Tripp said they “worked their tails off.” He also commented on the progress of the swamp clearing going on along Lincoln Drive. Recycling bags are still available at City Hall and are not to be used for trash.
Ward II Alderman Sie Merriman Sr. said he has been hearing a lot of positive comments bout the police department and that they are “doing a real great job.”
Merriman and Polete said they appreciate the help Don Wasson has provided the city recently too.
Ward III Alderman Karen Wright said Pickin’ on the Square is doing well and the Punches girls were one of the recent highlights there. Photos have been posted at
http://www.pickinonthesquare.com/
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