Police Captain Ken Tomlinson takes the Oath of Office presented by Mayor Danny Kemp as Tomlinson's wife, Sue looks on. Tomlinson was promoted to Captain on April 13, 2009 and sworn in at the Full Council meeting April 27. Sue placed the Captain's bars on Tom's lapel during the ceremony.
During the council’s presentation agenda, Police Lieutenant Ken Tomlinson was promoted to Captain on April 13, 2009 and sworn in at this meeting. His wife, Sue Tomlinson pinned the captain’s bars on his collar after Tomlinson took the oath of office. Four Fredericktown Police Officers were present and saluted Captain Tomlinson from the audience as he recited the Oath of Office which was presented by Mayor Danny Kemp. Tomlinson’s son Anthony was also in the audience to witness the promotion.
Tomlinson gave the police report which identified 107 calls being answered for the week of April 22 to April 26. One report of stealing, one for domestic violence and one arrest warrant was served. The department has agreed to participate in the Click-it or Ticket program May 18-31, 2009. New traffic software was installed on the police computers allowing reports to be directly input into the system rather than mailing them. This is a cost savings of postage to the city according to Tomlinson. He also reported Fredericktown officers will be working with the sheriff’s department during Azalea weekend especially during peak hours of attendance.
In other agenda business; CPA Greg Shinn presented the financial report to the aldermen. When asked by Ward II Alderman Rick Polete how the city was doing on a scale of 1-10, Shinn rated the city’s financial picture as a 7.5. City Administrator Jim Dismuke later rebutted the 7.5 rating calling for a higher number. Ward I Alderman Harold Thomas said, “all in all, we’re looking good.”
Mayor Danny Kemp reminded everyone of the upcoming Azalea Festival and Pickin’ On the Square which begins their second season this Friday, May 1. Kemp also acknowledged all the city employees for their work in getting Fredericktown ready for the summer events.
City Administrator Jim Dismuke said the city is working on a Community Development Block Grant and is looking forward to the Azalea Festival.
The City will have the tire reclamation program back this May. City and county residents will have a week long opportunity to bring old junk tires to the recycling station in Fredericktown for disposal. The program details are forth coming. Watch the Democrat News for further details.
A public hearing will be held at 6:15 P.M., Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at City Hall to allow comments on a proposal to change the zoning from R-1 (single family) to R-2 (general residential) on property owned by BKC Properties. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the change. The owner would have apartment buildings built on 16.72 acres of land near downtown Fredericktown.
The ordinance adopting the minor subdivision plat of Gabe Swinford was passed unanimously.
An agreement between the city and BWR of Kansas City, Missouri for professional services relative to a five year contract at the Fredericktown airport as consultants passed.
The aldermen agreed to a contract with CE Contracting of Ste. Genevieve regarding the water and sewer lines relocation project on Highway 72 By-pass.
A resolution was agreed to concerning acceptance and compliance with various requirements to obtain financial assistance from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). (Routine resolution anytime a USDA grant is applied for.)
Sandy LaPlant asked for the aldermen’s attendance, along with Kenny McDowell and the mayor at the next Transportation Tax Committee meeting scheduled for 4:00 P.M. on May 7, 2009 at city hall work session room. The meeting is open to the public as well.
The aldermen recognized the good work the city employees have been doing under the direction of Public Works Director Kenny McDowell. Regarding their recent tour of city departments; Thomas said, “Ken’s men do a fantastic job, good group of employees.” Ward III Alderman Richard Walts said, “Keep crackin’ the whip.” Ward I Alderman Paul Brown said, Every department looks good. Polete added similar comments and that the departments are clean and organized. Ward II Alderman Sie Merriman Sr said he had seen some neat stuff on the tour.
In Remarks From the General Public;
One resident complained about City Marshal/Chief of Police John Wright not being allowed to take a report on her call for police assistance recently. She said she wanted to know why the person the residents voted into office is not allowed to perform the duties of that office. Mayor Danny Kemp said the responsibilities of the Chief of Police/City Marshal’s office have been changed and he offered her a copy of the changes for her to review. Closed session followed for one personnel item.
At the work session, one aldermen was needed to be a judge for the Azalea Festival Parade on Wheels according to vista worker Kate Cox. Polete agreed.
Kemp said a “Rock-A-Thon” fundraiser will be held May 8th on the Court Square.
The Council agreed to accept the application to have North Main St. from the Court Square to Morley/Collier Streets designated as John Paul Skaggs memorial street. (This designation does not change the street name). The ordinance to approve the memorial designation is expected to be read at the next council meeting. The council also agreed to change the price of the cost of creating any future memorial designations to $250, up from $100.
The council heard an update from City Engineer Tim Baer regarding the Order of Consent (September 17, 2007) and plan of work the EPA has asked from the city, to deal with wastewater overflow problems the city has at the treatment plant. Baer said the plan addresses ‘conceptual funding’ for the plan and the EPA has accepted it. The plan will be in the budgets of 2010 thru 2018. Baer said there may also be grants to help fund the work along the way. Dismuke said the city has made some progress in addressing the issue when they cleaned out some of the lines.
The downtown substation is still being repaired. Electric Department Manager Don Wasson said the cement has been poured and is curing, material have been ordered and Blakely is to return when the weather permits to continue the work.
The aldermen continued the discussions at this work session regarding plan review fees and took into consideration the recommendations of building inspector Richard Macke.
Dismuke said the city is considering any options it has regarding some of the downtown buildings that are not up to code currently. No formal action was taken at this meeting regarding the issues, other than to continue to pursue the possibilities.
The aldermen agreed to use Townsend Tree Service for removal of some trees hanging against electrical lines on Commercial Dr.
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