Reminder; City taxes will now be paid at the Madison County Collector’s Office (Charla Royer) in the Courthouse.

The Fredericktown City Council held its usual work session and Full Council meetings on Monday evening, October 26, 2009. Ward III Alderman Richard Walts was absent.

The first item on the work session agenda was a request from the American Legion and the VFW to name the new Highway 72 Bypass, Veterans Drive or Veterans Memorial Drive. The request was to honor or memorialize all veterans from Madison County; past and present. The request was well received by the Council and they said they will place the request on the next Planning and Zoning Commission agenda and look at the city’s boundary lines first. The veterans in attendance said they will return to the Madison County Commissioners for further input now that they have the support of the aldermen.

The City sent out four bid requests to companies involved in storm damage clean-up and only two responded; Finch Construction of Fredericktown and Gene’s Modern Siding of Bonne Terre. City Administrator Jim Dismuke will be contacting the city’s insurance adjusters for  a response to the prices in the bids.

The aldermen heard a report at the work session detailing money available in the budget for special fire retardant clothing for the electrical workers. The city  was advised the meter readers clothing must be all cotton according to Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (MIRMA) Insurance requirements. A motion was made to cover the costs of the clothing without boots. $2,400 will be spent on the clothing out of the safety budget.

Residents will be required to meet the utility deadlines for payments due. A drop slot is now available at City Hall for payments placed after the office is closed. However, the payment due date must still be adhered to. The aldermen, financial manager Greg Shinn-CPA and utility department employees are working on new, more efficient procedures for billing as well. The night drop box ordinance was approved at Full Council. Shinn said the past due utility bills have accumulated to about $285,000 over the last six years (about $50,000 a year). The Council has agreed to clear the accounting books of the past due debts and send the late bills to a collection agency.

Closed session followed for two items moved from open session at the beginning of the work session.

At Full Council;

Erica (Settle) Johnson was appointed as Interim City Collector until an election is held. Johnson had been the City Collector and moved outside city limits after getting married. She still remains the Municipal Court Clerk. That office of city court clerk does not have the same residency requirements as the elected position of city collector.

Financial Manager Greg Shinn gave a report on the revenues and expenses to the aldermen for the amended budget for the month of September.

Mayor Danny Kemp said he still holds great appreciation for all the workers and the citizen’s patience as they continue to work through the storm debris issues related to the storm on May 8.

City Administrator Jim Dismuke received permission from the aldermen to apply for additional stimulus money  and for some grant money that is available for undertaking some studies around Fredericktown. If funded, one such study would be of City Lake. Dismuke also mentioned some energy conservation money may be available from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). He said he would like to pursue the application for the funds and see if they can help the Senior Center, if approved. The city is also looking at ways to improve collections on past due water/sewer bills. Dismuke said he will be traveling to New Orleans for a week with his church group. They are rehabilitating homes in some Katrina stricken neighborhoods. Dismuke also suggested the Council consider creating a program to name buildings at the Fredericktown Regional Airport for a donation. The Council said they will consider the idea.

Police Captain Ken Tomlinson II reported his department’s activities for the month. Tomlinson said the new stop sign at Newberry and High Streets has received many positive comments. Tomlinson wants to make the temporary stop sign a permanent one after the 90 day trial. He said he has issued about 108 warnings. Once the stop sign is permanent, citations will be issued. Tomlinson said his department is in need of vehicles to replace the current patrol cars. He said a total of seven are needed. After some discussion on how to pay for any new vehicle purchases, the aldermen voted to buy four new police cars. Tomlinson said it takes 90 days to have a new police car built. One nay vote was heard from Ward II Alderman Sie Merriman Sr.. Merriman said he would have preferred the council voted to buy all seven of the vehicles for the police department. He said he thought it made better economic sense since waiting will place the cost of the three additional cars and financing at higher rates later.

Police are advising residents to be sure to call if anything suspicious is seen or heard. Tomlinson said some prowlers have been in the area around Franklin St. and GT Express recently. The non-emergency number for the Fredericktown Police is 783-3660 or call 911 in an emergency.

The aldermen passed a health insurance plan agreement for city employees from Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Contact city hall with any questions.

An additional $19,193.75 is due to Young’s General Contracting, Inc. for clean up of storm debris. The estimate provided by the company was clearly written that is was not a final price guarantee and additional charges were possible. The additional charges incurred when the company followed the direction of city employees monitoring the work and cut additional trees or stumps as indicated. The original invoice showed a cost of $151,779.17 with payments amounting to $132,585.42 made by the city; leaving the balance of $19,193.75. A late fee was being imposed of 1.5 percent after October 28, 2009 if the balance was left unpaid. A motion was made to pay the additional expense. Ward II Alderman Rick Polete said the company did do excellent work.

A request from the Community Beautification Committee to hold the annual Christmas Pole Decorating Contest was approved.

In remarks from the public; Bill Hart thanked the Council for their help with the electric utility rates at the senior center. Hart said, “Every dollar saved helps the programs.”

Polete congratulated the Blackcat football team and hopes they move on to the post season games.

“Everyone have a safe Halloween!”

Closed session followed for two real estate leases and one contract matter.