Farmington council hears reports

Farmington Fire Chief Todd Mecey presented his yearly report during the Farmington City Council meeting on Monday.

Mecey noted there were 2,378 total incidents for the department in 2017 — a drop of two from the previous year.

Of those incidents, 53 percent were for EMS calls. Fifteen percent were for good intent/service, 9 percent for false alarms, 6 percent were for vehicle accidents, 5 percent each for structural fire and other fire, and 3 percent each for mutual aid and other hazards.

Mecey noted the impact the Alternative Response Vehicle — which is used for medical calls — has made in the department’s response time. The vehicle is currently staffed with two firefighters 12 hours per day, four days a week.

Of the 503 calls handled by this crew, there were 275 simultaneous calls — with 123 of those calls handled by the Alternative Response Vehicle crew.

Mecey noted it would be important for the city to work toward the possibility of increasing the Alternative Response Crew in the future.

Farmington Mayor Larry Forsythe thanked Mecey and his crew for their work.

“We are truly blessed as a city for the people we have working for us,” Mecey said. “The people truly care and are very dedicated.”

Read more about Mecey’s report in the Thursday edition of the Farmington Press.

Ward I Councilman John Robinson announced during the Public Services report that businessman Sharo Shirshikan is donating funds for the addition of a K9 officer for the Farmington Police Department, bringing the total to two. The K9 is expected to join the force this spring.

Finance Director Michelle Daniel was asked by Mayor Forsythe to go over what makes up the utility bills.

During the first billing cycle of the year, there were two factors playing into the recent bill cycle.

First, the laptop the readings were loaded on crashed which required a new set of readings, with one week added. Secondly, the temperatures were below normal for the time period.

Farmington City Administrator Greg Beavers said the loss of data meant the re-read of meters added six to eight days on the normal bill — which, he noted, means that many days less on this cycle.

“We have not raised electric rates in Farmington in a number of years because of investments that have been made through our MoPEP pool on rate stability on our wholesale costs, we don’t anticipate a raise in quite a while,” he said. “When your bill is higher than normal, it’s because your usage is higher than normal or is an anomaly like we had with the billing cycle.”

Daniel spoke on the availability of budget billing, which gives a known amount billed each month based on an average.

Daniel urged any resident with questions or concerns about their bills to call the office for help.

“Call us. That’s what we’re there for,” she said. “You’re going to get the best information. If you’ve got a question on your bill, we’ve got the phone number right there with our hours. Give us a call. That’s the only way we can fix it.”

Art Goodin, unit chief of water pollution control for the southeast regional office of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, presented a certificate recognizing the city and, most notably, the Public Works department for work to reduce inflow and infiltration into the city’s sewer system.

Also in attendance was Regional Director Jackson Bostic.

Goodin explained “I and I” is when ground and stormwater gets into the sewer system — therefore increasing the amount of water needed to treat. He noted the city has spent almost $3 million in the last few years to address the issue.

He noted the most recent statistics show that, even though there was an increase in the amount of rain in 2017, there was less flowing through the stormwater system.

“You all are leaders in this area,” Goodin told the council. “We think you have good vision here and you know that infrastructure is important to build your city and grow your economy and to help us, help you protect the environment.”

Forsythe commended the work of Public Works Director Larry Lacy and the water and sewer department employees, along with the community’s support for the work of the city for the recognition.

Ward II Councilman John Crouch noted it was important to note the city is spending a total of nearly $7 million in sewer improvements in 2017 and 2018.

In other business, the council held a second readings and gave unanimous approval to two ordinances – one amending the chapter regarding zoning regulations to fix an incorrect labeling of a zoning from OP-1 to OP-2, and the second an ordinance accepting a final record plat for 806 W. Columbia St. with Chris and Alison Sprung for widening of a sidewalk to increase safety in that area.

A first reading by title only was held for an ordinance designating school zones. Read more about the ordinance in this week’s edition of the Farmington Press.

The council action also approved the following items listed under consent agenda: a contract with Shannon & Wilson, Inc. for groundwater monitoring and final risk assessment at the Farmington Regional Airport; contract with Jviation, Inc. to remark airfield pavement markings and airfield pavement maintenance; contract with Bazan Painting Co. for water park pool sandblasting; and a contract with Townsend Tree Service Company LLC for 2018 tree and shrub trimming and removal.

A resolution for a contract with Redmond & Sons for 2018 excavation and hauling was removed from the agenda and will be placed on the agenda for the March 8 council session.

Farmington Fire Chief Todd Mecey presents his yearly department report during the Farmington City Council meeting on Monday. Also pictured are (from left) Ward I Councilman Cody Eaves, Ward II Councilman Dale Wright, Ward III Councilman Darrel Holdman and Ward IV Councilman Mark Kellogg.

Farmington Mayor Larry Forsythe, right, accepts a certificate from Art Goodin with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, honoring the city and Public Works Department for work in decreasing the amount of inflow and infiltration of ground and stormwater from the city’s sewer system. 

Shawnna Robinson is the managing editor of the Farmington Press and can be reached at 573-518-3628 or srobinson@farmingtonpressonline.com