MINUTES FOR THE BILLINGS BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

IN REGULAR SESSION ON NOVEMBER 15, 2018

AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE BILLINGS CITY HALL.

 

Present were: Mayor David Rauch, Attorney William Petrus, Chief David Taylor, Water and Wastewater Supt. Randy Poindexter, Building Inspector Terry Danley, Treasurer Chris M. Hopkins and

City Clerk Ruth M. Haskins.

 

Citizens and guest present: Nicole Browning, Bruce Belin, Donna and Ken Thomas.

 

ROLL CALL.

Woods                 Present

Fender                 Present

Brown                  Present

Gold                     Present

Kucera                 Present

Huffman             Present

 

Mayor Rauch asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Mayor’s Comments: The City is still dealing with the Insurance Company, nothing settled yet. Chief Taylor will be out for surgery on his shoulder for 3 to 6 month.

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Ken Thomas stated to the Board he was pretty ignorant until about eleven years ago when built a pool house on his property. Found out there was all kinds of hoops to go through, one was a building permit, which was no big deal. Paid my money for so much a square foot, notified the building inspector every time was supposed to, however he never showed up. So every time he would tell me to take picture, now I have a bunch of pictures in the book. So that got him accustomed to how things worked in the City of Billings. Thomas has lived here almost 30 years but was ignorant to the inner workings. So the next time saw a building inspector, had put a basement under the pool house and wanted to let the ground settle before put the steps in. The inspector informed Thomas that there would be no certificate of occupancy until the steps were put in, which thought was odd since was living in one house on the property, also was told that could not rent the pool house out. Which had no intention of doing that. Thomas has been on Planning & Zoning now for four or five years, we do not meet because there is nothing going on here and he can see why. There is a lot of obstacles when someone wants to build or remodel or buy property or rent. There are restrictions and hoops at every point. Thomas is of the opinion that property owner has rights.

Seems like the City of Billings think they have a lot of rights on private property. Thinks a lot of this is for revenue for the City, which is understandable.   Lot of is obstacle’s that you put in, will give you an

example, my wife owns property across from Casey’s, we have been working out there, have rewired the garage. Donna decides she wanted the house torn down, so contacted Empire, want to keep

electricity in the garage. Thomas is a 35 year veteran of utility company so he expected some hoops from Empire. Then he was told that an electrical permit had to be bought from the City to get the meter hooked up. But have to have everything up to code. And have an inspection for a new meter set. Will cost about fifteen hundred dollars, so therefore, will not tear the house down will just let it sit there. The other thing is got to looking more there is a lot of vacant house in this town. Dawned on him pay a fee and bring it up to code, to him that is a hindrance. Thomas says that is an Ordinance, Terry responded it is a code. Thomas then stated there is one other thing, we were keeping the water on just to power wash and other things, gas co was $22 and Empire was $23 City was $58. Wouldn’t it be better to get $20 versus zero. Just moving meter to a new location, will still be on the same property. Thomas wants to know if it makes it right for Billings, just because other towns do it.

Brown stated the rental inspection was needed, landlords were not fixing anything or repair anything.

Huffman stated she had rental property and was very upset when this started, she thought was going to have to bring the whole house up to code. However, she was told that was not the case.

Fender wanted to know dates for filing for April’s Election. City Clerk has not been notified, will call.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

  • Discussion concerning having Attorney draft an Ordinance annexing Hwy 60 right of way.

 

    1. Motion made by Fender seconded by Kucera to have attorney draft a new Ordinance. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Hilburn raises discussed postponed from last meeting. Motion to postpone to December meeting made by Brown seconded by Fender. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Discussed putting Billings Ordinances on Website. This is addressed under New Business, item f. Motion to Table made by Huffman seconded by Woods. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Hopkins discussed the Nine Month Budget Amendment. Motion to approve the Budget made by Kucera seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

 

NEW BUSINESS, MEMORIALS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ORDINANCES.

  • Consent Agenda. Motion to approve made by Fender seconded by Gold. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay’ None. No abstentions.
  • Resolution R-2018-2. Resolution of Governing Body of Applicant. Removing Michael Hodges and replacing with David L. Rauch as Authorizing Contact for SCEAP (Wastewater) Grant Reimbursement. Motion to approve made by Brown seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • BILL NO. 18-10 — An Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code of the City of Billings, Missouri at Chapter 135, Boards and Commissions, Regarding a Park Board. Motion to have the First Reading of Bill No. 18-10 by Title Only made by Huffman seconded by Brown. Roll Call Vote.   Woods – Aye, Fender – Aye, Brown – Aye, Gold – Aye, Kucera – Aye, Huffman – Aye. Mayor asked Haskins to Read Bill No. 18-10 by Title Only. Haskins read Bill No. 18-10 by Title Only. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Kucera to accept the First Reading of Bill No. 18-10 by Title Only. Roll Call Vote. Woods – Aye, Fender – Aye, Brown – Aye, Gold – Aye, Kucera – Aye, Huffman – Aye. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Woods to have the Second Reading of Bill No. 18-10 by Title Only. Roll Call Vote. Woods – Aye, Fender – Aye, Brown – Aye, Gold – Aye, Kucera – Aye, Huffman – Aye. Mayor asked Haskins to read Bill No. 18-10 by Title Only.

 

    1. Haskins read Bill No. 18-10 by Title Only. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Gold to accept the Second Reading and for Final Passage Thereof. Roll Call Vote. Woods – Aye, Fender – Aye, Brown – Aye, Gold – Aye, Kucera – Aye, Huffman – Aye. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Kucera the Bill No. 18-10 be accepted as Ordinance No. 18-10. Roll Call Vote. Woods – Aye, Fender – Aye, Brown – Aye, Gold – Aye, Kucera – Aye, Huffman – Aye.       Bill No. 18-10 is now Ordinance 18-10.
  • Woods suggested a Plaque or Bench acknowledging the land donation from the Cloud family.  Motion to postpone to next meeting made by Huffman seconded by Fender. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Poindexter stated at the DNR Inspection the City got a violation due to no check valve on Well # 2. Reavis gave a quote of $1,200.00 to install a 4” check valve. Motion to approve Reavis quote made by Fender seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Hopkins discussed eCode 360, pricing would be $495.00 for 2019, the second year it would be $695.00. There will be an additional charge as we update Ordinances. At the present time, the City is paying $1,000.00 per year to update the Ordinances and 10 books. If it is put online, it will be much easier for everyone. We will have to have three hard back books, one for the Police, one for the Attorney and one for the City Hall. Motion made to approve made by Brown seconded by Gold. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Kucera discussed building a Memorial Wall to honor service members who have died that are from Billings. There are 18 names, which is a combination of all wars. Their group has also requested up to $15,000.00 from the City to help pay for the wall and murals. This would also include a separate mural for all veterans, first responders and police from Billings. Fender stated the bandstand would be better for all the community at the Park. Woods stated what would be wrong with spitting the project. Kucera stated if this memorial and mural are built, the group will have donated $74,000.00 to the City’s $15,000.00. Also 80% of the donors live outside the City limits. Brown wanted to know the name of the group. Kureca stated it is the Billings Betterment Committee. Fender asked isn’t this a conflict of interest for Rauch and Kucera?   Brown stated one reason he doesn’t want the City paying $15,000.00 for this project most of the citizens are going to complain. Fender stated if the City pays this $15,000.00, the citizens are going to say why keep raising the water and sewer rates. Huffman stated the bandstand at the Park and do the mural here, split in half then the expense will be driven down. Kucera asked are you talking about building the wall. Rauch stated the bandstand would cost $7,000.00 and the wall would be $8,000.00. Huffman stated don’t mix City Funds.

 

    1. Fender doesn’t feel comfortable spending City money for this project. Motion by Kucera that City pay up to $15,000.00 to build the bandstand and walls on the lot next to City Hall seconded by Brown. Roll Call Vote: Woods – Aye; Fender – Nay; Brown – Aye; Gold – Aye; Kucera – Aye; Huffman – Nay. 4 Ayes 2 Nays.   No abstentions.
  • Hopkins stated a couple of years ago the Board was presented with the idea of Asset Management, opening a bank account and putting in a sum of money from each department. Brown has set aside $10,000.00 toward a goal of $30,000.00 for electronic meter readers, it will take several years to accomplish his goal. Fender stated there would be under one account how would you divide up the interest. Motion made by Gold seconded by Kucera to open a Savings Account at the Bank of Billings to be Billings Asset Management Account. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None.                        No abstentions.
  • Mayor asked Chief to introduce Bruce Belin as the next new hire in the Police Department. Mayor stated Belin has a lot of experience. Starting Wage $15.50 per hour and after 90 days the wage would go to $16.50 per hour. Motion made by Fender to hire for wage stated seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Brown asked about who is supposed to maintain the alley ways. The point is the alley behind my house is all muddy, there is only 3 meters. Needs to be graded and graveled.
  • Hopkins stated everybody got a worksheet. There are questions that need to be answered. Fender asked if Donnie would do the bathrooms for the Park Board.   Mayor says will need to have a workshop. Board will have a workshop on the December 7th at 7:00 p.m.
  • Motion to approve wages, expenses, bills, statements and other expenditures for the month of October, 2018 made by Brown seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

 

 

No further business.

 

Motion to adjourn made by Huffman seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                          _____________________________________

                                                                                          David Rauch, Mayor

 

 

 

ATTEST

 

 

 

__________________________________

Ruth M. Haskins, City Clerk

Draft Board of Aldermen Meeting for Thursday, November 15, 2018

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