MINUTES FOR THE FEBRUARY 21, 2019 MEETING FOR THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE

BILLINGS BOARD OF ALDERMEN AT THE BILLINGS CITY HALL AT 7:00 P.M.

 

Present were: Mayor Rauch, Lt. Belin, Chief Taylor, Water and Wastewater Maint. Supt. Randy Poindexter, Building Inspector Terry Danley, Water Clerk Gail Steinert, Treasurer Chris M. Hopkins and City Clerk Ruth M. Haskins.

Citizens and guest present: Darren & Elizabeth Obrey, Mary Vest, Andrea Schultz, Nicole Browning, Cameron Schweiss, Jessie Coker and Jason Baker.

 

ROLL CALL.

Woods                 Present

Fender                 Absent

Brown                  Present

Gold                     Present

Kucera                 Present

Huffman             Present

Mayor asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor’s Comments. Brown, Woods and Mayor met with Cindy at the School concerning the children that are walking from the trailer park on Mt. Vernon Road. The City has considered putting in a sidewalk along Mt. Vernon, however according to our estimates that would be very costly and the City does not have that in the Budget. Have been trying to have the school pick up students when there is seating available on the buses. While at the School the results from Missouri came in and Billings scored a 99.8%. At last month’s meeting failed to appoint Board Members for the Fair Board and Planning and Zoning Commission. Will have to do an emergency motion to appoint the Fair Board at tonight’s meeting.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Mary Vest from Autism City. Andrea Schultz offers training for people to learn about autism. Mayor stated the City has no control of the EMTs or the Fire Department. They will have to come back for the Proclamation from the City. 

OLD BUSINESS.

     a.  Poindexter has three bids: Norton Power $34,408.00; Reavis Water $33,000.00 and Cummins was $26,390.00 with  no installation. Reavis would include removing the old generator and transfer switch. The City has been doing business with Reavis for a long time. Motion to accept Reavis bid made by Huffman seconded by Kucera. Warranty 5 year for $1,672.00. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

     b.  Steinert used 7 months past water usage to cover all seasons. The combine loss for changing to 3,000 gallon would be $53,242.20. Mayor stated he was hearing no changes were wanted.

     c.  Kucera has three bids for a new website. A price from Tina Didreckson was given to an Alderman and the Mayor. Price for startup was $4,200.00 for the first year, after that the next year would be $1,800.00 to maintain the website. The handwritten bid was placed on the table no detail bid was prepared.  Motion made by Gold to accept Didreckson bid for the website seconded by Kucera. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold and Kucera. Voting “Nay” None. One abstention by Huffman.

     d.  Brown stated things around town are not getting done. The City needs to hire someone either full-time or part-time. Full time would have all benefits and would be supervised by the Mayor and the City Clerk, and the new hire would supervise Hilburn on street work or other things that need to be fixed. Mayor asked Poindexter how many hours per day do you need Hilburn at the Plant? Poindexter responded at least half a day. Motion made by Brown to postpone later seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None.     No abstentions.

 

NEW BUSINESS, MEMORIALS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ORDINANCES.

     a.  Consent Agenda. Motion made by Gold seconded by Brown to accept the Consent Agenda. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

     b.  Cameron bid out work at the Plant, only received one bid. Cameron requested to Table this item, the bid was over budget. Motion to Table made by Huffman seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions

     c.  Cameron discussed Phase II for the Bond Project. Current wastewater project obligations, collection system total $257,677.00. Second Wastewater treatment plant & collection system improvements for $396,250.00.   Third Water systems improvements (west extension) total $590,027.00. Bond would be $1,250,000.00 for this draw. Monger wanted to know if this would be available by September of this year. Motion to proceed with the process made by Huffman seconded by Gold. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

     d.  Poindexter stated the controls for the sludge are not working. Bid from Terry for $753.12 for the control panel. For the replacement of controls $3,024.00 and $1,172.00 to install. Motion to repair made by Brown second by Kucera. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None.   No abstentions.

          Fender arrived at the meeting at 9:35 p.m.

     e.  Poindexter stated Winwater (Brad) gave a demo of the water readers. This would save a lot of time, you can just drive down the street and it will pick up the reading. The special package of 192 meter plus all the software and hardware for $29,900.00. Brown wanted to know if could just buy 8. No you have to buy the special package. Gold asked if there was any ongoing maintenance.   Huffman stated when she checked on this, thought there was some charge for maintenance. Brown is confused on the figures. Kucera is confused also. Brown asked about the money.   Mayor stated it just so happens there is a way that he wasn’t aware of until today. Discovered today the City has “E” bonds worth $117,000.00. Kucera thinks the Board needs more information. Motion to postpone to next month made by Huffman seconded Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

          Poindexter left the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

     f.  Coker was here to ask about the concession stand. Fender stated the Booster Club is paying $50.00 for running the Boy’s games. Mayor told Coker she would have to contact the Park Board about the Concession Stand.

     g.  Huffman thinks everyone has talked to Jerry Ragain. No commercial landlord named in the code all it says is residential single family. Motion to postpone to next month made by Huffman seconded by Gold. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

     h.  Huffman Fair Board has their own insurance. Why is the Fair Board under the City’s umbrella? Motion to Table made by Huffman seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

     i.   Huffman talked about Landlord issues. FYI.

     j.   Huffman talked about Planning and Zoning Commission. FYI.

     k.  Brown talked about Sipes water line, the line is ½ mile long, meter is on Terrell Creek. Brown would like to offer free water for a period of time.   Woods stated the city should try to help. Motion by Brown to let him have free water until July 1, 2019 seconded by Kucera. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions. Mayor states have Randy get some prices to do both ways boring and digging.

     l.  Kucera stated the Mayor set up a personnel policy committee. Mayor wanted them to discuss Chief Taylors unused vacation time of 17 days. Taylor could not take off due to lack of personnel and injury to his shoulder. Committee request the Board approve paying Chief for 12 days of vacation in the amount of $2,476.80 after he is off workmen’s comp. and carrying over 5 days of vacation to next anniversary date, to be used first. Motion after off workmen’s comp. will pay $2,476.80 and carry over 5 days made by Gold seconded by Woods. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

     m.  Kucera stated the committee would also like to propose allowing all employees to carry over 5 days of vacation time. Motion to allow employees to carry over 5 days made by Gold seconded by Kucera. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

     n.  Hopkins Final Income & expenses for 2018. FYI.

     o.  Haskins Lt. Bruce Belin has been here 90 days. Motion to approve raise to$16.50 per hour and insurance made by Kucera seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

     p.  Hopkins requests approval to attend the GFOA Conference April 10, 11, 12, 2019. Motion to approve made by Fender seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

     q.  Motion to approve wages, expense, bills, statements and other expenditures for the month of January, 2019 made by Fender seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions. Mayor needs a motion to amend the Agenda due to an emergency to appoint Fair Board Members. Mayor stated according to the Code Book there are no 3 year terms.   Motion made by Kucera seconded by Brown to Amend the Agenda.                                      

Appointments as follows:                               

Ray Datema                         1 year term                      President            1/19 – 12/19

Anna Datema                      1 year term                                                      1/19 – 12/19 

Jessica Verch                      2 year term                    Vice Pres.              1/19 – 12/20

Jessica Bengsch                 2 year term                                                      1/19 – 12/20  

Katrina Godfrey                 2 year term                                                      1/19 – 12/20                       

Lisa McClelland                 2 year term                                                       1/19 – 12/20

Adam Phillips                     2 year term                                                       1/19 – 12/20                             

Susan Serloff                      1 year term                                                        1/19 – 12/19

Doris Schmidt                    1 year term                                                         1/19 – 12/19

Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None.            

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

No further business.                                                                                          

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

11:30 p.m.

                                                                                                                                ______________________________________ 

                                                                                                                               David Rauch, Mayor

ATTEST

________________________________________   

Ruth M. Haskins, City Clerk                           

Amended Board of Aldermen Minutes from Thursday, February 21, 2019

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