MINUTES FOR THE BILLINGS BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

ON MAY 17, 2018 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE BILLINGS

CITY HALL

 

Present: Mayor Rauch, Attorney William Petrus, Officer Joe Mahan and City Clerk Ruth Haskins.

Chief Taylor and Treasurer Hopkins are absent.

 

Citizen and guest present: David W Kucera, Jessica Kruse, Scott Gold and Dennis Lyon.

 

ROLL CALL.

Huffman           Present

Harter               Present

Brown               Present

Woods               Present

Fender               Absent

 

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

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Jessica Kruse is a candidate for Associate Judge for Christian County.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

  • Mayor Rauch welcomed and introduced Scott Gold to the Board. City Clerk Haskins administered the Oath of Office.
  • Dennis Lyon, a representative from Utility Service Partners, Inc.   The company is a member of the Missouri Municipal League. Mr. Lyon has a power point presentation about his company, if the Board has any questions feel free to ask at any time in the presentation.   The company commissioned the Harris Poll to survey people as to Information about the financial status of people and how they are not prepared for emergencies out of the household money. The one that is the most telling is that 80% of the respondents’ either strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement that the local government should be responsible to educate them as to what they should be responsible for as to the water and sewer lines. They are not saying that they want the local government to pay for the repairs, they just want to know ahead of time what they will have to pay to make the repairs.   Their company does all of the marketing and mails out letters informing the homeowners of their responsibility. The company has been in business for 15 years. When the homeowners are on the program, and they have a problem with a leak or stop up all they have to do is call the call center that is open 24/7. Then the company hires a local contractor to do the work. The company does all the billing, which is month to month. Mayor asked if a freeze proof faucet burst, is that covered. Lyon will find out. They will never mail out anything without the City’s approval. Harter had some questions about the Harris Poll saying 80%. Harter asked how many city’s cover some of the lines past the meter. Lyon stated that depends on the location. Woods asked if the Board does not endorse this program will you still offer this to the citizens. Lyon responded no, we only do it with the city’s endorsement. Woods then asked why should the city endorse a commercial company. Lyon responded with an endorsement what you are saying to your residents is that this company that does this kind of thing works with the city and can make sure everything is taken care the right way. Woods asked why would the city need to know

 

    1. who and why they are getting the mailing. Lyon stated the company wanted the City to approve it. Rauch stated the letter will be on the logo. Harter asked if their company is registered with the Mo State Insurance Commission. Lyon responded they are registered with every state. Motion to postpone to next meeting made by Harter seconded Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Mayor Rauch appointed Scott Gold as the liaison to the Library. Motion to approve the appointment made by Harter seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Gold abstained.
  • Brown called a mobile home place about tying down the carport over the generator. They suggested straps and pins @ $23.00. Motion made to approve by Brown seconded by Woods. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS, MEMORIALS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ORDINANCES.

  • Consent Agenda. Motion made by Brown seconded Harter. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Mayor discussed the new tractor, Randy and Keith have stated they didn’t think any of the equipment would fit on the new tractor. Harter stated very unhandy to change the equipment, that is what they get paid for. Woods stated have a bid for $11,500.00 for old tractor. Go ahead and sell old tractor.
  • Aldermen Workshop on Thursday, May 24th in Springfield. Cost is $30.00 per person. Mayor, Brown and Huffman want to attend. Motion made by Harter to have the City pay the $30.00 seconded by Brown for anyone wanting to attend. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Brown stated he thought City Hall needs to have a Flag Pole. He has bids for a 33’ and a 38’6” pole and Flag. Hopkins stated there was money to pay for it. Motion to approve up to $3,000.00 for this item made by Woods seconded by Harter. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Brown gave an update on the storage building, waiting on Empire to hook up the electricity.

 

    1. Still need dog pens inside also. Need to have insulation. Security lights are installed. Control Panel is bond money, $87,000.00.
  • Brown discussed handrails at the wastewater plant. Brown stated needs to be stainless steel. Motion to approve stainless steel to be installed within 30 days made by Harter seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None.   No abstentions.
  • Brown discussed the bearings and the motor in the aeration basin needing repairs. Estimated costs per Cameron would be $10,000.00. Motion to accept the estimate and have the repairs to the aeration basin made by Brown seconded by Harter. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None.   No abstentions.
  • Brown suggested involving Leon Rauch and Wilbur Allen on the mural. Compound Bow by Allen will be on the mural.
  • Visionary Plan. Motion to postpone made by Harter seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Haskins asked when the Board wants the Sales/Use Tax on which Ballot, August or November? Motion to put on August Ballot made by Huffman seconded by Harter. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Harter and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
  • Harter resigned. Motion to accept Harter’s resignation made by Brown seconded by Woods. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Harter abstained.
  • Motion to approve wages, expenses, bills, statements and other expenditures for the month of April, 2018 made by Huffman seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.

 

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

 

 

 

 

                                                                                          ____________________________________

                                                                                          David Rauch, Mayor

 

 

 

ATTEST

 

 

 

_____________________________________

Ruth M. Haskins, City Clerk

Draft Minutes of Thursday May 17, 2018

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