City of La Plata
04/13/21
Council Chambers
115 E Moore
La Plata, MO 63549
Present: Mayor Lois Bragg, Alderman Ron Robinson, Alderman Dennis Jones, Alderman Trent Perry, City Clerk Devon Bell, and Alderwoman Susan Walker.
Employees Present: Police Chief Jason Bunch
Also Present: Gary Matteson, Dusty Sawyer, and David Ausmus with Howe Company LLC.
Mayor Bragg declared a quorum present and called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was said and Alderman Robinson gave the invocation.
Consent Agenda:
Alderwoman Walker made a motion and seconded by Alderman Jones to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Visitors Comments:
Dusty Sawyer explained to the Board of Alderman that he has completed and applied for a Federal Firearms License to sell firearms and ammo out of his home and would like a variance allowing him to run a business out of his residential home. Dusty explained that he has video and audio security already installed, locked and proper location for the firearms and ammo and there will not be any business signage visible from the outside of his home.
Alderman Jones made a motion and seconded by Alderman Perry to grant Dusty Sawyer the variance to run a business out of his residential home selling firearms and ammo. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Dusty Sawyer left the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
City Clerk Comments:
City Clerk Devon Bell discussed the 2020-2021 budget with the Board of Alderman. Discussion was held regarding the electric budget and the golf and library debt.
Alderman Perry made a motion and seconded by Alderwoman Walker to waive quarter 3 administration fees for the electric department. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Electric Department Comments:
Mayor Bragg provided the update that the generators are both working and the capacity check was completed.
Discussion was held regarding the MPUA information in the packet.
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderman Perry to pay the MPUA debt off within 6 months by charging each electric meter $25 for the first 5 months and dividing the remaining balance up between meters for the sixth month. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Mayor Bragg provided the update that the electric building roof is done and looks great.
Golf Course Comments:
Alderman Robinson explained the golf information in the packet to the Board of Alderman.
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderwoman Walker to purchase a used greens aerifier and topdressing machine for $25,000 plus the cost of delivery. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Street Department Comments:
David Ausmus with Howe Company LLC provided the update on where plans are with the street drainage grant. He explained there is a possibility of a water hydrant needing to be moved or dug deeper on the corner of W Sanders and S Owensby and there will be a base bid and an alternate bid to ensure the big part of the project is completed. This project should be completed by the end of the year.
David Ausmus left meeting at 7:13 p.m.
City Clerk Devon Bell provided the update the La Plata Community Betterment has agreed with USDA on the purchase of a track loader from Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners for $60,700.88 with the grant portion being $16,600, the loan portion being $21,600, trade in value for 2013 John Deere 323D being $22,000, and the City paying the remainder of $500.88. This machine will be delivered around May 1st to the City of La Plata.
Water Department Comments:
No updates to provide for the water department
Police Department Comments:
Police Chief Jason Bunch explained the police crime report is in the packet.
Mayor and Board of Committee Reports comments:
No updates to provide
Old Business:
Property Clean Up- Police Chief Jason Bunch provided the update this has not been started but will try to do his best.
COVID-19 Discussion- Mayor Bragg provided the update that ATSU Clinic was cancelled this week but Macon County Clinic is still scheduled.
Trash Contract- City Clerk Devon Bell provided a letter to the Board of Alderman to send to WM Corporate Services, INC to provide a 2-year notice per RSMo 260.247 for the City to look at providing their own trash service in the future.
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderman Jones to send the letter certified to WM Corporate Services, INC to provide the 2-year notice to the company. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Lester Dent Official Letter- Mayor Bragg provided the update on the “Lester Dent Memorial Bridge” official notification letter in the packet information.
New Business:
Official certified election results were reviewed.
Alderman Ward 1
Ron Robinson- 24 votes
Alderman Ward 2
Dennis Jones- 27 Votes
City Clerk Devon Bell swore in the newly elected officials, Alderman Robinson and Alderman Jones.
Mayor Bragg provided the update of board appointments:
Police Committee:
Dennis Jones
Trent Perry
Golf Committee:
Dennis Jones
Ron Robinson
Electric Committee:
Dennis Jones
Ron Robinson
Water Committee:
Trent Perry
Susan Walker
Sewer Committee:
Trent Perry
Susan Walker
Street Committee:
Ron Robinson
Susan Walker
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderman Jones to approve Alderman Perry as Acting President. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Cost of Living Raises- Discussion was held by the Board of Alderman.
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderwoman Walker to give 3% raises on July 1st to Devon Bell, Baylon Belt, Mike Binder, Jason Bunch, Cory Cook, Eric Ensign, Kiley
Harpster, Mark Henderson, Dena Hodges, Jake Hodges, Nathen See, Greg Tuggle, and Holt Landorf with Dena Hodges, Holt Landorf, and Devon Bell receiving an additional dollar an hour. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Health Insurance- Discussion was held and documents were reviewed from packet by Board of Alderman.
Alderwoman Walker made a motion and seconded by Alderman Jones to approve the new health insurance rate of $457.75 for the Chamber Benefit Plan. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Ruth Ann Lingerfelt Variance- City Clerk Devon Bell explained to the Board of Alderman that Ruth Ann Lingerfelt is needing a variance to place a shed within 10 feet of the main structure on their property.
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderman Walker to approve the variance for Ruth Ann Lingerfelt to place a shed within 10 feet of the main structure on the property. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Soybean Festival- Mayor Bragg provided the update that Katie Buck told her they will be having the soybean festival without the carnival. Due to not having the carnival, the Amish will be putting on a farmers’ market that weekend. Alderwoman Walker provided the update that the weekly Farmers Market will be starting the Wednesday after Mother’s Day, May 12th. Mayor Bragg also provided the update that Run Through The Jungle hasn’t made a decision yet on if they will have this or not.
Social Media- Mayor Bragg provided the update there is a sunshine law in the committee right now that could affect our social media postings for council meetings.
Additional US Cellular Pole- Discussion was held.
Alderman Jones made a motion and seconded by Alderman Robinson to approve the location and letter from Tilson Technology Management, Inc. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Ordinance:
Bill NO. 2021-05 An Ordinance Establishing the Rate of Pay for Specific Employees of the City of La Plata, Robert Payne.
1st Reading by Title Only. Alderman Jones made a motion and seconded by Alderman Perry to approve Bill NO. 2021-05. The vote as follows:
Alderman Robinson – aye Alderman Perry – aye
Alderwoman Walker – aye Alderman Jones- aye
2nd Reading by Title Only. Alderwoman Walker made a motion and seconded by Alderman Robinson to approve Bill NO. 2021-05. The vote as follows:
Alderman Jones – aye Alderman Robinson – aye
Alderman Perry – aye Alderwoman Walker – aye
The motion carried.
Gary Matteson left the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderwoman Walker to move into executive session for 610.021 (3) Employee, (13) Records pertaining to Employee, and (21) Records at 7:51 p.m. The vote as follows:
Alderman Robinson – aye Alderman Jones – aye
Alderman Perry – aye Alderwoman Walker – aye
The motion carried.
Alderman Perry made a motion and seconded by Alderman Jones to adjourn executive session at 8:14 p.m. The vote as follows:
Alderman Robinson – aye Alderman Jones – aye
Alderman Perry – aye Alderwoman Walker – aye
The motion carried.
Alderwoman Walker made a motion and seconded by Alderman Robinson to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m. with the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on May 11th, 2021. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.