City of La Plata
03/09/21
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: Utility Coordinator Dena Hodges and Police Chief Jason Bunch
Also Present: Buddy Moore and Gary Matteson
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:
Police Chief Jason Bunch entered meeting at 6:01 p.m.
Buddy Moore asked for an update on the stench and dust collection near his home that he brought to the Board of Alderman and Mayors attention awhile ago. Mayor Bragg and Police Chief Jason Bunch explained they have followed up with who they know to and there isn’t much they can do as it is for farm use. Mayor Bragg suggested for Buddy to file a complaint with La Plata Police Department next time it is happening. Buddy Moore also suggested the City of La Plata consider doing a truck route throughout the city so trucks aren’t tearing up the street. Board of Alderman and Mayor thanked Buddy for his concerns and thoughts.
Police Chief Jason Bunch left meeting at 6:15 p.m.
City Clerk Comments:
City Clerk Devon Bell explained the Spring Institute was going really well and was learning a lot to bring back to the City of La Plata.
Electric Department Comments:
Mayor Bragg provided the update that the generators are both down at the moment and not exactly sure when they will be working again.
MPUA rates are going to increase over the next couple of months. Mayor Bragg has been attending video meetings regarding this and also been in contact with Rebecca at MPUA. Rebecca has given an estimate of around $105,606.29 February relief plus we will have another $113,615.00 excess charges for just our February & March actual energy charges for a total of over $219,000.00 but we are not sure if that will all need to be paid off. They are looking at anywhere from 10-24 months. The actual February bill for the City of La Plata won’t be received until April and should give us more information. There will be a meeting at the end of March that should give the time frame the money will need to be paid back. Discussion is tabled until more information is received.
Golf Course Comments:
Event rates were discussed.
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderman Jones to approve event rates as follow: Weekday is $25/player, Weekend is $35/player, and if more carts are needed for the event it will be a cost of $400 per units of 10 additional carts ordered. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Street Department Comments:
There is no update on Street Drainage Grant as of right now.
City Clerk Devon Bell provided the update that the track loader was approved by USDA for a loan/grant. The trade in value should be around $22,500, loan portion is $21,600, and Grant portion is $16,600. USDA has to approve our bid ad before we can go out to bid and move forward with process.
The street dump truck purchased recently is needing some repairs after getting stuck in the snow recently. Street Supervisor Kiley Harpster did get a quote from Roberts in Durham and called two other diesel shops but didn’t get a call back from them. Bud Moore and City Clerk Devon Bell suggested contacting Lee Miller in Kirksville. City Clerk agreed to contact him to see if he could provide a quote.
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderman Perry to fix the dump truck repairs if the quote from Lee Miller is comparable to Roberts in Durham. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Water Department Comments:
Mayor Bragg provided the update that the boys are busy changing meters.
Police Department Comments:
Police Chief Jason Bunch entered meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Police Chief Jason Bunch explained the police crime report is in the packet.
Mayor and Board of Committee Reports comments:
Mayor Bragg reviewed her monthly report with the Board of Alderman.
Buddy Moore left meeting at 7:03 p.m.
Old Business:
Property Clean Up- Police Chief Jason Bunch provided the update that the Police Department will try to get started on this since the weather is getting better.
COVID-19 Discussion- Numbers are decreasing throughout the state and there was no other discussion.
BNSF RR Bridge Update- Mayor Bragg provided the update that the bridge is open.
Keyboard Property- Paperwork has been signed, closed, and paid.
Group Messaging for Residents - Mayor Bragg provided the update that the app that was approved in February meeting didn’t work out as planned. Mayor Bragg has found one that does work well and she is paying for this app instead of the City of La Plata. She has over 400 members as of right now that are signed up to receive these messages.
New Business:
Trash Contract- Our contract with WMS is up at the end of August. Mayor Bragg, Utility Coordinator Dena Hodges, and City Clerk Devon Bell met with RTS to get numbers of what they would charge. Mayor Bragg, Alderman Robinson, Utility Coordinator Dena Hodges, and City Clerk Devon Bell met with Armor Equipment on what it would cost to purchase a truck and dumpsters. City Clerk Devon Bell and Utility Coordinator Dena Hodges have worked together to put all that information together and it was included in the packet. This information was reviewed with the Board of Alderman. Mayor Bragg provided the update that she reached out to Allie with MEC about a 0% financing loan and Allie thought this would be a great project to make an application.
Alderman Perry made a motion and seconded by Alderwoman Walker to get more information from Armor Equipment and to start the 0% loan paperwork with Allie at MEC. The motion carried ayes- Robinson, Jones, Walker, Perry.
Cemetery Mowing- Dena Hodges provided the update that the cemetery board met and is putting an ad out for mowing bids as the current mower increased rates and they haven’t taken bids for several years.
Dena Hodges and Gary Matteson left meeting at 7:42 p.m.
Ordinance:
Bill NO. 2021-03 An Ordinance Establishing the Rate of Pay for Specific Employees of the City of La Plata, Martin Kelley.
1st Reading by Title Only. Alderwoman Walker made a motion and seconded by Alderman Robinson to approve Bill No. 2021-03. The vote as follows:
Alderman Robinson – aye Alderman Perry – aye
Alderwoman Walker – aye Alderman Jones- aye
2nd Reading by Title Only. Alderman Perry made a motion and seconded by Alderman Jones to approve Bill No. 2021-03. The vote as follows:
Alderman Robinson – aye Alderman Jones – aye
Alderman Perry – aye Alderwoman Walker – aye
The motion carried.
Bill NO.2021-04 An Ordinance Establishing the Rate of Pay for Specific Employees of the City of La Plata, Lisa Coy, Ruth Ann Lingerfelt, George Hansen.
1st Reading by Title Only. Alderman Jones made a motion and seconded by Alderman Perry to approve Bill No. 2021-04. The vote as follows:
Alderman Robinson – aye Alderman Perry – aye
Alderwoman Walker – aye Alderman Jones- aye
2nd Reading by Title Only. Alderman Jones made a motion and seconded by Alderwomen Walker to approve Bill No. 2021-04. 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 move into executive session for 610.021 Employee at 7:45 p.m. The vote as follows:
Alderman Robinson – aye Alderman Jones – aye
Alderman Perry – aye Alderwoman Walker – aye
The motion carried.
Alderman Robinson made a motion and seconded by Alderwoman Walker to adjourn executive session at 8:34 p.m. The vote as follows:
Alderman Robinson – aye Alderman Jones – aye
Alderman Perry – aye Alderwoman Walker – aye
The motion carried.
With no further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be April 13th, 2021.