The Clinton City Council met in open session on April 4 at City Hall. Preceding the council meeting was the dangerous building commission meeting which was led by Councilman Daniel Wilson. Community development Director Chuck Bailey spoke to the dangerous buildings commission. He reported that there is a meeting between the attorney and the property owner about the remaining demolition that needs to be done on the building that collapsed on the Square. The meeting was short and the commission went recessed until the May Council meeting.l when they will reconvene.
Mayor Carla Moberly called the regular council meeting to order. All members of the council were present. Following the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance (led by Boy Scout Troop 430), the previous meeting’s, minutes were approved. There were no personal appearances.
Airport manager, Wallace White reported to the council next. Of course the big news for the airport is that they were approved for funding of a new airport terminal in the amount of $1.4 million. “We’re fortunate to receive the funding,“ said Manager White. At present Garver Engineering is working with an architectural firm and they have a possible meeting next week in order to get bids ready by July 1. Mr. White said that he was excited about it.
Also big news from the Clinton Regional Airport is that Wallace White will be retiring. His last day is May 31 and in the council audience was his replacement, Joe Long. “I appreciate being able to work alongside the city, and grow the airport,“ Said Wallace White. He also said that he plans to be back and volunteer at the airport after a short reprieve.
Reporting next to the council was Economic Development Director Mark Dawson. He reported that there were three new projects this month one was an expansion project. He said that project “queen” was still out there and that project neon, which we all know now is Shermans Plumbing and Heating, are pretty close to closing on their real estate deals. “It has been a fairly busy month,” said Director Dawson. Of interest to the council were the results of the business industrial surveys that were sent out. He reported that 51 businesses responded, which is about 13% of the area businesses. Some of the highlights of that included : many businesses reported increases in staff levels, most reported an average starting wage of $17 an hour, 45% of the responding businesses reported they were currently hiring, 85% of the employees of those businesses that responded live in Henry County, and that most reported that the labor pool was too small. On a positive note as well was that most of the responding businesses reported that they were planning on growing or expanding their businesses within the next three years.
Services related to the community were rated as a part of the surveys, too. The fire department, Animal Shelter, and Clinton Police Department were all rated rather high. Also rated as “high” in the service categories were the water and sewer services, and the mayor and city council.
Economic Director Mark Dawson concluded his report by reminding the council that there is a Clinton Tech Center job fair next week that will involve about 100 students. “They’ll need jobs,“ said Mark Dawson.
Two second readings of previously read bills were approved by the council. Bill number 2023–07 and Bill number 2023–08, both pertaining to conditional use permits at 114 South Main and 116 S. Main, we’re held.
Councilman Cameron Jackson gave the public works committee report. The council approved the sale of the old motor grader. The property was declared surplus and permission was given to the street department to purchase a new 72 inch bobcat soil conditioner. The purchase price is $11,653 and the purpose of the equipment is to allow the grading of alleys and other uses for the city streets (such as for chip and seal projects).
Councilman Jackson reported that the Artesian pool house is coming along nicely. Construction of the interior walls are near complete and the metal roof panels should be installed within a week. At the Benson Center Aquatic Center , the city has obtained quotes for the construction of a new building to house the boiler controls. The concrete pad for that project should be poured soon.
Resolution number 2–2023 was passed by the city Council. Also resolution number 3–2023 passed concerning phase 1 and 2 of the project for the property, that was essentially donated to the city, regarding conservation grants for Antioch Park. The local match money for each grant combined total is $70,000. Also, Council work at Hurt Park has begun.
A discussion about repairs for the exterior walls at the Benson center was held. The base proposal was only to treat the north and west side for $38,000. However, the council ultimately approved, for an additional $15,000, the inclusion of the south and east portions (which will include the waiver of some small fees if done in tandem); Councilman Gene Henry questioned the logic of not treating/repairing the whole structure while the opportunity is there as he believes it would just lead to problems down the road. Both Councilmen Jackson and Wilson opposed his motion, but the motion carried anyway.
Councilman Jackson reported that final revisions for the waste water treatment plant improvement project are being made. Also, more problems were encountered at the Calvird Pump Station (a new leak developed and more parts will need to be ordered). Monitoring devices for three pump stations have been ordered. The Waste Water Treatment Plant permit renewal is still in the public comment phase and Alliance Water Resource is still working on a long-term solution for staffing issues at the plant. It was reported an offer had been made to fill the plant manager position, however.
The Public Safety report was given by Councilman Gene Henry. A motion to declare the 1998 Freightline Pumper truck at the fire department as surplus property and sell it thru “Purple Wave” was made; the motion carried. In addition to that, Councilman Henry reported that the sound barriers for the Animal Shelter project have been ordered.
Councilman Daniel Wilson gave the Finance Committee report. Both items on the committee report pertained to bids for the Clinton Regional Airport runway project. Both low bids for the project were approved by the council.
The City Administrator’s report included a report about some light storm damage from the recent wind weather events. She also reported that the Waste Water Plant would be keeping some extra hours to accommodate cleanup from those events. The compost site will now be open all Saturdays and Sundays from 8am - 2pm.
The Clinton City Council adjourned to executive session at 6:49 pm.
