The Clinton City Council met in open session September 5 at City Hall (6 pm). All members were present and Mayor Carla Moberly presided. Following the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance and the approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, a personal appearance was made by Robert (Bob) Harrill.
Mr. Harrill had multiple complaints regarding several matters: street cuts made by the water company left filled in with gravel; areas where blighted buildings stand (such as the old Holiday Inn on 7 Highway; and even areas which are not in a kept state (mowed, etc.). He also wondered about the city’s communication regarding the two proposed sales taxes that will be on the November ballot. “Are you trying to sneak it through [Mr. Harrill may have been saying this tongue-in-cheek]?”
Harrill was also disappointed in the local paper and radio station for not covering local matters very well. One of the council persons told Harrill the tax was a renewal of the parks and rec tax and street tax – which are due to sunset. Harrill told the council he had no idea they were renewed tax proposals because he had not seen any information on it. He suggested using social media, informational mailers, and online presences to help inform folks. “Something’s got to be done,” said Harrill, speaking about the street conditions and other related matters. “There’s no excuse for it,” he said.
Speaking to his concerns, Councilman Gene Henry explained the matter with the cuts made in the streets: he explained that the city planners (many, many years ago) decided to run the water lines down the middle of the street – the same for the sewer lines. When repairs are needed, that is where the cuts are made. The folks repairing them have to fill the cuts they have made with gravel and let it settle before pouring concrete back in. To the other matters (mowing, junk cars, branches in yards, etc.) Councilman Henry is on record numerous times expounding his position that “it needs cleaned up.” Mr. Harrill did allude to an incident on Friday where he called city hall to make a complaint, but said that he “got the runaround.” Although ultimately the matter was resolved, he said he felt that whoever got the call first should have relayed the information to the appropriate department versus him being told to call the department in question. The Clinton Daily Democrat was not privy to the exact nature of the matter, but that it involved improper trash vehicle standards of some type.
Chamber Director David Lee reported to the council. He reported the new members (RMI Services, Game Box, Midwest Tattoo and Piercing, Rustic Bridges, and Midstate Roofing Company.
Director Lee also said that the CHS Alumni Association will be tailgating September 29 at Cardinal Stadium.
The Olde Glory Days committee structure will be changing. David Lee reported that many of the original and/or long standing members on the committee will be stepping down; “Not in anger or anything,” said Director Lee. Most of those committee duties will now be shifted over to David Lee and Joyce at the Clinton Chamber, and the committee felt comfortable doing that. So far, Director Lee reported only minor additions to next year’s schedule.
Economic Director Mark Dawson reported next to the council. “It has been an interesting month,” Dawson told the council. We have had two different companies from out of state in the same month (looking at sites). One new project submitted was “Project Cobblestone.” This is a retail site locator looking for a two acre spot. Two projects that could not be submitted on were Project Cellulose and Project Enterprise. Both projects could not be submitted because of power grid requirements. Project Diversified is still in the works. One of the reasons that company wants to be here is because of the ability of the Clinton regional Airport to handle their corporate planes. Two other projects which are interested in Clinton are “Project Husker” and “Project Graduate.” Economic Director Dawson concluded his report by thanking the council and City of Clinton in general: “I appreciate everybody,” he said. Dawson said a lot goes on behind the scenes that is not seen by everybody and that it is “a team sport.”
The second reading of Bill No. 2023-26 was held (regarding the airport terminal project inspection services) and was approved by the council.
Councilman Cameron Jackson gave the Public Works committee report. The first item on the report pertained to the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital and OakStar Drive project. Of the three options, the third one was ultimately chosen by the council – it is the most costly of the options, but is “the most thorough and far reaching option.” The projected cost is $270,000, and the city’s cost-share portion will be negotiated. The project is not part of the right-in, right-out area which Councilman Gene Henry has asked to be looked at a past council meeting. That project will be a separate project at a future date; the city will be pursuing a concrete solution for it, too.
Proposed rate changes for the city transfer station were reviewed and discussed. Essentially, the fee schedule will be simplified and restrictions on commercial demolition materials being brought to the transfer station will now be in place. It was proposed that no business demolition materials be accepted at the transfer station (or commercial sources) which is to include rental property materials, too. Household demolition materials will still be accepted (with conditions). To that end, the first reading of Bill No. 2023-31 was held (and approved) which changes the transfer station fee schedule and outlines fines for violations. “These [commercial demolition materials] are a major drain on the city,” said Councilman Jackson.
The council approved a spiral slide to be ordered as part of the Hurt Park renovations. The slide will cost $10,700 plus $2,500 shipping.
The materials for the new boiler building at the Aquatic Center are in – Councilman Jackson reported it appeared the staging materials for that project were on site. The Artesian Park pool was scheduled to be drained after Labor Day. Pump repairs for the slide will be made after it is drained.
A pickleball tournament will be held at the Artesian Park tennis courts. The fee for the tournament was donated. “The city council will have a pickleball team,” said Mayor Carla Moberly.
The indoor Aquatic Center is still looking for two full-time positions as well as a full-time assistant. There are not enough lifeguards, either, to cover shifts during the open swim periods in September.
At the Waste Water plant, the cost for the pole camera/inspection will cost $7,500. This is part of the I & I program of improvements. It will be a few more weeks before the sampler is installed.
It was reported there was a lot of debris from the storm a few weeks ago and the generator failed. New batteries were installed and new signs with emergency numbers have been added at all the lift stations.
A meeting between the Department of Natural Resources and members of the Stoneridge subdivision will take place soon. Recall that DNR is putting pressure on this subdivision, which lies outside of city limits, to upgrade their sewer system. The subdivision is being encouraged to hook into the city’s sewer system: there will need to be a lift-system installed there, but more will be known after the October 3 meeting. Adopting the sewer in that location does not mean that the roads there will be adopted as well.
The status system at the Waste Water Plant went down early Saturday morning. One-quarter of the systems at the plant were able to be made operational again, but the part ($6,000) to (hopefully) fix this issue has been ordered. The PLC (status system control) may need to be replaced.
The Public Safety report was given by Councilman Gene Henry. The city, regretfully, accepted the resignation of two firemen: Camron Hooper and Frank Mesh. The positions are advertised (according to Fire Chief Mark Manuel in attendance). The department is two more personnel short which will only create more safety issues. “Finding applicants is difficult,” said Chief Manuel. There was some discussion of translatable coverage at the Fire Department from other departments (from qualified individuals). Also, Captain John Scott of CPD passed around the new body armor for the city council to compare (to the old armor). Although the new armor provides the same protection, it is much lighter.
Councilman Daniel Wilson gave the Finance Committee report. On the agenda were the annual bids. The road salt was awarded to Central Salt at $74.21 per ton. Golden Valley Disposal was the only bid for trash service and was awarded the bid. Councilman Gene Henry asked about the advertising process to, perhaps, encourage more bidders. Mats, mops, and towels for the city were awarded to Unifirst. The new financial software training will start soon. There is a nine-month training period allotted by the company it was purchased from. Both the Clinton Tourism and Economic Development agreements were allowed to renew.
Mayor Moberly said she was concerned about the ability of the city to hire new employees and how it has been a struggle to find applicants for various positions. She did thank Aaron Potter for coming back out of retirement to help at the pool.
City Administrator Christy Maggi reported the changes (to the fees and the accepted services) will begin October 1. She also thanked the department heads for their work while she was gone.
New business for the council included the first readings for Bills No. 2023-28, 2023-29, 2023-30, and 2023-27. The first readings were all approved by the council. They are, respectively: fee schedule for city services, pay plans for the city, budget adoption for the city, and the adoption of a specific drug and alcohol testing policy for ATS. It should be noted there was considerable questioning about city fees from Councilman Gene Henry. He questioned, among other fees listed, those for cigarette licenses, gas line inspections and UTV licenses. He also wondered if procedures and rules for UTV’s were being observed in town. Captain John Scott of the Clinton Police Department thought those rules were being monitored, as far as he knew.
The council adjourned at 7:21 pm.
