The Clinton City Council met in open session Tuesday, November 15, at city hall. The meeting was preceded by the convening of the Dangerous Buildings Commission (chaired by Councilman Daniel Wilson). The meeting was short: “I have nothing new to report,” said City Administrator Christy Maggi. “It is in a ‘holding pattern’; they are still waiting for the insurance companies to generate reports.” The body deliberated for a minute about the next best date to meet and decided not to dissolve the commission. The next meeting for the commission will be at the January 17 council session.
Mayor Carla Moberly called the regular council session into order: Council persons Roger House and Rick Pereles were absent. Following the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance, the previous meeting’s minutes were accepted as written.
A personal appearance was made by Joyce Puckett, who spoke at the previous council session. She told the council she was following up, but that the previously reported problem was still persisting. Puckett again reported that the issue of dogs barking nightly at the animal shelter was ongoing and provided an audio recording for the council to listen to. The disruptions are still mainly between 10 pm and early morning hours and appear to be related to when staff enter the animal shelter at those times; Puckett is still keeping a log of the disruptions. C.A.R.E. posted a statement about the housing of six dogs in the outside kennels “due to being full.” However, Mrs. Puckett again suggested the use of bark collars, muzzles – and even that euthanizing 10% of the dog population at the facility would keep CARE in the “no kill facility” boundaries. Mayor Moberly asked if Joyce had met with the C.A.R.E. Board: “No,” she replied. Councilman Gene Henry said he was supportive of Puckett’s requests/concerns and suggested it be referred to the appropriate committee for action; the matter will appear on the Public Safety committee agenda.
The Public Works report was given by Councilman Cameron Jackson. Following the lengthy discussion about cost cutting measures for the Artesian Pool Project at the last council meeting, a resolution with those amended agreements was presented to the council and approved (Resolution No. 30-2022). The amended contract was approved by the council. A change order (for $11,000) was approved by the council regarding the concrete approaches on the recent Third and Eighth Street side street approaches. Councilmen Gene Henry and Daniel Wilson asked several questions about the change order for clarification: it appears that the approach distances were not a known factor when the water company made repairs on those streets. The concrete portions were made at that time using without finishes because of that – hence, the change order to effect the paving to those approaches.
The upper level pump replacement at the Waste Water Treatment Plant will be $62,000; the originally budgeted amount was $46,000, however price increases are affecting the replacement costs. The pump is an essential part for the function of the Waste Water Plant and the council approved the purchase. Also, the council approved the replacement of the UV system at the Waste Water Plant (also necessary for for the plant’s function) for $20,400 (through Trojan Technologies).
The delayed city wide clean-up, usually held in the Fall, will now be held in the Spring of 2023. Councilman Jackson reported that the Sewershed monitoring program at the Waste Water Treatment Plant (monitoring COVID materials) was slightly up, but “nothing to be alarmed about.” The roof replacement at the plant has been completed and he also reported that the Compost Site will be closed Thanksgiving but will return to normal operation Saturday, November 26.
Under Community Development, it was reported that the planning commission will be hearing a matter on 3rd story height restrictions in town. The matter will appear before the council at the December 6 meeting. The changes are being considered because of improved capabilities of the Clinton Fire Department to reach higher structures.
A review of the standards for street, alleys, curb/gutter, and driveways will also be going to the planning commission. It was proposed that the alleyways be struck from the revision process as there are very few in town. This, too, will be on the December 6 council agenda.
The city is currently working with MoDOT on proposed revision to the Street Map here in town. The reclassification of some of the streets is necessary to update standards of streets of concern: particularly, Price Lane, Vansant Road and, potentially others (such as Hillcrest Drive). The city may employ counters at various streets to get a better idea of the needs in certain areas.
Councilman Gene Henry gave the Public Safety Committee report: a request from Clinton Main street to close a portion of the downtown square on November 25 (for the annual Lighting Ceremony) was approved. Also, permission was granted for the Clinton Fire Department to use the property (scheduled for demolition) at 1701 Vansant Road for training purposes.
American Recovery Plan Act grants are available – there are three grants of particular interest for the Clinton Fire Department and the Clinton Police Department (which have been applied for). The fire department would like to use the grant money to purchase a digital fire extinguisher training tool, and Clinton PD would like to purchase AED’s and use the remainder of the money to upgrade their in-car computers.
The Finance Committee report, given by Councilman Daniel Wilson, included the report that the switch from Equity Bank to Hawthorn Bank has been time consuming. Also, a matter concerning the pricing of materials for the City Hall roofing project will appear on the agenda at the next council meeting.
Mayor Moberly wished to thank all of the people who serve on the 55 or so commission boards for the city and also wish everyone in general a “Happy Thanksgiving.” She reported, too, that the city has gotten several compliments about the Third and Eighth Streets’ paving.
City Administrator Christy Maggi reported that, other than some recent weather delays affecting the concrete work, the Franklin Street Bridge project is moving along on time. She also reported that the grants the city submitted on through the Department of Natural Resources will be announced Friday (November 18). The results will be made known at the next council meeting.
Before adjourning, Councilman Gene Henry complimented the staff at Parks and Rec for changing light bulbs and improving the brightness at the Community Center.
As there was no unfinished or new business, the Clinton City Council adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
