The Clinton City Council met in open session, September 6, at City Hall. All members of the council were present. The Dangerous Buildings Commission convened for a short period just prior to the normal council session: City Administrator Christy Maggi reported to the commission that it had been reported to her a mason had been hired to finish off removing the remaining portion of brick of the previously collapsed building. There was no time frame reported on completion, however. The commission adjourned without dissolving and will reconvene at the next council session date (in two weeks).
Mayor Carla Moberly called the regular council meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the previous council minutes were accepted as written. Gary Cox, Jr, Clinton resident, made a personal appearance to speak to the council.
Cox relayed to the council his disappointment about the height of weeds and grass at Englewood Cemetery. He told them he had recently went to visit his mother’s grave and was sorely disappointed at the state of his mother’s grave site, but also the rest of the cemetery. Mr. Cox said he went and got a weed eater and cleaned the area up himself. As far as the rest of the cemetery: “It looks something terrible,” he said.
He made mention that the ball fields, city hall and other areas under the city’s control all look neat and well mowed, but the same could not be said for Englewood Cemetery – he said the mowing/trimming problem there was not a recent problem, either, but that there had been a steady decline in upkeep over the last few seasons. He also wondered why the cemetery was no longer locked up at night (City Administrator Christy Maggi explained that was being done at the request of Clinton PD). Mr. Cox did say he had heard there was a lack of help and other excuses about the problems of upkeep, but thought it best the city just remedy the situation.
“We hear what you said, and we are trying,” responded Mayor Moberly to the gentleman’s complaint. She explained that she, too, recently got a look at the cemetery and was surprised at the state of things there.
“It is true there has been a lack of help,” said Administrator Maggi. She explained there were other factors as well which have contributed to the current problem. “But, I have visited with the Sexton today,” she told Mr. Cox, “and the grass is certainly not acceptable. We will be better attuned [to the issues at Englewood],” she concluded. Councilman Cameron Jackson asked that a follow up for the matter be placed on the next Public Works agenda and invited Mr. Cox to attend that meeting if he chose.
Following the personal appearance, the council heard a report from Wallace White, Clinton Regional Airport. White told the council there had been quite a bit of activity at the airport recently with business traffic being a large portion of that. He said fuel sales at the airport are “doing well.” He said he had recently attended a four-state regional conference: “It is a good time to talk to the State and Federal people there.” Mr. White said he inquired about funding opportunities among other things. It was learned that the Clinton Regional Airport will need to reapply for a previously submitted grant; the previous request had been denied. However, reapplications are encouraged. Money for those grants is highly competitive, though (nationwide): only 14 of the 622 applicants were selected for the previous allotment of grant funds.
Airport Manager White invited the council (and public) out to the airport on October 8: an event from about 10am to 5pm that day will feature vintage World War II aircraft. He reported that Dwight Staples is coordinating the event.
Following the Airport report, David Lee (Clinton Chamber) reported to the council. Lee has been featuring businesses weekly on Facebook and had just got back from visiting the State Fair Community College Clinton branch (“Featured in Photos”): “We, as a public, ought to do anything we can to help them out,” said Lee. He told the council that the community college access in town was a benefit to the community.
Lee shared that he is still posting job opening on the Chamber website; also, he pointed out that Mayor Carla Moberly and Joyce Carr (Operations Manager at the Clinton Chamber) attended a Women in Leadership conference recently in Columbia. Mayor Moberly affirmed that she enjoyed the conference event. David Lee also encouraged people to go visit the Law Enforcement Memorial in Jefferson City and described it as a touching place (Officers Ryan Morton and Gary Lee’s names are inscribed on the memorial). Lee visited the memorial while at the 2022 Chamber Management Academy event.
Jim Cook, Lee announced, was voted Ag Person of the Year at the 49th Annual Ag Dinner held last week. Also, David Lee hoped everyone would welcome the interim Main Street Director – Bree Smith.
Concluding his report, Lee said that he had met with an individual from Springfield about putting on a golf tournament in Clinton. “I think it will draw a lot of people,” said Lee. He also mentioned that the folks who travel to the tournament will spend money locally. The event will, hopefully, be next summer.
Mark Dawson, Chamber Economic Development Director, reported to the council: We have had four manufacturing and one retail project submitted on in the last month,” he told the council. He said he was also hoping that “Project Queen” would move forward as it would be a benefit to the community. Also, “Project MW” is “a very large project with huge capital investment.” He would like to see both come to fruition.
He reported that a portion of an EDA grant will be used to complete the road at Gerhart Industrial. He also reported he was continuing to work with a consultant about senior housing and has a meeting with property owners this week.
Director Dawson invited the council to attend the groundbreaking event for Capri on September 28: the CEO and President of the company will be in attendance. It was noted that it is the largest commercial printing operation in Canada and one of the larger ones in the U.S.
Recently, Director Dawson toured the Tech School: he encouraged and applauded how local businesses work with the school district. And, in regards to another project (“Project Biscuit”): “If it happens, we will need to construct a temporay road in the back of Gerhart Industrial Park.”
The Chamber was asked by the State of Missouri about a project recently – which will need to have rail service (which is being sought). “It is a huge project,” said Dawson.
In closing, Director Dawson told the council about a marketing/economic tool that is new: geofencing.
Geofencing [If I understood correctly] tracks folks with cell phones – not their personal identity, but in aggregate: the information gathered can help communities determine how many people come to or through their area, and other useful information. Director Dawson used Olde Glory Days as an example of how it could be used in a constructive manner. “This is not Big Brother,” said Dawson, humorously. “We wouldn’t know who they are. But, it could help us know how many people are using the Katy Trail, for instance, and the zip codes they are from; the days they tend to use it.” Dawson said it was “just something to think about.”
As there were no Second Readings of bills, and no Public Works report, Councilman Gene Henry commenced with the Public Safety report. On that agenda were the resignations of three police officers: Joshua Sargent, Officer Emily Heim, and Sergeant Derek Foreman: the council regretfully accepted all three.
Councilman Henry discussed an issue with the property at 217 North Sixth Street which has received numerous complaints, and recently complaints about unauthorized burns. Although there are some other issues surrounding the unauthorized burns, Councilman Henry said he thought the structure at that location should be on the Dangerous Buildings list and investigated as such.
The Finance Committee report was given by Councilman Daniel Wilson. The council approved the bids for road salt (Independent Salt, $72.90 per ton), trash service (Golden Valley Disposal, the sole bid; noted the rates had increased significantly); and mats, mops and towels (Unifirst won this bid).
Also approved were the renewal agreements for Clinton Tourism Association and the Economic Development bodies. Councilman Henry pointed out that he did not believe the paperwork was in order for the agreement renewals, and also questioned the renewal dates: he thought it might be best for both of those entities to have their fiscal years coincide with that of the city’s (the city’s fiscal year starts October 1 and the others begin in January).
Mayor Carla Moberly reminded the council of the 21st anniversary memorial for 9/11, which was to take place Sunday morning on the Clinton Square; also she pointed out the finished railroad crossings in town: “Christy (City Administrator) pushed to get it done over the last three or four years. With a MoDOT grant and the help of the Missouri-Arkansas Railroad, the ten crossings are completed – at no cost to the city.”
The City Administrator reported there had been a request for the city to provide information for the Waste Water improvement project funding: “I take this as a good sign,” said City Administrator Christy Maggi (the inquiry could be an indication that there is a possibility of getting the funding). She also reported that a portion of Franklin Street is now closed because of the bridge replacement work there. “The bridge project is underway; the side-rails are coming down.” The road will be closed for a time, but be substantially completed by December 2 and, hopefully, finished by December 23 – if not before.
Unfinished Business: the council approved the City Clerk/Finance Officer II Job Description. Uner New Business, the council held and approved the first readings of Bills No. 2022-15, 16, and 17: fees for city services. Pay plans for the 2022/23 fiscal year, and the adoption of the 2022/23 budget.
The final unfinished business for the council was the authorization of the acceptance of an easement at 706 E. Glendale regarding a storm drain line. “It appears the inlet and pipe are public infrastructure,” said Christy Maggi. The storm drain, however, runs through the back yard of the property, however, and needs modified. The property owners were agreeable to the easement. The easement will allow the city to take steps to remedy the problem.
The Clinton City Council adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
