Council Hears Concerns from Local Residents
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By Mark Requet
The Shelbina City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 14, in the City Hall.
Public Comments
Margaret Irving readdressed the problems being caused by her neighbor across the street. Irving said they continue to litter the neighborhood, used a mower to mow ditch without picking up the garbage and blew the chopped-up garbage over the neighborhood. They also have large trash cans that the trash company cannot empty the bags, which has caused a fly, roach and other insect problem in the area. The neighbor also has a large brush pile in backyard which houses rodents and other small animals.
Ms. Irving also again voiced her not seeing a requirement that she tarp the vehicle in her yard. She stated she pays the taxes on the vehicle so its registered. Alderman Chad Wharton confirmed to her that paying taxes and having the vehicle registered needs to happen at the DMV out at Tim’s Home Center.
Lee Perrigo was concerned about the letter regarding the vehicle on his property. He is stripping the vehicle for parts and with his disability and only using hand tools it is taking longer than the letter will allow. Mayor Al Dimmitt said as long as he was making progress, they would let him complete the project. He did add that he needed to move the vehicle back off the sidewalk so that people can pass freely. Mr. Perrigo provided a list of six other vehicles in the area in the same state of disrepair and wanted to ensure that he was being treated like the others and asked City Marshal Brown to check to see if letters were issued to those folks and if not, they should be.
Special Announcements
Mayor Dimmitt stated the Class of 1968 had put down a deposit with Nina to cater their event, and was asking if the city can try to assist them in getting a refund as they are not going to hold the event at the community room any longer.
Unfinished Business
The council approved a motion to grant the authority for Assistant City Superintendent Brian Fifer and City Superintendent Dennis Klusmeyer to sign and submit the paperwork to keep the project moving along for the bridge project. Klusmeyer said the documents to get the project going were nearly complete.
The council approved a motion for an amendment to the demolition contract to include 412 Cleveland Street. Cost increase will be $6,000.
The council approved a motion continuing to have Great River Engineering do the project after Klusmeyer stated that the agreement has been completed via doc-u-sign and had asked that the council use one of the approved vendors on the MODOT approved list for engineering instead of going through the RFQ process. Great River Engineering, who has done the preliminary work for the project, is an approved vendor.
The council approved a motion to table the FY24 budget until the next meeting. Clerk Tim Lacy lead a discussion on the FY24 budget, stating that the budget was showing a shortfall of approximately $240,000 and asked for the council’s help in reducing the cost in the general budget. After a long discussion and a reduction of over $100,000, it was determined that the budget be reviewed, and suggestions made to balance the budget.
Clerk Lacy stated that the meter reading software and hardware are currently working but still needs to be updated. The representative from Itron will be in the office sometime the week of the 19th and will evaluate the current system and provide recommendations. The sales representative did state the availability of an updated radio read is more than a year out. Clerk Lacy stated they did upgrade the system at a cost of $1,800 already which should help the process when the representative comes. There is a bad cable that connects the reader to the computer and a new one has been ordered.
New Business
Klusmeyer requested the meter deposit requirements be revisited. With some folks only requesting one service the current requirement of $300 seems excessive to have electricity in a shed or other out building. After some discussion it was agreed that an alternative suggestion be developed and item be added to the agenda when done.
The council approved a motion to add the range hood to the current service contract for fire extinguishers. Klusmeyer provided an updated service agreement between Getz and the City of Shelbina. The update will add cleaning and servicing of the fire suppression system in the range hood, which is now installed in the kitchen of the golf course.
The council approved a motion to add to the list of items requiring a building permit. Klusmeyer stated some folks were moving away from the roof mounted solar panels and are wanting to install pad mounted solar panels. Since they are pouring a pad, he requested this be treated like pouring a pad for a shed or other outdoor structure and that these be added to the list of items that will require a building permit.
The council approved a motion to send Alex to journeyman training July 11-13th in Columbia. He will commute daily.
Ordinances and Resolutions
The city council approved an ordinance to sell 15 acres of land to Enbridge.
The city council adopted a resolution to adopt changes to the Getz contract.
Assistant Superintendent Report
Assistant Superintendent Brian Fifer said crews worked on brush cleanup from the storm, fixed a few water leaks, were getting ready to haul sludge to the dump from the water plant, and assisted in the repairs at the river pumphouse, which is now complete.
Economic Development
Lacy stated the next Economic Development meeting will be June 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Shelbina City Office. The ACT work ready requirements have all been met and Shelby County is now an approved work ready county.
City Attorney Report
City Attorney Jim McConnell finished paperwork for Enbridge and is waiting on a call back from the title company to ensure all items are taken care of. He was working on tickets and other items as they came in.
City Marshal
City Marshal Jeff Brown continues to work on nuisances. Brown said he is very busy with investigations.
City Clerk
Lacy said tax court is set for a July court date, approximately 170 letters have been sent out for past due taxes.
City Superintendent
The city has been inundated with One Call locate request with the fiber companies. This is consuming a large portion of the day, and if the volume continues at this level an alternative option may be needed.
The valves at the pumphouse will be similar in repair cost to that of the river pumps approximately $20-$25,000.
The construction at the MODOT facility will move up the water line project along W. Elm. As the project was being reviewed it appears that two water meters had been combined on one availability charge. Each meter needs to be separate.
Klusmeyer wanted to confirm that the Golf Course was being managed by himself and Fifer and the Clubhouse was being managed by Tim, which was confirmed.
Klusmeyer wanted to stress the severity of the storm that hit town recently. While it was short in nature lasting approximately 20 minutes, it did a great deal of damage causing three downed lines and a phase on the northeast part of town to be out. It was about a five-hour repair process to get all power back on and the city has spent four days hauling brush and limbs away.
A motion to ratify putting properties owned by residents that are part of the current demolition process up for sale was approved.
