Shelbina Police Department to Apply for Grants

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By Mark Requet

  The Shelbina City Council met in regular session Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at the city office.

  Unfinished Business:

  Officer Ben Hodges asked for approval to start the process of applying for two new grants for radar, overtime, medical supplies, and other equipment. He also brought paperwork for the council to sign for the vehicle grant through USDA and the new grants. A motion was seconded and approved to authorize participation in the Missouri’s Highway Safety Program for financial assistance for overtime and new radar.

  A motion seconded and approved to accept the assistance of $3,271.55 from the Missouri Department of Public Safety for medical supplies and equipment.

  There was discussion about the utility committee meeting held on January 16, 2024, with representatives from O’Laughlin’s. The utility committee recommended that the city pay for the concrete bills for the street repair made. O’Laughlin’s will not repair streets again without the city’s permission. A motion was seconded and approved to pay $1,507.48 to Leo O’Laughlin.

  Discussion was also held about the on-demand water heater recirculation system in the new building at O’Laughlin’s. Assistant Superintendent Brian Fifer had met with him, and he has a better understanding of the whole system. O’Laughlin’s are willing to install another check valve and DNR stated if a second check valve was installed, they would sign off and approve it.

  Mayor Al Dimmitt asked about the building being kept warm with freezing temperatures and Fifer said that O’Laughlin’s had sprayed foam, and the building has two different heaters. The infrared heater runs off of propane so it will heat 16 to 18 hours without power. In extreme cold, the valve will be shut off at the curb to avoid any water leaking from frozen pipes. All issues with O’laughlin’s backflow and meter are resolved.

  New Business:

  City Superintendent Dennis Klusmeyer presented the council with the annual net metering report. The city had three properties with net metering. The total net kw hours the

customers generated and pushed back to the city gride was 10,362. The city pays back the avoided fuel cost number produced to us by MPUA.

  Klusmeyer also presented the council with a budget forecast. To pay for the shortfall in General funds there will have to be a transfer from the utilities. It looks like the rates might have to increase in order to cover this transfer. Right now, he is looking at a 3.9% increase in rates. This is just early numbers, but Klusmeyer wanted the council to be aware of the situation. This will be discussed and explained in greater detail as they dive further into the budget meetings with talks to come later.

  Klusmeyer gave the council the January 2024 estimated Gas Rate. Due to the cold weather event, the city went past the allotted daily gas consumption contracted. The expected price for the daily nomination is $26.77 per Dth. After figuring this into the rates, Klusmeyer is estimating the gas rate to increase from $4.85 to $6.95 per Dth. This would be an $2.10 per Dth increase.

  City Clerk Janice Magruder presented the council with the tax payments for October to December for the last six years. With the county collecting the taxes for the City now, it looks to be right in line with the years past. The county has collected 87% of the total taxes billed for the city as of December 31, 2023.

  Magruder indicated that the audit is well underway with the bulk of the information being delivered through email. They will be on site to review paperwork soon.

  Magruder informed the council that the city has paid $6,183.55 for four out of the last six years for elections that had equal number of candidates as sets open. If the Shelbina citizens pass the ballot issue Proposition 1 set for the April 2, 2024 election, it would be a cost savings to the city. It would benefit the citizens to forgo the election ONLY if the number of candidates equal the number of positions to be filled. The elections will still take place if more than one candidate files for one position.

Ordinances and Resolutions:

  A motion was seconded and approved by the council to approve Resolution 24-01, which was read twice, concerning acceptance and compliance with various requirements to obtain financial assistance from United States of America, acting through the United States department of agriculture, rural development.

Other News

   • During closed session, a motion was seconded and approved to hire Jake Martin at $22 per hour and give Bobby Adkisson a raise to make his pay $22 per hour.

A motion to exit closed session was made at 6:49 p.m. by Curt Hines, seconded by Chad Wharton.

  • The tentative agenda, consent agenda, bills to be paid, and payroll were approved.