Mary L. McNary                                                                                   Telephone 417-394-2532

City Clerk                                                                                                           Fax 417-394-3088

121 E. Grand                                                                                      Email:  jctyhall@keinet.net

P. O. Box 247

Jasper, MO   64755

Draft

Minutes—September 16, 2009

Roll Call

      The Jasper City Council met in regular session for the month of September on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.  Council members present included Frank Shumard, Russell Selvey, Mike Smith and Josh Ghumm.  Mayor Paul Nelson presided over the meeting.

Tax Rate Hearing

     City Clerk Mary McNary explained the procedures followed to determine the property tax rate for 2009.  Preliminary calculations are provided by the State Auditor’s office, and the County Clerk’s office provides information on assessed valuation.  The tax rate is based on growth in assessed valuation compared to the Consumer Price Index, and the rate of inflation.  The proposed rate for 2009 looked on at the hearing was .7042 cents per $100.00 assessed valuation.  The rate for 2008 was .7002 cents per $100.00 assessed valuation.  Discussion was held.

Monthly Reports

      The minutes of the August 19, 2009 regular session, (with one correction—under Planning and Zoning requests it should read “extending the deck on the Christian Church Parsonage”) and August 25, 2009 special session were approved on a motion by Josh Ghumm, seconded by Mike Smith.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  The Treasurer’s report for the month of August was approved as presented on a motion by Russell Selvey, seconded by Mike Smith.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  The Collector’s report for the month of August was approved as presented on a motion by Frank Shumard, seconded by Josh Ghumm.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  The obligations for the month were approved for payment (with the addition of Maneval, Inc., $59.75 for chemicals) on a motion by Frank Shumard, seconded by Russell Selvey.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.

Citizen Participation

      There were a number of citizens present, and Mayor Nelson invited citizen participation.  There was none. 

Departmental Reports

      Water and Streets

      Council discussed the completion of the West Grand project.  Blevins Asphalt completed the overlay on West Grand on meeting day and asphalted a “parking” area on both the east and west sides of Main just south of Grand, and a similar area on the west side of Main just north of Grand.  Scheduled asphalt repairs on 6^th St. were postponed by Blevins to be completed at a later date.  Water flow and drainage on 6^th St. was discussed.  

      Police

      Chief of Police Jim Achey reviewed with the Council the departmental expenses and officer activities for August.  Jim reported that he had prepared an application for the LLEBG grant, and was requesting funding for the purchase of in-car cameras at a cost of $8950.  The City commitment on this grant, if approved would be 10 %.  Jim reported that the computers received through the last round of Jasper County Law Enforcement equipment grants have arrived and the department will soon be using the new software that was also a part of this previous package.  After some maintenance and repair issues both patrol cars are serviceable and in use.

      Jim asked the Council to consider switching him from a salaried to an hourly position with a pay increase.  Discussion followed.  Frank Shumard moved and Josh Ghumm seconded the motion to raise Chief Achey to $11.50 hourly, effective immediately.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.     

Fire

Activities for the month included routine training and service calls. 

Accounting and City Hall

Two written requests for sewer discount were received.  These were reviewed and considered by the Council.  Russell Selvey moved and Frank Shumard seconded the motion to grant discounts as requested to Minon Crews and Rick Tilley.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.

Old Business

      Nuisance Abatement

      Frank Shumard reported that Nuisance Officer Greg Gooch had resigned.  Mayor Nelson appointed Councilman Frank Shumard as temporary Nuisance Abatement Officer.

      Pending Property Purchase

      Discussion was held regarding the pending purchase by the City of the former MoDOT facility at Jasper.  MoDot has provided a copy of their appraisal.  An appraiser has been contacted by the City to complete appraisals of the old City Barn property and the MoDOT property.  

New Business

      Business License Requests

      One request was received and was denied due to the proposed location being in a residential area.  Frank Shumard moved and Josh Ghumm seconded the motion to deny the request for a business license for Mouchka’s Repair Shop at 405 S. Main.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  

Planning and Zoning Requests

Seven requests for building permits were received and reviewed by the Planning and Zoning committee.  Requests included:

1.  Construction of a front porch at the home of Lee Cox, Jr.

2.  Construction of a garage at the Bill Hulstine home.

3.  Construction of a picket fence and addition of a storage building             at the Bryan sparks residence.

4.  Construction of a storage building at the Doug York residence. 

5.  Placement of a temporary metal car port at the home of Steve Binam. 

6.  Placement of a storage building on the Sally Kahl property.

Motion was made by Russell Selvey and seconded by Mike Smith to approve each request, 1-6.  The vote was 4-0 in favor. 

Action was delayed on a request by Maneval, Inc. for a permit to construct a new road on the Maneval, Inc. property and intersecting with Grand Ave.  This would not be considered a through road but would help ease the flow of traffic during harvest.  The location of City utilities, valves and a fire hydrant need to be reviewed before a final decision is reached.            

Ordinance to Set Property Tax Rate for 2009.

City Clerk Mary McNary presented Council Bill #2009-5, to set the property tax rate for 2009.  Frank Shumard moved to have the first reading of council Bill #2009-5, by title only.  Mike Smith seconded the motion.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Clerk read the bill by title: “An Ordinance Levying General Taxes Upon the Taxable Property Within the County of Jasper, State of Missouri, City of Jasper, for the Year 2009 for General Revenue and Fixing the Rate Thereof.”  Roll call vote was as follows:  Selvey-yes, Smith-yes, Shumard-yes and Ghumm-yes.  Russell Selvey moved to have the second reading of Council Bill #2009-5, by title only.  Josh seconded the motion.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Clerk again read the bill by title.  Roll call vote was as follows:  Selvey-yes, Smith-yes, Shumard-yes, and Ghumm-yes.

Exotic Animals/Snakes

City Clerk Mary McNary reviewed with the Council samples of ordinances received from other communities regarding the keeping of snakes, reptiles, and exotic animals.  This matter will be researched and discussed further.

Bids to be let.

Council instructed Clerk to let bids for residential solid waste disposal.          

Mike Smith moved and Josh Ghumm seconded the motion to adjourn.  The vote was 4-0 in favor.  Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. 

Mary L. McNary                            Paul M. Nelson

City Clerk                                Mayor