Plans proceeded for the new sidewalk around the square as part of the Downtown Renovation Project that is being paid for by a Federal appropriation. One modification made to the plan was that the sidewalk on the southeast corner of the square, which had been planned to go at an angle, will now get put in at a 90 degree angle like the other three sidewalk corners. All sidewalk corners would be made compliant with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
Economic Developer Charity Austin relayed two concerns from people. One was that the sidewalk on the northeast corner had already been repaired and that the work would simply tear up the sidewalk. Austin said that her understanding of the ADA was that if they city were to fix one corner, they had to fix them all. The other concern that she relayed was that the jackhammers would break windows. She said that these sorts of projects had happened all the time without breakage and that the contractors for the project would be licensed, insured, and bonded. Initially, the plan had been to simply patch the sidewalks where needed. However, Austin said that was not possible because of the ADA; Presiding Commissioner Kevin Austin said that it would not look uniform if they did not do the whole thing.
Mayor Debbie Roach said that since people did not come to the meeting Wednesday to voice their concerns, the project would proceed as planned. The city will put in policies for snow removal for the new sidewalks and give recommendations on ice melts to use; the city will send a letter to building owners along the square explaining city policies regarding snow removal.
The council approved the use of one side of the square on June 5th for a Relay for Life Fundraiser. There will be a street dance, Redneck Relays, and teams will set up booths. Proceeds will go towards Worth County's nationally recognized Relay for Life.
Grant City Fire Chief Ben Fletcher addressed the council regarding efforts of the Fire Department to become compliant with state statutes in various areas. The Fire Department will undergo training with the city and the Rural Water District regarding the proper maintenance and operation of fire hydrants as well as steps to avoid damage to water lines during a fire emergency. For instance, the Fire Department can't reduce water pressure below a certain rate. The city signed a usage agreement with the Fire Department regarding the use of their water systems.
Fletcher reported that the architects in charge of the new Firehouse at the old City Hall told him that the siren would need to be moved because it would be in the way of the new structure. It would need to be moved 30-40 feet north, and KCP&L would put in a pole at no cost. The Fire Department will wait for the architect to finish his specifications before bidding out the project. Construction would start this April.
The new building would house both the Fire Department and Ambulance. Presiding Commissioner Kevin Austin said that the reason that there is no law enforcement center was because the county did not have funds to match for the project. He said that having a center in which all emergency services would be under one roof was everyone's dream but that given massive state budget cuts, funding for everything was drying up. He said that the budget for this year would be OK, but that next year would be tough for the county and that at a recent conference, he had not heard a lot of positive things about upcoming years.
Economic Developer Charity Austin reported on Great Northwest Days held in Jefferson City. The event is an annual event in which local officials lobby legislators about concerns of Northwest Missouri residents. Another goal is to meet with other communities and find common threads. She said that there was a lot of one on one time with legislators and experts. Kevin Austin reported that he had talked with the Missouri Tax Commission about efforts to get a recreational tax for this area so that out of county people would pay taxes for their use of the area for hunting. Austin said that one possible idea was adding $10 to the current hunters' fees for out of state hunters that would be returned to the counties so that they would reap the benefits of their being there. He said that currently, out of state hunters were taking money away from local businesses as well as the county.
The city voted to hire Holly Baxley to work on the county website.
City Attorney David B. Parman addressed the council regarding the Yetter Building. He said that the building problem would get worse over the next ten years as he feared that other buildings on both the west and south sides of the square would follow suit; he said that the two worst buildings were the Yetter Building and the one between G.C. Auto Parts and Blaino's Antiques.
Presiding Commissioner Kevin Austin reported that he had met with Donnie Waldeier of Hy-Vee and had worked on the wording of the sign and that there would be a "No Loitering After 9 p.m." sign posted on both Hy-Vee and Country Corners. Once the signs are ordered and posted, it will give officers the authority to enter the parking lots and enforce laws related to trespassing and underage drinking.
The city will look into updating the Broadband system that it owns through the use of grants as well as finding ways of lowering the price on it.
Public Works Director Carl Staton reported that city crews were involved with lots of snow removal as well as miscellaneous equipment repairs. Repairs were made on some pipes by the old railroad tracks. On the 25th, the city will replace the batteries in the siren for $350. He reported that repair costs for the 1989 Champion grader would run to an estimated $8,000; he will shop around and see if he can find a lower price. Councilwoman Cathy James asked about snow removal on Sundays, saying that High Street was down to one lane that morning. Mayor Roach said that sometimes, the snow was plowed but that it drifted back. Clerk Ayvonne Morin said that the roads in the city and county were some of the best-kept in the area as far as snow removal was concerned.
The council voted to solicit a bid for a new city auditor to complete work on the city finances for this year.
The council voted to give city employees a 2% Cost of Living increase for this year. Cathy James opposed, saying that the vote should happen with Linda Phipps present and that a 2% increase was not feasible in the current economic climate.
Clerk Ayvonne Morin reported that the water fund was $200,000+ in the hole and that much of that was due to water breaks in the system. She estimated that it cost $7,500 - $8,200 for every nighttime break and $5,000+ for every daytime break.
Councilman Dennis Downing relayed two letters from David Snow to the council. The first letter related to what Snow called the micromanagement of the city; he proposed that the city form more committees so that specialization would maximize the success of city projects. Mayor Debbie Roach said that there were a lot of areas that the mayor and council had to oversee because they were elected by the people and that a committee would not be. She said that there were some areas for which there were separate boards, such as the Planning and Zoning Board as well as the Park Board. But she said that in many other areas, committees would not be feasible because they would not be familiar with the city's procurement policies.
Downing relayed another letter from Snow requesting the use of the equipment formerly used by the city police officer for the City Marshall's office as well as the money previously spent on Grant City Police Chief Dennie Mildfeldt's salary for the office. Snow said that he would forego any personal salary as City Marshall and that he would work with other law enforcement to address what he saw as a skyrocketing petty crime problem in the city. Mayor Roach said that a City Marshall would have no enforcement powers and no job description and that state law does not allow city marshalls to perform duties without certification. She said that there was no money in the budget to purchase equipment or pay any funds for that position and that it was simply a title. Roach said that the city already has a Code Enforcement Officer in Patsy Worthington and that the reason the city went that route was because no certification was necessary for that position. She said that the current law enforcement was adequate and that the current Sheriff's Department was prompt in responding to calls.
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