The Hopkins City Council, at its regular meeting Monday, voted to pursue a water grant for its system and authorized Deena Poynter to do the leg work to pursue it. She gave a presentation to the council regarding water grants. There are three avenues that the city can go through. One is through the CDBG process; the city qualifies for its income guidelines. The second is through the EPA, which tends to focus on outdated water systems. The third is through USDA Rural Development. The city would first get a Preliminary Engineering Report, which costs $50,000; however, there are grant programs to cover that cost.
Council members gave verbal approval for the CBC to pursue a demolition grant for the city. The city had been denied two years ago, but the CBC has gathered more information about the process and how they can earn points and decided to try again.
Chris Bird reported that he is in the process of switching over to automatic water meter reading so that the city will not have to estimate water use. Previously, the city read meters every other month, which created problems when a leak spiked the water bill.
The council is in the process of looking for a solution to their trash issues. Previously, according to the June 1st minutes, Porter Trash notified the city that it was raising its rate to $20 per stop. Mr. Bird said that he would like to see the city get a grant to do its own trash and that the savings from trash costs could go to hiring another person. Councilman Shadoe Miller said that he is in the process of researching rates that other trash providers charge. The council voted to table it and use Porter Trash on a month by month basis.
The council voted to restart the process for condemning the trailer next to Rick’s Country Shoppe. Previously, the council had given the green light for it, but then a new council was elected, and it was put on the backburner. The council will hire a building inspector to condemn it.
The Regional Council is in the process of looking into possible funds for a new siren for the city. Currently, the city owns the siren, but the Fire Department sets it off. For many years, it had only been meant to be used as a pager for the Fire Department and for the 6 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm signal. Currently, it must be manually set off by a member of the Fire Department in the event of a tornado. Councilman David Smyser said that while a box to control the siren from the city would be cheaper, “If we can get a grant for a new siren, I’m all for it.”
Ken Pettlon of the Hopkins American Legion came to present the Legion’s plan to turn the area of the town across the street from the Roxy into a memorial park for veterans. The Legion is dying out, with few members left. The city voted to deed 22 feet of property to the Legion for the project. At a later date down the road, the Legion will deed the park back to the city when it is no longer able to maintain it. Mr. Bird noted that Maryville started getting a lot of grant money for its walking trails after they built their Freedom Rock.
Clerk Mary Smith reported that she had gotten a call from Smart XEO, a company interested in overhauling the city website. It can store ordinances and minutes at a cost of $2,400 for the first year and $1,200 a year for the next four. The city would be locked into a five-year contract, and the company could raise the price by up to 5% per year. If the city were to break its contract, the remaining balance would be due and payable immediately. The city voted to table the proposal until it could get references.
The city received a DNR complaint from a citizen, Jerry Coons, alleging that the city water is so dirty that it clogs his filter to the point where he sometimes has to replace it on a daily basis. He alleged that the city has repeatedly ignored his complaints. The DNR will conduct a routine drinking water inspection for the city.
The city is in the process of updating the office for both Clerk Mary Smith and for Chris Bird. The city voted to scrap the old metal desks and to dispose of the other old desks. The office will get new flooring.
Mayor Matt Wray caught three teens from Iowa red-handed dumping trash into the city dump at the ball diamond.
Tentative date for the Citywide Cleanup will be August 7th through 8th. If you have appliances that need to be hauled off, contact the city. The council voted to split the cost with the CBC.
Lorrie Schatz told the city that two of her neighbors’ dogs got out of their yard and attacked someone.
The council went into closed session following the regular meeting to discuss salaries.
The next meeting will be August 3rd at 7:00 pm.
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