Hopkins Council Reviews Late Fees for Water, Sewer

The Hopkins City Council, at their regular meeting Tuesday, September 8^th, reviewed late fees for past due water and sewer fees. The prior system allowed the clerk to enter a 5% late fee for sewer and/or 10% for water. The new system does not have those report options, creating more work for the clerk. The council voted to charge a late fee of $15 for water and $10 for sewer, with accounts over six months having a finance fee added.

Two guests appeared at the meeting and apologized for dumping trash into the dumpsters at the Hopkins ball diamond in July. Chris Bird explained to the council what can and can’t be dumped under Missouri DNR regulations. The board decided not to proceed with further action.

The board voted to renew six CD’s that were up for renewal on September 25^th at the best possible rate.

Discussion was held on a fence ordinance need along with the current stockyard, livestock, and animal ordinance.

A 1947 ordinance passed by the council requires an annual $100 permit to erect, construct, own, operate, or maintain any slaughterhouse, pigpen, stable, or stockyard where hogs, cattle, sheep, or other farm livestock within the city limits. Approval of such licenses is up to the council. Keeping livestock within 500 feet of a residence, church, lodge, or business within city limits is prohibited, and violators are subject to a fine of $50 to $500 per day. A 2001 weeds & vegetation ordinance requires property owners to keep their properties mowed and kept clean of noxious weeks, grass, trees, shrubs, or poisonous vegetation. If a person is in violation, the city can come onto their property, mow and destroy the vegetation in question, and assess a tax lien. The city can also bring charges with punishment of not more than three months in jail and/or a $500 fine. A 2001 ordinance prohibits people from keeping junk cars and other junk vehicles on their property.

The Department of Revenue sent a letter to the city explaining HB 2819, which allows cities to round up or down for cash transactions. Cent totals ending in 1, 2, 6, or 7 can be rounded down, while cent totals ending in 3, 4, 8, or 9 can be rounded up. There is no rounding for non-cash payments. The city does not have to pass a new ordinance to implement the law. Implementation by cities is optional. The council voted not to round to increments of five cents.

The council voted to waive $396 from a sewer bill for 208 N. 6^th Street. There was a leak that did not go through the sewer.

The city received a letter from the EPA on lead and copper compliance. The city will send a letter to customers advising them that the status of lead in their water lines is unknown, along with information on its effects. Customers can send back feedback so that the city can update the system to stay in compliance. Customers who do so will receive a $25 credit to their water bill.

 The city will receive a visit from Maguire Iron to clean up the water tower. During that time, the city will get its water from Nodaway Rural Water.

Glenda Wyer-Nelson talked about the corner of Barnard & 10^th and Barnard & 11^th. The corner of Barnard & 10^th needs work to stop it from washing out. On Barnard & 11^th, there is a big pothole that needs to be filled, and there are branches that block the view to see if a car is coming or not. The city added the tree in question to the list of trees to be taken care of.

The council voted to post for a part-time labor position. 

Hopkins Seeks to Overhaul Water System

The City of Hopkins is in the process of considering overhauling its water system. The last time it had done so was over 30 years ago. The council authorized the city to pursue a Preliminary Engineering Report grant through the Missouri State Revolving fund, which offers Engineering Report grants, and through the USDA Rural Development program. 

The State Drinking Water Revolving Fund pays for reasonable engineering services, costs for additional items approved by the department, and deemed reasonable,  necessary, and produces an engineering report that makes reaonable and cost-effective recommendations. The program does not cover services completed before the grant is awarded or outside the approved project period, application preparation, costs outside the scope of the project, ourdinary operating expenses and salaries, administrative activities, fines, penalties, or use of the city's own labor force.

The program awards up to $30,000, with a local match of 20%. However, qualifiying disadvantaged communities can receive up to 100% of the grant, not to exceed $37,500. Disadvantaged communities include communities with less than 3,300 people, have a median household income of 75% or less of the state average, and have user rates at or above 2% of the median household income.

USDA preliminary engineering grants are available for rural areas and towns with a population of 10,000 or fewer, and which have a median household income of below the poverty line or less than 80% of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income.

Program funds can be used to help eligible communities obtain Preliminary Engineering Reports. Grants cannot be used to pay for work already completed. The amount of the grant will be subtracted from the total grant eligibility if a USDA grant is awarded for part of the water or wastewater project. These grants do not have to be paid back if the application for a subsequent USDA Direct Loan and/or grant is not successful. Grant awards are based on demonstrated need and availability of funds.  The maximum grant award is $60,000 or 75% of predevelopment costs. The program requires a 25% match.

Ed Drummond came to talk about a neighbor across the street that he says has overgrown weeds. The council authorized a letter of violation through the attorney with a deadline to clean the property up.

The city is in the process of locating the address for the owner of the tailer next to Rick's that it says is in violation of city ordinances and that it is seeking to condemn. Once it is located, the city will send a letter of condemnation.

Jody Thompson asked for permission to tear out the sidewalk in front of her house that is deteriorating. The council approved her request.

The city received a written complaint from a citizen alleging that their neighbor was keeping goats, chickens, and eight dogs within a fence made of pallets. The city will research its ordinances to determine possible violations.

The city recieved a letter of violation from the DNR. The DNR letter alleged that in May 2025, the city received a violation regarding e.coli. The second violation alleged that the city failed to notify the public within  one year after the date of the original violation. 

Hopkins City Council to Pursue Water Grant, Supports CBC Pursuit of Demolition Grant

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.

 

 

 

Hopkins to Seek Grant for New Siren

Cody Hoepker, Chief of the Hopkins Fire District, presented information on the siren for the council at the Hopkins City Council Meeting Monday, June 1st. The siren was purchased with a grant through the city. Originally, it was used as a pager system for the firefighters, since at the time, there were no pagers or cell phones. Currently, the main function is to announce 6 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm. If a tornado is spotted, then one of the Hopkins Fire Department personnel must set it off manually.

Mr. Hoepker spoke with Christy Forney, Nodaway County Emergency Management Director, on what it would take to either make the siren compatible with the Nodaway County Communication Center or purchase a new siren. It would cost $5,000 to $6,000 to make the siren compatible with the Nodaway County Communication Center. A new siren would cost between $23,000 to $27,000. There is a $50,000 grant that the city could apply for that would cover the cost. The council voted to pursue the grant.

The council voted to take over responsibilities of the current siren, with the Hopkins Fire Department setting off the siren in case of a tornado until either the converter box or the new siren is purchased.

The council voted to renew the M2V Liquor License.

The city received an email from Porter Trash stating that as of June 1st, the new rate would be $20 per stop. The council voted to continue to use Porter Trash for the time being.

Maintenance man Chris Bird reported that the plant had lost communication for two weeks before a break in the underground line was found. The communication line is currently working above ground. The whole line needs to be replaced or changed to an overhead line. The city will get pricing on a replacement.

Glenda Wyer-Nelson brought up a concern of the roadway in front of the Baptist Church. The gravel has washed down and onto Highway 246. The Hopkins Fire Department could clean out the tube if it is clogged and part-time city help could clean out the ditch by the tube.

Following a closed session, the council voted to authorize Chris Bird to train Mary Smith to run the water plant for samples while he is out of town at $16 an hour.

The city received a call from North Nodaway Superintendent Chris Turpin stating that they had purchased two new school buses and would like the overhanging trees on the in-town bus route to be trimmed so as not to rub and scratch the paint. Chris Bird will rent a lift and get the trees trimmed.

 

 

Hopkins City Council Reorganizes

The Hopkins City Council reorganized Monday at its regular council meeting Monday. The election results from April 7th were certified. David Smyser received 33 votes as alderman. Allen Coleman received 27, Allan Thompson 16, and Rick Gladman 20. There were two seats open, meaning that David Smyser and Allen Coleman were elected. The General Tax Levy passed with 39 yes votes and 11 no votes. Mr. Smyser and Mr. Coleman were sworn in.

Shadoe Miller was named the new Council President. The following members were named to different boards:

Finance Board — Shadow Miller and David Smyser;

Street Board — Shadoe Miller and Roberta Boyd;

City Representative to Cemetery Board — Roberta Boyd, Allen Coleman.

Water and Sewer Board — David Smyser and Allen Coleman.

Chris Bird explained in-depth to the board the need for the double chip and seal on the wide streets in town and the downside if the board approves a single chip and seal. Third Street from East Thompson to East Barnard and East Barnard from 148 to North Fifth Street have not been done for 10 or more years. The council voted to take off Third Street from Thompson to McPherson and accept the bid from Mid-America Road Builders, bringing the cost from $76,033.72 to $69,253.72.

The council voted to redo the curb on a portion of South Third Street, not to exceed $2,000.

Councilman Shadoe Miller contacted two trash companies in the area and is waiting to hear back from them to see if they would give a quote for trash pickup for the whole town. Clerk Mary Smith has reached out to Jerri Dearmont at the Regional Council to check into a grant for a trash truck for the city to pick up trash instead of contracting it out. The bid was tabled until next month.

Heather Montenguise from the Northwest Missouri Regional Council came to talk about a street project survey from around the county. The goal is to make streets safe in rural small towns that might not be able to afford some projects to improve their streets and walking areas.

The council voted to renew liquor licenses for Rick’s Country Shoppe and M&M Pub & Grub.

Clerk Mary Smith is in the process of filling out the lead and copper survey and returning it to the EPA.

Chris Bird is looking into a chemical to help flushing the filters since the water plant is struggling to keep up with water usage. Currently, the plant is running 80,000 gallons per day. It was made for up to 100,000 gallons per day.

Mayor Matt Wray reported that the sprinkler was being turned on at the ball field with nobody around. Chris Bird started that previously, multiple water hydrants had been turned on and left running. Chris is going to padlock the ones he can so they do not get turned on when not needed.

Clerk Mary Smith got a call from a water customer that would like to disconnect from Hopkins and hook up to Rural Water. Maryville Rural Water needs a letter of release from the city. Mary will draft a letter of release to the customer along with guidelines if the property should want to reconnect to Hopkins in the future.

Hopkins to Condemn Trailer

Rick Woldruff asked the Hopkins City Council at their regular meeting Monday if they would be willing to condemn and clean up the old trailer house at 200 South 1st Street according to minutes from the Hopkins City Council meeting on Monday, April 6th. He says the house is unlivable due to falling in, a tree growing in the middle, and there is a horrible smell from the mold and trash. Multiple times, he said the owner had been asked if she would sell the trailer and the property it sits on, and that he was told she would get back with him and never did. The council voted to approve the process to condemn the trailer.

The council tabled a proposed trash contract from Porter Trash. Council members wanted to check on options in the area.

More discussion was held on delinquent customers. All accounts that are 10 months old and over have now had a lien placed on the property.

Discussion was held on the street bid. Chris Bird explained what he saw as the need for a double chip and seal on Third Street and Barnard Street, since they were long overdue. The council voted to have a single chip and seal on Barnard Street from Highway 148 to Ninth Street, and from Third Street from east Thompson Street to Barnard Street. If the cost comes in at under $76,000, the city will see which other streets need a chip and seal.

The city set new hours for Clerk Mary Smith. She is salaried at $16,000 per year. City Hall hours will be Mondays from 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesdays from 8 am to 1 pm, and Thursdays from 8 am to 1 pm. City Hall will be open one Saturday a month, normally third Saturdays.

 

Hopkins Passes Dog and Cat Ordinance

The Hopkins City Council, at their regular meeting Monday, February 2nd, passed an ordinance limiting the number of cats and dogs that residents may own. Residents may own up to three dogs and four cats. The ordinance contains a grandfather clause. Any owner who is already in possession of more than three dogs and four cats shall be permitted to retain the animals until the animal’s death or other disposition. No such animal may be replaced or added if the addition exceeds the limitations passed. Owners must register all such animals by April 1st and keep registration up to date.

People are guilty of animal neglect when they have in custody or ownership an animal and fails to provide adequate care or control which results in substantial harm. Dumping of animals is prohibited.

A person is guilty of animal abuse when they purposefully kill an animal except where allowed by state law, purposely or intentionally cause injury or suffering to an animal, or fail to provide for their adequate care or control.

Breeding of animals in public view is prohibited. If animals are to be bred, it has to be done within an enclosure so that they are not in public view.

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit an animal to run at large within the city. All dogs must be attached to a leash or confined to the owner’s property so they do not stray from their property. Dogs bearing an identification tag stating the owner’s name and address and being kept on the property without a leash or other confinement shall not be deemed to be running at large.

A tether to which a dog is attached shall either be held by a person sufficiently capable of restraining such dog or shall be securely fastened to an object of sufficient weight and/or anchor to restrain such dog. Such a tether shall not allow a dog to be within three feet of any public alley, sidewalk, or roadway, allow the dog to come into contact with another tethered dog, or allow the dog to cross any barrier which could result in the dog being hung by its collar. Dogs who are tethered must have access at all times to food, water, and shelter, be attached by a well-fitted dog collar or harness in good working condition that is not a slip, self-tightening, or “prong” collar,  and remain free of entangled objects.

All dogs being kept within the city by the time they reach three months shall be vaccinated against rabies. Unvaccinated dogs  over three months of age acquired or moved into the city must be vaccinated within 30 days.

No person shall own, keep, or harbor on any premises any dog over three months of age without obtaining a license tag for that dog. Such license tag shall be attached to the collar of the dog. Dog licenses shall be issued upon presentation of a certificate of inoculation against rabies, signed by a licensed veterinarian, which certificate shall have been executed sometime during the previous 36 month period for a three-year vaccination or during the previous 12 months for other vaccinations. Applications for dog licenses shall be made every year before December 31st for each 12-month period.

License fees shall be $10 for a spayed or neutered dog and $40 for one that is not. No license shall be issued for a spayed or neutered dog without a certificate from a veterinarian.

The dog licensing rules do not apply for owners who are non-residents temporarily for a period of less than 30 days, people  who bring dogs into town for a dog show, or the owner of a seeing-eye or other ADA compliant service dog needed to assist a person while in town. Such service dogs must be used and owned by the person for the stated purpose.

No person shall own or harbor within the city any dog that by loud and frequent or habitual barking, yelping, or howling, is an annoyance to another.

No person shall harbor or keep a fierce, vicious, or dangerous dog or other animal without being caged in a manner not to pose a danger to any inhabitant of the city. Such dogs, upon finding of guilty, shall be removed from the city.

Any person who owns or controls an animal that bites a person or domestic animal or acts in a manner suggesting rabies shall notify the City Council or its designee of the name and address of the person or owner of the animal bitten and place such animal in an animal shelter operated by a veterinarian for a ten-day period of quarantine for observation for rabies at the owner’s expense. Neither the council nor any other person shall kill or cause to be killed any animal suspected of being rabid except when necessary to protect the safety of persons or other animals or to effect the capture of said animal.

Any dog running at large within the city and whose owner cannot be determined shall be impounded. All dogs so picked up may be redeemed by the owner upon proof of ownership, payment of boarding fees, and payment of a rabies shot if proof of immunization against rabies cannot be provided. If proof of immunization against rabies is procided within seven days, a refund will be granted. Such owners have seven days to redeem impounded dogs. Dogs that are not claimed within seven days will be adopted out or destroyed.

Violations of this ordinance will be subject to criminal or civil penalties. Criminal penalties can be punished by imprisonment not exceeding three months and/or a fine of not more than $500.

The vote to pass this ordinance was unanimous.

The city certified the ballot for the April 7th election. There are four people running for two Alderman positions. They are Rick Gladman, Allan Thompson, Allen Coleman, and David Smyser. A renewal of the Street Improvement Levy is also on the ballot. This is not a tax increase, but a renewal of an existing levy.

The city has sent letters of violation to various owners. One family has moved. One person came in and got tags for his dogs. Other letters have not been responded to; they will go to the City Attorney for further action. One letter will be sent to the landlord of one of the properties.

The delinquent list was discussed. It is much shorter now than it was before. Previously, it was three pages long; now, it is half a page long.

The city received a complaint regarding unlicensed vehicles parked in the road. They interfere with the school bus route as well as emergency vehicles. The city will send out letters of violation.

 

 

Closeout Hearing for City of Hopkins CDBG January 5th

The City of Hopkins on behalf of the Hopkins Fire Protection District will hold a public hearing at 7:00pm, Monday, January 5, 2026 at the Hopkins City Hall, 124 N 3rd Street, Hopkins, MO to discuss the past performance by the city in carrying out the City's 2024-CF-02-FE Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project. The city received a grant from CDBG in December 2024 in the amount of $524,646 to purchase a new fire apparatus, more specifically a Rosenbauer Pumper/Tanker with Freightliner Chassis to serve the community of the Hopkins Fire Protection District, specifically Hopkins Township and Hopkins City. This project was not located in the 100-year floodplain. All interested citizens and groups are encouraged to attend the scheduled meeting.

For more information, contact Matt Wray, Mayor at (660) 254-8720 or by email at cityofhopkins@unitedfiber.email. If you need special accommodation at the public hearing including LEP assistance, please contact Sue Wagner, City Clerk at (660) 778-3688 by Friday, January 2, 2026. The meeting will be held at an accessible location, and the city will make every effort possible to provide reasonable accommodation.

Bryson Allen Resigns from Hopkins City Council

Bryson Allen submitted his resignation to the Hopkins City Council as of October 30th. The Hopkins City Council accepted his resignation at their regular meeting Monday, November 3rd. The council will appoint a replacement to serve until the 2027 election.

Resident Lorri Schatz presented a settlement update regarding a dog attack case. The two dogs involved in the alleged attack were to be taken to a residence in Kansas City (KS) and were not to be removed from that residence. If at any point the dogs were removed, the owner would be in violation. The owner must register any dogs living at the Hopkins residence with the city and purchase dog tags and proof of rabies shots.

Clerk Mary Smith reported receiving a call back from two companies on billing software. She was referred to Missouri Rural Water; cost is around $400 per year plus the cost of the bill cards. Residents would have the ability to pay via credit; however, there would be a 2% fee if the bill is under $50 and 4% of the total amount paid. The only thing the software would not do that the current software does is check writing and printing; checks can be printed through O Tax. The council will invite a representative to a future meeting.

The council will talk to Bryson Allen about cleaning up corners and overgrown ditches for five hours of work and not to exceed $650.

The city will send out letters of violation regarding overgrown yards.

A fence that had been under discussion at previous meetings has been removed.

Filing dates for the April 7th, 2026 election are from December 9th to 30th. Two alderman positions will be open.

The city received two separate complaints. The first was for derby cars and junk vehicles. The second was regarding a German Shepherd that allegedly attempted to nip a one-year-old child playing in their parent's own yard. The city will send letters of violation.

Superintendent Chris Turpin gave a list of 13 locations in town of low-hanging tree branches that rub the tops of buses. The council directed Chris Bird to take care of them.

Junk Cars, Littering, Loud Music, and Late-Night Cruising Discussed at Hopkins City Council

Wendy Ridenour and Teresa McKee addressed the Hopkins City Council about nuisance issues they say are plaguing the city. They said there was a problem with motorbikes cruising the streets late at night, loud music, trash blowing onto other peoples’ properties, people putting trash in other peoples’ ditches, people keeping dogs for breeding purposes, and abandoned vehicles. They also said there was a problem with stray cats.

The City of Hopkins has complaint forms that people can fill out if they want the city to investigate an ordinance violation. Filling one out commits one to testifying in court if a case goes that far. Deputy Clerk Mary Smith said that people need to specify exact street locations where alleged violations are occurring. “I live in Pickering and I go straight home after work,” she said. “I don’t know anything about it unless you give an exact location.”

Chris Bird of the city said that if someone parks a junk vehicle on city property, then the city can do something about it. But if it’s on their private property, there is a lot less they can do. “What if someone comes to us and demands we pass an ordinance requiring everyone to smoke pot inside their own homes,” he asked. “I can talk to the city attorney and see what she says.” Mr. Bird said that the right to private property was a key value in the US. “We can’t be like Russia,” he said. 

The city can send letters of violation, but the question is what to do if the recipient throws them in the trash. For instance, it took Grant City three decades and multiple attempts before they were finally able to put teeth in their ordinances.

Some cities have ordinances regarding dog ownership. Grant City has an ordinance limiting people to three dogs. All dogs must be kept chained, fenced in, or indoors and cannot be allowed to run loose. Grant City has a mowing ordinance and has recently begun mowing peoples’ lawns that have let grass grow too high and charging owners $250 per mow. Nonpayment means the property being assessed on peoples’ taxes.

Emily Bix asked why her water rates were so high. She said that when she and Cody first moved to Hopkins, it was $90 per month and their most recent bill was $300. She said they had checked and couldn’t find any leaks. Clerk Sue Wagner said that while the city has been raising rates a lot since 2020, “if it’s gone up that much, you probably do have a leak.” The city still has its own water; Chris Bird said that during COVID-19, chemicals were more expensive every time they had to order more. 

Mr. Bird said that switching to rural water would mean even more costs to upgrade the infrastructure and that if done wrong, it would kill one of the city’s main revenue sources. He noted that Burlington Junction had taken a big hit after they shut down their water system. 

Sheridan had been one of the cheapest water providers in the area and even gained population at one point before repeated water main breaks forced it to pass a bond issue and switch to rural water. Their water rates have more than doubled over the last 20 years.

David Smyser asked what the city was going to do about his neighbor’s fence, which he says is in violation of city ordinances. The city could not take action that night because Allan Thompson had a conflict of interest and could not participate and Bryson Allen was not present, meaning there was no quorum for that issue.

Further discussion was held on truck and trailer parking enforcement. “If you’re going to have to put up a sign every 75 feet to enforce it, that’s what you’ve got to do,” said Chris Bird. He said he would talk to the city attorney.

Missouri Revised Statute 300.545 says, “Whenever by this ordinance or any ordinance of the city any parking time limit is imposed or parking is prohibited on designated streets, it shall be the duty of the city traffic engineer to erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof, and no such regulations shall be effective unless said signs are erected and in place at the time of any alleged offense.” 

The council approved hiring a brush cutter to cut brush along city right of way for five hours, and not to exceed $150 per hour.

The council voted to close Third Street on October 31st from 6 pm to 7:30 pm for a Trunk or Treat. The area to be closed will be from the Ford Garage to the north corner.

Hopkins Raises Water Deposit to $300, Pays Off Loan Early

The Hopkins City Council Monday voted to pay off the USDA loan early and raised the water deposit to $300 for new customers.

The council had agreed to raise the water deposit to $300 for new customers at their last meeting and then put it in the form of an ordinance. The deposit will be refunded to customers when the final bill is settled. If a customer moves from one house to another within the city limits, the deposit will transfer.

The council voted 3-1 to pay off an existing USDA loan early. The CD’s that came with the account were due this month with a 10-day window to decide what to do with them without penalty. For the first time, the CD’s exceeded the amount that was still due on the loan. Allan Thompson voted against the motion. Under the motion, if the CD’s will cover the remaining principal, then the city will pay it off. If not, then they won’t. The next opportunity to review the CD’s and the loan will be February. The money is tied up in a way that the city can’t use it for anything but loan payments until the loan is paid off.

The question was whether the interest on the CD’s would mean the city would wind up ahead if they waited to repay the loans. The rate on the loan was 4.12%. The interest on the CD’s was similar, but despite the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates the same for the last several rounds, banks have been lowering interest on CD’s over the last several months.

The city held its annual Tax Rate hearing. The city put back on the 20 cent temporary general revenue tax that had been erroneously taken off previously.

Councilman Allan Thompson questioned a $14,000 bill for the water repair and fire hydrant project two blocks south of City Hall. The city had been quoted $10,000. The city withheld payment on the bill until they could obtain more information.

The city finally got the safe open. All ordinances are now being entered into the computer system, and the city is 95% done with that project.

It turned out that the 2015 ordinance prohibiting truck and trailer parking was the most recent ordinance that the city passed. Council members agreed that it should be enforced everywhere. Councilman Shadoe Miller pointed out that there was no verbiage about signage anywhere in the ordinance. The next step for the city will be to talk to City Attorney Taryn Henry about proper steps to enforce.

The city declined to participate in Good Neighbor Week. It is an Extension program where cities issue a proclamation, promote acts of being a good neighbor, encourage local events, and receive statewide recognition for their efforts. All five cities that got the Good Neighbor Award, Houston, Excelsior Springs, Sikeston, Springfield, and Ferguson, were much bigger than Hopkins and the closest one to the area was Excelsior Springs.

The council voted to switch Internet providers to United Fiber. Currently, the city is paying $314.44 a month, and Deputy Clerk Mary Smith reported that the Internet and the phone line are frequently down. The council voted to purchase the Silver package, the SmartBiz protection plan, and the landline for $38.95 per month.

The council voted to set the next meeting for Tuesday, September 2nd at 7 pm due to the Labor Day holiday.

The council got several questions from citizens. The first was if the city was going to switch to an electronic billing system. Chris Bird responded that they had looked into it, but that the systems they found cost $10,000. Deputy Clerk Mary Smith said she would continue to check.

MiTasha Allen asked what the city would do about high weeds creating dangerous intersections. She listed 9th & Barnard, 4th & Morehouse, and 2nd & Caroline as some of the most dangerous. The weeds are on city right of way. The city voted to bid out mowing for five hours a month to keep the weeds down.

Kary Owens asked about enforcement of park ordinances. She said there was smoking of pot and tobacco as well as sleeping overnight at the park. The school controls the ball diamond and the football field during the fall and spring while the ball board controls it during the summer. The Community Club manages the playground and shelter house area.

Missouri law states that smoking tobacco is prohibited in public places except in designated smoking areas and with certain exceptions, none of which would apply to the park. The Hopkins Park does not have a designated smoking area. If the Community Club were to designate such an area, it could be no more than 30% of its space. Also, smoking is not permitted at school events.

Laws against smoking pot in public are stricter in Missouri. Under the recently voter approved recreational marijuana measure, cannabis consumption is not allowed in public spaces, which would include the Hopkins Park. Violation is an infraction subject to a fine of up to $100. Smoking pot is also not permitted in a moving or parked vehicle.

Missouri does not have laws against sleeping on public property. Cities and counties can pass their own laws on sleeping in public places, such as anti-camping laws, restrictions on sleeping in parks or sidewalks, or prohibitions on sleeping in vehicles in certain zones. Maryville, for instance, has an ordinance closing city parks after 10 pm. However, some sporting events might last longer; for instance, in North Nodaway’s 22-21 win over East Atchison in summer ball, the game did not end until 10:30 pm. In the past, when Royals games have run past the 12 midnight curfew in Kansas City, the city has waived the curfew.

The City of Hopkins will get pricing for signs and revisit the issue next month.

David and Amy Smyser talked about fencing their neighbor plans to build that they say will encroach on city right of way and hurt their line of sight when they pull out of their driveway, increasing the risk of an accident. The road in question is heavily traveled when people are arriving at or leaving work at J.L. Houston. Mr. Smyser said he was told 17-18 years ago that any structures he built had to be ten feet away from the sidewalk. Chris Bird said the city would look in to what setback requirements are for that particular place. The city has done setback requirements on a case by case basis in the past, but they typically measure from the edge of the road.

At the request of Councilman Allan Thompson, the city went into closed session.