ASSUMPTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Bromwell Lodge by Mayor Roger Cox who led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was answered by Aldermen Sue Burgess, Barb Coughlin, Derek Page, and Melody Stuart. Also present were Mayor Roger Cox, Attorney Jordan Klein, Treasurer Debbie Damery and City Clerk Janet Waller.
Present in the audience is Mark Bingham from Chastain and Associates, Water Supt Jack Duncan, Dana Owens, Rick Bradshaw, Cole Johnson, Bob Bantner, Joe Mink, Jody Mink, Felicia King, Earl Simmons, Joyce Throneburg, Taylor Vidmar from the Golden Prairie News and Deb Stoddard.
Absent were Alderman Kandy Smith and Selena Reed.
Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Stuart, made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2021 Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderman Coughlin, Burgess, Page and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve the Special Meeting minutes of February 10, 2021. Motion carried with Alderman Stuart, Page and Burgess voting aye and Alderman Coughlin voting present. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Coughlin, made a motion to approve payment of bills as they appear on Warrant Sheets. Motion carried with Alderman Burgess, Stuart, Page and Coughlin voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Treasurer’s Report:
CD # Invested at Term_____
General 16432 $140,000.00 FNB Pana 6 month
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Coughlin, made a motion to renew General CD 16432 at Treasurer’s discretion at best possible rate. No discussion. Motion carried with Alderman Burgess, Stuart, Page and Coughlin voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Mayor’s Comments:
A hole was discussed in the alley of Knotty Pine that was caused from a vehicle. The hole was repaired on a Sunday.
The drainage district meeting is March 11 at 4 pm.
The signs for the fire department will be installed in the near future.
A hydro-vac was borrowed from Stonington and a $100 gift card was bought as a thank you for the use of their equipment.
A meeting with Petersburg Plumbing and Mark Bingham was held to discuss the Sanitary Sewer Project.
City Attorney:
Attorney Klein is waiting to hear back regarding the slag pile property.
Under New Business:
The council discussed the American Tower Contract. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Page, made a motion to approve the American Tower Contract for 10 years. Motion carried with Alderman Stuart, Page, Burgess and Coughlin voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent. The public questioned what the American Tower contract is for and were notified it is a Verizon cell tower lease.
The council discussed the Water Supt and Street Supt would like internet at the water plant and street shed. Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Stuart, made a motion to approve the purchase of internet provided by ACTS for the Water Plant and Street Shed. Motion carried with Alderman Coughlin, Burgess, Page and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Rock was needed for access to the slag pile for the Sanitary Sewer Project and approximately 10 loads of rock was already delivered by a local carrier. The approximate cost is $3,000. The council would like to be notified in advance to approve expenses rather than after it is already done even if a Special Meeting has to be called. The council discussed that rock will need to be brought in regularly to maintain access to the slag pile for the Sanitary Sewer Project. Council Member Stuart, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve rock for the slag pile access at an approximate cost of $3,000.00. Motion carried with Alderman Stuart, Burgess, Page and Coughlin. Alderman Smith and Reed was absent.
Mark Bingham from Chastain and Associates would like approval for an amended contract for management of the construction project and loan requirements and construction observation of the Water Project. Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Stuart, made a motion to approve the amended contract with Chastain and Associates for management of the construction project and loan requirements and construction observation of the Water Project. Motion carried with Alderman Page, Burgess, Coughlin and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
The Sewer Disbursement for the Sanitary Sewer Project is $126,055.35 and $19,064.31 for the engineering with the total of $145,119.66. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Stuart made a motion to approve the Sewer Disbursement of the Sanitary Sewer Project for $126,055.35 and $19,064.31 for the engineering with the total of $145,119.66. Motion carried with Alderman Burgess, Coughlin, Stuart and Page voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
The Water Disbursement will not be approved tonight. It will be put on the agenda for April 7, 2021.
An update on the Sanitary Sewer Project for Phase 1 was given. It was decided that Petersburg Plumbing will be delayed for a week because of the mud. The sand pile by Casey’s will be moved as project moves along. The football field was discussed with the possibility of bringing in top soil. It will be discussed further at the water committee meeting.
The repair of roads will begin after the asphalt plants start back up from the winter break. The council discussed the road leading to the slag pile and if something could be done to the road. Mark reminded the council the project is only allowed to do a certain amount of asphalt.
An update on the Water Project Phase 1 was given. There are approximately 20 new water meters left to install that will need to be scheduled.
The City should be receiving notification in the mail in the near future for the approval of the Water Project Phase 2 for the new water plant. Mark Bingham recommended the City consider applying for grants to help pay for Phase 2.
The Sanitary Sewer System Phase 2 will be pushed back for approximately 6 months to 1 year to allow monitoring of the installation of the new sanitary sewer. A funding nomination form will need to be signed.
The public questioned about repair of the roads and yards that were tore up during the Sanitary Sewer Project. There will be upcoming meetings with the contractors regarding the repair of the roads and yards.
Water Supt Jack Duncan has ordered a valve for an urgent repair that controls the pressure. The Pump Shop will be sending the valve as soon as possible for an approximate cost of $3,000.00.
The council and public was notified early voting has started.
The Golden Prairie News has candidate forms for the election if anyone is interested in completing. March 17th is the deadline and responses will be printed in the paper.
The council discussed a new culvert was replaced at 202 S Business 51. If there is still an issue the business would need to purchase rock.
The council discussed semi’s parking in the alleys and would like the drivers notified they are not allowed to park in the alley or street. A discussion was held regarding the weight of the semi’s and possible damage to watermains.
Public Comments:
The council meeting adjourned at 7:39 pm.
___________________
Janet Waller City Clerk
City Member Stuart, seconded by Council Member Coughlin, made a motion to approve the March 3, 2021 city council minutes. Motion carried with Alderman Stuart, Smith, Reed, Page, Coughlin and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Bromwell Lodge by Mayor Roger Cox who led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was answered by Aldermen Sue Burgess, Barb Coughlin, Derek Page, and Melody Stuart. Also present were Mayor Roger Cox, Attorney Jordan Klein, Treasurer Debbie Damery and City Clerk Janet Waller.
Present in the audience is Mark Bingham from Chastain and Associates, Water Supt Jack Duncan, Dana Owens, Rick Bradshaw, Cole Johnson, Bob Bantner, Joe Mink, Jody Mink, Felicia King, Earl Simmons, Joyce Throneburg, Taylor Vidmar from the Golden Prairie News and Deb Stoddard.
Absent were Alderman Kandy Smith and Selena Reed.
Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Stuart, made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2021 Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderman Coughlin, Burgess, Page and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve the Special Meeting minutes of February 10, 2021. Motion carried with Alderman Stuart, Page and Burgess voting aye and Alderman Coughlin voting present. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Coughlin, made a motion to approve payment of bills as they appear on Warrant Sheets. Motion carried with Alderman Burgess, Stuart, Page and Coughlin voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Treasurer’s Report:
CD # Invested at Term_____
General 16432 $140,000.00 FNB Pana 6 month
Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Coughlin, made a motion to renew General CD 16432 at Treasurer’s discretion at best possible rate. No discussion. Motion carried with Alderman Burgess, Stuart, Page and Coughlin voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Mayor’s Comments:
A hole was discussed in the alley of Knotty Pine that was caused from a vehicle. The hole was repaired on a Sunday.
The drainage district meeting is March 11 at 4 pm.
The signs for the fire department will be installed in the near future.
A hydro-vac was borrowed from Stonington and a $100 gift card was bought as a thank you for the use of their equipment.
A meeting with Petersburg Plumbing and Mark Bingham was held to discuss the Sanitary Sewer Project.
City Attorney:
Attorney Klein is waiting to hear back regarding the slag pile property.
Under New Business:
The council discussed the American Tower Contract. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Page, made a motion to approve the American Tower Contract for 10 years. Motion carried with Alderman Stuart, Page, Burgess and Coughlin voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent. The public questioned what the American Tower contract is for and were notified it is a Verizon cell tower lease.
The council discussed the Water Supt and Street Supt would like internet at the water plant and street shed. Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Stuart, made a motion to approve the purchase of internet provided by ACTS for the Water Plant and Street Shed. Motion carried with Alderman Coughlin, Burgess, Page and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
Rock was needed for access to the slag pile for the Sanitary Sewer Project and approximately 10 loads of rock was already delivered by a local carrier. The approximate cost is $3,000. The council would like to be notified in advance to approve expenses rather than after it is already done even if a Special Meeting has to be called. The council discussed that rock will need to be brought in regularly to maintain access to the slag pile for the Sanitary Sewer Project. Council Member Stuart, seconded by Council Member Burgess, made a motion to approve rock for the slag pile access at an approximate cost of $3,000.00. Motion carried with Alderman Stuart, Burgess, Page and Coughlin. Alderman Smith and Reed was absent.
Mark Bingham from Chastain and Associates would like approval for an amended contract for management of the construction project and loan requirements and construction observation of the Water Project. Council Member Page, seconded by Council Member Stuart, made a motion to approve the amended contract with Chastain and Associates for management of the construction project and loan requirements and construction observation of the Water Project. Motion carried with Alderman Page, Burgess, Coughlin and Stuart voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
The Sewer Disbursement for the Sanitary Sewer Project is $126,055.35 and $19,064.31 for the engineering with the total of $145,119.66. Council Member Burgess, seconded by Council Member Stuart made a motion to approve the Sewer Disbursement of the Sanitary Sewer Project for $126,055.35 and $19,064.31 for the engineering with the total of $145,119.66. Motion carried with Alderman Burgess, Coughlin, Stuart and Page voting aye and 0 nays. Alderman Smith and Reed were absent.
The Water Disbursement will not be approved tonight. It will be put on the agenda for April 7, 2021.
An update on the Sanitary Sewer Project for Phase 1 was given. It was decided that Petersburg Plumbing will be delayed for a week because of the mud. The sand pile by Casey’s will be moved as project moves along. The football field was discussed with the possibility of bringing in top soil. It will be discussed further at the water committee meeting.
The repair of roads will begin after the asphalt plants start back up from the winter break. The council discussed the road leading to the slag pile and if something could be done to the road. Mark reminded the council the project is only allowed to do a certain amount of asphalt.
An update on the Water Project Phase 1 was given. There are approximately 20 new water meters left to install that will need to be scheduled.
The City should be receiving notification in the mail in the near future for the approval of the Water Project Phase 2 for the new water plant. Mark Bingham recommended the City consider applying for grants to help pay for Phase 2.
The Sanitary Sewer System Phase 2 will be pushed back for approximately 6 months to 1 year to allow monitoring of the installation of the new sanitary sewer. A funding nomination form will need to be signed.
The public questioned about repair of the roads and yards that were tore up during the Sanitary Sewer Project. There will be upcoming meetings with the contractors regarding the repair of the roads and yards.
Water Supt Jack Duncan has ordered a valve for an urgent repair that controls the pressure. The Pump Shop will be sending the valve as soon as possible for an approximate cost of $3,000.00.
The council and public was notified early voting has started.
The Golden Prairie News has candidate forms for the election if anyone is interested in completing. March 17th is the deadline and responses will be printed in the paper.
The council discussed a new culvert was replaced at 202 S Business 51. If there is still an issue the business would need to purchase rock.
The council discussed semi’s parking in the alleys and would like the drivers notified they are not allowed to park in the alley or street. A discussion was held regarding the weight of the semi’s and possible damage to watermains.
Public Comments:
The council meeting adjourned at 7:39 pm.
___________________
Janet Waller City Clerk
City Member Stuart, seconded by Council Member Coughlin, made a motion to approve the March 3, 2021 city council minutes. Motion carried with Alderman Stuart, Smith, Reed, Page, Coughlin and Burgess voting aye and 0 nays.