City of Russell
Council Meeting
August 7, 2017, 7
p.m.
Present: Duane Bedford, Terry Newcomb, Chris Feehan, Casey
DeHoedt, Jay Pierschbacher, Corey Paige, Jeff Johnson, Delores Carroll, Ed
Scheel, Jim Larrington, and Brian Beaty.
Duane Bedford called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Minutes were read and approved; Chris Feehan made the motion
to approve as read and Terry seconded the motion. Minutes were approved unanimously 5-0.
Casey motioned to approve the Income and Expense reports;
Corey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously 5-0.
Jeff Johnson gave the police report. Jeff stated he has sent several junk and
debris letters out. He will continue to
send out notices. Jeff stated that the
fuel pump went out on the police car but it has been repaired. Chris stated he has had some complaints from
citizens regarding speeding in the city limits.
There was discussion on putting up more speed limit signs.
Brian Beaty gave the fire department report. Brian reported that they are planning the
Russell Fire Dept. Annual BBQ competition on September 15 and 16. Brian requested the City pay for one Portajon
($90) as has been done in the past. The
Council agreed to pay for one. Brian
also stated that they would like to close the street (Shaw) for the car
show. The Council will ask Jeff to
contact residents regarding the street closure.
The FD will block the street at the fire station.
Delores Carroll addressed the Council for approval to close
the street in front of Southside for a bags tournament on Sept. 16. Casey motioned to approve and Jay seconded the
motion; Motion carried unanimously 5-0.
The bids were reviewed for the John Deere tractor and the
wooden chairs. A $1000 bid was accepted
from Colfax Tractor Parts for the John Deere and a bid of $87.50 was accepted
from Jerri Holmes for the chairs. Chris
made a motion to accept the high bids as written and Terry seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously
5-0.
New ordinances were reviewed and discussed for raising the
minimum charge for water, the charge for over 1000 gallon minimum, and a
monthly meter fee. Also, an ordinance
was reviewed and discussed regarding the hourly charge for meter repairs due to
damage, negligence, and/or tampering.
Chris made a motion to raise the minimum water charge from
$12.50 to $15.00 and Terry seconded it.
Aye votes: Chris,
Terry, Jay, Corey
Nay votes: Casey
Chris made a motion to raise the $7.00 water charge for
every 1000 gallon over minimum to $8.00; Jay seconded the motion.
Aye votes: Chris,
Jay, Corey, Terry, Casey
Nay votes: None
Jay made a motion to add a $3.00 meter fee surcharge and
Terry seconded the motion.
Aye votes: Jay,
Terry, Corey, Chris, Casey
Nay votes: None
The Council decided to make the effective date of this ordinance
(Ordinance 144) after published and after the September and October Council
meeting. The ordinance will go into
effect on the November 1 bill.
The Council discussed the ordinance to increase the charge
for meter repairs. Jay made a motion to
change the repair charge from $35.00 per hour to $50.00 per hour and Casey
seconded the motion.
Aye votes: Jay, Casey, Terry, Corey, Chris
Nay votes: None
Ordinance 143 will be published and go into effect after the
September and October Council meeting.
Duane reported on the wastewater preliminary engineering
report review by Garden & Associates.
Austin Smith sent a copy of his response to questions the USDA-Rural
Development had on the proposed plan for the City of Russell. Ellen Walker from USDA-Rural Development sent
a copy of the approved request for a loan of $432,000 and a grant of $1,007,000
for the sewer project.
The Council discussed expenses incurred to City with the UV
system. Chris stated that we should
check into other towns that have this system in place to get an idea of
costs. Duane will check into this. Jim stated the lagoon is running 17 gallon
per minute because of dry weather.
Jim reported on Water.
He stated there was a water main break at Lincoln and Chapman Streets
last week. After repairing that leak,
there was another at Chapman and Northumberland. Jim stated that the City lost approximately
230,000 gallons due to these breaks. Jim
also stated that several curb boxes need replaced.
Terry asked about the progress of our new meters. Jim reported that he talked to Dan Sinclair
of Metering and Technology Solutions and he said that they will be going with
U.S. Cellular in September which will cover our area for the remote meter
reading system.
Report on Streets. A
Council member was approached about getting a culvert on West Lincoln and Main
put in to gain access to the owner’s back lot.
The Council discussed the owner paying costs of materials and
installation. The Council decided to
table until next meeting after they have looked at the location. The Council discussed needing a policy on
this type of work request.
Terry Newcomb motioned to extend the meeting past 9 p.m. Corey Paige seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously 5-0.
The Council discussed ditch maintenance. Jim asked what the Council wanted to do with
the Ford tractor which is in need of many repairs. The Council tabled this discussion until next
meeting. Jim gave the Council quotes on
a new backhoe.
Old Business – Ed Scheel asked what the City is planning on
doing with the bank building. Chris
stated that the plan was to move city hall there. Brian Beaty stated that the fire department
needed the city hall space to expand their meeting room. An asbestos test was completed on the bank
building and small amounts were found but a quote to remove what was found
would be approximately $3400. Chris
stated that the flooring that was found to have asbestos could be covered with
new flooring and would not need to be removed as long as it is not disturbed. Ed stated that there is a good building
behind the fire station that could be used as city hall. The Council did not vote again on the
building since they had already voted to take the building in February.
Fireworks complaints were discussed. The Council said they didn’t receive many
complaints.
Duane brought up some illegal dumping at the brush
dump. Duane will find out what Chariton
does as far as fines for illegal dumping and whether they have an ordinance for
it.
Chris Feehan made a motion to donate to the Russell Library
(administered by the Russell Historical Society) the same amount that is required
by State Code to be given to the Chariton Library each fiscal year ($416). Corey seconded that motion.
Aye votes –
Chris, Corey, Casey, Jay
Terry
abstained (on library board)
Casey motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Jay Pierschbacher seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously 5-0.
___________________________
__________________________
Mayor Duane Bedford Clerk,
Kris Wilkins
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