City of Russell
Council Meeting
October 2, 2017, 7
p.m.
Present: Duane
Bedford, Terry Newcomb, Chris Feehan, Casey DeHoedt, Corey Paige, Jeff Johnson,
Jim Larrington, and Brian Beaty. Jay Pierschbacher did not attend.
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.
Chris motioned to approve the Income and Expense reports; Terry
seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously 5-0.
Corey wanted to discuss with the Council a project that
would improve the basketball court and basketball hoops in town. Corey would like to request grant funds for
new poly backboards and chain nets.
Corey has acquired a 10-Bike bike rack for the City of Russell
also. The Council agreed that this would
be a good thing for the kids in the community.
Brian Beaty stated that IMT has a community improvement grant ($500
maximum) that the City could look into.
Larry Templeton was on the agenda to discuss proper animal
fencing, but did not attend.
Jeff reported for the Police Dept. He stated that he has been working for
Chariton part-time and will be for the next couple of months. Jeff talked about Chariton’s policy on
nuisance properties and said we should look at their ordinance and discuss at
the next Council meeting.
Brian reported for the Fire Dept. Brian said the fall festival went well and
appreciated the City’s assistance. The
new fire gear has been handed out. Brian
asked that the City approve a new fire recruit, Joseph McCurdy. Casey made a motion to approve Joe McCurdy
and Terry seconded the motion.
Aye votes: Casey,
Terry, Chris, Corey
Nay votes: None
Brian also stated that when the Community Club disbanded,
they had leftover funds that were donated to the fall festival yearly to use
towards kids’ games/activities.
Chris made a motion to approve Last Chance’s liquor license
renewal and Corey seconded the motion.
Aye votes: Casey,
Terry, Chris, Corey
Nay votes: None
Duane proposed a Resolution be written up regarding the
requirements expected for culvert installation on City right-of-ways. The Council discussed the requirements that
should be enforced such as steel culverts required by DOT specs and
size/diameter should be determined by the City.
Casey brought up a penalty for noncompliance and the Council discussed a
fine and/or removal of unacceptable culverts.
Duane read the Resolution as discussed and Casey made a motion to
approve the Resolution as read and Terry seconded the motion.
Aye votes: Casey,
Terry, Chris, Corey
Nay votes: None
Duane handed out information from USDA-Rural Development
regarding the conditions of the City of Russell’s pending loan and grant for
sewer updating. The USDA-RD has acquired
a grant of $1,007,000 and a 2 percent loan of $432.000 for the City of Russell. The loan will be set up for 40 years at $1307
per month.
Chris stated he is concerned about future repairs needed for
the sewer system and how the City can sustain the cost. Chris also stated that he would like to make
sure other pipes not scoped the first time be checked and fixed before making
the commitment on this project.
Jim reported on water.
He stated that the City has some fire hydrants that don’t work and needs
to replace them. Jim stated that he
thought the City budgeted for two new hydrants.
Jim reported on Streets.
He stated he would like to smooth up East Smith St. temporarily and rock
it. Jim stated that if the City does not
need to tear up the street for upcoming sewer repair, that it should be
budgeted next year to permanently repair it.
State Street, north and south of Ames, is in need of repair also. Chris stated that the rock needs to be pulled
back to the middle of the graveled portion of west Prairie Street.
The Council discussed the newly acquired bank building and
decided to set up a committee consisting of Chris and Corey to make plans for
improvement. Brian Beaty stated that
Allerton acquired a building to move their city hall and thought we could check
with them on how they designed it.
The Council discussed the sidewalk issue again. Duane will check with Chariton on how they
handle it whether they have an ordinance or a resolution.
The old shelter has been taken down. Harry Reed plans on beginning the new shelter
on Thursday, October 5. The Council
discussed a different concrete design and closing in the south side of the
shelter. Corey has been purchasing
materials from Lockridge since steel has increased in price by 5% already and
may continue to go up.
Casey brought up that some school kids have been causing
damage on business properties and the bandstand before and after school. She suggested that a letter be drafted to the
school district regarding this problem.
The Council discussed raises for Jim Larrington and Kris
Wilkins. Chris made a motion to give a
$1.00 an hour more to both Jim and Kris for the November 1 paycheck and Casey
seconded the motion.
Aye votes: Casey,
Terry, Chris, Corey
Nay votes: None
Duane stated that the periodic examination (audit) went well
and we are waiting for a report. The
accounting firm doing the audit suggested the City of Russell have more
training for the clerk and also council members regarding our accounting system
through Data Technologies.
The Council discussed trick or treat night and decided to
have it on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Brian stated that the Fire department has
been asked about their trunk or treat day.
The Council discussed this and decided that the Fire Dept. will have
trunk or treat day on Saturday, October 28 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The Fire Dept. will close off the street as
in the past. Casey stated that she will
assist with carnival games and costume contest.
Chris motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:09 p.m. Casey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously 5-0.
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Mayor Duane Bedford Clerk, Kris Wilkins
