City Council Meeting August 2017


Mayor Hershel Cole called the meeting to order at 7pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Bills paid in July and the bills to be paid in August were the first items covered and approved unanimously.

Economic Development
Elizabeth Teeters, executive director of the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission, informed the board that she has turned in her resignation.   Her husband's work will take them to New Mexico.   She will be here until November.   She also let the board know that Shayla Sparks was back from her military deployment.   Upcoming events include the 3rd annual Bates County Job Fair.  The event will be held out at the Adrian Optimist Building.   Other things they are working on include

  • funding options for the lagoon
  • working with Chris Dillon for cameras for the police department.  There may be grants available
  • new business possible for Adrian--coming up with business plan
  • generator funding from USDA--no funds available right now and looking doubtful without additional funding
  • old burned out gas station--the word is the owners are wanting to rebuild.  Shayla will follow up and make contact with the owners.
  • women's shelter in Adrian--2 prong approach: business plan then grants. Shayla will work on it
Code Enforcement
Brian Bearce reported that there have been some notices handed out. Some have been cleaned up.  The house on Bates is in the process of being torn down.

Emergency Management
There was one storm in the last month that produced some flooding.   Fire Chief Gary Dizney made contact with the Bates County Emergency Management in case there was going to be money made available.

Fire
Gary thanked Mayor Cole for representing the City of Adrian at the memorial for the Clinton, MO police officer killed in the line of duty.   He also thanked Mark Griffith and Roger Lewis for their service provided during the storms

Police
Chris said the department traveled to Clinton for the memorial and to escort the body of the fallen police officer.  Chris would like to purchase two tasers so that each member of the department will have their own.    After discussion Joyce Talley motioned and Bill Lunsford seconded to allow the purchases to be made.  The vote was unanimous.

City Clerk
Melissa stated she did not have a report for this meeting.

Public Works
Mark handed in his report.  There was no discussion on it.

Water
Tom Williams was not present so no report given

Parks
David Hummel requested approval to purchase two water fountains for $5000 dollars for the park.  The Park Committee would like to resurface the "horse shoe".  From entrance to entrance they would like to put down cold mix blacktop at an estimated cost of $6000.  Joyce Talley motioned to allow up to $10,000 to resurface the park's horse shoe.  Bill Lunsford seconded.  Motion was unanimously approved.
David Hummel knows somebody with the Grandview Parks and Rec.  Grandview had several bleachers available to donate.  There is some minor repairs to be made but they are going to be free.  All the parks committee needs to do is go pick them up.
The committee would like to look into the drainage issue around the ball fields.  With each heavy rain ruts are being formed and they are concerned about possible injuries.
Hummel closed his report with letting the council know there will be some horse barrel racing going on this weekend.

City Attorney

A sample ordinance was handed in to clarify the park committee.  Some changes have been made to the ordinance and will be addressed at the next council meeting.

New Business


  • Sam McDonald, financial advisor for communities addressed the board offering his company's services to help finance cleanout of the lagoon.   He came here to gauge level of interest from the city on using and advisor.
  • Richard Corum motioned to opt out of the Kaysinger Economic Development Agreement .   the agreement had included the communities of Adrian, Butler and Rich Hill.   Rich Hill had recently opted out of the agreement.  Concerns with Corum and Mayor Cole was that Adrian's fees would have to increase to help cover for the loss of Rich Hills financial support.  Mayor Cole stated he had been in touch with the Bates County Presiding Commissioner, Jim Wheatley who Cole insisted, told him that if Adrian opted out the county would have to pick up the fee.   Elizabeth Teeters advised the board that some of the services Economic Development has providing and planning to provide will go away if the city opted out.    Bill Lunsford advised to not opt out as economic development doesn't happen overnight and needs time to happen.  After Corum motioned Talley seconded.   Corum and Talley approved; Lunsford voted no.  Motion carried.
  • Bill # 17-08 was read.  It is an ordinance to address conflicts of interest.  All approved.
  • The road at the lagoon needs major repair including the culvert.  Dirt, rock, culvert and labor was bid at $32,300.   Joyce motioned and Richard seconded to approve up to $33,000 to do the repairs. All approved.
  • The police department would like to move Doc from part-time to full-time status.  They are having a hard time finding officers who want part time duty and do not want to put extra work on the Sheriff's department to handle calls in Adrian.   Doc will be brought up to $13.50 per hour full time with vacation hours.  Talley motioned, Corum seconded, all approved.
  • The south water tower radio control was fried by lightning.  It needs to be repaired at a cost of $10,907.  Microcom offers a service contract costing $2100 per year for three years.  With the agreement the radio control will be replaced as part of the agreement.   The city will also get discounted service fees as problems arise.    Joyce motioned to go with the service contract with Microcom, Lunsford seconded, all approved.
  • Mark Griffith presented to the council an application for employment from Charles Lawrence.  If hired Charles would work on the streets and replace a worker the department had lost.  Joyce motioned to hire Charles Lawrence at $10  per hour for 90 days full time. After 90 days they can discuss a raise. Richard seconded; all approved.
Talley motioned to go into closed session.  Lunsford seconded.   The mayor then moved the meeting to closed door status to discuss personnel matters.  No report of what transpired in the closed session.

























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