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Bills discussed during Walker Board of Aldermen meeting
On Monday evening, April 24, Mayor Harold Walter called the Walker Board of Aldermen meeting to order. The board approved the minutes from last month's regular meeting and the minutes from the special meeting on April 3 before discussing the bills.
The board questioned a few of the bills, starting with the $152 bill for the electric at City Hall. City Clerk Susan Thompson explained that the bill went up by $5 due to them adding call forwarding on the phone line.
The second bill questioned was for Missouri One Call. Thompson advised that when a city resident wants to dig in their yard, they have to call Dig Right to see if it is safe for the resident to dig. The city had several residents use that service in the last month.
The last bill in question was for a new pair of boots. Walter explained that City Maintenance Worker Russell Hayes needed a new pair of boots, so he approved for Hayes to purchase new ones. After discussing these bills, the board approved to pay them.
Thompson then swore in Mike Newman as an Alderman for another two years.
Moving on, the board approved to pay an extra $200 to Rocky’s Tree Service for the services of chaining and booming the tree that was in the City Park.
Thompson reported that in the April 4 Election, the bond issue passed 37-8. She stated that now that the bond has passed, they can start applying for grants to get their sewer issues fixed. The board approved her report.
Thompson reported that Newman had been the authorized signer on the city’s water American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) project, Resolution #156. The board approved to keep Newman as an authorized signer, but also have Walters added as a signer besides Newman.
Alderman Clint Swope reported that Roof Replacer Mike Bishop will not place a bid on how much he will charge to do the roof repairs on City Hall. Swope further stated that Bishop wants to first see what the insurance adjuster’s bid is before continuing on the issue. The board approved to table this issue to next month’s meeting.
City resident Ashton Holcomb brought in a contract for the board to sign regarding her pop machine that is set up at City Hall. The board advised her of a few changes that they want to be made to the contract. Holcomb was satisfied, and they all agreed that Holcomb would bring a new revised contract to the next month’s meeting for them to sign.
The board approved to have a Special Meeting with Tina Taylor before next month’s regular meeting to discuss the backup water operator contract.
Thompson advised the board that Northeast Vernon County’s (NEVC) Family And Consumer Science (FACS) Teacher Mrs. Bybee requested the rental fee for the Community Building to be waived for their Dinner/Scavenger Hunt they are having in the building on Saturday, May 27. The board approved to waive the fee.
Walters made a request to the board to have the alley by his house vacated. The board approved of him to do so under the grounds that he maintains it (e.g. gravels) himself. Walters agreed to the terms.
At the end of the meeting, the board discussed several issues. Alderman Wayne Robb raised the concern of numerous dogs running around the city. The board agreed to authorize councilmen to take the necessary steps to address the problem. Alderman Mike Newman inquired about the city’s plan to replace the repeatedly stolen street sign. Walters informed that he would install a new sign and investigate the identity of the individual(s) responsible for the theft. Alderman Kathy Newman mentioned her plan to plant flowers around City Hall and in the Park, provided that the weather cooperated, on Tuesday, April 25. Alderman Clint Swope informed that the city sirens were repaired, and the check for the services had been sent. Hayes stated that the culvert at 4th and Barrett Streets required replacement, and the board granted approval. Hayes also requested chemicals to spray and kill the weeds at the lagoon, lift sites, and City Park, which would cost approximately $600. The board approved the purchase. Walters shared that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has requested the city to identify all types of pipes such as plastic, copper, iron, or lead-free, running underground and their locations. Hayes volunteered to start working on the project. The board approved all of the alderman’s reports and adjourned the meeting, with next month’s meeting scheduled for May 22.