Regular Meeting
Monday, February 3, 2025, 7:00 pm
Council Room
895 Frisco Street
Steelville, Missouri 65565
Mayor Terry Beckham brought meeting to order at 7:00 pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Jason Ward gave a word of Prayer.
Those Present: Mayor Terry Beckham, Aldermen Jason Ward, Bill Bennett, Curtis Crouch, Lula Patterson, Comptroller Roben Griggs, City Superintendent Jason Evans, Police Chief Michael Sherman, City Clerk Sandra Richter, Jeremiah Ward, Terris Cates, Mike Logston, Harry Martin, James Hayes, and Amy England with the press.
Jason Ward makes motion to approve agenda with addition of Terris Cates, Bartlett & West for First and Fourth Street bridges, Bill Bennett seconds, all in favor, motion carries. Jason Ward makes motion to accept regular meeting minutes for January 6, 2025, Bill Bennett seconds, all in favor, motion carries.
Unfinished Business: Mayor Beckham informed Council that he was responsible for an error due to previously he spoke to the attorney with Missouri Municipal League that assured he and Curtis Crouch that audits were not required for our city. Curtis Crouch advised that he spoke with someone at the State Auditors Office and received the same message as well. According to state statutes 250.150 we are required to have audits.
New Business: Terri Lea is scheduled for pool on February 18th agenda.
Terris Cates with Bartlett & West in attendance to present Council with their opinion of probable construction cost for First and Fourth Street bridges. Jason Evans explained from flooding in November the president at that time, and others signed off for funding in the affected areas. MRPC sent information for Hazard Mitigation grants to apply for Federal funding to repair or remove those bridges. Terris Cates reported that he met with Mayor Beckham, Curtis Crouch, and Jason Evans to look at project. The proposal is to raise Fourth Street around 4 to 5 feet and then construct a new, elevated bridge that will enhance flood resilience, enhance safety, and mitigate flood damage. First Street bridge has similar issues catching drift and is currently closed due to damage from flood. City is open to removing it as part of the project to improve the hydraulic efficiency of the reach and mitigate future flood damage. First Street bridge could be repaired and open during the repair of Fourth Street bridge. The government requested a notice of interest that is due February 7. They were working with Nichole Zielke with MRPC to get completed. He strongly feels we will be invited to participate since we have a great need. FEMA and SEMA both completed studies which they plan to use their model. MRPC can keep a master plan on file for when future grant funding becomes available.
Planning and Zoning: None
Roben Griggs shared payables of $56,804.62. Curtis Crouch makes motion to approve payables as presented, Jason Ward seconds, all in favor, motion carries.
Roben Griggs requested permission to transfer $335,757.23 from CDBG grant for Community Center to operating account with leaving $25.00 in the account. Jason Ward makes motion to move $335,757.23 from CDBG account back to the operating account, Curtis Crouch seconds, all in favor, motion carries.
Chief Sherman reported that he spoke with Brooks Kenagy regarding the contract with the sheriff’s department and he advised we will have to sign contract. Chief Sherman requested permission to hire Sam Sargeant, a police officer at step 4 ($19.61 per hour). He is currently employed with the sheriff’s department but would like to come to work for us. Jason Ward makes motion to hire Sam Sargeant at step 4 ($19.61 per hour) to join the police department ASAP, Lula Patterson seconds, all in favor, motion carries.
Jason Evans gave his update on Community Center as the first coat of mud was applied today, so it is slated to be finished at the end of the week. Flooring guys come in next week, so his department will paint the trim while flooring guys are working in Community Center. The project is staying under the projected amount. He spoke with Cameron Schweiss today regarding generator and flooring. Schweiss will check on the generator, but said the roof should be completed any day. Evans plans to open the First Street bridge in the next week or so.
Parks: James Hayes is making progress on playground equipment.
Streets: Jason Ward questioned if the city has looked into crosswalk lights. He suggested possibly by the school or crosswalks would be good areas to install. Bill Bennett questioned if that would be city or state. Jason Ward recommended having a conversation with the state.
Sandra Richter shared shut-off report for January as 40 shut-offs, 2 still unpaid, and 0 to be final billed.
Public Comment: James Hayes suggested getting doggie bags for park. Jason Evans will check on prices to install. Chief Sherman recommended making a dog park, which Mayor Beckham suggested Park Panel discussing.
Chief Sherman spoke with Curtis Crouch regarding giving a power point presentation to alert people what to look for on scams. He plans to share a power point presentation a couple of times before tax is on the April ballot.
Jason Ward questioned the status of our audits. Mayor Beckham stated he will have some information at the next meeting. Comptroller Griggs stated auditor is working on it and is not waiting on anything from her.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Room.
With nothing more to discuss Bill Bennett makes motion to adjourn at 7:42 p.m., Jason Ward seconds, all in favor, motion carries.