Regular Meeting
Monday, April 18, 2022 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 Bill Bennett, Duane DeRennaux, Jason Ward, Curtis Crouch, Comptroller Roben Griggs, City Superintendent Jason Evans, Police Chief Michael Sherman, City Clerk Sandra Richter, James Hayes, Tamra Cape, Eve Raymo, Travis Raymo, Terri Lea, Harry Martin, Jr., Chrissie Sherman, Jonathan & Megan Haskell, and Amy England with the press.
Jason Ward makes motions to approve agenda, Duane DeRennaux seconds, all in favor, motion carries. Jason Ward makes motion to accept regular meeting minutes for April 4, 2022, Bill Bennett seconds, all in favor, motion carries.
Unfinished Business: Jason Ward questioned where we are with getting cameras installed. Roben Griggs explained that police department is finished, and she understands the remainder of cameras are in waiting for Brian to install. Mayor Beckham advised no payment made on cameras at this time.
New Business: Sandy Richter shared official election results as the following: Mayor – John T. Beckham 96, Tamra Cape 42. Alderman Ward I – Curtis W Crouch 60, Alderman Ward II – Duane DeRennaux 34, Jennifer Hurd 30, and Marshal – Michael Sherman 116.
City Clerk Richter administered Oath of Office for Mayor John T Beckham, Aldermen Curtis W Crouch, Duane DeRennaux, and Marshal Michael Sherman.
Mayor Beckham shared his recommended appointments as the following:
City Supervisor Jason Evans
City Clerk Sandra Richter
City Collector Sandra Richter
Comptroller Roben Griggs
City Treasurer Roben Griggs
Police & Employees Jason Ward/Duane DeRennaux
Streets/Utilities Committee Bill Bennett/Curtis Crouch
Parks & Recreation Bill Bennett/Duane DeRennaux
Comptroller/Budget Committee Jason Ward/Curtis Crouch
Mayor Pro-tem Jason Ward
City Attorney Brooks Kenagy
City Prosecutor Kara L. Breshears
Building Inspector Jason Evans
Flood Plain Manager Jason Evans
MRPC Jason Ward
Landfill Board Representative None
Health Board None
Bill Bennett raised point of order with 21.400-Selection by Board of Aldermen. The Board of Aldermen shall elect a City Clerk at the first meeting of the Board after each annual election on the first Tuesday in April of each year, who shall hold office for one year and until his successor is elected and qualified, so he would like to defer City Clerk position to allow Councilmen to sit down and discuss with Curtis Crouch being new. Jason Ward questioned ordinance stating the first Tuesday of April if that is allowable. Bill Bennett then questioned if City should consider going out to bid for City Attorney, which Mayor Beckham advised attorney is an appointed position. After some discussion, Jason Ward makes motion to accept all appointees by mayor, with exception of City Clerk, Duane DeRennaux seconds, all in favor, motion carries. Jason Ward makes motion that Board of Alderman appoint Sandy Richter as City Clerk, Bill Bennett seconds, all in favor, motion carries.
Jonathan & Megan Haskell in attendance requesting a business license for Fully Loaded Food Truck LLC allowing them to cater in town. Bill Bennett makes motion to allow Fully Loaded Food Truck LLC a business license, Jason Ward seconds, all in favor, motion carries.
Mayor Beckham shared 2021 Annual Water Quality Report. Report is in local paper, posted in local businesses and city website, along with copies available at City Hall for the public viewing.
Mayor Beckham shared Botz Deal & Company’s audit proposal, a qualified firm that sent in bid when City went out originally. Their proposal would complete our 2019, 2020, and 2021 audit concurrently then finish up with 2022 with a fee of $22,500.00 per year. They plan to complete first 3 audits in late June or July, with wrapping up in August. Then get us on normal schedule for 2022. Jason Ward makes motion to hire Botz Deal & Company to do audits, Duane DeRennaux seconds, all in favor, motion carries. Mayor Beckham will sign engagement letter and send in.
Bill Bennett recommended with starting a new year with remodeled Mayor and cabinet for each to tell their vision for upcoming year, and further in the future for the town. He would like to see cleaning leaves from culverts, potholes cleaned up, dredge creek, completing dog pound, fix roofs, and hiring someone for 5 months to help Jason so he can be supervisor. Duane DeRennaux stated we need to work on infrastructure. He has hopes and dreams of parks system, and would love to see our homes to a higher level. Jason Ward shared that he has seen positive things over the year he has been on board. Feels everyone has the same goal and if we set realistic goals and work our way up, get one project complete, then move to another. He if very proud of our city. Mayor Beckham praised Jason and his crew for phenomenal work the past couple of years on city infrastructure, and built a dog pound in their spare time. For the future he would like to see progress on major projects at Sewer Treatment Plant and Community Building to move on. Curtis Crouch said he was a transplant to the community. Moved here in 2002 and was voted most improved yard in first year and half he was here. He keeps his property clean and looking to improve the community. Jason Evans shared that he has a heck of a crew but sometimes fall short on time and money. He is working on a personnel audit to share with Council showing what his crew does daily and projects they have coming up. Chief Sherman shared that he and his department have saved city a substantial amount of money by procuring a vehicle, vest, rifles, radar, and radios at no cost to city. They are doing minor maintenance and outfitting their vehicles which is an estimated savings of $100,000.00.
Bill Bennett recommended for Steelville Pride going into spring and summer to make sure our town looks good as tourist drive through.
Bill Bennett suggested for flood control possibly taking out a low water bridge this summer and dredging some areas of creek. Jason Ward shared that MRPC had a crew that came to Steelville looking at areas that they could propose possibilities of finding a way to mitigate flooding. Jason Evans explained that he and Curtis Crouch attended the hazard mitigation meeting held at courthouse a couple of weeks ago. Mayor Beckham questioned if Cameron had completed flood survey and Jason Evans explained that he requested him to additionally look at whole city to understand how water drains but should be wrapped up pretty soon.
Jason Evans advised he has a set of building permit plans and a street issue for Planning & Zoning to discuss. Harry Martin and Jason agreed they could go over at meeting the second Tuesday of May.
Roben Griggs presented payables of $144,219.67. Jason Ward makes motion to pay payables of $144,219.67, Bill Bennett seconds, all in favor, motion carries. She reminded that budget request forms are due this week.
Roben Griggs shared that Chief Sherman would like to open a checking account for Shop with a Cop. She explained they would collect money until first of December, and then purchase debit cards for police officers to take child to shop. Jason Ward makes motion to set up an account for Shop with a Cop, Duane DeRennaux seconds, all in favor, motion carries.
Jason Ward questioned Travis Raymo if he had noticed as much foot traffic after police department went up, which he had not. Jason thanked the police department for taking care of that situation.
Jason Evans shared WWTF bids were opened for clarifier project on April 13. Total of 7 companies picked up and paid for bid packet from Archer Elgin, but only 3 submitted bids on time, BuildTec Construction, T Drury Contracting, and Mid State Pipeline Maintenance. BuildTec Construction base bid $216,920.00, and alternate bid to repair current clarifier of $143,000.00 were the lowest bids. Archer Elgin recommends accepting both bids if budget allows. Jason Ward makes motion to accept bids of $359,920.00 for project, Duane DeRennaux seconds, all in favor, motion carries. Jason Evans advised he plans to log on to DNR webinar tomorrow at 10:00 am for information on ARPA projects and how to apply for much needed projects. He recommended since there is not time to build splash pad this season to reallocate part of the $20,000.00 in budget to purchase entry gates for park that could be locked, and also purchase a mower. He has $7,300.00 in budget for lawnmower, which they got 4 bids, and found a 60” Gravely mower at Steelville Feed for $9,500.00, which is short about $2,200.00. He says less than $20,000.00 for both projects, but will get the price for gate to share with Council. Jason Ward makes motion to move additional funds over to purchase mower for $9,900.00 to Steelville Feed, Duane DeRennaux seconds, Curtis Crouch “aye”, and Bill Bennett “present”, motion carries.
Duane DeRennaux shared pool will continue movie nights again this year. With him still on parks committee he will provide his time, screen, projector, and sound equipment for events. He would like to see the basketball goals, volleyball pit, and t-ball for kids completed. DeRennaux plans to get parks and recreation panel going, so if anyone has recommendations, please let Mayor Beckham, Council, or himself know. He plans to work on park ordinance updates getting bike park added.
Jason Ward stated Frisco Street looks great and questioned if it is complete. Jason Evans advised Frisco Street is complete, along with section beside City Hall, and East High Street, from Hickory to Lynn. Bill Bennett questioned West High the area at “S” curve and Jason Evans advised it should be on next round of paving.
Sandra Richter shared March electric sold 91%, water sold 54%, and city usage 2%.
Public Comment: None
Next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Room
With nothing more to discuss Duane DeRennaux makes motion to adjourn at 8:38 pm, Jason Ward seconds, all in favor, motion carries.