Over-60 Canopy on Hold.

The City Council Public Works Committee once again reviewed bids for a canopy for the Over 60 Center last week. Public Works Director Zeb Carney advised Committee that there were a total of two bids submitted. Greninger Construction Company submitted a bid of $33,231.00 and Matt Denney Construction submitted a bid of $10.652.25. The preliminary estimated amount for the project was between $4,600.00 and $4,800.00.

City AdministratorTom Short advised that there is approximately $20,000.00 left in the Civic Enhancement Fund, and if the Committee wants to accept the low bid a budget amendment would be needed.

The Committee recommended that the City and the Over Sixty Center discuss if they want to proceed with the canopy project. Use of Civic Enhancement funds would likely reduce the amount that could be spent on other projects for the Center. No other action taken concerning the canaopy at this time.

Thirty-one applications were submitted for the Building Inspector position.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF CARTHAGE, MISSOURI FEBRUARY 9, 2010

The Carthage City Council met in regular session on the above date at 7:30 P.M. in the City Hall Council Chambers with Mayor James G. Woestman presiding. The invocation was given by Fire Chief John Cooper and the flag salute was led by Police Chief Greg Dagnan.

The following Council Members answered roll call: Dan Rife, Claude Newport, Wayne Campbell, T. J. Teed, Mike Harris, John Studebaker, Diane Sharits, Larry Ross, Bill Welch and Brent Greninger. City Administrator Tom Short and City Attorney Nate Dally were present.

On a motion by Mrs. Sharits, seconded by Mr. Teed, minutes of the January 26,2010 meeting were approved.

Mr. Newport reported the Budget Ways and Means Committee met February 8, 2010 in Council Chambers. Mr. Newport made a motion, seconded by Mr. Studebaker, to allow the use of Capital Improvement Funds up to $6,000.00 in the General Revenue Fund designated for a separate project that was postponed, to be used for the engineering costs on drainage work in Municipal Park. Motion carried.

Mrs. Sharits reported the Finance and Personnel Committee met on this date in Council Chambers. The Committee discussed the Vision and Dental Voluntary Employee Plans which are in open enrollment at this time. Mrs. Sharits noted the City Clerk reported the court personnel move to City Hall is going well.

Reporting for the Public Services Committee, Mr. Ross made a motion, seconded by Mr. Welch, to accept the Alternate Bid #2 of $26,834.70 (Total #1 and #2 was $27,835.16) from Alumbaugh Construction for drainage work at Municipal Park. Motion carried. The other bids are listed as total project #1 and #2 bids as follows: Bennett, Inc, Lamar, $27,918.00; Polston Construction, Lamar, $29,572.20; Stan Bowman Construction, Joplin, $29,190.13; Neal’s Construction, Stockton, $35,726.00 and Prime Contracting, Republic, $38,154.90.

Mr. Welch reported the Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet February 15, 2010.

Mr. Rife reported the Public Works Committee met February 2, 2010. Mr. Rife made a motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to change the Snow and Ice Removal Policy. Motion carried. Mr. Rife explained the changes to the policy.

Special Committee and Board Liaison Reports were given by the following: Mr. Welch, Carthage Humane Society; Mrs. Sharits, Library Board; Mr. Ross, McCune-Brooks Hospital Board and Mr. Teed, Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Mayor Woestman reported on meetings he had attended since the last meeting

including two photo opportunities presenting proclamations to the R-9 Foundation and the St. Ann’s School.

Mr. Dally updated the Council on the potential lawsuit resulting from the bankruptcy of HazMert, the City’s Household Hazardous Waste collector. The City may be liable for cleanup costs at the disposal site used by HazMert. Mr. Dally commended Chief Dagnan and his Department for their work dealing with the recent Salazar baby tragedy.

Mr. Short reported the City Clerk, working with County Officials and State Officials, have certified the ballot for the April 6, 2010 Municipal Election to reflect a write-in space for the Ward 2 (one year term) position. No one had filed for candidacy in that position. In other business, Mr. Short reported on the fine job Chief Dagnan, his Department and other City Departments performed dealing with the Salazar case. Mr. Short reported on meetings he had attended and provided details on the following: the MML Legislative Conference February 17-18; a MML Policy League meeting; the closing of City Offices February 15; continued talks with MoDOT on guardrails near the McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital; a possible re-enactment on the Carthage Square in connection with the Civil War Sesquicentennial event; the disappointing Sales Tax Report down 4.13% from budgeted dollars; the concerns over next year’s budget due to the sales tax numbers; possible Region M Grants; the latest legislation at the State level affecting the City’s taxes and the awards given to City Departments for a job well done on the United Way Campaign.

Chief Dagnan provided details on the Salazar case. Chief Dagnan complimented his Department, other City Departments, and all the agencies who helped in the investigation. Chief Dagnan introduced his newest officer, Joe Miller. City Clerk Lynn Campbell administered the Oath of Office to Officer Miller.

Chief Cooper announced the recent promotions within the Fire Department due to Battalion Chief Duckett’s retirement. Chief Cooper introduced the department’s new Battalion Chief, David Myers and new Captain, Jason Martin.

Public Works Director Zeb Carney congratulated Battalion Chief David Myers and Captain Jason Martin and commended Chief Cooper on the promotions. Mr. Carney reported on the overtime hours of the Street Department due to the recent snow/ice storms. In other business, Mr. Carney noted he had received 18 applications for the building inspector’s position. The opening of bids (second bidding) for the awning project at the Over Sixty Center is scheduled for February 16, 2009. Mr. Carney provided more details on the Arkansas HazMert site.

The Claims Report was given showing claims against the following funds: General Revenue $64,780.22; Public Health $308.94; Public Safety Grant $585.00; Golf Course Fund $3,531.74; Park & Recreation Fund $49.71; Lodging $6,250.00; Library $27,333.32; Library Building $472.00; Powers Museum $3,537.94; McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital $1,245,000.00 and Payroll $280,133.18. Mrs. Sharits made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ross, to accept the report and allow the claims. Motion carried.

During the Citizen’s Participation Period, Karen Herzog, 1833 Gardendale, spoke in support of Resolution No. 1592 and No. 1593.

There was no old business.

Under new business, C. B. 10-04, an Ordinance to amend Section 21-274, Creation of Tree board was placed on first reading with no action taken. Mayor Woestman, Mr. Newport, Mr. Bull and Mr. Campbell discussed C.B. 10-04.

Mr. Welch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Teed, to accept Resolution No. 1591, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Carthage approving a recommendation of the Public Works Committee granting an administrative lot split for property located at 2140 S. Garrison Ave., Carthage, Missouri. Motion carried. Mr. Rife provided additional information on the lot split and Mrs. Sharits had a question about the lot.

Mr. Ross made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Sharits, to accept Resolution No. 1592, a Resolution authorizing an application for the Preserve America Community Designation. Motion carried. Mr. Ross gave additional details prior to the vote.

Mr. Ross made a motion, seconded by Mr. Welch, to accept Resolution No. 1593, a Resolution authorizing an application for the Missouri Certified Local Government Program. Prior to a roll call vote, Mr. Harris, Mr. Welch, Mrs. Sharits and Mr. Ross discussed the program requirements. Motion failed after a roll call vote of 4 yeas and 6 nays. The yea votes were Council Members Sharits, Studebaker, Ross and Greninger. The nay votes were Council Members Welch, Rife, Newport, Campbell, Teed and Harris. (Editor note: The Mornin’ Mail erroneously reported that this resolution passed the Council in last Friday’s paper. We apologize.)

Mr. Ross made a motion, seconded by Mr. Welch, to accept Resolution No. 1594, a Resolution of the City of Carthage, Missouri authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Adult Softball League for complete management of an Adult Softball Program located at Hallam Field. Motion carried. Mr. Ross explained the softball program.

Mr. Ross made a motion, seconded by Mr. Welch, to accept Resolution No. 1595, a Resolution of the City of Carthage, Missouri, authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Fair Acres Family Y for establishing and managing a Youth Soccer Program at the Fair Acres Sports Complex. Motion carried. Prior to the vote, Mr. Ross provided more information on the agreement and Mr. Campbell had a question on the liability to the City.

Mr. Ross made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Sharits, to accept Resolution No. 1596 a Resolution of the City of Carthage, Missouri, authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Carthage Youth Baseball Association for management of a Youth Baseball at Fair Acres Sports Complex. Motion carried. Mr. Ross and Mrs. Sharits discussed the youth baseball program prior to the vote.

In closing remarks, Mr. Welch reported on a project to build 300 wooden toy cars for children in Haiti where there had been a recent earthquake.

Mr. Welch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Harris, to adjourn the regular Council Meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.

If someone wanted to become famous for inventing a device that would define technological advance, they would come up with an anti-bass filter.

No this isn’t a fishin’ story. I’m talkin’ ‘bout bass as in the clef. Those low thumpin’ tones that roll out of a vehicle when the windows are up. Leavin’ most wonderin’ how anyone inside the car could possibly not have a throbbin’ headache.

The device I envision would either block the bass notes from enterin’ my house after 11 p.m. or at least bring with them some portion of the melody.

There surely must be some electroantibass molecules out in the universe somewhere. There has to be somethin’ that could disrupt and disperse them into harmless drops of sonic waste. Thump—thump, thump. Thump—thump, thump.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Diet, Pain and Diverticulitis

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I need information on how to avoid flare-ups of diverticulitis. I am a 53-year-old female. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in 2008 after suffering for months from discomfort that finally became unbearable. The doctor gave me an antibiotic that cleared the problem up. What I need to know is this: How long after eating a problem food does discomfort ensue? I’ve tried to tie discomfort to a particular food. I just can’t figure out which ones cause the problem. For instance, if I have a problem on Tuesday afternoon, would that be from food I ate Tuesday morning, or the day before, or the day before that? -- D.F.

ANSWER: You need a clearer picture of what causes diverticular pain. You’re barking up the wrong tree. Diverticula are small bulges on the colon’s outer wall. The bulges are the lining of the colon that has been pushed through the muscular colon wall and has popped out on its outer surface. They are pea-size to marble-size. When the necks of diverticula become obstructed, bacteria within the diverticula causes swelling and pain. Prevention of diverticula formation and diverticula obstruction centers on a high-fiber diet. A particular food isn’t usually the culprit. A lack of fiber is the troublemaker.

Fiber holds on to water and keeps the food residue soft. If the residue hardens, the colon has to generate great force to move it along, and that force is responsible for diverticula formation. You need to get 25 grams to 30 grams of fiber daily. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are fiber sources. Whole grains are grains that haven’t been refined. They retain their outer coat -- bran. Bran is excellent fiber.

Diverticulitis -- inflamed diverticula -- produces pain, most often felt in the lower left side of the abdomen. Sometimes it leads to rectal bleeding. An attack of diverticulitis calls for a change in diet, either to a liquid one or one with soft foods.