| Today's Feature Recycling Vote Divided 5-5.
A motion by Council member H.J.
Johnson that City Attorney Dave Mouton notify
American Disposal Company that the City would not
exercise the option of curb side recycling
received mixed response during the City Council
meeting last Tuesday night.
After one last round of
discussion, the Council vote was evenly divided
at 5-5. Council members H.J. Johnson, J.D.
Whitledge, Art Dunaway, Don Stearnes, and Lujene
Clark voted for the motion. Larry Ross, Bill
Fortune, Charlie Bastin, Jackie Boyer and Trish
Burgi-Brewer voted against.
"You all know what I think
about this," voted the Mayor, passing the
motion. Mayor Johnson has expressed his
opposition to the proposed mandatory charges on
many occasions.
Mouton is also to prepare an
ordinance that will replace portions of Ordinance
98-65 passed last September by the former
Council. That Ordinance authorized the
implementation of curb side recycling on October
1, 1999 and would have increased trash rates by
24% for families, and 42% for single households.
As it now stands the City will
continue to accept recycle items at the old City
landfill without charge to citizens.
The Public Works Committee
sponsored amendment to the Sidewalk, Curb &
Gutter Construction or Repair ordinance passed
9-1. Member Charlie Bastin dissented. The
amendment authorizes the City to reimburse
individual property owners up to $2,500 per year
for qualified sidewalk repairs or replacement.
According to Director of Engineering Joe Butler,
over twenty names are on a waiting list for the
program.
Begining July 1, eligible
property owners who have contacted the
Engineering Department will be apprised of
available options according to Butler. To be
eligible for the reimbursement, the Engineering
Department must inspect property before and after
construction.
Parks and Recreation
Superintendent Alan Bull reported to the Council
that the Missouri Department of Conservation
applied one application of spray to kill the
aquatic Milfoil plant that is polluting Kellogg
Lake. The second and final spray is expected to
be applied later this week. Bull emphasized to
Council that the spray works very slowly over a
90 day period or longer, to prevent a large fish
kill in the lake. He is optimistic that the early
and aggressive treatment will work.
After a brief discussion the
Council tabled Council Bills 99-41 and 42 after
the motion was made by Council Member Lujene
Clark.
At issue is the bookkeeping
practices of the Chamber of Commerce. According
to Clark there were enough discrepancies that she
was uncomfortable with a City contract with the
agency at this point in time. Clark did stress
several times that the Chamber was aware of the
problem and was working toward resolving all
issues in a timely manner.
The motion passed 9-0. Council
Member HJ Johnson abstained citing a conflict of
interest because he has contracted with the
Chamber for graphic design work for tourism
material.
Clark reported that the request
to recommend the action was a result of a
unanimous vote of the Finance and Personal
Committee of which Clark is the Chair. The motion
was seconded by Council Member Trisha Brewer.
Brewer said the Committee wants to see a clear
audit before the contract is signed.
Clark said she hoped the
Committee could come back to the full Council
with a request to continue the relationship with
the Chamber very quickly. It will take a
two-thirds vote of the Council to bring the
discussion back to the table in order to
implement the Chamber contract.
Money appropriated for the
Chamber in the FY 2000 Budget will be held in
abeyance until the contract is approved.
According to City Administrator Tom Short
suspending payments until a future date will have
no affect on the Budget as approved.
With the passage of Council
Bills 99-47 and 99-48 (9-1 Bastin dissenting)
street improvements will begin at Macon and
Baker. Storm drainage improvements are scheduled
for completion near Pearl-Hawthorn and
River-Fairview within 120 days.
|
