Council Votes To Make Repairs To Senior Center

Southwest City’s senior center is on the path to a long-overdue facelift. Council members voted to install new LED lights inside the building at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Director Melissa Lance has approached the council for months, asking for faulty light fixtures inside and rotting wood outside to be replaced. Delays were made due to funding and bid specifications. The council asked that Lance review previous meeting minutes to see about a CD that was allegedly earmarked for use at the senior center.

Lance confirmed the $25,000 CD is allocated to the center.

The council voted to accept a bid on LED lights from Dalton Technical Services at a cost of $4,960.

Council members discussed the tagging of pets in town. Ordinances state that pets within the city limits must have a rabies vaccination and tag, as well as an annual city license for the animal.

The ordinance has not been heavily enforced in the past, but Mayor David Blake said he would like to see it enforced in the future.

Assistant clerk Danielle Smith said she spoke with the local veterinarian about holding a vaccination clinic, but the facility is too understaffed. The vet did say the clinic could offer discounted vaccinations for a limited time.

Departmental Reports

Mayor Blake informed the council of a recent meeting with a Missouri Department of Transportation representative. MoDOT

employees have been removing built-up brush from under Honey Creek bridge.

Fire chief Shane Clark reported attending pyrotechnics class for licensing purposes.

Also serving as public works director, Clark said the street department has been busy repairing and replacing street signs around town. They’ve patched holes on Liberty Road and Honey Lake Acres Road. He also said the water department is planning to repair a water leak on Academy Street.

Clark then delved into the state of the wastewater treatment plant. He informed the council that a Department of Natural Resources representative inspected the plant last week and noted that sludge hasn’t been tested for two years. When it was tested, the sludge failed the volatile solids reduction test.

Clark said, in order for the plant to effectively operate, sludge must be hauled again at a cost of nearly $5,000.

Because there was no record of sludge testing before it was previously hauled, Clark must also notify the owners of the property where the sludge was hauled so they can monitor the sludge.

“Evidently, the plant wasn’t run properly, so we’re in a mess,” Clark said.

Mayor Blake said the DNR representative estimated the plant was one month away from a tragedy if it continued operating as it was. He also confirmed that former operator, Jackie Coatney, was only in possession of a Class D wastewater license when a Class C license is required to oversee a plant.

DNR’s online Operator Certification Information System corroborates this.

Police chief Bud Gow reported issues with the control arms and radiator fans in a patrol vehicle. They have been repaired.

Mayor Blake provided council members with a rough sketch of proposed renovations to the police department and city hall. He said he will try to have a more polished version with a project scope for bids at the next meeting.

The council voted to approve the purchase of three new speed-rated tires for the Explorer at a total cost of $458.

Assistant clerk Danielle Smith updated the council regarding its insurance refund. She said a check was received in the amount of $18,815.

A recent insurance inspection resulted in a number of improvement suggestions, including emergency lighting, exit signs, a fire alarm and a cell phone usage policy in place for employees driving company vehicles.

In other business: After an hour of deliberation, the council voted to approve the re-hire of Shane Clark as public works director.

The council approved a $100 donation for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. The hunt is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, at Blankenship Park.

The council tentatively set the date for spring cleanup on Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22.

The council voted to reimburse Joyce Morris up to $700 for her landscaping around town. Council members asked that she maintain receipts.