The Board of Aldermen met in regular session at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The Mayor, Neal Minor, was present and presided with the following aldermen present: Stephen Youngblood, Roch Buckman, Mark Greening, Ronnie Miller, Melinda Dexter and Ralph Lemongelli. Others present were Jackie Pangborn, Doug Wagner, Linda Geist, Kevin O’Bryan, Bill Elliott, Donald Parsons, Gary McElroy, Marcia Watson and Tasha Hubert.

Tasha Hubert said that she resides at 301 East Summer St.. There are children in this neighborhood. She presented a petition requesting that stop signs be put on South Washington at East Summer Street and East Dover Street and that “Children Playing” signs be put up in this area. After discussion, the board agreed to have the Street Department put up the “Children Playing” signs and referred the request for the stop signs to the Public Safety Committee for an evaluation.

Linda Geist of The Lake Gazette said that the Massillon Museum in Massillon, Ohio received a grant that will facilitate their project called “Faces of Rural America.” As part of this project, they will be coming to Monroe City to interview residents who remember Belle Johnson and scan their photographs for possible inclusion in their exhibit catalog. The project will result in a summer 2011 exhibition at the Massillon Museum. At her death, Ms. Johnson’s work was donated to a photographer friend who donated her work to the museum upon his death. The curator of the museum visited Monroe City during the 2007 sesquicentennial celebration and was present at an exhibit of Ms. Johnson’s work sponsored by The Lake Gazette. Geist and Nancy Stone of the Monroe County Historical Society have continued to work with the curator who has applied for numerous grants to promote Ms. Johnson’s work, now being studied nationally by students of early women photographers.

The Board of Aldermen reviewed a contract with Ruth Maupin to provide FBO services and mowing at the Captain Ben Smith Airfield. The compensation is to be $325 per month plus $100 per time mowed. The FBO officer will not be required to have any specific hours at the FBO office. The mowing has been reduced to mowing around the runway, entrance signs, grass runway, town border station and weather station. The contract will terminate on Sept. 30, 2010. The contract was approved.

The board reviewed letters from Joe Hill, owner of the Wedge property located at 201 South Main St. and Michael Kettelkamp – Architect regarding abating the nuisance at the Wedge property. The structure was severely damaged by fire in April 2009. Kettelkamp said in his letter that Hill has retained his services to design the replacement of the roof structure of the building. They intend to have the design of the new roof structure ready to submit to the City for a building permit prior to Nov. 5. City Building Inspector Mike Hays said that the deadline for abating the nuisance caused by the burned out building expired on Oct. 21. The owner is investigating whether to put a new roof on this building and sell it as is or possibly renovate it. If the owner puts a new roof on the building and seals up the windows so that the public cannot enter, it is no longer a public safety hazard. Alderman Lemongelli expressed concern about mold growing in this building and the fact that there will be an unsightly structure in the middle of town. Mayor Minor asked the board if they wanted to extend more time to Hill. After discussion, Alderman Buckman motioned to grant Hill an additional 30 days from today to come up with plans to abate his nuisance and this was approved.
The Board of Aldermen reviewed a contract with Monroe County to provide 911 dispatching services to Monroe City for $5,723.33 per month which is the same charge as last year. This was approved.

Fire Chief Gary McElroy told the Board of Aldermen that the Fire Department raised funds last year to purchase fire fighting equipment. Missouri Surplus property has two gators available for a total of $3,500. He requested that the City purchase these gators for use by the Fire Department who will reimburse the City for the cost. This was approved.
McElroy said that Monroe City had an ordinance which would require insurance companies to send to the City a percentage of an insurance settlement for fire damage to insure that the property owner either demolished the structure or renovated it. If the owner does not take the appropriate action, the City could use these funds to abate the problem. A prior City Attorney said that this practice was not legal. He requested that the current city attorney review this matter to determine if it can be done.

McElroy said that he has been receiving complaints about outside wood burning furnaces causing smoke to linger too low to the ground. He presented an ordinance from the City of Palmyra which requires the smoke stack on outside wood burning furnaces to be at least 15 feet off of the ground. He asked the Board of Aldermen to consider adopting a similar ordinance.
Hays said John Zekind had not made satisfactory progress on abating the nuisance on his property located at 602 East Cleveland St. and this matter had been sent to the city attorney for legal action. The city attorney requested that a second letter be sent to Mr. Zekind giving him until Oct. 30 to abate his nuisance.

Hays said that Pace Industries has requested documentation on the City vacating the alley between Lawn Street and Front Street and between South Elm Street and Holy Rosary’s property. There is nothing recorded vacating this alley. Pace’s building is set on a portion of this alley. This building was built prior to implementation of Planning & Zoning and therefore no building permit would have been issued. The Board of Aldermen agreed to refer this matter to the City Attorney. They expressed willingness to vacate only the amount of property that the building sets on as long as there is no cost to the City.

Alderman Lemongelli requested that the ordinance which provides for fining Aldermen for missing meetings be on the agenda for the Nov. 5 meeting.

Jackie Pangborn presented the Interim Administration Supervisor report to the Board of Aldermen. The first part was a recap of the daily emails that were forwarded to board members. She said that a decision is needed from the Board of Aldermen regarding employees’ payroll deducting their uniforms expense to maintain their full service of their uniforms. Several employees have expressed interest in continuing the rental of the uniforms. They are willing to payroll deduct the difference between the rental cost and the lease cost. The board asked Pangborn to find out if the employees will be locked into this for a specific time and if other employees can join in at a later date. This was approved.

Pangborn asked what she should do with Jim Burns’ cell phone. Burns was the former city administrator. The Board asked that they be provided specific details on the city’s contract for cell phone service so that they can review it at a later meeting.
Mayor Minor said that Senator Bond’s office has contacted the Corps of Engineers to initiate action on opening up the Mark Twain Lake to private development. A meeting was held on this matter on Oct. 20 to address this matter. Senator Bond’s office warned that it would take a long time to see any results.

Mayor Minor said that any emails that are being sent to Jim Burns’ computer at City Hall are now automatically being forwarded to Jackie Pangborn. There have been several emails from economic development organizations. They have been told that Jim Burns is no longer employed by the City of Monroe City; however they want someone from the City to attend their meetings. Mayor Minor said that for the present time he is not going to have anyone attend.

Kevin O’Bryan presented the Interim Public Works Supervisor’s report to the Board of Aldermen. The Street Department has found the problem with the drainage pipe on the south side of Robey’s Building. This pipe is on Burlington Northern’s property. He told the railroad that the city will make the repairs if they will pay for the materials. A crossing arm on the Norfolk and Southern crossing at Main Street was broken off today. The railroad has been notified.