Traffic ordinance dominates meeting of Sweet Springs council

During the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, Nov. 10, the board discussed the implementation of a new Model Traffic Ordinance, the purchase of a fire truck and the ongoing issue of water loss due to old water meters misreading the amount brought in.

Much of the meeting was spent discussing the implementation of Missouri's new Model Traffic Ordinance, which has been previously brought before the board.

The only dissenting voice was Alderman Billie Clevenger's. She raised such issues as the ordinance's requirement of loading and unloading permits and zones, the addition of another board and an increase in the need for a city engineer, something she said sounded like a full-time job.

"We're too small a town to need this," she added.

"It might bring in more businesses because we have rules and regulations," said Alderman Jim Lindemann. "Businesses look at lots of things. Hopefully, we're going to grow some time."

Clevenger would not be swayed, asking, "What is in here that we need? There's a lot of things in here to make decisions over. … I'm not saying this is the wrong one (to pass), there's just a lot in here I don't feel comfortable passing."

The board passed the MTO, making it Bill 514, before passing the bill and creating Ordinance 508. This ordinance is an update of Ordinance 69, passed in 1965, though it was made clear to the board that any traffic-related ordinances that had been passed in Sweet Springs since that time would remain on the books. The new ordinance will be in effect beginning Jan. 1, 2009.

When the board discussed changing the speed limit in school zones to 20 mph, Clevenger's was again the only voice against it.

"I don't think it's clear enough … when school is in session," she said, giving summer school and those who start school earlier in the morning as examples.

City Clerk Ronda Neinhuser reminded the board that the only change to the existing ordinance was the change from a speed limit of 10 mph in school zones to 20 mph.

Clevenger insisted that the ordinance either ought to list the times when school is "in session" or it should be in effect all day long, year-round.

Following an agreement by Alderman Vivian Wiley, Mayor Ray Kinney made a motion to revise the wording to state that the speed limit in school zones was to be 20 mph at all times. It will read this way when it is next brought before the board.

After inspecting about 60 water meters overseen by the town, it was determined that 45 meters, about 70 percent, must be rebuilt. The water loss in affected meters ranged from 10 to 30 percent, averaging 12.4 percent. The problem with water loss appeared to happen only with low-flow pumps.

"I think we're getting the water situation under control. At least, we're on the right path," said Kinney.

Filing dates for April 2009 elections were set for between December 16, 2008 and January 20, 2009.

Clevenger asked the board to remind workers of Public Works that when doing grounds keeping, not to put grass clippings in the street, referring to last month's implementation of an anti-littering ordinance.

The board discussed a run-down house at 509 Main St. It was reported to the board that a woman who does not live in the area and has never been inside the house had recently inherited it, and that she desired to sell the house as quickly as possible, giving $3,500 or best offer as her price. Taxes have reportedly already been paid on the house.

Police Chief Richard Downing gave a report of the Police Department's activity for the past month. He listed 259 walk-ins, 389 call-ins, one "domestic," two alarms, five agency assists, one property damage, one peace disturbance, one report of animal cruelty, five civil matters, one well-being check, one harassing phone call, three suspicious subjects, three arrests, one stealing from a building, two juvenile referrals, three burglaries, two finger-printings, two towed vehicles, one DWI and one leaving scene of the accident.

Fire Chief Todd Anderson reported the fire department had responded to one fire over the last month, an RV fire on Route EE.

After much discussion, the board voted to purchase a 1993 Sutphen fire truck located in Florida for $37,500. The truck has a 30-day warranty, seats six, has heating and air conditioning, 119,000 miles on the engine, can pump water at 1,250 gallons per minute and will have a 1,000-gallon tank installed before it is sold.

This truck was chosen over a slightly older truck that was completely rebuilt, except for the engine and transmission, in the mid-1990s. This truck is located in Chicago, Ill., has 18,000 miles on the engine, seats four, has a smaller tank and engine, and would have cost $40,000.

Kinney estimated transportation costs to bring the truck to Sweet Springs from Florida at between $5,000 and $8,000.

Purchase of the fire truck will be financed through Community Bank of Marshall at an interest rate of 4.75 percent with payments made over a five-year period.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net