Sweet Springs aldermen discuss pool budget, create ordinances

The meeting of the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen opened Monday, Aug. 10, with Mayor Ray Kinney alerting aldermen to each of the five expense categories in which the city's swimming pool is over budget.

These categories included salaries, advertising, drug testing and supplies and maintenance. Kinney reminded board members that the board's next meeting will include a budget adjustment.

Later in the meeting, Superintendent of Public Works Doug Haesemeyer came back to this topic, telling board members that it costs $203 each day "to open the door and turn on the lights." Income from entry to the pool each day amounts to approximately $25, he said. This does not include an averaging of the income from those who purchased season passes, because "that money has already been spent," said Haesemeyer.

"I'm ready to close it today," he said, rather than after Labor Day, as usual, because of the financial issues and his opinion that the pump seems about to fail.

Alderman Jim Lindemann opined that the pool should not be closed early.

The board approved the acceptance of a bid from Naught-Naught Insurance Agency for comprehensive property insurance coverage. Naught-Naught's bid, $24,482, was nearly $4,000 less than the other bid received, which came from Summit Insurance.

The board approved a request from First Baptist Church, permitting them to cut away 25 feet of curbing to allow for the construction of an additional driveway approximately 12 feet to the east of the church's existing driveway.

"Parking along the street is the only thing that will affect the city," said Kinney.

Aldermen passed an ordinance setting the property tax rate at $1.3528 per $100 of assessed valuation for 2009. It was bill 519 and became ordinance 513.

Aldermen then passed an ordinance approving a settling agreement of a lawsuit, State of Missouri, et al. v. SBC Communications, et al. This settlement means Sweet Springs will receive a payment of $143.54 in back taxes for landline telephone systems. This began as bill 510 and became ordinance 514.

The board approved a resolution to establish a procedure for disclosing conflicts of interest.

"The mayor or any member of the board of aldermen who has substantial personal or private interest ... in any bill shall disclose ... the nature of his interest and shall disqualify himself from voting on any matters related to this interest," reads one section of the resolution.

Another resolution of the same type must be passed in another two years, said Kinney.

The board discussed a request from the owners of Rodeway Inn that a streetlight be installed at one corner of the intersection of Marvia Street and Frank Street.

"It is kind of dark and scary there," said Alderman Shelly Schlichting.

This discussion was tabled until the board's next regular meeting.

The board approved Haesemeyer's request to put a 1985 Dodge water truck up for sale. He told the board it gets 3.5 miles per gallon and that it takes "a gallon-and-a-half to go to the pool and back."

The board also accepted a bid for the sale of the city's Federal Dump Truck to Jared Wright for $653.

The board discussed the old water plant building, with Haesemeyer expressing worry at its structural safety. Mike Green, speaking on behalf of the Sweet Springs Fire Department, asked the board about the possibility of the department using it for search-and-rescue training, which is currently performed in the department office. The board decided to have Fire Chief Todd Anderson speak with Haesemeyer once the building has been cleaned out to discuss the possibility of holding this training in the building.

Green gave the board a report on the fire department's activity for the past month. The department responded to seven calls: four car wrecks, two car fires and one smoke alarm.

Officer Melvin Taber reported to the board on the police department's activity for July. The department dealt with a total of 340 call-ins and 412 walk-ins, two reports of domestic issues, one report of property damage, two reports of theft, four requests for animal control, one reports of a civil matter, one request for a well-being check, two reports relating to harassment, one ministerial alliance call, two reports of stealing from buildings, five juvenile referrals, two reports of assault, one report of tampering with an automobile and three intoxicated drivers.

Board members discussed the results of the recent income survey, which helped the city to qualify for a 75-percent grant for the lagoon study.

The board accepted the resignation of Sherri Heaper from the park board, as well as the installation of Mike Bredehoeft in her place.

The board approved payments totaling at $31,366.99.

The board went into closed session at the end of the regular meeting. During that time, board members approved ending Haesemeyer's probationary period as a new employee and raising his hourly wage by 25 cents.

Besides Kinney, Schlichting and Lindemann, Alderman Lewis Bybee was also present at the meeting. Alderman Billie Clevenger was not.

The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, in Sweet Springs City Hall at 324 S. Miller St.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net