City Council - Regular Meeting

So, thank you all for being here tonight. Uh, we will begin with the invocation by the Reverend Ellen Gernan of First and Westminster Presbyterian Churches here in Cape Gerardo and follow that with our pledge of allegiance. If you all please would join us and rise.

Let us pray. Creator God, Lord of all, and ruler of the universe, we give you thanks for this gathering of the Cape Gerardo City Council. We thank you for each council member, for city staff, and for our mayor. Bless them in their work. Open their minds and hearts that they might truly seek your guidance in all their decisions. Help them to listen well to one another, to all our citizens, and especially to you, Lord. May all voices be heard, all opinions considered, all solutions explored, and all people respected, that our community will thrive. In your holy name we pray. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. [cough and clears throat]

Thank you, Reverend.

We don't have anything under study sessions or presentations tonight. So, we can begin with communications and reports from the council. Um, I would like to begin um and just take a few minutes and highlight um a good bit of the response um that a lot of our city departments have been engaged in uh over the past few weeks as we've been dealing with this bad weather um and the storm. Um certainly things could have been worse. We're thankful they were not. We did not see large-scale power outages that that were being discussed as a possibility initially. um and certainly that have happened um in other parts of the country pretty close. Uh but there's was a lot of hard work in this area nonetheless and I really wanted to um highlight some of that. I first wanted to thank Amaran. Uh they came out with a lot of advanced notification and preparation um that they conducted in our area. Um, again, turns out that some of that, uh, preparation didn't have to be employed, but, um, I do want to urge everyone to go to amarind.com. Um, you can get information there on how to prepare for, um, weather events at your home. Um, you can sign up for alerts, uh, see how to report outages directly to Amarind. Um, and with spring weather rolling in, I think now is a perfect time to to get on the get on the ball with that. So, just wanted to put that little PSA out. Um, we have many first responders in our city who are always on call um to deal with any kind of disaster and that was certainly the case last week. Um, our Cape Tora Police Department was quick to respond um to a handful of of motor vehicle crashes and certainly the weather um can make that even uh extra concerning. um and about 30 stranded motorists during the worst of the weather that they had helped um helped deal with. So, we're greatly appreciative. [clears throat] Uh the

Cave Toronto Fire Department had a large number of fires to deal with here locally in the past week. Uh three happening at the same vacant structure. Um and so at a time uh I just really want our our citizens to know that or to recognize that um as we're all trying to stay home and stay warm. Um our firefighters had a very busy week. You all know many of you here are in the department. Um very busy week engaged in um what is always dangerous work, but certainly the weather made it even more so. Um I wanted to say I I saw something interesting. I was walking at Cape County Park this morning and I saw um several members of the Cape Fire Department getting ready um out in the middle of the lake there getting the day uh ready for uh the department's ice rescue training. If anyone participated in that, would you raise your hand? Let us know if that happened today. Did that did that go on? Several folks. Yeah. Uh well, it just made me um uh it was a great reminder. Um certainly I I I know that um all of us are aware of of all the different um intricate training that goes on um in the fire department, police department, etc. Um but I don't know if if all of our cit citizens are always um fully aware of of all that you guys uh are engaged in throughout the year. And certainly um a ice rescue training or or even an ice rescue um is something that strikes fear in the hearts of many of us. So um greatly appreciative of uh the training that that goes on throughout the year. Um, speaking of keeping our citizens safe, I also want to highlight the work um that a group uh probably one of our most unheralded departments of our city and that is our public works department. Um, I do know that uh these staff members

have been greatly appreciated during the week and I hope um those staff members have have felt that as well. um heard a lot of compliments on how uh great the roads were just right off the bat in dealing with the um during the during the snow and whatnot. Um just a little data I wanted people to be aware of. Um few stats from public works. Um during the week that where the the storm was and the winter weather was at its worst. Um, public works put in over um 8,500 miles of of work, used 595 tons of salt, 8,000 gallons of brine, um over a thousand man hours um put in um 200 over 200 backhoe hours and 60 high lift hours all used to clear intersections and in the down and especially in the downtown area. And also during this time the city saw four water mane breaks which were suspected to be due to the very cold temperatures. Um and this of course required our public works um department to be out fixing those things during uh what at times was sub-zero temperature. So um greatly appreciative of of all the work that went in there. Lastly, I just I wanted to mention um all the volunteer work that has been going on at the Cape Warming Center um held at Grace United Methodist Church this past two weeks. This is not a city initiative in any way. Um but it's simply a collection of churches and nonprofits and individuals all coming together uh to provide food and shelter for our unhoused residents um during what are unsafe winter conditions. Um, last I heard there were more than 100 individuals who have gone through that that warming center in the past two weeks. So, if you'd like to learn more about that, go you can go to capewarmingcenter.org. So, um, a lot of extraordinary effort has been put out in our community. Um, I think it really shows a community that

knows how to pull together and and help each other um, especially in difficult times. And I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been engaged in um what's very important safety and life- saving work um during dangerous times. So, thank you for that. Other council members reports.

I was going to say something, but I couldn't say it any better. Really, just thank you to all the city staff. I think today um 41 felt pretty incredible after all these really cold days. And so it's really nice to see, you know, see that people are finally or we're finally defrosting. Um, but the amount amount of strain and stress that this does put on city services, you know, um, it's something that we appreciate as a council, all of the work that goes into it from city staff, from every department that gets involved from our public information officers. Um it it truly is a citywide effort to make uh get everybody back up to where they can run and function and and business can be transacted in the city of Cape Tardo. So thank you to all the city units, everybody involved with the community that gets out there and helps in these these these situations.

Yeah. I don't want to I don't want to continue to echo all the comments are made, but I will have to admit that I was uh watching all of this from a ways at 84 degrees looking over the Pacific. But I do see I did see so many pictures uh videos, emails, and text now since been on council. They have increased tenfold. And there's no shortage of opinions of course, but I'm going tell you what I saw was I don't want to be corny about it. It was like the American spirit because I saw the water mane breaks and I and I know public works was just kicking tail. Police, fire, um, you know, across the board. And I got reports from my my good friend that was in Dallas that took the flight from Dallas to to to Cape to see his folks. And uh even though it was a delayed, you know, he he's a big airline guy. Uh he was a chief exec and he's like, "Man, they handled it so well." And that's a flight I'm going to take from now on. Um anyway, it it it u even though I was very comfortable where I was, I know how uncomfortable you were and I I felt for you. Um, but uh anyway, it just it just uh it just made me feel good knowing our town, our people, when push comes to shove, you know, we we do the right things, we help one another, and it's uh I think I think that's pretty uh pretty awesome and speaks volumes of us here in Cape Dorado. Thanks, David. Uh,

if I may say something on behalf of the small business owners in the community and the surrounding area, uh, give them a look when you get thought out and you get out and about, um, maybe pass on that, uh, corporate chain restaurant this Friday or Saturday and hit up your local mom and pop because, uh, this last week's been very, very, very difficult for many small businesses, but particularly the restaurant industry. So, um, like I said, from a small business owner to to those out there, I just encourage you to to give those other mom and pops and your local one sitting right here in the in the room here. So, give them a look and uh they will gladly take your money and serve you well with some really good food. So, that's it. Thanks. Anyone else, Nate?

Yeah. Um, two things. uh or well echo what everybody said here, but uh right on the I guess on a lighter note, right on the cusp of um the winter storm when it was hitting, we had a big event at the Show Me Center with the um the largest maybe the only indoor barbecue fest um and it's hosted here in our town. Um and we had good representation by our first responders there. Our firefighters were there braving that um and and competing and they came up short. Although I I personally think you guys should have won. It was exceptional what you guys had there. But um what a great event. I was I was worried for them that all the work went into it. People come from all over the nation to to compete in that and um and then when the storm hit it kind of I I thought maybe it would be a a skeleton crew there, but there was a lot of people came out and it was a good showing and it was good to see that. Um, and then on a on another note, got just to build off of what everybody else has said, there's not enough gratitude to go around for everything that goes on. It's in s times like this that you really you you appreciate the the services um that the that the city offers. Um, and that's why the city staff is here and they do what they do. Um and they you know of course uh [clears throat] they are all of the departments play a role whether that's every department that's that's uh been mentioned already to keeping the the the operations going like it normally would with the parks and wreck and and the events there and and just like I said with the when pigs fly event but um one of our leaders that I know who doesn't only lead um and help Dr. Haskin, but um does an exceptional job leading, but also is probably second to none as far as leading by example. And that's our deputy city manager. And I know he put in a lot of uh Trevor Pulley. I know he put in a lot a lot of hours and work helping lead and direct and uh I just wanted to call him out specifically for all the work that he always does, but

especially in times like this. And um it's a great value and asset to along with all of our department heads, but uh for us to have here on our city staff. So, All right. Anything else? Okay. Thank you all. Moving on then to items for discussion. Are is there anyone tonight here to appear as an advisory board applicant? If so, you may come up. Nope. Okay. Moving on. We will have the consent agenda review. Dr. Her.

Mayor. Thank you, council. Uh we added D6, 7, 8, and 9. Um D6 is basically a request to move forward with the DWI grant enforcement application. Um that is an application that we apply for each and every year. Uh D7 of course is a is another request to move forward with the hazardous moving violation grant. Again another grant that we annually apply for that um the police department is certainly requesting that we do that once again. and D8 um is a request to to enter into a continuing operating agreement with Simo Ready to provide economic development services in the city of Cape. Um we previously had an agreement with them back in the summer I think. Uh but this agreement with no modifications to it will continue to move forward. I think this one is set for about four years. And finally, uh, D9, um, you know, Carla and Derek Cornelius, um, out at the old business park would like, uh, and respectfully request that you grant them an extension of the special use permit, uh, to build their billboard out there. Mayor, that concludes the review.

Thanks, Dr. Haskin. We'll move into regular session. Um, begin with the call to order and the roll call vote. Miss Davis. Mr. Bliss here. Mr. Kentrell here. Mr. Johnson here. Mayor Kinder here. Mr. Preston here. Miss Randall here. Mr. Thomas here. All right. Thank you. Council, we have an agenda before us. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? So move. Second. Any discussion? All in favor of the agenda as stated, please say I. Anyone opposed?

That carries. We have one public hearing tonight. and I'll open the public hearing to consider vacating the city's interest in North Frederick Street right ofway between Olive Street and Mason Street in the city of Kardo, Missouri. Is there anyone who wishes to appear for this uh for this public hearing? No. All right. Seeing none, then I will close the public hearing. It will be an agenda item below. We now will move to the consent agenda. Mr. Young, would you please read that? Bill 264, an ordinance annexing land adjacent to the Cape Dart Regional Airport into the city limits of the city of Cape Chart, Missouri. Bill 264, an ordinance annexing land adjacent to the Cape Charter Regional Airport into the city limits of the city of Cape Chart, Missouri. Bill 265, an ordinance amending chapter 30 of code of ordinances the city of Cape Tart, Missouri by zoning newly annexed property adjacent to the Cape Charter Regional Airport A1 Airport District. Bill 265, an ordinance amending chapter 30, code of ordinance of the city of Cape Trotto, Missouri by zoning newly annexed property adjacent to the Cape Trotto Regional Airport as A1 airport district. Bill 266, an ordinance extending the boundaries of W 2 to include property newly annexed into the city limits of the city of Cape Chart, Missouri. Bill 266, an ordinance extending the boundaries of W 2 to include property newly annexed into the city limits of the city of Cape Chart, Missouri. Bill 267, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a grant agreement with Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to fund air service promotion and marketing at the Cape Driver Regional Airport. Bill 267, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a grant agreement with Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to fund air service promotion and marketing at the Cape [clears throat] Regional Airport. Bill 268, a resolution authorizing grant application to MDOT for DWI enforcement authorizing the city officials to execute all necessary grant documents. Bill 269, a resolution authorizing grant application to MOD out for hazardous moving violation enforcement and authorizing city officials to execute all necessary grant documents. Bill 2612, a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement for services with Southeast Missouri Regional

Economic Development, Inc. aka Simo Ready. All right. Thank you, Mr. Young. Council, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? So move. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor then of the consent agenda, please say I. I. Anyone opposed? That agenda carries. Nothing removed from the consent agenda tonight. We have two new ordinances to discuss tonight. Uh first is bill 2610, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding with Cape Gardo County, city of Jackson, and Southeast Missouri State University regarding a joint emergency operations center. This is the first reading. Mr. Pulley.

Thank you, Mayor. Dr. past council. This ordinance authorizes the mayor to execute a me memorandum of understanding with Cape County, city of Jackson, South Missouri State regarding the joint operation center. On January 20th at the previous council meeting, San Hernand Cape County EOC director presented theou during study session to the city council. The emergency operations center is a facility designed for managing disaster emergencies. The joint emergency operation center shall be activated when there is a major incident that causes significant life safety threat or monitor to heavy property dam potential or actual business disruption or has potential to cause significant impact community. Staff recommends council to pass an approve ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement with Cape County, Cape Gordo and Jackson and SEMA.

All right. Thank you. Is there anyone in the audience wishing to uh comment on this on this bill? [clears throat] No. All right. Seeing none, then council, is there a motion to approve bill 2610? So move. Second.

Second. Okay. Council discussion. [clears throat] Uh Mr. P, I just had a question. um regarding the um um activation I guess um it the theou talks about I I guess is is it that all the the parties would get together and basically discuss every situation on a case- by case basis and determine kind of vote or or

yeah you'll there's actually four different levels of activation and you have Cape City, Simo, Jackson, and Cape County that can activate the EOC. Uh these are very important uh entities that work very well together uh during the storms last year, right?

Uh it was activated out at Cape County. Uh Sam Hearnen, our fire chief, fire chiefs from Jackson and all over and us uh was able to help all citizens in the city of Cape as well Delta and others. So it is very important for centers of this nature to move forward. So you have your fire, your police, your public uh works, your utilities, water from Cape, Jackson, all over be able to work together and help the citizens if it just happens in Cape or if it happens in Jackson, they can use some of our staff that have the knowledge to move forward just as fire and police. Mhm. Mhm. I guess I'm just I'm just um I know and I know all these agencies have a history, right, of working well together and a professional um you know uh knowledge. Um they would the the process though would be that they would all get together and decide yeah this is really needed and this is the level we need to uh activate at

together. That's still kind of how it Okay. I'm just wondering how that Any other questions? Yeah, I can understand the mayor's um um

interest or questions and I I think once it once it gets to be full up around once it's operational I think um I'm sure they'll do a an exercise scenario and I think it behoove us as city leadership uh to be able to not participate but be a fly on the wall so that We see how we we see how it advances as the as the event unfolds cuz it'll you know it starts it'll start with a truck wreck and chemicals and then it'll you know maybe escalate um especially if you throw a fire on there or something like that. It'll escalate to maybe a mass casualty or a mass hazard event. And I think that would really be something that so city leadership understands what happens when when that jock is called up and fully uh manned and uh enthralled in an incident that we can see that and all these questions will be answered cuz it is a big working it's it's just there's a lot of moving parts. Um, I got to see it at u at the n at the national guard level with you know new madra seismic zone and it is it's almost overwhelming but it's amazing how all those pieces and parts actually get things done and um I think that's I think it's awesome that we've got to have jock here. I mean that's that's pretty amazing for us. It's a great location between St. Louis and Memphis. There's, you know, no question about it that it's going to be a great thing for us, but absolutely to understand it and be able to communicate it to our citizens what that is. Um, I think it's important that we have a firm grasp on that.

I agree, sir. Uh, currently, I know Sam and our fire chief are working together with city staff and other city staff to make sure they're trains trained on the training they need. that encompasses several different online classes and in person. This is the first step and as we move forward there's going to be a hands-on training with a lot of different city staff and as we move forward you'll be kept a breast of all of it. Thank you. Yes sir.

Yeah I appreciate that lined out a bit in section seven here. Um and that'll u appreciate seeing that. Um this is sounds like it's been very well thought out by by everyone involved. And I'm sure it I I appreciate too the fact that um you know I think it mentions back further um that amendments can be made. Um this will probably be a work in process and every every disaster might you know bring some bring some new thought to it. I guess this whole thing was born really maybe the thoughts have been bumping around for a while but last spring um sounds like you know since then this has been developed.

Yes ma'am. Yeah. Good. Okay. Any other questions, council? All right. Seeing none, then all in favor of bill 2610, please say I. I. Anyone opposed?

That carries. Um, and uh, thanks to everyone. Uh, Chief Morris, I know you've been heavily involved in this. Um, thank you for, uh, putting this all together. Um, and lastly, bill 2611, an ordinance vacating the city's interest in a portion of Frederick Street rightway in the city of Karda, Missouri. That's the first reading. Mr. P. Thank you, mayor. Brick and Ivy LLC owns property on both sides of the unimproved North Frederick Street between Olive and Mason Street. Brick and Ivy has requested the vacation of the unimproved rideway to have extra land to develop the area they are considering. The request is to vacate North Frederick Street from the south rightway line to Olive Street to the north side rightway to Mason Street. This area is 340 ft long by 60 feet wide. Since Brick and LLC own both sides of land on either side of the unimproved rightaway of North Frederick Street, they will be the recipient of the entire vacated rideway. There are no utilities and the city has no vested interest in the unimproved rideway. Staff recommends city uh council council after the uh public hearing. Okay. Is there anyone in the audience wishing to comment on bill 2611? All right. Seeing none, um, council, is there a motion to approve bill 2611?

So move. Second. Any further discussion? All right. All in favor of bill 2611, please say I. I. Anyone opposed? That motion carries. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Pulley. Um, no appointments tonight. Um, and no one registered to appear on uh a topic not on the agenda. Uh, with that, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. So move. Second. Any discussion? All in favor, please say I. I. I. We are adjourned. Thank you all for your presence here tonight.