Mayor and Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

How are you, D? I'm good. Um, a little just I can't figure out why it's February 17th already. Agreed. What time goes? Yeah. How old do you get? We're live. We're live. This meeting of the mayor and the board of alderman for the city of Cleveland is now in session. If anyone has any business for this board, please come forward and you'll be heard. Thank you, Chief. Ted,

let us pray. Our dear heavenly father, we come this hour of the morning giving thanks for the many blessing they have restored unto us. We thank you for this opportunity and privilege for allowing us to come together to discuss the vision of the city. Praying that everything we do and say will be in your will. It is in Jesus Christ's name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. You hear me say about crack of don which it is. Uh who who's on vineering? I can't see anybody. Josh.

Hey, mayor. I'm here. I got a uh got a few things this morning. First up, we have a change order for the police station. Uh the project's under budget, so we're just expanding the scope to include a couple extra rooms. Any any questions? I'll keep going. you brought up. You said extra rooms. What do you mean? Because I saw something that said break rooms. Yeah. So, the change order includes adding a couple different bathrooms to the project that were not in the original scope of work. Also includes replacing some cabinets in the uh break room. But you said we're under budget, so we will be okay with that. Yes, ma'am.

That is correct. That is correct. We're still under budget. We still have a contingency fund to cover anything that comes up as well. So move. Got a motion by Robert by Ted. All those in favor? Okay. Next up, we have our engineering agreement for Airport North Industrial Site Flood Mitigation. Um our original contract was for design only. This is for the construction services and it's within budget we presented in um in our last budget session. Make a motion to approve. Motion

by Gleti. Second by I guess Danny. Was that you? All those in favor? Okay. Sir, here right now. Say that one more time. Are you at the airport right now? Uh, no sir. I'm I'm I'm on the road multitasking right now. Oh, okay. I just uh saw the was down there looking at that big old long concrete pump extension truck y'all got. That's one long ass pump down there. Yeah, pouring concrete. That one's still uh trying to get that apron finished up. The last thing Okay.

Yes. The last thing I have is debris cleanup. U I know we're under an emergency declaration from the storm. We have talked to FEMA. We are included in the disaster. um areas across the state. We have met with a couple different debris contractors along with a um a debris monitoring company. And I want to discuss with the board if that's the direction the board wants to go is hiring these companies. You would need to hire a debris cleanup company plus a monitoring firm uh to help track all the costs. So, it's FEMA reimburseable and then you would be eligible for 87 and a half% of the cost to be reimbursed by FEMA and MIMA. And we're thinking the total cost if we brought in a company as of right now would estimate 20,000 yards at about $25 a yard. So, roughly $500,000 in expenses.

That's 75 to the city. And and it will be in August cleaning this up if we don't get help. When can we start? Go ahead. Real quick, if you will, you go ahead, Michelle.

Well, Steo and he's he's on the call. He he told me yesterday he came to see me yesterday afternoon and I don't know if you've ridden by public works and seen they're they're dumping some things on public works yard and some things at the pit, some limbs at the pit, but he has a huge mound at public works. It's unbelievable of limbs. But he told me with all the work that they've done nonstop of picking up limbs, he said it doesn't even look like they've done anything because and people are still people are still putting out stuff. That's right.

Oh, I I do have a couple of questions. Um, so we're saying that if we have them contracted that they can start possibly um this week. I I doubt this week. Uh, so they're going to have to coordinate between the two companies. And uh, for full disclosure, both of these companies are working in some of the harder hit areas of the state around Oxford area. And both of them have millions of yards of cleanup under contract. So, uh, they are going to be able to pull off. He told me they could get on this within a week to two weeks to start us. They would try to send a small crew over

uh to try to cut hangers first. That's going to be included. They're going to cut all the broken limbs above in the road right away and get that additional pile up. Then they'll start the actual debris pickup. So, I think the best case get them under contract and then we set up a date for them to move in. probably two weeks when I Okay, I have another question. Uh, have we talked to any local people?

Uh, good question. Uh, no. And I would not advise that route due to the type of equipment you need for this kind of debris cleanup. I'm not aware of anyone locally to have uh the scale or the size. The second thing you're trying to get reimbursed 87 and a half% of this cost. It is extremely uh cumbersome and complicated on these FEMA reimbursements, the rates they charge, what they'll reimburse. And so I would recommend hire a company who lives in this world so that they know what to bill you. They know how to bill you and how to document it.

Right? I understand that. But I'm saying that we still we're talking about still having debris everywhere. So that is my concern that we still look like that we are in a disaster. So how are we going to do? Are we are we going to tell our constituents that they have to wait two or three more weeks before we can get that debris moved from their yards?

I think I think uh public works continues to pick up. they continue to sweep the the city and continue to pick up because what happens is they pick up and they have an area clean and then people bring more debris to the street. So, it's not that they're not making an impact, it's that more limbs are brought out after they're picked up because people don't want to bring out everything at one time. So, they are making an impact. It's just that it's a gradual process.

And that happened to us in 21. It was really about a month before all of the debris was really the impact was really seen. So them the contractor not able to come for a couple of weeks is really the best case scenario. Yes, ma'am. But okay, I I I get what you're saying, but I'm in my cons in my area and this and I can see that this debris has been out there and no one else is moving anything and it's still there. So, that's what I'm concerned about and I'm sure just not my ward, but there are other areas that's looking the same way. issue.

That's why that's why I'm asking have we looked at smaller persons just now I'm not saying to cut limbs or whatever to assist the city in getting these limbs that are already on the street by people houses. Can we get those moved because it's February 17th now and we still have not made a dent. Can I real quick, Miss WZ? The public works has already engaged local trucking company to assist to increase their efforts and they've been running anywhere from two to four extra dump trucks to help speed up this effort. But at the end of the day, there are thousands and thousands of loads of debris to get out of the city. So,

oh yeah, I understand that it's going to take time at the end of the day. And that's why getting in one of these companies who specializes in this and has the equipment. They have these 130 yard trucks. That's going to be the the quickest way to get this uh debris cleanup completed. Okay. You said that we've contracted some trucks. Who who have we contracted? Who? Joe Reed. Joe Reed has the hauling price for the city and he's been assisting public works. Okay. Well, um do y'all have some kind of schedule or are you doing the schedule for limb pickup? Are you going to different areas or are you just doing one area till it's done?

Are we trying all areas still within a week even if it's not finished? No, ma'am. So, we started north of Cleveland. We started everything on Rosemary and we're working south. Uh we made it to college last night. College to and to fourth and then Pierman. So that's where we're stopped at and gonna pick back up right there today. Okay. You make it to Pierman because that would have been me. I don't think you made it to Pierman. We'll see today.

Not back to my B. Not Pman. Question. I know Ste is doing all he can do. Josh, when can we get started with these guys? Uh, first step, sign the contract and we'll we'll engage them and try to get them here as soon as we can. And I I think like I said, they told me one to two weeks. You need a motion for the contract? Yes, we do. Yes, sir. I I have one other question. Would they show us proof of uh their insurance and that they are in uh compliance and good standing with the state and all that? Once we Okay. Yes. All that's in the contract.

I didn't see it. I got a motion by Getty. Second by Ted. All in favor? I opposed. Thank

the only point I I want to add real quick. I would highly encourage everyone you talk to to get all their limbs to the street. All these limbs have to be in the street right away for them to get picked up. uh the quicker they get them to the street, it'll it'll limit the number of passes. We've talked to these guys. We're thinking about they're going to have to make three passes on every street in town. It just further delays this process. So, the more encouragement we can get to get all this debris on the street right away, we can cut down the number of trips and get this completed quicker.

Josh, it would be great if we would have a schedule so we would know when they're coming. So our so we our people will say that okay we we're here and we're two and three weeks out definitely as soon as we'll definitely work with them and we'll get one lined up and make sure all that's published to all the alderman. Okay thank you Josh. Yes sir.

One one more thing just for the people at home when you say get it to the street don't drag it out in the street just get it to the side of the road. That is correct. Within about 10 feet of the curb is all that's required. Uh so and that is FEMA requirement is actually state law, but also uh this contractor will not touch anything off of public road right away. Can we get a little notification out to so people will know that? They'll publish it. Okay. Social media. Yes, sir.

Thank you. But I would love to uh have a schedule when they will be uh when we will have Joe Reed or whomever over in these different areas so we would know to so I will be able especially I'm talking for war one so I would tell my constituent when to expect uh these limbs uh pick up from their yards can you just keep Miss WZ um yes ma'am updated when you're getting in that Jackson. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you. It's good to see you. Good to see you.

Hey, good morning everybody. The consent agenda is in front of you. Needs a motion and second to approve unless you have questions. Motion. Motion by Robert. Second. Second. Danny by Danny. All those in favor? I um

second. We have anou that basically verifies between us and the sheriff's department that all our employees are covered by the city and uh how the uh rules operate for the shooting range out here uh out by the uh out by the jail. Uh needs your approval. It's in the drop box unless you have any questions. No, I I read it. I just want to make sure the chief's in agreement with it. Right. Yes, sir. I am. Okay, then I make a motion we approve. Second. Motion by Gains Fleti. Second. Second by Vine. All those in favor? I opposed. Okay.

And and then far as I know, there might be a couple of questions in executive session. There's a a wastewater question we have to discuss. All right, Billy. Good morning. I have one uh one item. Uh I need to make a recommendation. Public committee made the recommendation to appoint Ronda Anderson Rimemer to fill unexpired vacancy of Kim Russian. Motion motion by uh I don't know who made that motion. Robert that motion second I'd say Robert Marshall. Robert M. Robert first think that's it. All those in favor I

rock I've only got one thing today and that's the approval change over number four for our apron expansion project and it's still within in bud. So motion by Ted second by burn. All favor say I. Uh post. All right, Christian. Morning. I just need an approval of our pickle ball fees and the schedule. I'll make a motion we approve it. Gary and Danny.

Motion by Gary, second by Danny. All those in favor? I I post. All right. Is that all you have? Yeah. Um, I uploaded the fitness grant uh of the court for y'all to look at. And there was some wording uh that we noticed that we're going to kind of get the agreement um the wording fixed in the agreement and y'all will be submitted to to look at that and sign that in the future. All right. And this is and this is contingent upon us getting uh funding from the hospital foundation, right? Correct.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Okay. So, there's no need. Do we need to approve the grant, Michelle? No, sir. Not yet. Okay. All right. Thank you, Heather. Yes, I have the employee action recommendation. several on there except the executive session item needed approval unless you have any questions. I'll make a motion to approve. Motion by Gary. Second. Thank you. Second by Brian. Is that who that was? Yeah. All in favor?

Okay. Uh M Michelle. Yes. Um I announcements

I I have a couple of announcements that I wanted to share uh while we were live. Um just a reminder about the revealing of the marker for Commissioner Willie Simmons Monday, February 23rd um at 11:00 a.m. Remember that's right there close to the caboose uh downtown. So if everyone can put that on your calendars, we would love to get everyone out for that. And then also um we're doing the collection of peanut butter uh for March of the mayors uh 16 jars of peanut butter to go to the food pantries. Um that will continue until February 27th. So everybody bring your jars of peanut butter. Um we're collecting at several locations. Um for the city it's the police department, city hall, the train museum, um public works, but then also the chamber, um planners bank, museum. Several locations in town are collecting peanut butter. So everyone bring your peanut butter um to help with March of the Mayors, um and help feed the hungry.

I bet churches also repeat the drop off. Um I think there are some churches that collect and take it to the drop off. They usually bring it to city hall. the churches collect and they they um bring it to city hall, but there are a couple that are collecting. Yes, sir. I have a question, Michelle. Is there going to be a time when they are boxing it or packing it? They are. Yes, ma'am. The packing party is March 2nd at the number one fire station and that starts at 9:00 a.m. We We need volunteers for the packing party. So, anyone that wants to help with that, we definitely will take the volunteers. And that's what the March what now?

What time? Monday, March 2nd. Yes, ma'am. 9 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Packing party. Yes, ma'am. And that that's a lot of fun. So, anybody that wants to volunteer for that one, I can go do something like without That's all I have. Mayor Okay, Robert. Mayor, I don't have anything. I was about to tell Michelle I was going to nominate Gary as a volunteer, but Mayor, I'm good. That Gary's quite a packer. All right. Well, I I can pick up a jar of paint,

Marsha. I don't have anything. Zena. Um, yes. I have something. I'm just concerned about uh also those potholes that we have in the road as it relates to the um the storm. I want to know whether we're going to have contract somebody even to help to make those repairs cuz I was on um over there on North Bio and they have potholes everywhere. M matter of fact, I sent this pictures to Michelle, so I don't know whether she shared those or not. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.

So, that's something we're going to have to look at, too. Mayor, we have those all over the the city. Thank you. And we have to end up getting held apart. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. No more than I went to Charles Hayne funeral and I made him a statement how well the city had missed him and the number of years that he worked and we as a whole really miss his work from the city. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate that Ted. Yeah. Thank you Jerry. I'm good. You're good. Brian, I'm good Mr. Mayor.

Danny Abraham. He's muted but he said okay. Okay, that'd be the best way. Uh, I don't have anything. Brian, would you like to go to an executive session? Yes, sir. Danny, is this going to be employee action or Yes. Yes. Okay. I'll make a motion we consider entering executive session for employee action items. Motion by Brian. Second. Second by Gary. All in favor? I

I'll make a motion we enter executive session for the same Motion by Brian, second by Danny. All those in favor I post. All right.