City Council - Regular Meeting

be a lighthouse for this world. Mr. Clue.

Yes.

Mr. Washington or Mr. comments from visitors. If anyone have wants to address the council, but the council won't um address you tonight, but uh please come to the podium and give us your name and address and you'll have about 3 minutes.

Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir.

Uh my name is Bryant Little. I'm with the uh George Washington Carver uh cultural center board. Uh as many of you know, the uh apartment complex is 99% complete. Uh we had the open house which several of you attended a couple weeks ago. Uh I myself am very proud of this project. Uh I went to sixth grade at Carver Elementary School. meant a lot to me. U part of that process uh that we're continuing on is to place a granite marker on the corner of Carver Drive in Westminster. Uh this granite marker will be similar to the one across the street uh commemorating the Fulton 200 anniversary. I've placed in front of you a uh kind of a layout with the text that I came up with for this marker. U my personal goal of this whole idea was to keep the history of that school, the dedication of Dr. Carver in 1937 and what that school meant to that community before segregation. I mean before desegregation afterwards and even in the time after the Pton public schools relinquished ownership of that it was still an important community focal point for the fourth ward. We'll call it the

fourth war. Uh what we would like for the city uh is to help us with the cost of that marker. Uh I believe the county has agreed to uh provide us with some funds. Uh I think Callaway Bank has and the historical society. So, if the city of Fulton would see it in your hearts to help us with that concrete mark, with that granite marker, uh we would greatly appreciate it. Uh I think it's going to mean a lot to the city. Uh I went by her this morning and just so proud to see the continuing progress of that piece of property and what it's going to mean. And I've talked to several people that are trying to get an apartment in the building. So, uh hopefully we'll start getting people in there soon. So, thank you. Whatever uh you can agree upon, if so, uh we greatly appreciate it,

Mr. Little. I did want to clarify too that we actually do have that as an agenda item on here. So, it'll be in just a little bit when they'll take an official vote. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. Any other questions? We'll get to those in just a little bit. Okay. Thanks. Thank you. I I was at the ribbon cutting also and that was that is just amazing what they've done up there. They've done a wonderful job. Oh yes all done with local contractor too. So beautiful to help keep that money here in Thank you.

Okay. Anyone else? Good evening. Thanks, Mayor. Matt Goen, 1821 Ashley Court for War 2. Thanks to everyone for their service. My council members visit with each of you on occasion. Just speaking as you continue to honor and look to approve the 2026 budget. Appreciate the time to address just a couple of items and a special thanks to Courtney for taking 30 45 minutes answering some specifics concerning the audit and the budget, working through some topics. But as you know, the 70 to $75 million budget is a quite a large responsibility. It's not lost on the taxpayers who leaves in our community, pays the sales tax, property taxes, things of that nature. And I always like to look at how our money is spent and um you know, can't agree on everything. it's in the best efforts of the community, but there's been some decisions in the past that a lot of people don't want to talk about or look at. But I hope it guides us in the future because the decisions that are made continue to impact issues in the future, whether it's one year, two year, 5 years, 20 years out and I'll mention two or three, not to raise any hairs on anyone's neck, but just to be a reminder of what these topics and the it was I would call it brings. Tanglewood Golf Course um was defeated by the voters, but backed by the city. We ultimately wound up with that property. We operated um took about $330,000 a year to get past that debt obligation. It's my understanding from looking at the numbers, it about breaks breaks even now. So, that's good. Um but what's the contribution to the bottom line and how much conseration and time do you spend

on those topics? We bought 160 acres on State Road H. I don't know how many years ago we described as the old Yahoo farm that we were planning to put a city dump on and we never did. I'm not aware of anything being done with that property to this day. So, we've got an investment out there that's um not fruitful. The replex was a big community topic and the parks uh committee pushed forth a plan and got the sales tax approved. Um, and we built a building that was probably three times the amount that was pitched to the voters. And it eliminated the option to consider a swimming pool. It eliminated the option to build ball fields on the south end of town. It eliminated putting a splash pad at Cargo Park. It eliminated a lot of things. Um, and we have to work through that. But the reminder is is that we used $4 million in utility reserves to build that property. And then gas cap, frozen gas cap issue in Texas and Oklahoma happened. We went to the state and borrowed $3 million to replenish our reserves on which we are still paying. We still have a million dollar balance according to the last audit. Um, and that's been five years ago. So, we're working our ways out of holes from prior decisions. And I'm just asking as you move forward, and I know you think about it each time you review the budget and the line items to please think of your important role. Um, you're the citizens checks and balances. Um, of course, we employ the city administrators, the CFOs, the department heads, assistant city administrators who we rely upon and I hope they're empowered to have input on the financial needs of our community. But, uh, just know that I'm along with a lot of other people not understand it in great detail, but they do know when things don't get done as they were promised. They wonder where the money's going, things of that nature. I'm wrapping up.

Um, and as you forward. I just wish you wish you the best and I hope um you make the right decisions. I know you make the best decisions at the time, but just know it's mindful of the community's money and I thank you for your time and I'll continue to follow the topic. Appreciate it. Thank you, ma'am. Anyone else want to address the council? Okay, seeing no one, we'll move on um to the approval of the K consent agenda. And the only item on there is uh minutes from November the 18th. I move that we approve the consent agenda. Second.

Very well. We have a motion and second to approve the uh consent agenda. All in favor, please say I. I

oppose. Very well. Thank you. Uh, we have no unfinished business tonight. We have new business. Uh, we have Patrick Bono from Murma here tonight. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and members of the council. Patrick Bono, loss control director with Murma. Murma is your association in risk management and uh loss control work comp everything liability that is our department. I am here to present a grant uh to you which is kind of twopronged. Um, the first of which is money for an AED that I think is going to end up with the electric department and then signage for uh what we call affectionately the MUTCD, the manual on uniform traffic control devices. And oddly enough, and I didn't ask um Bill Ladwick how how big his manual is. How big is your SOP manual? How many pages do you think? 800.

All right. So, we have we have a threshold here. You have heard from Bill as to what it takes for somebody to understand how to arrest another individual and the number of pages that it takes to absorb that information and to deprive somebody's rights, their freedoms. So, what do you think the manual on uniform traffic control devices is comprised of? page wise. Here's the first page, and I just pulled a random page out of it. And this has some chevrons, and this is this is just to go to show you exactly how convoluted their jobs can be in in helping the community. This is a a short diagram on the chevrons. And sometimes we see these chevrons on signage, right? You might see it at at the beginning of a bridge abutment next to a city street. And you might wonder what do those chevrons mean? But if you and this is really interesting, if you drop water on the top of that sign and the chevrons push that water, that is the direction generally your car should go as so as to stay away from that device. So I thought that was kind of interesting. U but the at the end of the quiz is the manual on uniform traffic control devices is 161 pages long. And the goal of that uniformity is just that uniformity in signage. So when somebody goes from Fulton to Mexico or to even Jackson, uh that they're seeing the same types of signs on the city streets and those signs are understandable to them. And uh and to that end, you guys are getting a grant uh between the AED and the signage for $3,200. So this is not automatic money. This is something that your staff has to do to apply for uh in this case it was between

SAM and utilities uh the street department and electric to apply for these funds. So kudos to them for for taking the wherewithal to apply. It's by no means a federal grant. We try to make it as easy as possible. Uh but it is important for us to get the money back into the hands of the members. I mean you you guys created the funds for the association and your proactivity uh gets more money back into the city uh for for the purpose of things like this. Um another sample is signage around the street fair whenever that's going. Sometimes the street department brings in uh signs and barricades to keep people out of the pedestrian areas. Uh some of this will go for um issues like that as well. Specifically though, uh the application included work ahead signs, merge right, merge left, uh right lane closed, and bump and loose gravel. Uh in the I'm sure as you know, in dealing with utilities, we do a lot of road cuts. And so those signs, especially as it pertains to uh work zones, is critically important in keeping our city employees safe while they're working there. So it's really twoprong. a keep all of these guys safe and then give the public a uniform way in which to travel around our work zones. I would be glad to answer any questions. That was a long- winded version. Uh you got the long one. Jackson last night didn't get that. So I hope you feel special. Um but be that as it may, I'll be glad to present this to whoever would accept it. She's She's the

Patrick. She's the one that has to put up with you. So,

do we have any signage for roundabouts? Yes. Yeah. The grant pays for generally speaking there. You have to have a little skin in the game. If you apply for $3,000 worth of MUTCD signage, which could include roundabout signage, uh you'll get about 75% of that back. Uh but you can use that money for any sort of signage on city streets that you so that you see fit. This just happens to be work zone stuff, but yes, next year you could certainly do that.

Yeah. Uh, that's a whole other topic. I won't even touch it. Yeah. Um, you got a line of cars want to go. When one goes, they all want to go. There there's a different approach for everything. Thanks, folks. Thank you, Patrick. Okay, under new business, we'll move on to uh the Cecilia Legacy. And with us, we have Pam Westbrook Hodgees tonight.

Thank you, Hannah. It's good to be with you all. My eyes are a little worse since I was here last time. So, forgive my readers. Um, it is such an honor to be with all of you. Uh today, as our mayor indicated, I'm Pamela West Taj, the president of our newly created Silia Newsome Legacy Foundation, um but also the second great granddaughter of Celia and uh Robert Newsome. Um our vice president of the foundation, Cass, descendant, uh Cassandra Turner, serves as the memorial uh committee chairman. lives in Georgia and was unable to be here both for uh tonight and uh the vigil on Sunday. So I am presenting uh in herstead. Um so I will uh briefly share a quick recap of Selia's story uh very quick just for the benefit of folks who may not have heard her story. The progress we've made um in the foundation and our partners across the state in advancing justice for CIA. quick update on the monument efforts for Celia and then our specific request uh related to the memorial highway designation and uh it is good to see all of you here tonight. So thank you for having us right direction. So really quickly um about Celia, I won't read the slide, but most of you know that Celia's story is a defining part of the history of Fulton of Callaway County and of our country. Uh Silia was enslaved here from the age of 14 to 19. And during those years, she was the unwilling uh concubine of her enslaver, a Callaway County farmer uh by the name of Robert Musa.

She bore two daughters. The younger Jenny uh younger daughter Jenny was fathered by Newsome and is my paternal great grandmother. Uh in June of 1855, Celia was pregnant again and facing another assault. Um she defended herself and Robert Newsome died in that struggle. She was arrested um tried here in Fulton. And that now infamous case, the state of Missouri versus Celia slave, um is taught in law schools across the country. Um unfortunately, because Selia was enslaved property, she was uh unable uh to uh claim self-defense and was not self-defense and was not afforded uh the protections that the law provided. So, while her story is undeniably tragic and painful to confront, it's really story of profound courage and resistance and Fulton is at the center of both her historic suffering and the history making making justice that is now finally being secured in her name. So, I'll talk a little bit about our progress. Um, over the last two years, um, Celia and Robert New descendants shown um on the slide, as well as the city of Fulton, both to community partners and stakeholders across Missouri really have come together to give Celia the dignity, recognition, and justice that she was denied in life. So, I'm really proud to share that this coalition now turned into a adorable foundations. It's had a lot of wins for Celia. We've installed a Celia exhibit at the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Museum. We've established the Celia Newsome Legacy Foundation uh which is a legitimate 501c3. We've secured um the governor's pardon for Celia uh with the help of of many of

you who are here. We've partnered with the US Forest Service to add the Celia site at the Robert Newsome Farmstead to the National Registry of Historic Places and we've collaborated with Senator Travis Fitzwater to pass Senate Bill 348 creating Celia Day, human trafficking awareness week um and the Celia Memorial Highway, which brings me um to our next um update. So, has confirmed the designated location on Highway 54. Uh it's one mile east to one mile west of the Middle River Bridge. I don't exactly know where that is, but maybe maybe you all do. And so they will be marking that location with two signs on either side of the memorial highway. the um the the MDOT's memorial designation program uh basically cost $2,900 to uh fabricate the two signs. Again, we're very grateful to Senator Fitzwater for creating this opportunity to to honor Celia. Um and and our ask is really simple. We we're asking the city support and covering the cost of of the two signs. Um and mayor, if you're amanable, I've got two more slides to provide updates on the bronze and some other and one other thing. I can um finish those two slides and then and then we can conduct the business. Um but I'll go to the um the rest of the presentation right now and give you a quick update on the monument. So the board voted the board of the Silia Newsome Legacy Foundation which includes

um Fulton leaders Tom Clav and uh Carmen Brand the board voted late this summer to um propose that the site that the bronze for Cilia the life-size bronze be placed at the new justice center. So, we will present a formal proposal to the Callaway County Commissioners in early Q1 2026. We wanted to have a contest to design the monument uh first and then present both the estimates, the proposed location, and um all of the financials including money we've raised to date to and all present all of that in the package to the commissioners uh for their consideration. And again, We've raised approximately uh $10,000 um towards the bronze and we've got a long way to go. So, this is a longer term effort to raise the money for the bronze, but we wanted to um at least have the approvals in case we need that for some of the grant applications. And then finally, we wanted to invite everyone here to the candle light vigil. As usual, uh, Pastor Washington will will open us and and bring the invocation. And many of you, uh, come every year. And so, we are excited this year, Celia's third great granddaughter, who is the head of legal aid for the state of New York, will uh, deliver the keynote. And so, she spends her career fighting for justice for New Yorkers. And, uh, we're excited she'll get to meet all of you. So, that's really um our update and again our ask was for the support uh for the the highway signs and I'll pause and ask if there are any

questions and hopefully Kathy I didn't go over you said the cost was 2900 the exact cost per the representative at MOD is $2900 and thatcl includes installation, fabrication, etc. Yes, sir. Any other questions? Okay, Pam, I uh I want to commend you on the I know you had a lot of there was a lot of people involved, but

you led the you led the charge down there. I know when I were emailing back and forth and back and forth and then finally you was about a week or so later you me

I can't tell you how many angels were working from behind the scenes. Oh, I know there were

it just the association here. Um, Lieutenant Governor Keho, the the Hersian, Silver Dollar City, the the county prosecutor here, Judge St. I mean, literally everyone had a hand in securing the justice and we wouldn't be here without um, everyone pitching in. So, um, this is the very definition of teamwork for sure. But, thank you for Thank you. Anybody have uh have an idea what they want to do or not do? Mr. Mayor, I think that this is a um just a fabulous way to to honor um a piece of history that was hard to hard to accept and hard to face. And um I know that the story of Celia has definitely um touched a lot of us in town and as far as learning about her in school. And I think that if our budget allows for it to spend the $2,900 for signs would be great. So, I would like to make a motion,

okay,

to go ahead and do that for the $2,900. But they won't start. Okay,

Mr. Mayor. Yes, I'd like to second. Okay, just uh any further discussion? Yeah, just additional discussion. Of course, uh just to speak to Mass Point on budgets, right? I know looking at our special projects, uh we don't have unlimited funds and there's some other things we'd like to look at funding. So, uh $2,000 may be more appropriate to make sure we have the appropriate funds to fund maybe other things we would like to fund. Um, so just a discussion point before we finish up with the 2900 that is on the tables. Okay, we have a motion on the floor and a second. Any other discussion?

I think actually to amend that motion to $2,000 would be a good idea. Okay. I I have a question. Are there other entities that you're also requesting assistance from or is it just us? I do too. The bronze.

Okay, we have a motion. One of the reasons why I was asking the question, it was two of the individual was brought to my attention that we don't because we it's a it's a touchy situation because If it's towards an individual group or you know just the individual that we want to that we want to donate or ask for funds what's going to stop us from other people coming and say hey you did it for this group so why can't you you know do it for so we wanted to be careful on that reason why asking is this something like uh uh to the legacy foundation that we're doing something for Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. We have a motion. I do want to clarify as well. And Councilman Luther, I appreciate your statement and I was going to echo what Mr. Goen said. Yes. Sticking to budget is very important. So, I know you have amended your motion to $2,000. Councilwoman Reclude. Was your second still standing with 2,000? Okay. Just for the record. Okay. Mr. Mayor. Okay. All in favor of the amendment, but Mike's got Oh, Mike.

Well, to the points that were made over there um is we something we if we support this, there may be other people that come along later and say, "Well, you supported this, you need to support this one." And it's hard to pick winners and chooser winners and losers on this kind of stuff. That's not the function of government. Um, and although I think this is a tragic tragic incident in our in our history, I I really struggle with this and and and these sort of requests to support a um a charity if for lack of a better word. I don't know better word. So, I'm really struggling with this one.

Okay. We have an amendment bill. You want Yes. with with all my with all my heart I support the Celia Foundation and um I would like to donate some of my own money yeah I can do that

to the Celia Foundation but I'm not sure if it's in the good interest of the city to put ourselves in the position where we might have to donate to other things to be equitable I think I think it might be a we might putting ourselves in a position to donate to other things then to be fair. And so I'm I'm finding it very difficult to make a decision on this because like I said, I would support with my own money 100%. I love I love this foundation. I support it with all my heart, but I'm not sure that we are if we vote this in that we are being good custodians of the voters and our taxpayers money. So,

and that's the struggle I have. Okay, we have an amendment first and a second to reduce that number down to 2,000. All in favor of that reducing the uh amount. All in favor of that say I oppose. Okay. Now we'll mo vote on the original amendment. What? Let's do a

only to reduce it to the 2,00 roll call. Let's do a roll call vote. Not toward it. Only for all favor. They're all in favor. You're okay with that. Okay. Thank you for clarifying. I appreciate that. All right. Now, we'll vote on the original amendment, I guess. Uh, real quick, Mr. Mayor, uh, real quick. So, just to clarify, $2,000 to the foundation. So, just clarify, where is this? Any discussion on that?

Yeah, as far as the money, Courtney, would you like to elaborate? So, we have special projects, right? Yes. So, these funds would come from the council special projects line. Thank you, Councilman. Um, and so again, these these funds are at the city council's discretion as to what you wish to contribute um up to $2,000 in order to stay within our within our budget for 2025. Um, but otherwise, these funds are fully at the city council's discretion as to which projects you feel are appropriate. M. Yes, ma'am.

If I if I may, um, the If u if operationally it would help the city could make the payment directly to the Missouri Department of Transportation for the signs. It does not have to flow through the foundation. That's not that's not necessary at all.

Mr. Mayor, in instead of making a a quick decision, would it be possible for us to make this to take this vote at the next meeting or is this something that we need to do? Well, we we need to do it before the end of the year because we have the budget. We have money in the budget this year left over we can use for Okay.

I I also um struggle with this just a little and and I agree with um what Councilman Henchie was saying. I support this and I think that this is a wonderful cause and I am so excited that um the state of Missouri is recognizing this um and that Fulton also is a part of that. Um but I I am wanting to echo kind of what was said on this side and a couple of questions that were um on this side as well. I want to make sure that we're being fair and consistent across the board. Um, and that what we're doing for one, we're doing for all. And I think that maybe we need to figure out as a council what falls into these categories and where we're spending our money. You know, I know in the past um some of the things that we've done have been uh community oriented that have affected everyone as a whole. Um such as the um light display where we've contributed to those um and and yes, Junth the celebration, you know, that kind of affects our whole community and and um our nation as a whole. Um, so I I do struggle with this just a little bit because I don't know if it falls into a category where in the future are we going to set ourselves up to have to donate to things that maybe we don't necessarily support all in like we do this. Um so so I am I am struggling just a little bit on this side as well

where whereas this is just one individual um like the George Washington Carver Culture Center board is a an establishment a a a building and something that's part of the community. There's there's a difference with that because it's it's it's a it's something in our in our it's it's a building and it's something that is part of our history. This is part of our history too, but it's not a single person. It's it's a it's a community. So I echo back to that that I'm have finding very much of a struggle with this.

Councel, I have another question. So if we take the 3 $2,000 here, will we will we have funds for the Carver memorial thing? Yes.

Okay. All right. Thank you. I wanted to make sure it wasn't the same money we were talking about um there again. But there could be thing I mean I could come up with a list of things that a lot of us might find morally offensive that somebody came along wanted to put up a sign for something we'd have a struggle with. And that's that's the dilemma is how do you draw this line? Okay. Thank you. That's all I had. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor, please say I. Mr. Mayor,

too quick on me. So, uh, just uh to Councilman West's point. So, but this was approved, I guess, clarification by um Governor Kho or was it Travis Switzwwater for as far as this dedication of the this section of the highway? I'm so sorry. Can we get you to come up to the microphone so on the recording they can hear you as well? Thank you.

Yes. So, Um, two things. The bill, Senate Bill 348 was sponsored by Senator Fitzwater and it established Celia Day sexual I'm sorry, human trafficking awareness week in April, second week in April in Celia's honor and it established the Silia Memorial Highway, which is that stretch of 54 that I mentioned earlier. Um, one of the things I just wanted to say, uh, Deputy Mayor, to address your concerns about the impact, one of the, um, goals of the Silia Louis Legacy Foundation is the support of modernday survivors of sexual assault. And so, all of the work that we'll do around Celia Day will be done in partnership with Cardi. And Carney will be receiving a donation, what we think is a donation from uh the Silia Legacy Foundation at uh Sunday's vigil. So um to connect the past to the present, we honor Celia by standing in the gap for modern day victims. And so we'll be locking arms with with

basically that's what I was looking at. It's not so much an individual, but it's it's a it's a it's a Yes. So So I understand that and I thank you for sharing giving us that added information. So, I'm good with that.

I have a question, too. Can we verify if the stretch of highway is actually in Fulton? Okay.

Yeah, it's down. Yes. So, Senator Fitzwater specified that location. I have no idea where they are. So, when they I see these signs all the time around the state. So mod do they that's not part of their budget to provide those signs when they do something like this. It's it's not. So Senator Fitzwater told us that there would be a cost. He thought it would be closer to 4,000 but as it turns out it's only 2900 but he did tell us it would be a small cost. Okay.

When you see these signs that says family whatever they have to pay for those. If we were to table this or if this wasn't approved tonight, when is the deadline? Like did they say whenever you raise it, that's when we'll do it or did they say it has to be okay in six months?

Okay. Council, I recognize there's a lot of conversation here and I I can appreciate wanting to be very mindful of the use of taxpayers dollars. That's what we're all here to do. Um, I would encourage you, while it's difficult to go ahead and make a decision, this money is available in the 2025 budget, it is fully at your discretion as to how it's paid. Um, moving forward, I do think it's appropriate to have a policy or set some parameters, whether that's based on whether something is sponsored as a Senate bill or not. There's a a million different ways we could look at that, but I do think in all fairness, um certainly to the the Celia Foundation and and everyone here this evening, I think it's appropriate to go ahead and move forward with a decision one way or another. And then from there, I I think it is also appropriate to set forward some parameters on how we utilize those funds moving ahead so that we don't set any precedent unintentionally if that's the concern. awarding $2,000 to the CD awarding $2,000 in support of

specify whe Okay. All in favor of that motion, please say I. I Yes. Yes.

Yes. We'll touch base. Thank you very much. I'll connect with Kathy and if it would make uh deputy mayor feel more comfortable, we can certainly make the check directly payable to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Yes, sir.

Carver Cultural Center board. Um, you all have any questions? Okay. Um, yes. Actually, I would like to know if the um the print that you've given us, has that been approved by your board already, or is this the final Yes, that description has been approved. The stones been ordered. Uh I'm sure it could be changed, but we had a lot of input. Uh we asked for some input from uh couple members from Westminster College and they agreed that that's was appropriate. We wanted to keep something that was easy to read as you're walking by and not go into a lot of detail. Uh, as far as the names on the back, uh, that was a little bit of a contention. Uh, it's not adding anything to the price. Uh the one thing about the the the members on the back uh personally I feel that somewhere down the road that someone's been involved with this project over the years will want their name added to the bottom of that list. uh we kind of put thank you for all the past members of on this board because please remember that this has been going on for 12 or 15 years. So, and to your

point and not to take away from this road sign, but the as as council member West said or deputy mayor, this is a building. This is going from a whole block, city block of no tax revenue to quite a bit more. I don't know how all those tax credits work. Uh don't get into that. Didn't need to know, but uh it's going to be a substantial increase in the tax revenue for the city. So that's just something that that will kind of give you all a little bit of ownership there too. Any other questions?

I have a question. What's the total cost and what are you looking for the city to contribute?

The total cost for the stone and the concrete pad which we had to provide on the corner. Uh if I remember right, I thought about them this way. into town. It was about $12,000. Uh I believe from what I've been told that the county has offered uh 3,000. So that's just pretty much between the historical society, the county, I believe the Callaway Bank, and the city of Fulton will just about get us covered with what we need to provide that mark.

Yeah. Yeah, somewhere in that neighborhood, give or take. Yeah. Anything else? I make a motion we put $3,000 toward the memorial for the George W Culture Center board. Second.

Yes. I feel I need to clarify this one. I can see a difference on um just barely. I mean this is they're all a struggle but uh you know this is something that got a big part of Fton's history as does the C the Ciccilia thing but this is something that's gone from a segregated school to a desegregated school to now apartments and it's that will a low income and it's also in our it's also in the city limits as well. So, um, there's not a lot of difference, but that's just enough that I can support it. It's something tangible. Yeah. It's something tangible.

Thank you. We have a motion on the floor. All in favor, please say I. I move on to council confirmed. You get to go first. Mr. Um,

y'all like that, don't you? Actually, I'm go first. If you will look at our uh new projector screen, it looks wonderful. If anybody noticed earlier, we were all able to read that. Thank you to the IT department who put that up.

Awesome. Yes. Thank you very much. Um, as far as uh not so much concerns, but questions. Uh again, I know I've seen several good communications go out uh by our city departments on the upcoming changes in um recycling fees, utility rates. Uh please just uh ensure we keep those communications going and not everyone sees maybe is on social media at the time the post is issued and of course as most of us know those posts quickly go away. Uh so please keep those going. I appreciate the updates too that we can uh tell our constituents about these updated fees uh especially on recycling. That is a a large change in price there. But definitely appreciative of the explanation as to why. Additionally, with uh the holiday season coming, will we be doing the recycling rolloffs again at the designated locations police station? And

then what's the other one at the old Moers parking lot? Is that right? We will clarify and that will be part of our Awesome. Thank you for doing that. Um, as far as appreciation again, just to the city, um, especially through the winter weather that's coming and has come, uh, I know we had a utility outage that was, uh, actually out in the county. Um, I heard about that at work and I was appreciative it wasn't the city, so thanks for that. Um, but definitely thank you for everything you do and a merry Christmas.

All right. Councilman Combmes isn't present. Councilman Washington. Yes. Uh, just a couple of things. Uh, has been brought to my attention. and the demolation um on Jefferson of those two brick buildings. Um I guess they wouldn't they didn't make the the list. I guess is that anything that the city is looking to try to involved in and find out if we're going to take those things? Are we going to take those?

I do know specifically we've been approached with someone who has some interest in those two buildings. Um, in 2026, just to kind of give a little bit of of insight, uh, the goal for the city of Fulton would be to offload and get rid of some of those surplus properties, whether they're ones that need to be demolished or their green spaces that someone could build something on. Uh, we've been working with our city councelor very closely on the process just to make sure that we hit all the legal requirements that we need to. So, specifically on the ones you're talking about, Bob, though, we do have someone who's very interested in those.

Well, thank you. And um and also um um I just I thank the city for uh all the workers, all the work they had put towards um just the cold weather thing. It's it's a great thing that we got good city workers willing to get out there and and support our community. Yes, Mr. Mayor. Um, there has not been a public utility board meeting since the last council meeting. Um, I would like to echo what Brad said. Um, regarding recycling, I know that we have had a pretty significant change with that fee. Um, I think I've gotten more phone calls regarding recycling than I probably have any other issue that we have talked about. Um, but as a representative and the liaison for the utility board, um, I want to make sure that everybody understands that as a board, this was this discussion was really brought up. Um, it's something that we had talked about and we didn't feel like that it was fair for all of our citizens to have to assume the cost um for those that chose to recycle. So, I do I do acknowledge the fact that it is a large increase in that fee, but it's also something that's elective and it's something that we have to be able to cover the cost on. We can't um be pouring a lot of money into um something that is elective for people and lose money on that when there are so many

other projects within our city that we need to address such as the streets. Um you know, maintaining our lights, maintaining the fact that we want to be able to push our snow, you know, those are things that we have to have and things that we have to be able to fund. Um where recycling, we were losing money. we were originally awarded a grant to help with that. Um, and that's not something that we um have anymore. And so I think that that's um something that people need to also realize that we can't we can't flounder. We have to be able to provide the services that are needed for our citizens. And so I do encourage you if you have questions on that, please reach out to your council people. I know that I have talked to a ton of people and just the knowledge and the understanding helps people so much. Um so don't ever hesitate to reach out um and ask those questions because usually we have an answer and if we don't um we'll direct you to the person that does. So, I do really appreciate all of the posts on Facebook um and all of uh the information that's being put out to our communities, but we're we're trying to make the decisions that help us as a city to help you as individuals. Um not just because we're trying to make money. That's never the goal. It's just trying to sustain us and trying to provide the best um support that we can to our community. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Councilman Henchie.

Yes, Mr. Mayor. First of all, I'd like to echo what Councilman Nelson said. Um, and it what she said actually echoes what Mr. Goen was talking about with us being responsible for our money and it just falls in line with what he was saying. So, I think he and and I just want to let you know that I'm keeping my recycle bin because I support recycling. Um and and I'm very happy to have that. Now, um one thing I want to do is recognize two individuals. Um Officer West and offer officer Rutled. They were able to get me back an item that I was sto that was stolen almost six months ago and um tonight they got it back and I'm very pleased to get that back. It's back in good condition and uh I appreciate our police force. They are really effective at doing their job and I'd like to say thank you to them for that. And um I our next public safety meeting will not be until next year and I have no more concerns.

Thank you, Councilman West. Okay. Um so which officer West was it? And neither one of them are relation to me, by the way. Yes, it was the the male. Okay. Yeah, that's right. Because they're both married.

Yeah. and welcome to them for for one. Okay. So, yeah, that was something that occurred this afternoon. So, on my property. So, and thanks to your wife for noticing the the intruder we had. Um the human rights commission has not met since our last meeting. We did not have a quorum. Um so, the meeting was cancelled before any of us got there because people let us know that we they weren't going to be available. Um, on the recycling, I am not going to continue the recycling because I don't know and I don't want to I don't know what's really happening with our recycling. Let's just put it that way. The problem in our country is there's really no market for it. Um, and I'd really love to see Congress get behind, you know, getting that getting that going. Um, as an environmentalist, I mean, I believe in in protecting the environment, re reusing things. Um it really pains me to not do that, but for a long time I've suspected that it may not be ending up where I'm hoping it's ending up. Um I don't know. Um so I would like us to continue to explore possibilities to to do, you know, to recycle um as well as as others. And um I really I want to remind everyone um Mrs. Westbrook brought up earlier that we are having the Celia event coming up on the this Sunday the 21st from what was it? 6:00 to 7:30 I think at over here at the courthouse. And um I'd like to wish everybody a happy Hanukkah, blessed Advent, and a merry Christmas. That's all I have. Thank you. I do want to provide just a little clarification on that statement, Councilman West, and and I agree. Unfortunately, I think there's been some misinformation that's maybe been spread about recycling and what happens to

those items when when the city of Fulton collects them. So, City of Fulton collects recyclables and then we take those to a third party off-site vendor. That vendor then determines what they want to do with those materials, where those materials are going to go, if they're clean enough, if the market, you know, if that market is available. Um, but I want to be very very clear that the city of Fulton gathers recyclables and takes those to a recyclable vendor. Okay? We are not taking those items to a landfill unless and I won't say, you know, maybe ever if there was some sort of contamination issue, just to kind of put a little asterisk on that, but when we gather recyclables, they go to a recycling vendor and then it is up to that vendor at that time to determine what they're going to do with those items. we no longer have control at that point when we enter that gate as to what that vendor does with them. So, I did field that question from someone earlier this week. Like I said, I think there was a miscommunication or misunderstanding that the city just decides not to to recycle that and that is not

Thank you for that. Thank you for that clarification. And to support that, too, things like pizza boxes with food particles and things like that should not be recycled. It should only be clean items even though the boxes say you can recycle them. That's right. Yeah. Yeah, don't do that. Okay. Um, Councilwoman Reclu,

good evening everyone. Uh, first of all, I'd like to uh thank Miss Nelson for her uh explaining a few things to um basically have the u u public safety commission has not met and we'll have our next next meeting next year or in January. Um, I would also like to just wish everybody a very merry Christmas and thank everyone for the last year that we've had. I think the city of Fulton has gone above itself. Our associates and stuff have all done such wonderful jobs. We're moving forward and I feel that the future of Fulton is no limit. So, thank you everyone for all the work and things you've done.

Okay, I have no concerns. Councilwoman Hampton. Yes, Mr. Mayor. Um, I would like to give a huge shout out to the um to the parks and wreck for our field of flights. I think that it is beautiful to drive through and I know that lots of our community members have enjoyed it and um I I cannot imagine what all the work that goes into putting all of those lights out. I know like just to put lights on our house, it's it's like an act of Congress. So, um so I'm very appreciative of of that and I think it's just just a beautiful part of our city and I have no concerns, but I also want to echo the Merry Christmas.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. I too want to uh to say what a fantastic job that parks and breakfast did uh with the field of lights. It's beautiful down there. Um I know you can't go anywhere in town without somebody talking about it. So it's it's fantastic. Y'all did a great job. Uh also in the last few weeks we had a fantastic parade. I think one of the best we've ever had in my opinion. um did a great job. Uh it's been a busy few weeks. I know the Harvard school uh they were able to uh complete most of that and I think have you got the elevator in yet?

I'm not aware that they were Yeah. I'm just going to take his word for it that those uh rooms on the third floor are are beautiful. And Mr. Mr. Mayor, I did see the uh the person who works on the elevator. They were at the Carver School. Good. Uh I think if uh it would uh impress anyone if you would get a hold of one of the board members or probably Councilman Washington and take a tour of that. You will not believe what they've done in there. It is just amazing. Beautiful. Yeah. Um,

I was unable to attend and I would like to get a tour sometime. Sorry, Mr. Mayor. Also, I want to I've seen on Facebook quite a few different times in the last few weeks and I want to just tell people if you have a power outage or if you have a issue with gas or water or whatever and you put it on Facebook, we don't monitor that.

So, you're going to be out. you need to call the emergency line at the uh at the power plant because putting it on Facebook will not get you any service whatsoever. I don't think I don't think Daryl sits there and watches Facebook 24/7, but I've seen it on on Facebook numerous times, people saying, "Well, I'm out of power." Well, you're going to be out of power a long time unless you call the power plant. So, I just want to encourage people if you have an issue, call somebody that can help you. Not Yeah. Brent, we had a big fire out station.

Yes. And they were wonderful about keeping everybody posted as to what was going on. So, we were out for a little over five hours. Yeah. And that was very fortunate. Very professional. Yeah. I think We do when we know about it posting on Facebook which is good that information after you've made the appropriate call then then if you want to put it on there fine but yeah okay I just want to remind people of that.

Okay we'll move on to resolutions. Uh resolution. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, I'd like to request a a break restroom. Five minute break. Oh, sure. Okay. Take a five minute break.

We'll move on to resolutions. Uh, resolution 3596. Councilwoman Hansen, would you read that for us, please? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Resolution 3596, firetruck funding acknowledgement. A resolution on behalf of the city council of the city of Fulton acknowledging the purchase of a 2025 Spartan firet truck and affirming the planned purchase of an additional fire truck in 2026. I would like to make a motion that we pass resolution 3596.

Very well. I think u some of you at least saw the uh truck down here. Uh do we have any discussion on that? Seeing none, all in favor, please say I. I. I. Opposed. Very well. Thank you. Uh, Councilwoman Nelson, would you read uh resolution 3597, please?

Yes, Mr. Mayor. Resolution 3597, contract with the Chamber of Commerce. A res a resolution of the city of Fulton, Missouri, authorizing the mayor and the city clerk on behalf of the city of Fulton, Missouri to enter into an agreement with the Callaway Chamber of Commerce of Fulton, Missouri for services rendered in 2026 and establishing an effective date. I make a motion we pass resolution 3597 at tonight's council meeting. Second. Very well. Do we have any discussion on this? Have a motion and second. All in favor, please say I. I.

Oppose. Very well. Councilman Luther, would you read um resolution 3598, please? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Resolution 3598, professional services agreement with Burns and McDonald. A resolution authorizing the mayor on behalf of the city of Fulton, Missouri to enter into a professional services agreement for an industrial waste survey and local limits evaluation for pre-treatment program implementation with Burns McDonald of Kansas City, Missouri, and re reallocating previously approved funds and establishing an effective date. I make a motion to adopt resolution number 3598 at this council meeting.

Second. Very well. Do we have any discussion on this? Nope. Seeing none, all in favor of resolution 3598, please say yes. Yes.

Oppose. Thank you. Okay, we'll move on to ordinances. Uh this will be first reading on um bill number 1771. Councilman West, would you read that for us, please?

Sure. Bill number 1771 contract and property document signature authority an ordinance an ordinance adding section 2-14 to the city code allowing the director of administration to sign contracts deeds and conveyances of interest in property when authorized to do so by the mayor. I make a motion with to place bill number 1771 for second reading our next regularly scheduled council meeting.

Second. Very well. Do we have any discussion on this? Seeing none, we have a motion and a second for bill number 1771. All in favor, please say I. I.

Oppose. Next we have um bill number 1772. Councilwoman Reclu, would you read that for us, please?

Uh yes, Mr. Mayor. Bill number 1772, enact article 5 of chapter 98, snow and ice control, an ordinance amending chapter 98 of the code of the city of Fulton, Missouri by by repealing section 98-96 through 9898 and entering a new article 5 snow and ice control in there therefore and establish an effective date. I make a bill a motion that bill number 1772 at this meeting for second when Oh yes second when at this meeting okay I'm sorry

do we have a second second I'll second all right we have a motion and second on bill number 177 72. Um, I think this kind of cleaned things up and gives a little more direction to our certainly police department and our road guys as well. So, all in favor of this um Mike, go ahead.

I had a little discussion. Sorry. Um, I'd like to make sure we're communicating this. I'm sure we'll do it through social media, etc. So, we need to um I know obviously we're not going to pass it tonight, but it'll be, you know, next meeting and we may have snow between now and then, but um I think it's a good step in the right direction. And kind of to the point earlier about utility outages, you can sign up for notifications from the city and you'll and you'll get notified of that kind of stuff, too. So, um this would be kind of falling the same boat, I think. Yes, it does. Thank you.

Okay. Any Any further discussion on bill 1772? I I have a question. Was that we are moving it to second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting? It's for first reading. We'll just read it the first time tonight. Move it to second reading at the next council meeting. Wanted to clarify. Thank you. Okay. All in favor of bill number 1772, please say yes. Yes.

Oppose. Very well. Thank you. We'll go on to second reading. Um, Councilman Luther, would you read 17 uh bill number 1770 for us, please?

Yes, Mr. Mayor. Bill number 1770 Nickel Street Improvement Project Tapped-2700 award an ordinance on behalf of the city of Fton, Missouri to execute all necessary documents in relation to a contract with RAD a Baker Construction upon approval from the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Transportation Alternatives Program agreement regarding federal project number TAP-2700 parenthesis 512 and establishing an effective date. I make a motion to place bill number 1770 for third reading at this council meeting.

Very well. Any discussion on that? Seeing none, all in favor, please say I. I. Oppose. Councilman, you want to read that again for me?

All right, Mr. Mayor. Bill number 1770, Nickel Street Improvement Project, TAP-2700, parenthesis 512, award an ordinance on behalf of the city of Fulton, Missouri to execute all necessary documents in relation to a contract with Rad A. Baker Construction upon approval from the the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Transportation Alternatives Program agreement regarding federal project number TAP-2700 parenthesis 512 and establishing an effective date. I'll make a motion to place bill number 1770 for final passage at this council meeting. Second. Very well. All in favor, please say I.

Oppose. M. Madame clerk, would you call roll, please? Yes, Mr. Mr. Henchie. Yes. Mr. Luther, yes. Miss Nelson, yes. Mr. Mloo, yes. Mr. Washington, yes. Mr. West, yes. Is absent. Miss Hansen. Yes. Council members present. Affirmative. Thank you. Now for third reading, uh we have bill number 1764. It's our budget. Councilman Henry, would you read that for us, please?

Yes, Mr. Mayor. Bill number 1764, 2026 budget. an ordinance adopting the official budget and capital improvement program and appropriating the funds of the city of Fulton for fiscal year beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2026. I make a motion to place bill number 1764 for final passage of this council meeting.

Very good. I think we've had discussion. Is there any more discussion? Um, I would like to thank um, Mr. Goen for coming tonight. Um, I am glad that he pointed out some of those things in the past that maybe weren't the best decisions for the city. Um, but I also want to state that within this budget, I feel like that this is probably one of the most sound budgets that I've seen since being on the council. Um, it's conservative, but also we're um, gaining things as a city that we really need. you know, um I think that the fire trucks are a great example. Those are things nobody wants somebody that can't get to you whenever you have an emergency. Um so we're really uh spending the money that we have very efficiently and very effectively and and it's tight. It it's hard. Um things are expensive. Inflation is a real thing. But I do think that this budget was well thought out. It took all of our department heads. We put them together. Courtney and the mayor did an excellent job of collaborating with all of those people um in forming a budget that is again probably the most sound budget that I've seen since since I've been on council. So, I really appreciate that.

I would also like to echo that too and congratulate our our CFO Candy Johnson for a job well done. And I think we also need to recognize our assistant DOA as well because I think she's had a lot of effort in this as well. Yes, absolutely.

I full well uh agree with uh certainly everything that uh Matt said tonight. I have don't disagree with any of it. On the other hand, this council didn't do any of that. So I think we have uh we have probably uh I think um chose wisely on some of the on the way we spend our money here now. Um that was uh some bad mistakes that were made in the past and huh

we're trying we're trying to work our way out of it. I think it's important that we don't classify classify things as rights or wrongs. They were decisions that were made perhaps by other administrations and other city councils, but I do want to say we have a lot of amenities and assets here in our community. Um, and a lot of things that have changed since the time that some decisions were made. So, with that, I'm going to put a positive spin on it and say thank you to all the city staff that manage those departments and those decisions. Uh, thank you to this council for your work on this on this budget as well as as Candy and our ADOA Sam Schultz and Daryl Dunlap. Um, you know, again, there two things can be true at the same time and I think we always need to take a look at the past as we work our way into the future. I appreciate that the city council, this administration, and this team does that on a daily basis. Thank you guys very much.

Okay, we have a motion on the floor. Bill number 1764, our uh our 2026 budget. All in favor, please say I. I oppose. Do the roll call, please. Mr. Luther, yes. Miss Nelson, yes. Missloo, yes. Mr. Washington, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Combmes, Miss Hansen, yes. Mr. Henry, yes. Seven council members. Affirmative.

Thank you. Councilman Washington, would you read bill 1758 for us, please? Yes, sir. Bill number 1758, local tobacco and vaping control. An ordinance enacting chapter 72 of the city of Fulton Code to establish a local tobacco and vaping control, including in permitting sales and restriction to minors and requires signage and enforcement and establishment of an effective date. I make a motion to place bill number 1758 for final passage at this council meeting tonight. Second.

Very well. Do we have any further discussion on that? There was just a slight um change in some of the wording. I believe it it really didn't change anything. I I just had one question. So the it set the the age limit at 21. Is that consistent with the state? I mean, I don't buy this stuff. That's actually federal law. Okay. I thought it was 18. Okay. So, it is for the state of Missouri. They haven't updated their wording or changed their law, but the federal law is 21. Is it right? Okay. Thank you. Okay. Very well. All in favor of bill number 1758, the local tobacco and vaping controls, please say I. I. I.

Oppose. Madam clerk, would you do a roll call vote, please? Mr. Mayor, Miss Nelson, yes. Mr. Clue, yes. Mr. Washington, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. is absent. Miss Hansen, yes. Mr. Henchie, I and Mr. Luther, yes. Thank you. 7. Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Next, we have announcements. Um, our next council meeting will be next year, January the 13th. Um, Legends and Solid Waste will be closed December the 25th and 26 and uh, January 1st. Can I want to remind everybody also candidate filing is now open and remains uh, there through December the 30th at 5:00. Is that what day is that on? December. Tuesday.

Tuesday. Okay. Um any additional information, please contact our city clerk. Um

a couple additional announcements. Mayor, if I may, I do want to point out that Shop with a Hero is this coming Saturday. It's a really exciting program. And um I just want to thanks to to Chief Ladwig of the reminder that you guys may hear sirens beginning as early as 7:00 a.m. Um that's all of our heroes here in Fulton and Callaway County working with those youngsters to take them to Walmart and help provide an amazing Christmas for them and their families. So uh I want to also just give a shout out to Lieutenant Barnes. He puts a lot of work into that program and and it is successful because he makes it su successful. So thank you to him. Um, as Councilman Wes noted or noted earlier, I do want to also point out, please go to our website and sign up for notifications. So, you will see on the main page there's notify me notifications. That's where you can find out about outages, changes to meeting schedules, um, things like our utility rates, all that good stuff. So, please go on our website, check out those new updates that have been made so that it's a little bit more accessible for people, and sign up for notifications, please. Um, lastly, I do want to just say happy holidays to all of you, to all of our city staff, and um, certainly to our citizens. And I want to just speak really quickly again, uh, on our budget. I really feel that the city of Hulton works very diligently to make sure that we use those tax dollars efficiently and transparently. And so, again, as we noted, um, different administrations, different city councils have different agendas and initiatives. I believe that we are all very unified in making sure that we serve our citizens well. We do that well. And so I just want to thank our citizens for the support that you give us. I want to thank all of you up here for the support that you give to our team. Most importantly, I want to say thank you to the team because the work that you guys do and your staff do every single day is what makes our city great. So thank you all very very much and of course we wish you all happy holidays.

I I too want to wish u all the people in Fulton and all of you all these people out there. This is what makes us look good up here. Um and council, I want to wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy new year and a very safe uh holiday season. We do have we're still going to we we do have a uh need for a very short executive session and uh it's going to be u on both a legal issue and an employee issue. We'll also, just to clarify as well, we're also going to discuss negotiations and the lease purchase or sale of real estate.

We move into executive session for those purposes as stated. I second it. All in favor of that, please say I. I. Very good. Yeah. All right. when you leave here, you go home and wrap your presents because the layaway plans are all cancelled now. So with that, Miss Reclu. Yes. All right, Mr. Washington. That's okay. I'm disappointed there's no more layaway programs. Mr. Reclu and Mr. Washington. Mr. West.

Yes. Mr. Combmes. Miss Hansen. Yes. Mr. Henchie. I and Mr. Luther. Yes. Miss Nelson. Yes.

All right. I don't currently live in Fton, but we do have property in town. And I'm so proud of this town and what you guys do. and keep it running. Uh, I've known a lot of you for a long, long time and I've always be proud of this town. So, thank you. No, thank you. Thank you.