City Council - Regular Meeting

after I call it Can't wait to get on my Chocolate milk. Hello. The one thing I didn't say no

You have to keep this after an hour. That's why close session.

Welcome to the April 6th, 2026 regular city council meeting has now been called to order. Would you all rise and say the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance 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. Roll call. Becky Curtis here. John here. John Fer here. Mark here. Ros here.

All right, that takes us to our first public participation. If you'd like to talk to the council, you're more than welcome to come up to the council podium. Sign your name. You have five minutes. Well, that takes us to our first consent agenda. Shelly. Item A, motion to approve the minutes of the March 16, 2026 special joint session with the park board. Item B, motion to approve the minutes of the March 16th, 2026 regular session. I will entertain a motion to pass the consent agenda. So moved. Second. All those in favor say I.

I. All oppose. Passes. Five in favor. Zero opposed. That takes us to appointments. Shelley. Uh, we don't have any appointments. We will have a tip appointment coming up. We just waiting for the tip um committee to get together and make that recommendation. We do have two openings on the code board of appeals, three openings on parkour. Okay. That takes us to our city manager report. Scott,

thank you ma'am. Um so staff has met with several contractors to get a better idea on the windows, siding, the roofs being worked on. We started that work this morning. Um the quotes the quotes that I've gotten for the windows are pretty reasonable. Um I think that's going to be something if it's over 50,000 we need to go out to bid. So um we'll meet on those things when we get all of the details on the types of siding and the brick. The rough estimate we have on windows was about 100,000. The brick was about 420,000. Um so there's some alternative uh vendors looking at quotes. So, we can't take quotes directly to contracts. Um, but so we will come back with that more detailed information as soon as we have it all assembled. Um, let's see. The utility sewer project pre-construction meeting. This this was some of this was written since our last meeting. Uh, we did meet out on site um with our engineer Scott Fleming. The statary extension is going in. They have not signed the notice to proceed yet. I inquired with him today about that. said pre-ordering and getting things lined up with the boring. So, I you know, if I was a contractor, I'd like to have my notice to proceed. So, the engineer uh should be signing that and having me execute that here shortly this week. Uh we are on our new VO bolt system. So, I definitely want to thank our IT director and the police chief and some of his staff as well as Shelley and and our team. It's nice to have phones working in our building. So, thanks to all of you and the vendor for getting that done. Um, MODOT is actually pushing back their project. Um, Chief Mike talked about that. I think I saw him there earlier. Um, they're putting it to May 26 start date or a day after Memorial Day. Yeah, that this project will start

today after one day. And they've also I got notice yesterday that they're going to um they're going to do the crossover first. That was going to be the last phase of the project, but the first phase is going to be the crossover. Then they're going to uh bunch up uh some of the turn lanes uh caddy corner so try to speed the process up the best they can and still flow traffic in a way or the nicest way to make possible. So,

okay. And um we do have the Ginwick meetings this week. There's two meetings actually. The the regular board meeting will be Thursday. Um we do have uh ability to distribute. So, I know they flushed today. I think that's a lot of that's up to Joe and the alliance team to take water, but I believe we're capable to start using it. uh as soon as we're we're legally able to sell and purchase and at this point that's a done thing. So um I I wrote this in the pretense of last week not knowing today's the day we targeted. So I'm told that if you want to turn it on, we're we're there. You have anything you guys want to add on that?

Yeah, the city of Hammer is taking water today. Is it the first day? It is. So, thanks everyone involved in that last meeting. We had some um concerns about Griffin Grove. Um so, I did include some small photos. They do have um fencing installed. They did put out trash receptacles. So, I don't I don't know if they heard our meeting or if I got back to them, but part of just the timing. So, appreciate the the businesses taking care of their trash. Thank you. Stony was in contact with Stony.

Oh, cool. Tony with an S. So, those are all the questions for Scott. Let's start selling that water. We have to get a few things going on. That's all I can say. We need to sell that water $55 million. We better sure sell it to somebody else. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Not our people. We've got some.

All right. All right. That takes us to unfinished business. Shelley, we have a second reading on bill 2026-5. Bill 2026-5, an ordinance authorizing the city of Cameron accounting staff to write off a collectible utility account for the city of Cameron, Missouri. I will entertain a motion to pass bill 2026-5 on the second and final reading by roll call. So moved. Second discussion. We had discussion last time.

We did and I did reach out to some collection agencies. I did get some feedback. There's one that I'm I'm interested in moving forward with. Um we can still go ahead and write off the debt and then we'll go through that list and pick the the high dollar ones and send those off. Um, Carmen helped me also create a list of delinquent accounts from last October, December back two years. So, they're not to the point of being written off, but there are more current debt and we probably have a better chance of getting some of those collected. So, I am going to go forward on that, but I am going to ask that we go ahead and write off um the accounts that are have been two years inactive at this time and we'll go through that and and go through the list and find the ones that are are working to reflections.

Okay. So, that sounds like a big deal, Patrick. So, I know um once we write these off, we still have the ability to to go back out and writing it off as an accounting mechanism and procedure. It is not a forgiveness program. Right. Okay. That's what I thought. That's what I thought. All right. Do you want to explain the other part of that with the um

there's a is a two-step process? So, um for for the first part, it's a flat fee of $8 per account and the city retains control of the account. The payments are still made to the city. So, they're not of our influence. So if somebody comes in and they get the letter, they can come to us, they pay it, we keep all the money, and we can get their utilities turn back on if they're if they're want to start service again. Um the second part of that is um once the first phase is done we go through the list and decide which ones are going to go to the next process which means that um they will start with the phone calls the emails the direct contact and they will be in control of them at that point. The debtor will have to pay them directly keep 40% get 60% and And I also make the suggestion and I'd like to throw that out to the board is well do a like a one-year review. You know, at the end of one year, let's check it, make sure it's worth it,

no throwing money away if it's not. Um, but I just I know after our conversation last time that we thought that if we bring some of this money back in, it's it's revenue, but it's also not letting people off just because they don't want to pay. And I'll be bring I'll be bringing the write off next year at the same time. And since I have um not only that the bad debt amount, I also know what our delinquent accounts are for the last two years that are still out there and we can see if we greatly reduce those. Y All right, Shelley. John Breenidge.

Yes. John Fer, yes. Mark Carr, yes. Rossworth, yes. Becky Curtis, yes. All right, that takes us to new business. First reading for bill 2026-6. Show it. Bill 2026-6, an ordinance authorizing the city of Cameron, Missouri to enter into an agreement with Missouri Department of Corrections for the Puppies for Parole Program. Y I will entertain a motion to pass bill 2026-6 on a first reading. Second discussion. Thank you, Mayor Council. This is something that I'm new to. I actually brought the order here to answer any questions or discuss this over here.

I'm so glad we lost that in 2018.

We're very excited. Whenever I first started, that was one of the things that I kind of wondered what happened to it. Why aren't we doing that anymore? A lot of our dogs that were down there had been there for about two years. So, I knew we needed outlets. Um, and that was a wonderful outlet that we had had before. So, I reached back and at the time they said that they were transitioning hands on trainers and to reach back out. And when I did reach back out a few months later, they said, "Well, we're we're happy and content with the partnership we currently have. So, please keep us in mind in the future. You know, we're right here. We've got awesome dogs. You know, we're willing to do whatever it takes to keep our dogs enrolled in the program. Um, I think it'd be really great for the community, for the dogs that have been here long term." Um, and and so we had a new lady reach out and she said, "Hey, I'm working on this. We're going to get a new contract out." You know, I said, "Here's Spencer." I said, "Send us whatever we need." So, here we are. So, we're really excited. Um, we've got a lot of really good candidates down there that I think would do really well with the program. It's going to give them that socialization that they don't necessarily get down at the shelter. Um, so we're really excited.

It worked really well when we had it before. It just takes a little bit of um offending people. Yeah. And it it wasn't happening. So that's why we lost them.

Well, I think between all of our between Alysa and Rachel and I, we can do whatever needs to be done. Picking up, dropping off, making sure we stay up to date on their veterinary stuff, anything like that. But it seems very straightforward to me. And that once the dogs are fully vetted, from that point on, we they stay for about 90 days, I believe. And then at that point, they help us with marketing as well to help them find homes. So, you know, hopefully by the time they're ready to graduate, we have a home lined out for them or a few meet and greets and um we get to the training with them as well, so they stay up to date on it in case that they do have to come back to the shelter for a little bit. So, hopefully with rescue partnerships and everything, we can send them on their way and keep them keep them going. So, we're really excited.

Yeah. Thank you guys. Georgia, what is the cost to the city? Is is there This is actually a free program. So, That's what I thought. Our only requirement is that the dogs u meet their standards, which is pretty I mean they need to be friendly dogs, good with other dogs, good with people, things like that, which we've we've got that. And then the dogs have to be fully vetted, which is already something that we would do anyway and state required per our adoption. So, what we're already doing except instead of staying down at the shelter, they're going to get to go into the the prison program and work on training and basic manners and things like that. So then how do you market them after they've been there the 90 days?

I think that they work with us on pictures and updates and things like that as well. So they kind of keep us in the loop on how they're doing. I think they also do videos of them, too. And we also have videos of them prior to. So we would most likely make a post and say, "Hey, we're super excited. This dog's going to go, you know, be a part of the puppy parole program. We're looking forward to when they get out. you know, we'd like to set up meet and greets and just market it about the same way as we do now, except they're going to come with all the training and everything. Do they stay there at the prison until they're out? They do. So, they kennel train them. They teach them all the basic necessities and they're with someone with a prisoner. Oh, I know. It's really good. It's been

Yeah. And those inmates, I think, you know, they've really had to work hard to get to the point where they're they're allowed a dog. But the new at the prison is very excited and all the people that work there as well are really anxious to to get the dogs in there because it's kind of a entire workplace experience. It's not just for a certain department. Everybody kind of gets to meet the dogs and um sometimes even the people that work out there end up adopting the dogs. So that's pretty exciting. Georgia, you've done an amazing job with animal shelter and I do, you know, you do the complete picture. You take care of cats and dogs and there wouldn't be any hiccups in the program.

Yeah, I appreciate you're the best. I appreciate the support and in the times that I haven't been here and very kind things have been said, I do appreciate it. Thank you guys. All right. Any other discussion, comments? All those in favor passing bill 2026-6 on first reading say I oppos.

Well, when you don't vote, it's a yes. I know. Okay. It wasn't on purpose. All right. Now, we're going to bill uh bill 2026-7, Shelly. Bill 2026-7, an ordinance for the city of Cameron, Missouri, creating a new article six, outdoor recreation in chapter 9, streets, sidewalks, and other public property in the city of Cameron Code establishing rules and regulations for fishing and camping at the reservoir and city-owned property. I will entertain a vote enter a motion to pass bill 2026-7.

Thank you, mayor and council. We put this together because we kept on getting questions from the public of where they could and couldn't fish and do other assorted items in um the city limits or with city owned properties. Basically, I was getting a lot of phone calls about going to Gagbell. Yes. And fish fishing there because it's supposed to be fishing.

And there Yeah. And so it was written into the business park at the beginning that all fishing would be prohibited there. And then then talking to uh Dalvin, we found out that some of the people that were going out there fishing were parking in front of his doors and he couldn't get anything in and out of his business. And then there was also some other u other items that uh got a little heated on whether they could be their fishing or not. So, in the end, we thought that it would be beneficial for everybody to have one article stating all of the fishing laws so we can point all the public to those fishing laws, which is number six, which basically allows all the fishing out at the reservoirs and it has to concur with all of the conservation department's rules and regulations. And that's where you can fish.

Period. And no camp. So that basically cleans the slate. It's all very easy to read and understand. And so that should We still might get the phone calls, but at least we'll have some one place we go under this statute. There it is. Ordinance, not statutes, but I remember previously you said something about no ice fishing. Yes, correct. That's in there. Okay. And that was more of a suggestion from Murma about not allowing ice fishing.

So we I just about said we floated with that idea, but that was not a good choice. No dynamite fishing. Exactly. Yeah. Good. So, if we wanted to move, let's say, because I continue to hear that there's all these fish out there ke, why don't we talk with the conservation agency and see about sanding them out, take them out there to the reservoir, don't conservation department will do anything you want to as long as you throw money at it. Well, I'm just saying I'm wondering if they would be willing to just do it since we're stopping their

Actually, they're stopping it. They stock the reservoirs, right? But I'm saying if they're taking it from city property, now we own those. We can ask. I don't think that they're going to be hip on the idea, but we can ask. I I think that they have a a calculated balance of types of fish and sizes and sizes that they add to. They don't want to throw a bunch of giant catfish in there or whatever. Yeah. So, I mean, I can hit just a thought. Yeah. I mean, that way if there's no fish out there, no one's going to be complaining about how fish are

Oh, they've never be Well, they'll always repopulate because they'll come in off the the legs of the birds and everything else and it's going to be an ongoing problem, but at least we have a code that we can go to now and say, "No, here it is." What are the other heated things that go on out there of at the business park where you you were talking about something? Oh, just and other heated things. Well, just in items in general in the reservoir area. Yeah. Whether that's I can only imagine trails, camping. There you go.

Um hunting. We've been into that before where you know if we wanted to clarify what could be hunted or not hunted. Um, once again, Murmur was like, "Why why is there an archery area over by where the police practice um at their firing range, right? Doesn't really mesh together well. Uh, why is there a horse trail that goes right through the archery once again and the shooting range and the shooting range doesn't mesh well?" So, this clears this all up of what we're going to do. All right. Any other questions, comments?

All right. All those in favor of passing bill 2026-7 say I. All oppose. Passes. Five in favor. That takes us to our first reading of bill 2026-8. Billy. Bill 2026-8, an ordinance amending the traffic code of the city of Cameron to include violations occurring in construction zones. I would entertain a motion to pass bill 2026-8 on a first reading. So moved. Second. Discussion.

So this is just basic housekeeping. We uh we do not have any uh codes for relating to construction or work zones. So, we're just kind of cleaning this up. Plus, we're going to have lots of construction going on around here. So, uh um the police department is going to be visible in those areas due to the road work. So, it's just something we need to add to our uh codes. Well, you already have like speed limits and all that stuff. So, how does that change it? Does that make does that make the penalty greater? Yes. And that's speeding passing. Can you give us an idea of how much difference that

and it will be set by the courts? Okay. We we haven't sent anything to the court until it if it's passed tonight, then they'll set the uh the fines and court costs. I mean, that's kind of standard operating procedure for it. It'll be high the fines and court costs will be higher in the construction zone. Uh and your guy the ordinance that's in front of the city council is a direct copy paste of the Missouri statutory provision relating to construction zones and state uh ability to enforce that and now just bringing it down to the city level which is common. You guys were kind of the outlier being a city that did not have that increased fine amount for construction zones. Sounds good.

They came out with a new chart for working in construction zone and we went added that we realized we don't have construction zones at all.

Anything else? All those in favor of passing bill 2026-8 on the first reading say I. I. All oppose passes. Five in favor zero. That takes us to our first reading on bill 2026-9. Bill 2026-9, an ordinance for the city of Cameron, Missouri, authorizing a conditional use permit for Ryland Bernett to operate a short-term rental business in a suit C2 general commercial district at 303 Little Brick Street. I will entertain a motion to pass bill 2026-9 on a first reading. Second

discussion. So, has this gone before planning and zoning? And then and then what did the neighbors say about that? They were all informed about it. Um, and we didn't have a single person come into PMZ to discuss it. So, sometimes that, excuse me, sometimes that concerns me because they don't complain about it till after the fact. So, do you foresee any problem with that? Because Ryland's going to be living right there. He's going to be living in the house, right? So, it's just going to be a short-term rental house. And how define short

according to what the P&Z group came up with in the list under section two? Um, I think I think it's 14 days. Yeah. 14 days. Is he doing this anticipating like the soccer? I think that just happened to happen at the same time. Okay. That's all I had. He I'm not too sure that Ryland was concerned about he didn't bring up the soccer. He's not a soccer fan. Yeah. If you know Ryland soccer. Um so yeah. You want to go ahead and talk to us about what this is?

Oh, sure. Uh thank you councel and mayor. So this is just a short-term conditional use permit which is required if someone wants to change it. This is in a C C2 district. Um and so that's why it has the conditional use. And so he put this in. We went through P&Z. It passed unanimously. Um just for everybody to know under section two he Ryland has agreed to the occupancy and it will be limited to a reason a reasonable number of guests consistent with the size and the layout of the home. Um the property will not be marketed for or used for weddings, parties, receptions or large group events. guests will be informed and required to follow all the house rules and be educated on those rules whenever they come in. Um, some of the house rules will the noise expectation quiet hours at 10 10 p.m. Occupancy for parking requirements, which would be the biggest thing I think everybody would complain about. They've got to park on property. They cannot park on the street. um general guest conduct. Guest uh who do not comply with these rules will be will not be permitted to continue to stay. I already said about 5 hours to 10:00. Um and the parking we re reiterated that twice in there to make sure everybody saw. Um, it is the rental use is designed to operate quietly and responsibly with minimal impact to surrounding properties. And like I said before, 14 days maximum. They're not going to do any structural changes and no exterior appearance changes.

Is this voided if he sells the house? Yes. That's why it's conditional use. If it was a variance, then it would stay with the property. But since it's conditional use, it only stays with him. Now, this is the second one we've done in our community. Correct. Okay. And that other one, is that still operating? As far as I know, it's on Third Street is with Carissa Hmerson and and but that was before me. This first one I So, everybody has to go through this when they want to do it STR. Yeah. Okay. Well, I know of another one that didn't. Yeah, there's a few.

Uh I will say enforcement of STRs and prohibiting them is with a staff of your size would be essentially impossible. Um, every city deals with it. The biggest issue is that if you go on to like VBO or Airbnb and you can see them listed, it does not give you the address until you book. So, you would have to then take the picture, drive around, and then also show up on a day where they actually had guests there, be able to prove up a violation. Most people are attempting to do what you all are doing with the conditional use permits and letting it be known that this is what you need to do and seeking compliance that way. Then also through neighborhoods are unless

I'm then we'll give it to Stony. I'm no expert on bread and breakfast but my daughter from Columbia comes up here and she says they're always filled. She uses one right east of town on Pearl 36, but probably going to be outside the city limit, but she said they're always well experience. That's one of the things that we're going to talk about at P&Z coming up is since we don't have a full-blown chapter,

it's an it could be. So, you said you were thinking about getting what was it you just said you were getting? We're We've already discussed it at PNZ, but I I haven't got anything truly together on the rules and regulations for short-term rentals in the future so we can have it actually documented in an ordinance about what is allowed and what is not allowed.

Um, Patrick and I have talked about it and we're going to move that forward. There's a proposed draft that we've been circulating. I will also be it is remarkably similar to all of our other client cities that have decided to allow short-term rentals. Again, just like the conditional use permits, mainly focused on quiet hours, parking, occupancy amounts, things of that nature. I would also note that utilizing the conditional use permit process does allow the city to revoke the conditional use. So if there are continued or repeated violations of the restrictions of the conditional use or the subsequent ordinance, the city could act to prohibit it future short-term rentals through that and the number of short-term rentals. And that's another thing we need to look at is how many how many are we going to allow

because those are no longer full. They're no longer fulltime. They have to pay they have to pay the full freight sales tax. That's just regular tax. Hey, lands. What um do you know just off the top of your head what's the average occupancy rate of our hotels in town? I don't know it off the top of my head

because that's these things run in opposition to each other and the hotels are zoned for this sort of thing and they're put aside to avoid the distractions and problems that these things create. And I know I wouldn't want my neighbors to all be rentals and that I I would like to kind of discourage some of this to an extent. I wouldn't want it to get blown out of proportion. I wouldn't want every old house to be turned into a B&B or something like that.

That's what Hamilton ran into and that's why they started num they started limiting the number that could be out there. And it's sure easier to to not have it to object to it in the beginning than it is to try to reel it in toward the end just for all of our s. Any other questions? Okay. All those in favor of passing bill 2026-9 on first reading say I. I.

All oppose. It passes. Five in favor, zero opposed. That takes us to our parks resolution. Resolution 2026-18. Shelly. Resolution 2026-18. A resolution for the city of Cameron, Missouri, authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Hartland Tractor Company for the purchase of equipment for the parks department. I would entertain a motion to pass resolution 2026-8. So move second. Discussion.

Thank you, Mayor Castle. This is uh the parks department recently sold this tractor and some other old equipment on Purple Wave in the preparation for this upgrade. This upgrade will be a 2026 K Cabota tractor and it also comes with a 7 foot finish mower with it. It'll be used in daily operations and landscaping around all of our parks. It's just a old tractor was a 2010 and it was time to get it upgraded. So, um I did get in your package you should see three three bids and This one is the lowest bid that we have and it's local too. So, how many horsepower is it? It's about 40 horse 38wheel drive then. Yep. Yep. Got hydrostat on it.

Oh, cool. Yep. Comes with a front end loader on it as well. The ball rock or mulch or anything else. Any other questions? So, parks wants to spend the money at this time on this. The the great thing about this is, John, it's no extra money coming out of budget. All the sale from equipment that we've sold and the tractor, it covers this entire purchase. No, I'm not. I guess I'm not asking that. I'm asking to make sure that they're they're in line with this. They want the newer.

Yes, I'm sorry. Yes, we had that on the agenda last part four meeting that voted yes. Okay, perfect. Thank you. You're welcome.

I appreciate the bids that you gave us. I appreciate that a lot. All right. Any other questions?

All those in favor of passing resolution 2026-18 say I. I oppose passes. Five in favor, zero opposed. All right, that takes us to our last resolution. Resolution 2026-9. Resolution 2026-9, a resolution of the city council of the city of Cameron, Missouri, updating the comprehensive fee schedule for regulating and assessing fees and service charges. I will entertain a motion to pass resolution 2026. Still moved. Second discussion.

Thank you, Mayor Council. Again, um as a park board and parks department will continue to improve our city parks and fees and whatnot. Park board feels at this time that the tournament prices that we came up with was a little bit expensive. So, we'd like to change the wording from $200 per team to $200 per field per day. Um, we feel that by changing that we continue to have the tournaments here in Cameron at the baseball complex and soccer complex as well. So, have you talked to the group that that had come in before and discussed it with us about is this are these numbers more favorable?

Yes, the last park board meeting we had the camera ball association and the soccer club and the swim team and they all showed up and gave us their concerns and stuff and this to something a little bit kind of meeting in the middle with with everything and I I think this would be go over a long ways with everybody. It's quite a reduction. Yes. And then the question I had on it was does that price pay for our expenses at least maintenance expenses?

Um it would it it it covers some of the stuff. I mean like I said the pilot of chalk and paint stuff is very expensive. the lighting out there with our demand charge. It's very expensive and stuff, but um we did up some of the prices on the leak fees which helps a little bit. And this way we still have tournament fees in there, but it will cover some of the cost, but it'll be more productive for to have to keep having tournaments here. This is something that the park board voted on and I support what the park board decides to do. Yeah, I I was thinking the same thing. I'd like to find out how much it does cost each time you're uh marking a field because I know when you start including like mowing, marking, chalking, painting, dragging, I know that it takes a lot of time. You're pulling time away from that. So, uh 200 bucks deal today is like super cheap. I I don't know of a time I ever paid that little Well, I can tell you I never paid that little with with Jake playing. I mean, it was usually 4 or 500 bucks. So, I'm just trying to figure out I want to make sure we're not taking a big hit on it is what I guess I'm saying,

right? I thought the 800 bucks I didn't think you're playing four teams or whatever. To me, that's that's just part of doing baseball anymore. I mean, I can guarantee you that they have three and $400 bats. I know. Yeah. I know. Pretty pretty pricey because you got to have a good bat, right? Play better. Can't hit. You got to have a good bat and shoes. Well, I feel the same way with golf club, y'all. I got the most expensive stuff. Make me play better. I do too.

But anyway, so I just would even if we do agree to this, I'd still like to find out like see if you can figure out a way to figure out like how much per hour is this costing us and you know I mean over it's probably not going to be an eight hour thing if it's only four or five teams but if it's like 30 or 40 teams I I don't know how many teams we're talking about at this point. Well, like at the end of the season tournaments for the camera ball association, they bring in quite a few teams. Soccer brings in quite a few teams and like last year the end of season soccer was a two-day tournament. So with this provision in there, it's per field per day. So they split it up into three fields, it'd be $600 for Saturday play. And if they do it on Sunday, it' be another $600. And same way with the ball association, if they use three fields and takes two days, it's 1,200 bucks. Um it's not what uh was originally coming up with the $200 per team, but it does cover some of the cost where we are generating other teams and wear and tear on our fields and stuff and cost for materials and stuff. So like I said, my big thing of it is is that this was left it up to the park board to decide and this is what they wanted and I told them I would bring it the resolution you guys I support their decision on. Well, this is a sort of thing kind of like the pool where it's a service that the city provides and you really don't expect it to come out making money or even breaking even in some cases because this is what we do. People pay taxes, they expect services, and uh it it doesn't have to be a money maker. So,

I just wanted to be revenue neutral, that's all. Well, that that would be nice, but a lot of things or at least close. At least close. Yeah. Parks or whatever. Yeah, that's right. My My question is by doing this compromise is I noticed some of the people are still here. Is this too little too late or is it is it still going to be able to be utilized this year?

This year. the Cameron ball association that the question was that was asked uh in the parkour meeting. I'm not sure about the soccer soccer club, but the Cameron ball association said that if we can make this compromise, they think they can have the tournaments here. So, um if you guys do pass this, I'll I'll send an email out to the head of the camera ball association and the soccer club and stuff. And like I said, I think they'll be very happy with it. and then maybe they can still have soccer here for NC current, but um Cameron Bowl Association hadn't quite made that decision just yet.

Well, I know you'll tell them that we appreciate their patience and that uh they're bringing it to you to to us is the right way to go about making change and getting it work getting it to work for everybody. Agreed. Any other comments? All right. All those in favor of passing resolution 2026-9 say I. I.

All oppose. Passes. Five in favor. We opposed. That takes our second public participation. Please, Mallerie Wilurn. Um, I just want to say thank you for adjusting the fee schedule. $200 per field per day is much more reasonable for recreational teams. I have kids that participate in every single one of these organizations. So, this hits us a lot. I also have a child that does competitive ball. You mentioned a lot of competitive fees, which I see that it's just it's way different. r leagues and it's local for everyone to play. So again, I just want to thank you guys. This is good for the kids. I again, I don't think anybody intentionally tried to cause any issues with these kids. So I just appreciate the quick response that we brought it to your attention. So

Mallerie, I remember one time we we have four kids. Yeah. And every one of them was playing baseball at the same time on a different field and my wife and I ran around from one to the other to the other. tomorrow. I have I have kids in three practices at time. Anyone else? That takes us to comments from the staff.

Um, tomorrow is election day. Um, Friday is the chamber event. Um, I don't have anything to add. Nothing. Um, not much. Just like I said, we're getting going on the city hall roof rebuild. I walked property with the construction this morning. They're getting materials for the end of it this afternoon slash tomorrow. They're going to start tearing off section of the roof tomorrow. Get that going. Keep a close eye on them. Make sure it gets installed at the end of the show. And you're overseeing that? Yes. You still out there measuring numbers on people's houses? Absolutely.

And other things. Amongst other things. Yes. Amongst other things. You got maintenance. Well, as soon as it came down to my office. Exactly. They were only three inches. So, I had to call my landlord. Bless her heart. She's got to have to change them all. And then I immediately went to my little duplex that I own. Make sure.

So, the code is 4 in. It's a 4 in in height. It's a half inch strip width on it and it has to be contrasting visible from the street. It is an emergency medical thing. We need to have the house that properly so and that was something that was brought up to us by the EMTs, right? And as somebody who was new here and moved through from out of state, when I first got here, I was going around trying to visit houses. I couldn't find out because unless I got my Google map and zoomed in exactly where that house was because there's a lot that aren't Oh, yeah. There was I got the numbers over Spencer in case you don't. Thank you. You're welcome. Right on the side of the bin, right?

No new topics for me. It's just been an enjoyable evening. Thank you. Are you going back to the after this? Oh, thank you.

Well, uh, I got just a few things. I'll keep it under five minutes. Um, met with Dan Reagan. Met with Dan who's got the met with Dan Reagan out there and MDOT. I don't know if any of you guys seen it or not, but they started cleaning up the rideway out there by Assemblyville complex and stuff and it's starting to look a little bit well, not a little bit, it looks a lot better out there now. So, um, they're starting to do that. They're about halfway done. I don't know. They probably got another couple weeks would be my guess. Got a lot of work, big trees out there. So, um, April 22nd, uh, is going to be Arbor Day in Kelsey Park planting the normal tree with kindergarten class. Uh this year we're going to have a couple conservation agents, one from Davies County and I think the other one's from Clinton County going to come down and do a little 20 minute speech with each of the classes. Well, kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. Um I think we're going to have to do a later date for the fourth, fifth, and sixth. So they have math testing or something going on. So they were able to come down. Um we did put down some gravel at boat ramp number two, reservoir number two out there. um seen it on Facebook and so I went out there and checked it out and the water level did drop a little bit and it left probably I don't know 8 to 12 inch drop on the boat ramp. So had Clay go out there put some rock down just to make a little bit more smoother. Um just got done end of last or last week and I put in for all the finalization paperwork on the grant reservicing project down playground down there. So, I'm hoping to hear something back soon, but it is the state, so it may be a little while. Um, and we are got all the bathrooms opened up except for the baseball complex bathrooms. I'm waiting on the water department to kind of get into their schedule to get the water turned back on, but everything else is up and running and open. So, that is about all I got.

You have managers for the pool. We had two managers interview. Both of them very good. Um, don't want to say a name just yet because it's not quite official, but yes, we did find one that we agreed on. So, good deal. We're set with that. Set with system managers. We got low 40s on lifeguard. They're still doing reertifications and certifications. I think the last one's I think May 8th through the 10th, I think, is the last certification weekend for that. So, looking good. And we'll start on that. We'll be power washing, start cleaning the pool in the next couple weeks. And not like normal, we'll probably start putting water around May 1st and you'll you'll turn golden brown again.

I will I will turn golden brown. I will be wearing shorts all the time. Thank you. And you too can work in the parts department. You want parttime job? You want your gun? I want to see Dano. Oh. Oh, let's not let's not want to point out, Shel, I didn't say anything about speedo. He whispered it. Is that all? That is all. That's all I got. Thank you. All right.

Um, so the blue shield grant we got last year for 2025. Uh, Governor Kho signed into uh um law for equipment stuff for jurisdictions around the state. Uh, we were approved last year. As you guys know, uh we've replaced our mobile data terminals in our cars, our MDTs. Um we got a uh Celbrite computer which is uh we can plug phones in if we get search warrants or whatever in case we need an investigation off the phones. And we had about $1,100 left over. And so they they the state really want you to spend that because more of a mess to send it back. So, we went ahead and ordered some lockers kind of like what the fire department has back here um for our officers in here and we're going to do something with uh for dispatch also. Um we were able to donate our equipment, our older equipment to an agency here in the state that uh can't afford uh NBTs. So, uh um they were very very excited about that and we we have applied again this year for 2026 and um it is a no mass grant and uh we should be hearing something any day.

That's a good job. Uh fire department applied for a mod uh safety grant. Uh we we actually applied for a message board uh that we could use for traffic control. Um and that grants in we should know hopefully next month uh the latest. Uh the tanker truck I ordered two years ago. Um we picked up last week so it's in the back if anybody wants to look. It was a long time coming. Is that it? That's it. All right. Thanks. Fantastic. Thank you, Mr. Lance.

Well, we've been working very diligently with Emily and the rest of the Kick It and Cameron group. Uh we we're going to we and we invite all of the council members to come to our meetings with Dickinet and Cameron so you guys can see all of the work that has gone in to try to push this forward to the end because we're about ready to start. There's a lot of excitement in that group and I've been there and I like I will keep coming when I get

I think Lissa has a training on cyber security for the businesses that we've set up. I think that's what Wednesday or is it? It's coming up. Um, I've got it written on my calendar, but that's different things that we're also including in to help all the businesses to give them an idea of what's going to be expected by by the visitors and the different kinds of things that might happen. Like they're not big tippers. So, just be prepared whenever they're in here that they're not going to be tipping real big and they like to stay up later at night. So, be prepared of that. So, those are a few things that um you know, we're trying to educate everyone as we go.

Do let me know if you want to attend those meetings so I can post a forum notice if it's necessary. Okay.

Uh also been working on a lot of planning and zoning stuff. Uh we've got a couple of amendments or an a new uh C1A that we're going to put for downtown that we're going to have a public hearing on. I know there's quite a bit of hubbub about it. Um, it's basically like a C1. We're just knocked out some of the old definitions and and opened it up a little bit to get to the 21st century on some things that we can allow. Um, and then a lot of work on the Great Northwest Wholesale Water Commission. Since we are buying water now, we're trying to get to the to the end gate to the ribbon so we can close everything up and have a normal um Genwick meeting in which we just talk about you know

operations the operations instead of the building and the the you know the checklist and everything else. So, so yeah, busy. I think you have anything else to add?

Yep. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, as far as alliance goes in the city of Cameron, uh, this alliance started operations last Wednesday, April 1st. Um, and so we had all all eight employees transferred over. So, we've been going through the onboarding process with them and getting them um onboarded. So, again, that working through that process right now. Uh we've got a few operational things and some changes we're going to be making, but uh um we're going to take some baby steps here in the beginning as we uh look to fill the the full-time local manager role. Um we're in the process of that right now. We got a couple interviews set up this week to fill the vacant uh utility worker position. But uh again, as far as the the transfer over to Alliance, I think I think things have gone gone pretty smooth. So, um, regarding generally like the city manager mentioned and Lance mentioned, we did get the the notice to, uh, to to dispense water, the temporary dispense water permit from DNR here last week. And, yeah, we have been able we've been selling water. So, kind of our plan is to kind of ramp up Cameron's usage here this week and then look to bring on Mazeville full-time possibly next week. Fingers crossed. So, uh, we'll be happy.

Yes, that'll be good for them. But uh yeah, it's been a long time coming, but uh at least now we have the ability to sell some more. That's good.

Just remind everybody to vote tomorrow and the sooner we get out of here, the sooner the PD can set the the voting booth up. Do you have anything over there at it guy?

Oh, I like to hide in the corner. Oh, I mean I've been doing some reviews of the uh systems of course just kind of getting an idea of what the state of everything was, where things need to be at, if we need to be doing any sort of changes to anything along those lines. So just kind of a generalized review working with the group that we have in place today to find out what it is that they are doing for us, what things we don't want to keep in the future, what things we will want to keep in the future, things along those lines. uh started some high level training on the Microsoft um systems that they had just deployed last October that got deployed but none of the training actually occurred to make sure they were utilizing those properly. I'm also in process of re reviewing all of our United Fiber internet agreements across our various uh locations to figure out if we're getting the right services that we should be getting, if we're paying the right amount that we should be paying for, or what we need to be doing with that. So, I'll be meeting with them this week to kind of get some of that stuff lined out. I've also been trying to get some understanding around our um GIS systems and power stuff along the lines for the mapping tools as well as our simple city um admin systems. So, I know that there's several of those systems that are needing some attention. Um so, kind of working with the group on those to make sure that we get stuff up to snuff where we want it to be at. If there's something missing, get it taken care of. But if there's not, we'll let it sit and keep running. So that's pretty much what it's been too is just simple reviews of the systems, costs, contracts, and so

I will say that we did have some drivers fail in our server last week and Bill was very integral in working with um the managed services to get those fixed. So thank you, Bill. All right, on to the council. Council Clark, I've heard nothing but good things about Phil. So, I told him the other day and I just think that's great when you have somebody that efficient and effective. That's all I have.

Well, since I was next week, I've got 18 things I want to talk about. No, tell us about your trip.

All right,

uh I had after my last meeting, I didn't quite have all my facts in in a row. Um Dr. car and I had a nice discussion about that, but I wanted to discuss a little bit on the utility rates um that have seemed to plague the city um as of late. The I went through a lot of the different numbers from from 2023 uh to current. And I'm not going to go bore you with all the minutia, but basically the electric has doubled. The cost of electricity has doubled in the last three years. water um has been up 25%. Sewer has been up 25%. So um in looking at a lot of the facts and comparing with other cities, um I actually had my eyes opened as far as where Cameron sits with the rates. Um and while I'm not thrilled about them, um we are lower than other cities per u per population. However, um I think one of the big things that that has changed is that with the electric rate doubling, not only did that happen, but it used to be that we had a flat rate uh you you were charged what you use. Um and that has changed now. So, a lot of the flat rate fees that we have don't go towards u what we use. It's just basically the minimums. Um, so that not only have the rates doubled, but then we have the flat rate fees that aren't going towards those rates. Um, which drives the bill up even more. Uh, to correct myself, 56% of Cameron is rentals, uh, rental properties. 16% of Cameron is below the poverty line, which is actually 5% above the average. Um, our population is down in the last year of younger families leaving, but our elderly population has relatively stayed the same. This means

that changes in the utilities are going to hit a lot harder. Um, I said these rates aren't above average, but the electric cost is on the high side of things. U, water is double. Our water is double, but I mean that's to be expected from what happened. Um, so anyway, I I feel I would like to to see, you know, the the park board um came to a compromise. Uh, I would like to propose an amendment for the electric uh service charge to go $20 less and I would like to see the water service charge of $16 go away as well. That that's a savings per household of about $40. It keeps the rates high. Um, it goes back to more what the old bills used to be which was based on usage. Uh 40 bucks is 40 bucks, you know, it'll it helps. I think again I think a lot of the time was just in a short period of time we we doubled and and everything went up pretty quick. So I would like to propose an amendment that $20 service charge for the electric goes away and 16 for the water service charge goes away. Just to note, we cannot vote on that right now. Um, but staff can look at it, bring some back for discussion. Mayor,

one thing that we also have to consider is one reason the rates seem to go up so much was because the council hadn't raised the rates for a long time for some of the utilities. And that was in an effort to keep the costs low for citizens in Cameron and then when it was decided to raise them then it went up quite a lot. So I so I wouldn't say that they shot up and I I think that what it was is that it hadn't been raised for a long time and then we debated about that and then we raised it and then um and then also we've already reviewed all of the rates around in the area and it's comparable or cheaper than most of the other places around.

Yeah. And I found that to be true as well. And that's why I said I'm not I'm not asking, you know, the rates are comparable to to towns around of our size. But the problem was is that we lost we lost the rates went up and we lost those minimums because then the service charges didn't go towards um anything. They just became attack on item. Um it's it's I spent the afternoon going through utility bills.

I don't think that's accurate. We did a rate study and they they have the service cards because those are are to do the um the capital improvements that are going to be needed and required in the future. And the rate is is the daily operating cost. I mean that's what the rate study said. These were the minimums that we could instill to remain solvent in those funds. And the sad part is we're going to lose more and more people. It's like it's like the wealth tax that they try to pass on folks. People can move. They don't have to live here. Um they don't have to have those additional charges just because we say we need it um doesn't and I'm not saying that it's not true, but the the fact that you say that we didn't raise any rates last time I was on which hasn't been that long ago. We were raising rates all the time because I was fighting it every single time. Um, so it got raised.

There was one there was one utility that hadn't been raised for years. Well, as of 2018, 2019, I know we were still raising rates back then. So, not not like this, not doubling it, but we were raising slowly raising it. And and that's why I think that there wasn't as much complaining by by the folks, which I don't blame them because you start doubling, we're talking about a lot of seasoned citizens out there that are living on a fixed income. And so I mean, but I think when we have this kind of conversation, we're we're making people think that our rates are high.

No, I'm not. I I said from the getgo, our rates are I know you did. I actually had that Honestly, it's 25 or 25% less. But John about making it to where people would move away. Well, they could. You just said that. You just said 25% below on the market and they're going to move away. Where are they going to move away to? 25% higher. That's Yeah, that's that's what I was wanting to do. If you want to move to a bigger town, it is cheaper. I I'm telling you that electrical rates around here. Mhm. Oh, yeah. Where? No, I was talking about Phoenix, but whatever.

We did that. You're comparing Cameron to Phoenix. No, no, no. I'm saying you just said you can't go anywhere. No. Well, you just you just said they were 25% lower than Ross did of our town of of towns our size. Okay. Of towns our size. If you go to a bigger town or less exactly well of course you go to a bigger town and you're comparing apples to apples. I think if we go to Chicago or Kansas all I'm saying is that it doesn't matter. I guess they can get up and move.

They can move if they want to. Our rate study included some towns bigger than Cameron and I think that I I appreciate everything that you guys have said, but the one thing that we need to do from here is if we really want to pursue that discussion and I will give my support to put that on the agenda and sometime in the future you can kind of write it up Ross what it is that you want to to say and we can have that on an agenda as an agenda item because I know everybody wants to hear all about this tonight but I'd rather Not. And uh we and then we can have two council members approving it. We can get it as an agenda item. Yep. And we can bring back the rate setting the council.

Yeah. Review it all again. I think that's a good idea. We might have our utilities director director do this to we don't have one. I don't want to get one just for that. So, okay. We'll have our city manager do that. That's all. That's all for me. I don't have anything. What? I don't have anything. I stole my thunder.

Well, I appreciate you guys coming. I don't really have anything either. I'm looking forward to all all that's going to be going on for our FIFA club that's coming and all the events that are molding and starting to to get it to evolve. So with that, do we have a executive? We do not. Oh, thank and we've got a balloon fest coming up. Yep. Yep. In fact, they've sent out letters. So if you guys want to donate to that, please do. I think the lady over there is the lady over I don't know that she'll take donations, but if she knows who you are, she sponsor you are

she does some All right. I will entertain a motion to adjourn our session. We'll move

you. Everybody out. Everybody out.