City Council - Regular Meeting

What was that? Welcome to the January 5th, 2026 city council meeting. is now called to order. Would you all rise and take the pledge of

allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Would you say rolly Curtis here? Don here. Driver. You're muted here. Yes.

All right. That takes us to our first public participation. Anybody that would like to talk to the council, you're welcome to come up to the podium. Be sure and sign in your name and address. And you have five minutes to speak. Lance is not here. He is. Who's the timer? Tad. Thanks, Dad. Don't Don't be a tad off.

I'm going to read this because I don't want to get carried away with what I probably want to say, but we'll just go up there. And I want to thank Dan Miller for his stellar performance as interim city manager. You have completed the task with grace, determination, and the ability to lead and guide our town back to prosperity. Much love and respect to you. Thankfully, we didn't lose you all together as you're going back to chief of police, and that's not too shabby. To the employees of the city, thank you for showing up every day doing your job. And I know it's been hard someday. To the city council person's people that listen to us citizens, Ross, Dawn, thank you very much. And to the new city manager, I personally I personally will do whatever I can to ensure you are given the tools to manage our town. and to the candidates. Good luck.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

That'll take us to the consent agenda. Does anybody have anything that they would like off agenda and vote on? Item A, motion to approve the minutes of the December 1st, 2025 regular session. Item B, motion to approve the minutes of the December 3rd, 2025 special session. Item C, motion to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2025 special session. I will entertain a motion to pass the consent agenda. All those in favor of passing the consent agenda, say I. I.

All those opposed? It passes. Five in favor, zero opposed. That takes us to our city manager report then.

Okay, we got a lot of stuff here. Um, so the lease is coming up on the Bank Midwest um where City Hall is currently at. I uh spoke with Robert who is in charge of he's our contact if we have any issues up there and I asked if we could get the if somehow we could get the rent lowered. Um he sent me back that uh um he spoke with his folks for a 12-month lease is $6,500 a month and for an 18-month lease it would be $6,000 a month. And speaking with the staff, they said if we had everything right now to fix city hall and they were working on it, it would be a 12 months. We don't have any of that. So, I'm suggesting we do the 18 months at $6,000. That saves us uh $1,250 a month or I think we're paying 7250 right now. Um and we've spoke with Patrick. We don't have to do anything different, right? we just need to tell them either 12 or 18 months. So, that's going to be on the council to let us know what you guys want to do. Um, second of all, um the fire suppression system is it's going good over at uh city hall now. It's being installed. They've been there every day. Um we did have some leaks on that west wing where the offices were at. I think there was five or six leaks up there. Tad got a hold of the company that fixed it the first time. Um, it's been repaired. It was $1,250. Not a not a outstanding huge bill. Um, Third Street Buildings, uh, as you guys don't know if anybody's been by, that's pretty well, he's getting it

pretty well cleaned up. Um, he did, uh, go over his 60 calendar days, which started October 27th. Uh, we signed contract on October 7th. Uh he had two weeks. DNR had to we had to wait on DNR for two weeks. They gave us the green light on [clears throat] October 27th. And uh so he had 60 calendar days, which would have been Christmas Day. Um he is 11 days over that right now, which is $500 a day. And that does not include a 4x8 city barricade that was destroyed. and I happened to drive by and seen it. So, uh Tad got us a bid. So, [clears throat] that needs to also be uh taken out of the price of what the city is going to pay. Um Bright Speed, that's a different story. They're still giving us the runaround. I think last week, Shelley, right, they called Carrie and

email and said, "You're all working." We called the four lines and our staff did. and Terry said, "Well, who do you talk to?" Because they didn't ring. So, it's still we're still working on it.

So, um the police department has been instrumental in um working on the VoIP system. We're moving we're going to move forward with that. It is uh between two different companies. Um a lot cheaper than what we are paying Brightpe every month here. Uh we do not have the totals yet, but we do know it's cheaper than what uh and this is citywide. This is for city hall, the city buildings, police department, fire department. The void system is much cheaper than what we are paying Brightpe. And so we'll continue to keep in touch with Shelly and Scott and whoever just to let them know, hey, this is where we're at. And then once we get everything sealed up, we'll bring it to the council to uh so you guys can check that out. Um, the last thing that I have is I asked uh staff at city hall to prepare a list that's in your packet of what they uh worked on last year. There's 163 items in this and I am not going to read every one of them. I did I did pick out a few and I may not even read all of those. But, uh, of course we know the, um, issues with city hall. Uh, the 112 East third demolition. Uh, we sold 4 acres up by Walmart to Dr. Ali. Uh, the Cameron Business Park was advertised for sale. Um, we the IRA got the, uh, and I don't know who else with the, uh, cleanup of the dams at the reservoir. Um, of course we just talked about the 200 block of East Third. Um, MOA that's coming along pretty good. Um, they should be starting the next spring Bob F. Griffin US 36 redoing that intersection unless FIFA uh, puts a halt to that with all the traffic coming

through. Um, there was another 4 acres sold by Walmart. The Cameron Pool IRA, great job. um the new playground equipment, $80,000 in street repairs on Bob F. Griffin, $183,000 in street overlays, and staff is continuing to deal with countless issues where citizens, funding agencies, and businesses were told things incorrectly by the former city manager. And the last thing that I have is we have been involved with about $26 million in projects. Either we've done them or it's in the works. Um say the let's see where's it at the BB bridge. That's a 12 mill $12 million project. We're working with legislation legislation on that to see if we get more funding. They did give us a million dollars for the traffic study out there. Um I'll just run through a few. I think you guys have a copy of it. $6 million uh airport remodel, which is awesome. Um the demos, the pickle ball courts, playground equipment. Um let's see, you know, the sprinkler system, Tad worked on that, $22,000. And then the alarm system itself, 23,000. So there was there was a lot of stuff that uh they worked on. So again, they there was 163 items that uh they worked on. Some are complete, some are not. So they're still working on them. That's all I have.

Yes, this is extensive what they did. It took me about 20 minutes just to go through it. So good job. Great. Hey, Dan. Um, I'd like you to get that list or at least pair down the list to the to the things that each group thinks is the most important. Um, let's get that to the newspaper and let let folks see what you guys are doing out there. I've already given the whole Oh, you gave him all of it. Awesome. And probably probably will be uh posted. It wasn't going to be posted until after this meeting. So,

Okay. Okay. I'm sure he he's going to get something out on it.

Good. Um, also, um, I just want to ask the rest of the council, is it time for us to go back and look at the community center as a viable option instead of having the uh having everybody up at the bank? um for the amount of money that we're talking about over 18 months then on include now one thing that Dan didn't bring up is the furniture cost each month as well that we're running. Is there a way we can relook at the community center? just do a monthtomonth up at the uh up at the bank until we decide for sure, but then do a a look at the community center.

We do know that there was bids put out to sell that property up there. Um and I think Lance got that out before he went on uh leave for his medical leave appraisal. Okay, there is somebody wanting to buy that. So that that's somebody's wanting to buy that and we have we are seeking an appraisal for it. Um so at this point I don't know Go ahead.

I'm sorry. I was just going to say I thought my understanding was that that had to be done by December 31st if they were going to sell it. Uh that that gentleman wanted it by then. So that's what the only reason that I brought this up. Yeah. Not that I'm aware of. I didn't know anything about that date. So, Becky, do you know anything about the date? Am I wrong? No, I was not given a date. I just know that um the party is aware that we're doing an appraisal and from then on, I believe it was between them and land. Okay. Okay. All right. I'll I'll put that in my back pocket for now then.

It's a good idea. I thought I thought originally there was a techn technological issue at the community center which at that time we talked about staff recommendation where we couldn't make the jump it would be difficult also not ADA compliant what not ADA compliant I had a question for Dan hey Dan on um the first item you mentioned Have you signed the lease for the 15 month? No. Okay.

No, we we're running it by you guys and you guys tell us what we're going to do with it. foration one way or the other. It doesn't have to come back to council as another pattern in it that would allow. The original resolution authorized the city manager without naming the city manager, just the position, the authority to execute any other necessary documents necessary to carry out the resolution, which would in my interpretation also include an extension due to the fact that we could not return to city hall

at the compromise on this. I don't see reason why they couldn't uh let us rent it month by month now after we've rented it all this time. They know we're going to be in there for another year. Why couldn't they just allow us to rent that month by month? And then that way when our time is up, we're good. We might save some money. And uh and that typically that's the way a lot of commercial leases are written anyway. They don't they don't have people waiting in line to occupy the second floor of that huge building here at Cameron. Say they're probably happy that they're still there.

Yeah. And it's only reasonable for them to give us a break. I think it's great. I'd say it's a little cheaper there. Based on the price cut though, that's where you're getting your discount. We can get more than one discount. I mean, they're they're charging a lot per square foot for this. And then then we could be done with another seven. Yeah. With the square. I thought that was that.

Any other questions?

I didn't have my cover letter in there. I just realized that it wasn't. Um so for appointments um we do still have openings on across board. So if anybody wants um to apply for those positions are applications online and you said positions how many are on board?

I think there was one opening on our tour and two on the fourth. Um, aside from that, the only thing we have under appointment is a full reading of the ordinance to do the city. All right. So, let's move on with the full reading of bill 2026. Bill 2026-1 and ordinance 26 Mazaro as city manager for the city of Cameron, Missouri, and approving and authorizing the execution of an employment agreement between the city of Cameron and Scott. I will entertain a motion to pass bill 2026-1.

So move second. Discussion. All those in favor of passing bill 2026-1 say I. I all oppose. I no passes three to two girl the second reading for go um and we'll do the second reading at full reading of bill 2026-1 on roll call second pass bill 2026-1 on a second reading by roll call John Yes.

John Fer. No. Mark. Yes. Ros. No. Becky. Yes. Three in favor. All right. Next we have the

do it right here. I think we're in the view of

All right. So if you will raise your right hand and reconnect your name. do solemnly swear or affirm do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution and laws that I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States of the United States the Constitution and laws constitution and laws of the state of Missouri of the state of Missouri and the ordinances and the ordinances of the city of the city of Missouri and faithfully and to the best of my ability and faithfully and to the best of my ability discharge the duties discharge the duties Involving upon me involving upon me as city manager as city manager

for the city of Missouri

for the city of Missouri. All right, Dan.

Oh, boy. And that's been a very big as our you did a really good job. Thank you for us and you've done an excellent job. So here's a thank you. Thank you from us city council. I appreciate it. Thank you very much.

Okay. We have a reading a bill. We have Oh, well see third please say Spencer.

Thank you. Um, we were able to meet with the engineer that came up. We can look at the first street building 112 East Street to the wall that was between Little Buffins and it gave us some observations and recommendations. Just wanted to have a discussion. You guys as to what he is suggesting being done, what the options are and what the cost could be. um and that's that we that wall needs to be destabilized. It needs to be rewaterproofed. It was an interior wall previously. So he gave us some different um mechanisms and engineering of how we are going to stabilize it. The main the main question the base of the required work that we would need to do will range anywhere from 35 to 85,000 is the best you can give me on a cost estimate. Um and then the other thing that he is suggesting is to do an exterior insulated finishing system which is going to insulate waterproof and everything over the top of the hill type surface over that that could add an additional 55 or sorry an additional 28 55,000. Um are there any questions that you guys have? I just wanted to make sure we brought this up as anussion before we start making way forward.

Ben, you and I talked about this last week, but you described it as we're really talking about two wall. There's the exterior wall of the existing building and this is the exterior wall of the building we tore down. Correct. It was a We are not I I will say I do need to have him come back out and dive deep in and see if they're shared. He's assuming they are a shared wall, but it is the same wall. It's It's not It's not a separate So structural wall. So there isn't a structural gap between no those two walls.

As best I can tell from on top and that's just going for the parapit up on the roof and looking down. They appear to be the same wall. And I don't want to be tight about this, but is it our responsibility to do the repairs on the wall that is needed to another building? That is a great question that I am not aware of. Okay. What has been communicated with the owners of the building and this with the owner? He ghosted he he's not even contacting us, right? Are you talking about Little Blessings or the guy that owned the building that we tore down? Little blessings.

The Little Blessings have had this information. We just let them know we were reaching out to an engineer to see how to stabilize it. If we remove the building, we're looking into options to stabilize so we can remove the barrier and make sure that it's protected. Okay. From what I've read, it looks like we're going to have to dig in down deep to the basement again. From what I was reading, correct? That's what he is suggesting. And that was on a non-negotiable. He said that that has to happen. So that has to be dug out again and be water treated and and I think drainage as well. Yep. Yeah. Who wants to run French drain drain tile all that stuff back to the daylighter in the storms?

Well, I think it'd be a great idea to get them on board and and let's talk to them because that is also the building. Yes, we had to do that. Um and if I remember correctly, didn't we put a lean on that land or that part of the building that we that we demoed? We put a lean on the whole property. Yes. Oh, here's a question. We We had it We had them dig that out when when Magad was there. It was all dug down. I know. Because Little Blessings, they were going to waterproof that and and put the drain and stuff like that. And then when it came back around, they

the city said we said we weren't going to do that. And they said, "Well, neither are we." And so it got filled in. It needed to be filled in quickly because of the time frame you're on with the grant. That's it. With the grant work. Yes.

So the question is is the the remaining building what is the value of that building? It aren't the repairs aren't the repairs greater than the value of the building. And the reason I asked this is because where I built my dental office, we ran into that with where the boho was and we ran into that wall business and I I got the attorney to draw it up where say I'm not going to deal with this wall and I gave it to the to the other person, the boh. And um I also know that Jim McKenley bought a downtown building he told me for $18,000. So now we're talking about we're spendingund and some 130 who knows what this would end up being for a building that it's hard. You can have it appraised and say how much is this worth? What what else is wrong with this building? What about the roof? What about you know everything else? There's you can add you can start looking at all the defects and say that's a lot of expense

for sure. try a fine little thing with this done and getting this engineering done is just safety so that we can take out the barricade, have it fully accessible, not have any worry of anything coming off of it or any damage to the building. And but we all thought it was done when when they tore it down and now it's getting the more and so now we now we go ahead and do this other stuff and they're not the people that own the building aren't contributing anything, are they? Not that I know. Are you aware of that? No. When when they when we tore that building down, that northeast corner was left open and or or the

um the mortar holding the bricks in is gone. So you there's just bricks just kind of stacked in there and can fall at any time. So that's what we're trying to we're trying to fix. And that that engineering perspective actually puts brackets on the front of that and ties 9 ft back alongside that wall to hold that front cap in. he did. So, we're not going to have a problem. So, what's the total dollar cent just from what you've heard so far? The only thing he gave me was a range between between 35,000 85,000. That's just to stabilize and do a basic waterproofing. And then you said an additional something else on that 20 to 55. That's pretty.

That's with the new the new wall surface. Yeah. And I have a summary of this I can get. Yeah, you can remember when that building was on Walnut Third that was torn down next to his and hers and that was then then there was I be placed there and then was stuck out over the top there. That's still existing as as it was, isn't it? Just like that. Well, I I wasn't around at that time but you weren't born yet. Um, but I don't know who paid I mean I don't know any of that what this somebody did. Well, yeah, somebody did.

And I personally I think and this is just a thought whatever you council would like and I appreciate you doing this Spencer because it needs to be dealt with because reading this if we leave that internal wall left to the exposures of winter and weather is just going to ruin that entire I mean it's not good for the building at all to have that happen. Correct. There's too many places for water importation.

Right. So, this does need to get done and um I would like to and council discussed this. I would like to bring in the the owners of the building and we would talk for them and kind of get a plan because I don't think we should be making plans on someone else's building. Um yes, we tore it down. The owner should have tore it down. So, we were left doing it. So, I think they have some skin in the game to help their building. That's just my thought. What do you guys think? Well, the owner was Michael. I'm not talking about that Michael. That Michael's gone. Yeah, he's Is that who you're talking about? Well, whoever was the owner was

of the deans building. Yeah. Michael Williams. Well, because we all we're really tired of thinking over somebody else's problems and fixing it for them. And I think that people [clears throat] in Cameron are tired of that, too. That when somebody just abandons a property and then say, "Oh, well, the city will tear it down or fix it up or whatever." That's that's frustrating. That's why I want to bring on the I think Paul, where are you at? It's Paul's fault. I'm sure that I'm I'm sure that you asked try to get a hold of him several times. Michael Williams.

Yeah. No, nothing. So, this has been going on for years. Oh, I know it. No. And it's not Paul's fault. I know that. No, I was just, you know, how many times did he try to get a hold of him? You know, so he's absent. He's gone. And eventually that will go up for tax tax sale sale and somebody will buy it for little or nothing. I in the city of Cameron, typically if there is a lean of the size of lean the city placed on it, it has not sold at the tax sale until post third year. So it'll take at least three years before it will sell on that

and it's a regular lean on it. So whoever buys it has to pay lean off and get a rule. Yeah. So if so if that the cost is greater than what we're asking whatever I mean nobody would buy it right the council would have to go back and just forgive or forgive an amount or something if the council would recall that is what happened when the school district purchased the Chestnut Arms buildings. I believe there was a $75,000 lean on that property which the city council agreed to wave through the school district.

Yep. Did the school district want this? We'll give it away. Well, I was hoping the the neighboring Little Blessings would take that and I've been talking to them for over a year about but I guess they're not interested in it. But I do believe that they're interested in building a home. So, I I really would like to bring them on the table because this is their building. I mean, what do you guys think? They they should help with this. In my mind, I would first offer to give it all to them. The whole kitten kaboodleoodle. Well, that lot which is worth 15,000. We don't We can't do anything. You can't do anything for three years with it.

Yeah. I mean, so we could we could do that. We could say when this time so let the council do that if then if that's what they want to do but right now we do because I won't be on it. No, no, but I'm serious. Is that I mean that might be attractive to them if they could own that. It is attractive, but they want it for nothing. I would give it to them for nothing because but we don't own it. We're talking about spending maybe $130,000 and we're trying to protect 15,000. This is kind of like back with the Third Street buildings with Gina's buildings. I'd rather she would have been there just giving them away.

Okay. So, this is what you're saying. Give it to them and let him deal with his own building, the one that we tore down the other building. And can you just have it and he has to fix his own building on his own without us? We don't. We don't own the other building though. I know. So again, not yet, but if the building needs to be fixed before three years ago or Yes. Well, it could be part of the deal. You can make an arrangement now and say within three years or whenever word it so that at some at some point in the future, this is all yours. So, well, if it's going to come up for tax, anybody can bid on it, buy it, but it's not necessarily ours, right? It's not ours. I know you want to buy it. I think Brandy will do not see

the the water, the freeze, the snow and stuff. Those bricks in that northeast corner are going to start falling out of that. I don't think that serves the city well to have the barricades out as long as they are. They need to get away. And I think bringing the guy that owns a little blessings in on it because he has a state, he has skin in the ground, it's game, it's going to help his building. He's got a son that a contractor, Terry, and he's really good. I know. I've talked to him about it. Ros, what do you think? Yeah, I think so. I think getting all the players in the in the all the different fronts and seeing what their plans are and maybe they have plans that we haven't thought about or know about

and we haven't really talked to them, have they? I have not had any discussion with them. I don't think Lance has really discussed with them any specifics. Yeah, he's been in Lance has been in contact with them, but I don't think it's gotten to this this point. Well, I the council was talking. What do you guys think? I know you did.

The issues the issue is what at what point do you spend good money after bad money? This is like buying the day of buying a boat. two best days you buy a boat is when you buy it and when you sell it. He's exactly right. We can get legal ownership of it in three years, give it give it to the other person for a dollar for something and just get rid of it and let him have the the joy and the liability and the the greatness was owning that little lot. Those buildings were built in 1890 to 1910. They've served their purpose. It's just, you know, it's just at some point it's time to move on,

right? And we're wanting to move on, but we're saying correct that that building we've made that building and that wall unstable. Yes, that is correct. We've got $130,000 in it and you want to have another 40 to 80 in it. I want to back up on that statement. We did not think that that building was dangerous and dilapidated

and that was unstable and unsafe and that's what caused it to be torn down. that that property there is in better shape now than it was prior. All we did was put out the fire. And and I think Patrick is the creative person. I think he could come up with a way where we could have our cake and eat it too where you could sell them, give them whatever all of that. There are potential other mechanisms for the city to gain ownership of the lot where the dangerous building was demolished on it. Obviously, again, like everything being creative also costs. So, it would cost a little bit of money to go through the judicial foreclosure process on the tax lean, but it could occur or the dangerous building lean, but it could occur and the city could claim ownership of that lot faster than in three years.

And it would probably be less money than fixing that wall. It it could potentially. I don't think I think Spencer is still at the point where they're studying what the total costs would end up being, but we could continue down a parallel track. Um, and we can discuss the have options.

Exactly. And I think that we as a city need to get out of the business of tearing down old buildings and then getting stuck with them or letting buildings fall down and getting stuck with them. I think we need to look a little farther down the road with these things. By getting involved though, is there some sort of an assumed liability or there's always liability involved in that? Missouri case law does not point to that liability potentially arising. Granted, the one case that interpreted that is from 1999. So, we're now looking at 27 years where there's been no additional case along it. But as of right now, the current state is a city does not incur any liability for tearing down a dangerous structure to the neighboring property owners.

So, why would the city tear down a dangerous structure? I mean, honestly, it's it's public it's public health and safety. Yeah. Public safety. We have about We have a lot of homeless. We have people going in and out of those buildings, and it doesn't take much for it to collapse. And then if we knew if we know about it, it's on us. And if if I remember right, um wish Lance was here. Um we might be getting some money back on that 112 East third. And it's a possibility that it could be forgiven. So from Moan and and I think they have talked about that.

Yes. And I just text him to see if he'd answer, but uh um there's a possibility that that whole thing through Moan could be forgiven in three years. Yeah. It's a three-year wait. So, I think we need to see where we're at and so do so do what Patrick said is look at two avenues. We always have these two options and get on with our meeting. Yes. Because we can't

Oh, he's texting me back right now. Let's see what he says. laughing maybe or mazoo or something. Nice season. It is actually Yeah. I say give it away. It's just like the other one.

I don't see anybody to buy. He must be typing a book. He said possibly a little, not nearly enough to cover the additional cost, but it could possibly be forgiven. In the end, the demo charges what we Yes. What we've incurred and I I believe that he's talked about that three or four times in in these meetings. So, anyh who, that's where we're at. Thank you. Do we need to Is that it? Yep. That's what we have. Yep. I just wanted to get to the pen out there. Is battery good? Yeah.

Okay. All right. That moves us on to our our new business, a first reading of bill 2026-2. Sorry. Bill 2026-2, an ordinance for the city of Cameron, Missouri, authorizing the general election to be held on 7 April 2026, fixing the polling places of said election and directing the city clerk to cause ballot be printed and election supplies procedur election three-year terms. I will entertain a motion to pass bill 2026-2 or first reading.

So move. Thanks. Um the filing period opened on um December 9th I believe and closed on the 30th. Did um I did have we have four people who have filed for council Ross Roger Sherman Don Breenidge and Penny. Do we have those two here? Just want to make sure everybody else know that they're here. Oh yeah, not too late to back out. See what's happening.

So this is the first reading and we'll come up for second reading at the next meeting and then I will um take it to the counties and have their all those in favor of passing bill 2026-2. I

five in favor and zero oppos. All right, that takes us on to a resolution 2026-1, Shelley. Resolution 2026-1, a resolution for the city of Cameron, Missouri to accept a proposal for a portable mainline sewer inspection camera system for Red Equipment LLC. I will entertain a motion to pass resolution 2026-1. No move

discussion has first.

So this is a purpose for a stew camera inspection system. Uh it's a complete system with software for mapping as well as recording any damage or issues in the mains mapping those footages on. We are required by DNR to have routine maintenance and inspections of our entire system over a set period of time. This helps us get to that point. We are we do currently have a sewer camera but it is a a inspection camera for a sewer lateral line like to a house again it's 12 or 18 inch mains all you can see is those cameras underneath and you have to push that camera through and you can only get you know at best maybe 100 200 feet down the main this one so upwards of 7 or 800 ft And it has an elevator that raise the camera up out of the water bead quite a few questions on this. Um, and then u I'll be honest before I I read this in the agenda and fell out of my chair for the price. But then I was able to talk with Mark and he shared a lot of information with me that I did not know um and wasn't aware of as far as the requirements. Um, you said Merma give back 7500, right?

This would make us eligible for a grant from MOMA. And then I guarantee period. I'd asked him about outsourcing it if that was if that was a possibility. He said that that was

uh it is an option to to you know hire a company to do camera work but it is expensive and usually long lead times and it seems like when we're needing this stuff it's an emergency situation the blockage things like that and then you know it becomes exponentially more expensive to get somebody here and hurry. Um, in the past, uh, there's been a lot of towns that obviously can't afford these things because they they were always mounted in a truck, van, or trailers. These newer cameras are much smaller with no module, being able to put them in the back of a pickup. So, and considerably cheaper than a truck driving unit half million plus. So, one of I went back on what I initially thought based on Kim and I's conversation and realized that we do have a need for it. Um, but my concern is [clears throat] a something with that kind of a price that we only have a one-year warranty on it. Um, and as far as what options were you able to find out if there was any more options on that?

Uh, there there is not. If it's a one-year manufacturer warranty that and the the rep doesn't offer any outside extended warranties on it with stuff that's going to be in that environment, it's not likely to find anything that has a lot of them on it. But they are pretty tough units. I've been 25 years and they're not easy to tear up. And one of the advantages that have them is right Kansas City and they have all the repair parts for them. So my my thinking is that we do need something like this just so that we do stay compliant and we can inspect some areas of the sewer that they have not inspected for quite a while. But I don't feel I don't feel comfortable buying pieces equipment with this that cost this much. Um several people that I um discussed with about these type of systems are the ones that belong in much bigger municipalities than Cameron. Um and when they break down, they are incredibly expensive. Uh so I don't know. I I would like to see some more options than maybe our municipality a little bit better and a little more affordable. Well, this reflect scene and just the recording that wasn't quite

powerful and yeah, our current camera the push can so just a basically a stiff cable and push it down the main gear towards small main or flat system. How long have you had that one? I don't know exactly how long but it's it's definitely more than 10 years old. And this one is all scratched up too because they are putting it in uh because they are putting it in the main. Yeah. Everything instead of just using it for the laterals of the house, they've been, you know, they've had to use it for the main. So, it's all scratched up and is this already budgeted in your budget? Yes, this was northern

and we already approved that with budget and so and there's already fund available for it. So it wouldn't we're not having to take anything out of the general fund or wouldn't and this is part of the Murma requirement right does not require but points that if we don't acrew enough points we will take an increased rate increase well I kind of like my Donald's approach you do it right the first time yes and our guys are pretty good about taking care

yeah and I I like that. I I think it's important to put the tools in your hand that that best work for you. So, I would be in favor of Yeah.

So, what are the other options then? We got one option at this point um that may or may not be uh better than what we actually need and probably won't be able to use all the features. I'm just guessing if if they're saying that that's normally for bigger cities or whatever. So, can can we at least look at at getting a couple more bids? And maybe we can get a better warranty. I'm not sure, but there's three bids in

they all have a one-year warranty. U this is the next step up from what we have current. There's there's nothing in between a push camera and a tracker camera. Now, there's cheaper versions out there that you're going to pay a lot of money for that won't give you the same results. Ones that tip over or get stuck, or this one is a six-wheel drive unit versus a four-wheel drive, have the diamond wheels to be able to bite into the pipe to get traction and the slime and sludge that's in the pipes. Now, these things are pretty heavy. That camera probably weighs 40 lb. So, you know, it's it's pushing camera, these portable units, and then you step up to either a trailer mounted or a truck mounted.

I want to get the guys the equipment, too. But that's just that is just a big chunk to buy all I think there's cheaper options out there that would work. It's already budgeted. It's already in there for last year. So it wouldn't not an expense for this year. Well, you don't have to spend it all if if you can find the same thing for less money. Just because we approved a budget doesn't mean we have to spend it. How many staff? One person.

One person. Is this uh camera system well known? Because I would not be able to find Yeah. much information. This is one of the original versions of a much super mini cam and then probably the most known one is the virite one that was also the most expensive one. where the other two are. So we are not getting cattle by any stretch of

a little bit. I don't want to take a super specialized equipment like this isn't cheap. I know if you get cheap, you get what you pay. I just like to see if you want. Well, we have

They're not the same. Well, kind of like I told they're you can't compare apples to apples because they can only sell one type of camera. They have agreements, sales agreements, territorial agreements. So, I can't get you three prices on the same camera, right? Different vendors. Or if I do, we're going to buy a camera from California and Kansas City's not going to service it. We buy and you probably heard say that much money.

So what you're saying you've exhausted all the know there's other cameras out there but in our area that has local service these are in the Midwest.

So what made you choose the one you did? It's low price and the owner of this company didn't know that like I said I'm not I'm not saying no guys the food they want. But the experts I talked to said a small town has no business owning up can

Ross. How much less are you talking about with the experts you talked to? uh for the small systems that they recommended. They sell it for around 60,000 which is still a chunk, but it gets the job done. Yes, we don't have some of the options, but it is a more financially feasible option. Who are these experts? I've got a buddy that sells new equipment and has for the last 20 years. Um, and then I talked to another fellow of mine down friend of mine down that are more familiar with these cameras. I've learned more about sewer cameras in the last two days than I did before. But

so are these really experts or these people that just sell cameras? I would consider them experts. Yes. And it comes with an extra warranty, an extra year warranty. So two years there won't be no more. Hey Mark, is there a way that you could uh take a look at these type of cameras and just see if they would suffice? If they don't, I I have no problem voting for it. I know we've already approved it in the budget, but if you could at least take a look at it and see if you think that that is something that would work, I would appreciate that. And I'm sure the the people paying taxes would appreciate that.

I'll do that. [clears throat] Yeah. I mean, there's expensive fish cameras or cheap tractor cameras. Did you hear that, John? No, I didn't. What? You might repeat. Said there's expensive push cameras or there's cheap tractor cameras. So, the cheap tractor came what we had and it's half the price. We had a push If we buy the cheap back at 65 compared to 128, we can buy the cheap cam, the cheap tractor camera, but we'll still be hiring other companies to come in and do things for us.

Can you elaborate on that a little bit? So, a lot of those they don't weigh enough or have enough traction to push against flow in a main. So you would have to have somebody come in, cap off those mains and bypass pump around them while you run your camera through it. You have to be able to suck all the water out of them at the time you're pushing through them. We're talking on 10, 12, 16 inch mains that you can't just shut the flow down on and to do the camera. God, I we always paid a company to come do it. can ever get them out and it's expensive,

you know. What's your opinion? Which which one should we do? Well, I'm I'm a process guy, so you have the budget request and you saw the request and you approved that in the budget and they're coming back to execute. Right. Recommendation would go with the department's recommendation, but I don't want to Well, well, it looks like the nuts and bolts of it is if you get it and and if I understand what you're saying is if you get a smaller camera, there's a lot of more uh staff involved,

uh, hours time that you're paying to clear those out so that you can take a lighter camber down it. And now you're saying that this camera can just go through all the flowy dist to some extent. I mean there are still limitations on the but uh that's the camera is just part of the other part is the actual software be able to make useful what you're doing in that. I mean, being able to record those issues and have it cataloged and where they're at, be able to put in our map software.

And we do have very ancient main as far as I know, we don't have any mapping of sewer laterals. So this would be able to give you measurements from a your starting manhole to the first connection on that sewer main. How many feet it is from that manhole to everyone there what orientation it is in the pipe. So we plan on

it just it gives you a lot of options when it comes to keeping track of it. Can we get someone out to um to test a couple of different ones? Do they do that? All three of these came out. You've already done them. Yeah. So, you ran them through the sewers? Yes. Okay. I have a video. No thanks. No thanks. Dirty movie. I'll pass. I'll pass.

Mark. Okay. So, we plan this next year to do Third Street down me, right? Would this help a lot with that? Uh, I don't know if there were actually running. It's in the water. But this will also work for storm drains as well. We have issues with storm drain. Yeah. And the research I did, they are slick. It'll do from little pipes clear to 4 foot, five foot. It rises up. It looks all over. I I think it's a great tool. I just It was expensive. I'm not going to disagree. Yeah, let's move. I'm waiting for

2026-1. Say I oppose. Passes. Four in favor. Mark, you're having your Christmas volunteer becky come out and help with that little. [laughter] All right. Next, it takes us to resolution 2026-2. Shelley.

Resolution 2026-2. A resolution of the city of Cameron, Missouri, allowing the Cameron fire department to use funds provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation volunteer fire assistant management funds grant. I would entertain a motion to pass resolution 2026-2. Second discussion.

Okay. Thank you all. Uh what this is is a grant that the Missouri Department of Conservation puts out every year uh for volunteer firefighters. Uh it's for communities of 10,000 left and foria Cameron Fire Department involved in that category under 10,000 people.

Um it's a $20,000 matching fund grant. That means that out of the 20,000 they'll match 10 and my balance would be 10. Um the the equipment that I put together this year came up to $20,917.85. I applied for the grant. I did receive the grant. Uh it's a grant that I do receive quite frequently. Normally I see it about every three years. uh been real fortunate to see it every year or every two years the past few years. Um it is a grant that I apply for every year. I don't not apply for it. I'm not thinking I'll get it. So anyway, uh my funds um although $10,9175 uh that money will come from my assess tax fund and I do have money in that question.

Any questions? Whatever chief does I like. So I never have to worry. John,

Mr. Figer, Councilman Fer. Yeah. What? Are you good about this? Yeah. All right. Of course I am. Thank you, Mike. Others in favor passing resolution 2026-2, say I. I. I. Post passes. Four in favor, zero oppos. And one at

our firefighter over here. He's afraid. What's wrong with him? That takes us to resolution 2026-3. Resolution 2026-3. A resolution of the city council of the city of Cameron, Missouri, authorizing the expenditure of the Blue Shield grant fund for police department. I will entertain a motion to pass resolution 633. So move second discussion.

Thank you council. Uh this is from the blue shield grant we applied for. We were awarded under it the 100% paying for it. It'll replace our computers in our cars, MTS. The last round we bought, they are now 5 years old. The round before that, I would say we probably had for 11 years, 10 years. This last round did not last as long. Uh the battery life in them is down to 20 minutes, 30 minutes. They each require two batteries. They're 600 bucks a piece. So that's where we decided to put this money towards communications of our computers as well as a computer for the detectives for Cellbrite. Um not a gamer, but this would be like a gaming computer on steroids. Uh that would be very large for a large amount of processing data to put it, but it's 100% paid for. This is what

Good news. Those grants are nice things. Any other questions? Yes, they are. All those in favor of passing resolution 2026-3 say I. I. All oppose.

Passes. Five in favor. Zero opposed. That takes us to resolution 2026-4. Shall I? Resolution 2026-4. A resolution of the city council of the city of Cameron, Missouri, designating city officials who are authorized to have signature authority for city bank accounts at ETC Bank, Farmer State Bank, Bank Midwest, and Bank Northwest. I would entertain a motion to pass resolution 2026-4. part of discussion.

We did one of these exactly like this earlier this year to add links on our signature card. This is just um making the change with the new city manager to add manager on and it's very timely because um when it's out and's on vacation I need a signature so we need to get this done so we can pay bills. That's a good thing to do to All right. Any questions, comments? All right. All those in favor passing resolution 2026-4, say I. I.

All oppose. It passes. Five in favor. You're opposed. That takes us on to resolution 2026-5. Resolution 2026-5, a resolution for the city of Cameron, Missouri, authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with CNN sales for the purchase of an inspection department service truck. I would entertain a motion to pass resolution 2026-5. Discussion.

Thank you, Mayor Council. This is for a 2024 Ford Maverick. Um, low mileage about 13,000 miles. at me when I have that out the budget of $25,000. Um, you know, a full front seat for Lord with my other we'll be taking the the Ford F150 and put it on surplus to get money back on. You have any questions? At

least I didn't sell it out from under you this time. I made sure when I went look good in a minivan though. [laughter] Smart car. Oh jeez. Me and Sony car. So the one that you that's replacing just for everybody to to understand what year is the vehicle that was replacing? 98. Oh, it's a 98. I think it's a 98 Ford F-150. I don't know. You can see the You can see the ground through. Does it have an eight? No. Does it have an eight track player or That's how you need a vehicle back.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, this is probably long overdue. It's probably got a lot of band-aids and and B wire. Yes. Let's do it. It's very All those in favor of passing resolution 2026-5 say I oppose passes. Five in favor. Did you vote? I don't hear us. I tried. I tried. I did it on mute but yes I said hi.

Got it. You should do some sign language. [laughter] takes us to our second public participation. So, if anybody would like to stand up and talk to us, we would love to have you do that again up and sign in your name. Maybe you have five minutes. All right, that takes us to miscellaneous comments from the staff. That takes us I'll let you do that.

No, mayor. Nothing else. Nothing.

Mr. Just going to let you guys know that street crews will be out changing out faded and signs that are missing. the ones that armed in high viz, which high viz means when your lights hit it, they glow. We got to get all those changed out. And if they come across the poles that are not broke break away in the right away, we'll change changing those out. Also, we usually wait to do this whenever spring starts getting closer, but since it's unusually warm this time of year and the ground's not frozen, they're going ahead and tackling some of them. Oh, and we did get a street superintendent hired Friday. Got the opportunity. And if everything goes work paperwork-wise, Jim Ford is the new super superintendent. So, congratulate him. And uh he should be hopefully starting the 16th. That's all I've got.

Where do you go? What's that? Where do you go? I mean, oh, you're you're the director. Jesus. I didn't know you were a dad. What?

All right. Thank you, Tad.

Be the first to say goodbye to Tad. Uh the guy's been busy tree trimming all through the parks and stuff trying to clean up some limbs and stuff. We got some uh fall down and then just oh clean up the ditch there just west of the pool and whatnot. We got a ditch to run it out through there and soon as we can we're going to get with the street crew guys and we're going to recut that ditch and rock it and stuff like that. So we're taking out some trees. Uh we are beginning to take down the Christmas lights since it is nice weather. I think the guys in the next three days are going to try to get some of that stuff down and that way it's out of everybody's hair. Um, I've been working on some policies and stuff for the pool uh for weather related and um just basically staff policies and stuff for the lifeguards to understand. We never we we kind of we did a good job last year but we just need to sharpen the knife a little bit better for far as insurance and liability purposes. So, I've been looking at a system called Digiquonics for staffing purposes and stuff for the pool. Um, so far I like it pretty well. I got Amy and Carmen kind of involved with it as well. And I think it's going to be it's a it's going to be pretty easy. It's an app that you can download on your phone. So, all the lifeguards and the pool manager has a complete schedule on there and they'll be able to schedule their whole staff for all summer long or a month, whatever he or she wants to do at that time. So, and I think it's fairly cheap. It's only it's less than $600 for a year subscription. So, um I think it'll be a lot better than a Google calendar. So, that's what we used last year. So,

um one other thing has been updating some of the event applications and stuff for Moral Park and the partner and non-partnerships and stuff for our new compensary fees and stuff. And I gave Shelly all the information on that. So, she's gonna work her word magic on that and get that updated on it. So, that's really about all I got unless you guys got questions for me. I do. Okay. Okay. About the pool, you know, I'm kind of in the pool. Um, so when you're buying an entire subscription for a full year for the pool, there's months got you have no employees. Well, the good part about it is we can use it for the fall season, too, for concession stand workers.

Okay. So, it will go into the fall or spring before the pool even opens. Okay. So, we should get a good six months out of it. I know I'll have to check into it if it's a six-mon subscription or a year or whatever else. But, it it's fairly cheap for the access. And the nice thing about this is it's not just for for staffing purposes. It also has chemical logs on there. It gives the uh gives me and the other staff members ideas of what your pH is low on, what you need to add chemicals to. You can upload accent reports on it. I mean, it's pretty pretty nice. It It's really basically getting away from a notebook of paper and being digital.

You can do your pool testing and stuff on from an iPad from it. All that. So, it's obviously a municipality type of Yes. a lot of different municipalities that do pools, run pools and stuff and use the dingy bars and Okay, good. It's always good to know. You know, I'm into Oh, yeah. Always do a great job. Hey, so you mentioned Christmas lights. A lot of people have talked about we don't have Christmas lights on the south end of Walnut Street and um or decorations. So, is that something that we can budget in or you could budget in? There's I think the discussion before was we really can't plug them into anything. Those poles down there,

right? Don't have the little transformers on them. 480 volt by so there's no there's no 110 run expansion cord from each house. So, so then it would still look nice, you know, if we had um ornaments, decorations on the poles, right? Even if they didn't have lights on them, then you'd get calls all the time, hey, the lights aren't on on the south end of Walnut. Well, that happened quite a bit in McCoral Park. Luckily, knock on wood, we did pretty good this year. Only four extension cords got stolen. Well, that was nice. Last year, we we was buying extension cords, two or three every week. Yeah. And it's buried in snow last year.

Yeah. So, what do we need to do to get decorations for the poles? Uh, this will have to be something me and me and Mark will have to kind of get together and kind of try to get power to them. Well, no, I don't need I don't say you have to have them. I don't say you have you just want decoration. They're just something we can look at. We can just put it in the budget for next year. Yeah. Because that would be a lot cheaper. Sure. And then maintenance would be way less. And you know, honestly, it's during the daylight it look just the same anyway. Yeah. Part of the other issue we run into is having someplace to store them that is somewhat rodent proof. That's what happens to a lot of those lights. They sit out there

shed and mice get into them. Cheat wires that long. I know someone that has storage units. So for free. Well, we can work. We don't have any money. Yeah, we can we have to fill out that disclosure statement. Yeah, that would be awkward, wouldn't it? I didn't know what it was about. Yeah, we can definitely look into it and put it in the budget and do something like that. Okay, thank you. Yep. Thanks, Ira. Y

u So, electric crew has been pretty busy hooking up new houses lately. We we're probably averaging three, four a week at least. Well, it's doing some tree trimming on the side and the weather's been decent. been pretty wet here lately, so there hasn't been a lot they can get to. Uh we do have farm forestry cleaning out of tree growing old Michelle Tucket's office down there in the license office. The trees are up in the power line also had some homeless.

I was going to say that's a highway for homeless. I know it should be a country. Yeah, he's planning on starting on that this week. Uh, wire crews are been working on some water leaks here lately. We got a couple of mystery ones that we're still trying to track down where they're coming from as well as just being short staffed in that department. With the holidays and everything, it's been pretty pretty slow here lately as far as getting a whole lot of concrete. Uh, I'm working on the annual permit evaluation here coming up for a week or two. Trying to get all of our safety meetings and everything documented, all that put together and see start process on the third street water line, the preliminary engineering report on that. I've been talking with engineers to get that started as well as I've been filling out an application for SRF blending lead water line placement. Yeah. So,

who's the engineers for that? HDR. Oh, HDR. Yes. How far back does the lead when's the lead water lines stop? I got that letter at my house. As far as Well, when did they stop using lead? Uh I believe it was 1978 is when it was outlawed. It was it was widely stopped used before then.

The reason Murda is so important and the the the all the hoops that you're having to go through is that our insurance, correct me if I'm wrong, our insurance will stay at a low price. We can go through all the hoops. if we can stay above 80% or 80 points on their their scale which is work comp and liability loss control insurance. So making sure that we're maintaining our vehicles equipment playground equipment public buildings additional on top of what you pay for sometimes. So, so far we've had some we've had really good

for 100. We just got a couple tour camera was one of them. The other is infrared thermography of the power lines. It really does keep people staff on their toes trying to keep MNA at I mean MNA at bay because when MNA comes around we have to make sure they do what they want. Yeah, I know it's I don't like them either but there are insurance. They also have a lot at the pool. That's probably one of the bigger ones. Would you stay out of the park? Blame me for the 92 score. Yeah, his his book is about that big for all the playground.

Ma reimbured some of the pool stuff because of the lifeguard training he did. Yeah, we got we still have to we just have to send it in, but yes. Yeah, that's why. Yes, yes, yes, I knew that. So, yeah. Okay. Yeah, cool. All right. Thank you, Mark. I'm not ready to talk a lot this alone. Unless you have questions for me. Spencer's worried. He just got a new garage, so he don't want to talk too much here. So, we're continuing to make sure that our city is getting at things dealt with concerning nuisance and that kind of thing. Absolutely. And how is that going with Stone?

It's been wonderful. has never really been in developing. He's he's very very good at what he does. Well, normally um I have people walking into my office that are unhappy with the notices they get, especially if they feel like they've been unfair, and I have not had that as well. I appreciate it. But I would also like our citizens to be well taken care of as they take care of their property. Yeah. Super still run 247 still open.

Yeah, we are short staffed as well. That's probably going to continue for a while. Everyone fills in where they need to. Thank you. uh fire department. Last year we had run more calls than ever before. It was over 350 calls and that's on over the weekend holiday weekends. We bought we ser

but I don't see it bad. The good thing is I I do have a tanker truck order that you all knew. It is in paint now, so we might see it before two years later. It's working at the present time. Um hopefully we'll see some changes coming up in the new year, some plans that I probably be talking to you all about. And um on that part and u everything's going good. Thank you, Chief. Great Northwest Water, give us the report. Um, as far as great Northwest goes, I think uh I think things are are going good. I know that we received all positive test results on all the back teeth. So, the pipeline is has passed all the inspections. Um, we're waiting on DNR right now for a temporary permit to dispense. Uh, again, as far as the pipeline construction, things are going well.

Well, I had Shauna Barnes in my office last week, but I I have some questions. does not have, but I do have questions for you. Haven't it been like since May that I've been told that we're going to have water and I was promised and guaranteed and this and that and even at the last meeting I was told we were going to have water. Correct. That water we just can't

Well, no. Well, it's not being dispensed. I'm saying the the folks are paying for money or paying for water that they're not getting. And the whole reason why we did this was because we had to get it ready to go before. So I I'm just I'm not real happy with the fact that it's going to end up probably being May of this year before we start dispersing the water. People have paid two price increases on something they didn't vote for. So, I'm just saying we need to be smarter than that. It's a good thing we didn't need the Do they have a due date in mind?

Well, Mercy DNR. Well, the from what Sha was telling me, she DNR. Um, they're still Yeah. pretty much none of that

the funding though. So they're working on it. I know Sean is he's a part of it. She works with us. So they've been working on it for 10 years. Becky, I know they have. This is the largest pipeline ever in the state of Missouri. This is moving to everybody DNR and we don't own it, but we have to fix it. So, yeah. Anyway, you can go on messing up there, shall we?

So, back to Murma. I did have a handout in your packet that Murma, our work comp score is 089. um for that an average score for work comp is 1.0 0 that would be average and if you start getting up in the you know above that then you start getting again assessments and our score is 089 we're doing very well on our comp on our claims we do training we provide equipment for our our people and so we got a very good score

good um also I just want to make note the next council meeting is scheduled So for Monday on Martin day, we will be closed that day. So we will have our on Tuesday um that meeting on Tuesday um the 20th, we are going to start at at 5:00 with reception. We're going to have a reception to meet and greet um your new manager. And at 5:45 the uh choir the show choir at the high school will be aired to do a green performance before the 6:00 we'll have a refreshment there before

and the green starts at Hi.

First time Saturday. Well, this Saturday to the councilman, council member Carr. I don't have anything to say about MNA. I don't even know her. So, I don't have anything to say at all. So, thank you very much. God, I hope we haven't run you off yet. Welcome. Honestly, I don't know if I want to be in your position, but God be with you, buddy.

It's better than that. Right. Well, since you normally sat next to me, John, uh, Fig, you're next. What do you have anything to say? Yep. Um, hey Dan, sorry that I couldn't be there to tell you to your face. Thank you for all the hard work that you did for us. Um, we appreciate it. The community appreciated it. Um, and uh, I expect you to go right back to being the one of the best chief chiefs we've ever had, and I appreciate you.

Thank you.

Um, Scott, welcome. You It's It is going to be tough. I'm not going to lie. Um, couple things that we had with the old city manager. There's there's some things that are going to be it's going to take a while to get the trust built up. So, I just want to let you know your best bet is to be completely open, honest, and do lots of good communication with your people um and with the community and with us. And uh that's it for me, Mayor Yeah, I'd just like to echo what uh John said. Thank you, Chief, for all your hard work and doing kind of a thankless job. And you know, the ending wasn't what some of us wanted, but we appreciate it and respect you for what you did. Um, even though I didn't vote for you, welcome. [laughter] Uh, look forward to seeing what you can do for our town. Thank you.

I'm actually

Okay. Um, so I'm Scott and first days are always awkward. Um, you know, you come in and you don't have a The phones are a problem, but um, you don't have computer, [clears throat] you don't have contacts. People are like, "Who's this guy?" It's a little intimidating. Um, this isn't my first goound. U, I've loved municipal government. I've been in Colorado, city cler finance. I've been in nearby um when community it's a team sport. So when you you know you thank the chief he's done an amazing job and filled in and and taken things to the next level. It's all of the staff. I mean every job in municipalities is thankless usually and you have some of the best people in your community. Um it brings people to your community. I've never met a person that has ever worked for me. They weren't, you know, people that I had to do personnel and fire because of stealing or some crazy thing like that. I've never had a person on my team that I didn't fight for them that didn't give their best for the community. Um I think it's hard. You come to a new community. Um Larry, the guy who from SGR, he said, "Scott, it's a great community. They don't have any of that stuff you've dealt with. I' I've you know I might be somewhat young but I've had some really challenging um tenures with finances with audit you know taken on a county that had three years of deficient audits had not increase their taxes with mill levies for nine years and weren't even collecting the bond money on a high school that was almost a million dollars a year to increase the taxes that the voters voted for it it's really hard to run your shop when that's coming out of the general fund. um municipal service at home, you know, your utility bills, your water bills, the city has those same bills. So to not grow and progressively take that on means you're cutting it somewhere. So I mean I mean

those are not easy decisions. Um you know, almost everyone I've ever mayors I've worked for and council members, citizens, almost everybody that has the community at heart does a great job, right, and cares. So I I thank the chief. he is, you know, Shelly, um Amy was helping. Um it's it's new and trying to, you know, like football coaches, you have to catalyze and you have to be out there and you have to be adaptable, right? Things I've done in other places that were easy or work great may not be the same here. And you have to adapt and you have to work with your team. And and the credit really doesn't go to me at all. It goes to the staff, goes to the council making their decisions. And it's a team sport, right? You don't you don't win the Super Bowl because you have a great coach or because you have, you know, great fans. You win because everybody is pulling together and going the same direction. So, that's a little bit about me. I I'm available. Um, please come by, meet me if you have issues. I have open door policy. I I've really I'd like to look back on my first being a city manager like being a football coach. you know, you could lose the Super Bowl and the next day the the coach that's a defensive coordinator is fired. You know, I it's a it's a challenge. Um but I do love what I do. Um I' I've brought projects and fixed a lot of lovely taken on jobs people wouldn't do in entire states and thought, you know, we fix them, you work better, and you know, you fix those problems and next thing you know, the people you had to remove or monetary issues you fixed. Oh, that was, you know, the mayor's the mayor's business and, you know, it's it's a political job in that means. But I think being ethical and honest in everything we do, I expect that from my staff and my team and me. So, I I don't want to be on soap box too much, but thank you, chief. Um, it isn't easy to fill these roles. And I I have yet to ever have a department head or

someone that doesn't say, "I'm glad you're in that seat, not me." because it's it's challenging and it's never it does never come without you know scrutiny and and challenges but I I think if we step up and work with your team make great things happen and I thank you for the opportunity to come and become a member of your team too and my intention is to move here by the end of the month I'm excited everybody that I know in my circle that I said oh this is where I'm going they're like wow they they know a lot about me they're That's a great that's a great place to go. That's all we got.

And and you have an excellent team. I mean, I don't I didn't go somewhere. I didn't research the finances and watch the politicalness and and investigate deeper. So, so kudos to you because I, you know, I looked at a lot of places and there was several places were like, "Hey, come here." And there's a lot of places in the country where you know the cost of living and housing they probably pay about the same and then the houses cost three times what they get cost you know and I've lived in Colorado and Alaska and it's crazy to me that they expect someone on a a teacher or police officer salary of 50 $60,000 to buy a million dollar house in Denver. I don't know how that works. that's not the case here and we're fortunate to still be in that photo. But um so thank you. I I look forward and I appreciate all the council's encouragement and I I hope to make you proud and and do my best.

Well, I have a few things to say. First of all, I sure I [laughter] first of all, I'm the longest council person here, so I know what the staff was and how they functioned. And they pretty they functioned well together, but they weren't as a big of a I watched when Dan took over that the course we have a new some turnovers, but the you departments are working really well together. I mean, I've seriously not seen that before. And um it's it's lovely to see because you guys, you know, problems are each other's your team and uh used to do it that way. So, you got a team there.

Most places that I've gone are I'm not coming in at this stage. I'm coming in on the front end when everything had to be cleaned up. Well, I got that shot. He's responding. They said he was the And I I mean, you're not going to do as a first responding as he is because he's a first responder. And let me tell you, when there were guys taking stuff out of our city, Paul, he was all over it. Yeah. People sleeping in there, taking stuff out of there. It was nice. It was nice.

It was warm. It was warm. We do have a we do have a a homeless issue, but no, I think we're we're set really well. I think it's it's a stepping thing. I think uh we've got really good staff, really good staff. And have excellent staff. Yeah. Yes. And I know the community has uh been very involved in this and I thank you for that. Thank you. And I I think there'll be a good thing from this. I really do. We've got the was it Moto? I know coming. Yeah. Coming and we've got a great chamber working on that. We're working along with them.

Yes.

And so and he's got a big ball in that big hand in that. So please please help us out with that because we are hospitable. We have highways going north, south, east, and west. And when people come into my office, a lot of I when I ask them when they come here, a lot of times that's how kind people treat them when they ask for. So I just want to thank you for that. Thank you for your interest. Thank you for your concern. And you know what? Thank you. With that, I will entertain a motion to u is exit the second for communication. A second.

Yes. Mark. Yes. Ros. Yes. Good night, guys. Thanks for coming. John, I'm gonna stop recording, but you're still going to be on here, okay? For the executive session. Sounds good. Thank you.