South Central Reporter

City of Assumption City Council met Oct. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Bromwell Lodge by Mayor Derek Page who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call was answered by Alderpersons Gary Nelsen, Kim Porter, Selena Reed, Kandy Smith, Travis Sullivan and Donny Walden. Also, present were Attorney Stephen Hedinger, Chief Brian Wade, School Resource Officer Doug Allen, Officer Justin McElroy, Treasurer Angel Palmer and City Clerk Janet Waller.

Present in the audience were Moweaqua Police Chief Chris Hale, Engineer Ron Legner from Chastain’s & Associates, Marilyn Ashinhurst, Donna Ohl, Janis Herbord, Bill Herbord, Joyce Throneburg, Julie Holthaus, Donnie Moore and Engineer Mark Bingham from Bingham Professional Services.

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the minutes of September 4, 2024 City Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Porter, Reed, Smith, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the minutes of Special Meeting September 17, 2024. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Reed, Porter and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.

Approval of Bills:

Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Porter, made a motion to approve the payment of bills as they appear on Warrant Sheets. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Smith, Porter, Reed and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Public Comments

Officer McElroy discussed part-time officers in Assumption are not paid enough. He chooses to work here because of Chief Wade. He has been a blessing to our community.

Communications from the Mayor:

Truck or Treat will be held on Sunday, October 27 in the Middle School parking lot. If it rains it will be held inside the Middle School.

A notice has been posted at 213 Sarah Street to remedy the issue.

The City will observe Columbus Day on Monday, October 14, 2024 and offices will be closed.

Friday, October 4th, oiling and rocking of some City streets will be done. Please use caution in the areas being done.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 there will be a Zoning Board Meeting regarding shipping containers as storage containers.

There will be a Christian County Economic Board meeting and Mayor Page will be speaking on October 17th at 11:30 am at the Pillars. Mayor Page will discuss the housing and subdivision.

Chief Wade has received a grant for 3 Tasers for $9,411.60. The City might have to buy batteries and chargers. The City will be required to pay the cost up front to get reimbursed the $9,411.60. More discussion will be at the Committee of the Whole Meeting October 15th at 6 pm.

Chief Wade will be leaving the City of Assumption for another position. We wish Chief Wade the best of luck in his new position.

Moweaqua Chief Hale will be covering during the interim and the City of Assumption will pay the Village of Moweaqua for the coverage.

Communications from the City Attorney:

Attorney Hedinger updated the council on the notice at 213 Sarah Street. The City is waiting for a response from the homeowner before doing the ordinance violation and sending it to the courts.

Attorney Hedinger continues to work on a response to the EPA on a reporting notice that will be sent to all residents regarding a resident that tested high. It may have been due to not flushing the line long enough.

Communications from the Treasurer:

Payroll will be done on Tuesday, October 8.

Treasurer will be on vacation October 9 thru October 16.

$71,815.00 loan payment is due for wastewater.

Communications from the Alderpersons:

Alderperson Porter expressed her thanks to Chief Wade and wished him well. She would like to know the reasoning as why he is leaving if it is because of a change or the pay.

Alderperson Nelsen has been researching insurance benefits for employees and estimated costs. The estimated costs is up to $835.00 per employee. The employee would come out ahead as they would not be taxed for the insurance like they are taxed for the stipend. The requirement would be 70% participation in the employees to have group insurance. The deductible would be $500 for employees.

Under New Business:

Moweaqua Chief Hale informed the council of the importance of keeping up with the training and standards board. It is a lengthy process and the state cannot be rushed. Moweaqua Chief Hale compared budgets between Moweaqua and Assumption. Our police budget is much lower than Moweaqua and we do not offer insurance either. We offer a stipend. Moweaqua Chief Hale noted that from his experience insurance and benefits is a key to keeping officers employed due to the skyrocketing costs of insurance.

Chief Wade thanked everyone and encouraged the council to listen to their employees.

Engineer Ron Legner from Chastain & Associates gave an update. They will be discussing seeding and patching in the near future.

Motion to approve invoice for Sewer:

Petersburg Pay Request $258,481.66 Chastain Invoice 6886-58 $14,284.29 Total $273,070.15

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Sullivan, made a motion to approve the Petersburg Pay request for $258,481.66 and Chastain pay request for $14,284.29 for a total of $273,070.15. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Smith, Nelsen, Sullivan and Porter voting aye and 0 nays.

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the Sewer project change order CO 4 for $18,205.60. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Reed, Nelsen, Sullivan, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Motion to approve invoice for Watermain Project

Petersburg Pay Request $75,615.44 Chastain Invoice 7644.01-26 & 27 $22,579.20 Total $98,194.64

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve payment of a total of $98,194.64 for Petersburg Plumbing pay request of $75,615.44 and a Chastain invoice $22,579.20. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Smith, Porter, Reed and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Motion to approve invoice for Lead Service Line Replacement Project Petersburg Plumbing Disbursement $9,106.55

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve Petersburg Plumbing Disbursement for $9,106.65. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Smith, Walden, Porter, Reed and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.

Engineer Ron Legner explained the extra costs for $35,000.00 for Chastain and Associates associated in the rebidding of the Water Treatment Plant ($12,400.00 costs for grant assistance) and ($22,600 for hours to plan and rebid documents) will need approved. The project will start getting shop drawings and materials ordered with a possible start date in the spring. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Reed made the motion to approve $35,000.00 for Chastain and Associates for extra cost associated in the rebidding of the Water Treatment Plant. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Reed, Smith, Nelsen, Porter and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.

Ron Legner reviewed preliminary numbers for a 20 or 30 year loan for the Water Treatment Plant. The approximate costs for a 20 year loan would be $75,000 and $54,000 for a 30 year loan. The council discussed and decided on a 30 year loan with the intent to pay off the loan as if it was a 20 year loan if feasible. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve a 30 year loan for the Water Treatment Plant with the yearly intent of payments to be made at the 20 year loan rate as feasible when funding is available. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Smith, Porter, Sullivan, Nelsen and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

An ordinance was presented for the amendment authorizing the EPA loan agreement to increase the amount. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made the motion to approve Ordinance 825 to amend the authorized loan agreement with the EPA. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Porter, Nelsen, Reed, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The invoice for tree removal was $7,700.00. Council Member Sullivan, seconded by Nelsen, made a motion to approve the invoice for $7,700 for Coleman Tree Service. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Smith, Porter, Reed and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The Knotty Pine Bar and Grill will be having a fundraiser for the Assumption Fire Department and Ambulance Service. They would like to close the road on October 19th for the fundraiser. Council Member Sullivan, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the road closure on October 19th the Knotty Pine Bar & Grill fundraiser. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Porter and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.

The council discussed the days and hours for Trick or Treat. Council Member Sullivan, seconded by Council Member Porter, made a motion to approve Trick or Treat on October 30 & October 31 from 5 to 8 pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Reed, Smith, Nelsen, Porter and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.

The cost of security cameras for the concession stands is $3,563.00 for parts and labor from Wareham’s Security. Council Member Porter, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve $3,563.00 for security cameras from Wareham’s Security for the concession stands. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Reed, Nelsen, Sullivan, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The cost of security cameras for the Park is $3,755.00 for parts and labor from Wareham’s Security. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Porter, made a motion to approve $3,755.00 for security cameras for the Park from Wareham’s security. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Reed, Porter, Sullivan, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The pay request for Holthaus Beyers Drainage, LLC is $2,160.00 for the Baxmeyer Subdivision for water line trench and install hydrant and watermain installation. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve the pay request for Holthaus Beyers Drainage, LLC for $2,160.00 for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Walden, Sullivan, Reed, Nelsen and Porter voting aye and 0 nays.

The pay request for Holthaus Beyers Drainage, LLC is $13,680.00 for the roadway for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Reed, made a motion to approve the pay request for Holthaus Beyers Drainage, LLC $13,680.00 for the roadway for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Reed, Smith, Nelsen, Porter and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.

The invoice for Gaither Farms for rock hauling is $1,617.75 for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Walden, made the motion to approve the payment of $1,617.75 for Gaither Farms for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Reed, Nelsen, Sullivan, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The invoice for T&J Excavating is $1,485.00 for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made the motion to approve $1,485.00 for the invoice from T&J Excavating for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Porter, Reed, Smtih, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The pay request for Burdick Heating and Plumbing for service line work is $33,984.00. Council Member Reed, seconded by Council Member Smith, made the motion to approve the pay request for Burdick Heating and Plumbing for $33,984.00 for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Motion carried with Alderpersons Smith, Porter, Nelsen, Reed, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The pay request for Ballinger Concrete Construction is $39,648.60 for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made the motion to approve the pay request for Ballinger Concrete Construction for $39,648.60. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Reed, Nelsen, Sullivan, Smith and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

Engineer Mark Bingham went over pricing for the final grading at the Baxmeyer Subdivision. After discussion the council went with Ballinger Concrete Construction for $6,600. Council Member Smith, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve Ballinger Concrete Construction for final grading for $6,600.00 for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Motion carried with Alderpersons Reed, Walden, Sullivan, Smith, Porter and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.

Engineer Mark Bingham received quotes for the seeding and mulch at the Baxmeyer Subdivision. The lowest quote was TJ Excavating for $7,800. Council Member Sullivan, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve TJ Excavating for $7,800 for seeding and grading for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Porter, Reed and Walden voting aye and Nelsen and Smith voting nay.

Engineer Mark Bingham gave an overview on the Baxmeyer Subdivision on items that are completed and also on the costs of the subdivision. The subdivision is still under budget.

Joyce Throneburg reviewed the subdivision and the TIF district. The subdivision is funded from the TIF district. The TIF district is for economic growth. The weather and various things had delayed the subdivision this year. A payment is due December

2024 on the loan for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. The council discussed at length regarding the budget, TIF and the subdivision.

Public Comments:

The public discussed about the drainage on Sarah Street.

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to adjourn at 8:58 pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Porter, Reed, Smith, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

https://cityofassumption.org/documents/397/10-_October_2024.pdf