South Central Reporter

City of Assumption City Council met May 7.

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 Matt Hunter, Gary Nelsen, Kim Porter, Travis Sullivan and Donny Walden. Also, present were Mayor Page, Attorney Stephen Hedinger, Police Chief Seath Hubbs, Employee Dana Owens, Water Collector Tanya Rhoades, Treasurer Angel Palmer and City Clerk Janet Waller.

Alderperson Selena Reed was absent.

Present in the audience were Engineer Ron Legner from Chastain’s & Associates, Janis Herbord, Bill Herbord, Pat Weger, Michelle Winans, Betty Reed, Herb Palmer, Ricky Bradshaw Jr., Joe Mink, Tom Zuber, Lynn Zuber, Felicia King, Mark Ashinhurst, Marilyn Ashinhurst, Shirley Coulter, Don Moore, Hailey Monnet, Harley Harris, Brylee Harris, Macie Brown, Reice McCormick, Alyssa Hunter, Elizabeth Frank, Hailey Sigrist, Susie Burgess, Julie Holthaus, Shana Redmon, Mary Mowrey, Katie Busboom, Jordan Rogers, Allyna Tucker, Britney Porter, Mike Frynn, Pat Vogel, Sally Busbuen, Hannah Govalski, Mads Schneidrel, Ben Washington aka Ben Thompson and Matt Bridgman.

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Sullivan, made a motion to approve the minutes of April 2, 2025 City Council Meeting. Motion carried with Alderpersons Hunter, Nelsen, Porter and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays. Reed was absent.

Approval of Bills:

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

Swearing in of newly elected officials:

City Attorney Stephen Hedinger swore in Mayor William Herbord. He then swore in Alderpersons Ricky Bradshaw Jr, Herb Palmer, Kim Porter and Donny Walden. Next being sworn in were Treasurer Angel Palmer and City Clerk Janet Waller.

Roll call was answered by Bradshaw, Nelsen, Palmer, Porter, Sullivan and Walden.

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Palmer, made the motion to appoint with advice and consent the law firm of Sorling Northrup as legal counsel for the City of Assumption. Motion carried. Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Porter, Palmer, Nelsen and Bradshaw voting aye and 0 nays.

Mayor Herbord swore in City Attorney Stephen Hedinger.

Public Comments:

No comments.

Communications from the Mayor:

No comments.

Communications from the City Attorney:

Attorney Stephen Hedinger will comment during the meeting on agenda items. Communications from the Treasurer:

Treasurer Palmer informed the council that a budget has not been passed and suggested tabling items until the budget has been completed.

Communications from the Alderpersons:

Alderperson Nelsen thanked Derek Page for all the time and years on the City Council. He was presented a clock.

Alderperson Nelsen also acknowledged Alderperson Selena Reed for her years served on the City Council.

Alderperson Nelsen thanked Matt Hunter for filling in on the City Council. Alderperson Nelsen acknowledged City Clerk as it is Municipal Clerks Week. Under New Business:

There are 3 cd’s that just came in that need to be renewed. They are for $200,000.00, $16,000.00 and $21,000.00. The council discussed and agreed to roll over the CD’s since it was too late to put them on the agenda for a vote. No vote was taken.

Engineer Ron Legner updated the council.

The Sewer Project continues and work is about 88% complete. They are still working out some issues on relocating utilities.

A change order for trench backfill to prevent settlement for $326.00.

The Watermain Project is about 82% completed. There is grading, seeding and pavement repairs left.

The Lead Service Line Project is 72% complete.

The change order is for some addition quantities.

A change order deduct is for changing to a different insulation on the Water Plant.

The motion to renew CD for $140,000.00 was not voted on as the council wanted to wait until the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget was completed.

Motion to approve invoice for Sewer:

Petersburg Pay Disbursement $173,453.94

Chastain Invoice $17,806.78

Total $191,260.72

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Sullivan, made a motion to approve the Petersburg disbursement for $173,43.94 and Chastain pay request for $17,806.78 for a total of $191,260.72. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Porter, Palmer, Nelsen and Bradshaw voting aye and 0 nays.

A sewer change order was discussed. Council Member Porter, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the sewer change order Number 9 for $326.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Walden, Bradshaw, Porter and Palmer voting aye and 0 nays.

Motion to approve invoice for Watermain Replacement:

Petersburg Plumbing Disbursement $5,648.70

Chastain Invoice $9,789.44

Total: $15,438.14

Council Member Porter, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve $5,648.70 for Petersburg Plumbing and $9,789.44 for Chastain for a total of $15,438.14. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Bradshaw, Palmer, Walden, Sullivan and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.

Motion to approve invoice for Water Lead Service Line:

Petersburg Plumbing Disbursement $24,104.79

Chastain Invoice $1,802.74

Total: $25,907.53

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve the Peterburg Plumbing Disbursement for $24,104.79 and Chastain Invoice for $1,802.74 for a total of $25,907.53. Motion carried with Alderpersons Bradshaw, Palmer, Porter, Nelsen, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

There is a change order for the Water Lead Service Project for $3,759.47.

Council Member Porter, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made the motion to approve the change order for $3,759.47. Motion carried with Alderpersons Palmer, Walden, Sullivan, Porter, Nelsen and Bradshaw voting aye and 0 nays.

A change order deduct for the Water Treatment Plant. $-6,704.30

Council Member Walden, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve the change order deduct of $-6,704.30 for the Water Treatment Plant. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Porter, Nelsen, Bradshaw, Sullivan and Palmer voting aye and 0 nays.

Attorney Hedinger explained the variance request by Hailey Monnet of the Whimsical Whiskers. The Zoning Board provided a written denial for the Whimsical Whiskers Variance Request. The Zoning Board held

a hearing to hear discussion on the variance request. It is up to the council to agree or disagree with the Zoning Board. The variance request was discussed at length along with Public Comments. Council Member Palmer, seconded by Bradshaw, made a motion to approve Zoning Board recommendation for a variance request for Whimsical Whiskers. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Palmer, Bradshaw, and Porter voting aye and Sullivan and Walden voting nays. The council voted to agree with the Zoning Board denial of the variance request.

The motion to approve Executive Minutes for 2024 was tabled.

The motion to approve watermain repair at the Water Plant was done as an emergency repair.

The cost of a hydrant and parts to install for the Baxmeyer Subdivision will be approximately $7,000.00. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Palmer, made the motion to approve not to exceed $8,500.00 for a hydrant for the Baxmeyer Subdivision. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Porter, Bradshaw, Walden and Palmer voting aye and 0 nays.

The cost to repair the 2015 squad car will be $2239.71. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Palmer, made a motion to approve the repair with not to exceed $3,000.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Walden, Palmer, Sullivan, Bradshaw and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.

A transition course for continuing education for the new Police Officer will cost $1,800.00. It is scheduled for June 2 thru June 13. Council Member Walden, seconded by Nelsen, made a motion to approve the transition course for the Police Officer for $1,800.00. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Bradshaw, Walden, Porter, Palmer and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.

The yearly continuing education conference for the School Resource Officer and hotel will be $795.80. The school is responsible for half the costs. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Bradshaw, made a motion to approve the continuing education and hotel for the School Resource Officer for $795.80. Motion carried with Alderpersons Bradshaw, Nelsen, Palmer, Porter, Sullivan and Walden voting aye and 0 nays.

The Police Department is needing to purchase Breathalyzers. The cost will be $1,100.00 for 2. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve $1,100.00 for 2 Breathalyzers for the Police Department. Motion carried with Alderpersons Walden, Sullivan, Porter, Palmer, Nelsen and Bradshaw voting aye and 0 nays.

Police Chief Hubbs informed the council that the School Resource Officer would like to have permission to obtain a therapeutic dog for school use by the Resource Officer. The School Resource Officer will pay for all expenses. Council Member Palmer, seconded by Council Member Nelsen, made a motion to approve a therapeutic dog for the School Resource Officer. Motion carried with Alderpersons Palmer, Walden, Sullivan, Porter, Nelsen and Bradshaw voting aye and 0 nays.

Attorney Hedinger reviewed options for 101 N Chestnut Street and 213 S Sarah. They are different situations as Attorney Hedinger has been in contact with the owner of 101 N Chestnut but the other owner of 213 S Sarah is unable to be reached. The owners have a legal obligation to take care of the properties. Attorney Hedinger would like to get an estimate on 101 N Chestnut before moving forward.

A preliminary ordinance for authorizing the City Expenditures pending adoption of an annual appropriation ordinance was presented. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to approve Ordinance 835 authorizing City Expenditures pending adoption of an annual appropriation ordinance. Motion carried with Alderpersons Nelsen, Bradshaw, Walden, Porter, Palmer and Sullivan voting aye and 0 nays.

The City Council reviewed the application for the Summer Recreation Employee. Reice gave a summary of activities she would have for the program. Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Porter, made the motion to hire Reice McCormick at minimum wage for the Summer Recreation Employee. Motion carried with Alderpersons Sullivan, Nelsen, Porter, Bradshaw, Walden and Palmer voting aye and 0 nays.

The council discussed the ordinance violations. There is an option to take the ordinance violations to ordinance court. Chief Hubbs explained the process to the council. Attorney Hedinger noted it is a process and a cost to the City.

The council discussed the grass at the Baxmeyer Subdivision. More discussion will be done at the Committee of the Whole Meeting. They also discussed the interest of people would like to buy 2 lots but it would reduce the income of the TIF. The first payment is due December 1st.

Public Comments:

A member of the public thanked the Water Supt Jack Duncan and Employee Dana Owens for fixing the issue.

Council Member Nelsen, seconded by Council Member Walden, made a motion to adjourn at 8:47 pm. Motion carried with Alderpersons Porter, Walden, Palmer, Sullivan, Bradshaw and Nelsen voting aye and 0 nays.

https://cityofassumption.org/documents/397/5-_May_2025.pdf