City purchases crimper with grant money; new solutions for water plant

Jeff Arp with MIRMA (Missouri Municipal Trust) presented a 75% cost grant award for $1,396.52 to Mayor Barb Ballew for the purchase of an electric crimper. An electrical crimp is a type of solderless electrical connection.
The Police Department provided a traffic report of the speed limits by drivers on West Grand. Discussion was held on changing the speed limit for both directions on West Grand.
Public Works Director Mark Morey reported that Utility Service performed its biennial water tower washout inspection on Oct. 16. Everything went fine and the city didn’t experience any pressure issues. The new water plant did a nice job maintaining pressure. Crews started draining the water tower at 6 a.m. and started filling the tower back up at 11 a.m.
Street crews have been busy using the new crack seal equipment to fill cracks throughout town when the weather permits.
Mr. Morey stated they are now using a new chemical supplier out of Iowa for the water plant. The new supplier has been performing testing at the water plant several times a week. Operators are trying to find the right chemical and mechanical combination to keep the clarifiers operating correctly. The biggest issue has been getting the sludge blanket built up and maintaining it in the clarifiers.
Ross Construction was at the plant last week replacing and filling mortar between the bricks. A sealer was then sprayed on the bricks and needs to be re-sprayed every five years. Snyder & Associates will be at the plant next week to test the moisture in the walls and sheetrock.
Bills in the amount of $43,193.96 were approved for payment.
The following items were deferred by the board until they consult with the city attorney: Ross Construction Pay App #16; Engineer/Consultant’s Certification; Public Drinking Water Construction Statement of Work Completed.
Auditor proposal for 2018-2020 from John Gillum was accepted.
Certificate of Deposit (CD) Rates from Farmers Bank & BTC Bank were discussed. The board moved to purchase two CDs for $350,000 each at Farmers Bank at their special CD rate of 2.11%-2.13% APY for 14 months. (Lockridge abstained from the vote.)
Joe Jump’s liquor license request to serve by the drink including Sunday sales at 200 Park Street was approved.
The following residents were nominated and accepted to the Park Board: Penny Gardner, Greg Ball and Nathan Curtis.
The 2019 Budget discussion included the following: replacing the Dodge Dakota, mower, and skid loader; purchasing a new dump truck; roof repairs on the electric barn; replacing cables on the blue bucket truck. Discussion will continue at the next meeting.
The above are unapproved minutes. Present were Mayor Barb Ballew, President of Board John Whitfield, Aldermen Carol Walker, Dan Lockridge, Steve Evans; City Administrator Tony Stonecypher; City Clerk Hattie Bailey; Public Works Director Mark Morey; Jeff Arp with MIRMA.