The City of Gallatin has been discussing possible refinancing of its sewer bonds and sewer projects that could be funded through the savings if the city could refinance. City Administrator Lance Rains has been researching possible rates.
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At the city meeting held Aug. 26, Steve Goehl with D.A. Davidson presented refinancing options for the sewer bonds. The financial services company reached out to over 20 banks and received four responses. The best rate was from Bank Midwest (NBH Bank) with a 3.10% rate for 20 years, which would result in a savings of $174,000 for the city. The board accepted D.A. Davidson’s proposal to refinance the sewer bonds with Bank Midwest (NBH Bank) at a rate of 3.10%.
Discussion was held on the United States Department of Agriculture water purchase contract with Public Water Supply District #2 and the agreement between PWSD#2 and Caldwell County. Rains has been collecting area rates for comparison.
The board moved to draft the USDA contract with PWSD#2 to include $9/per 1,000 gallons and $18/per 1,000 gallons for water in excess of 4,000,000 gallons.
The board also agreed to allow PWSD#2 to supply water to Caldwell County PWSD #2 as long as the City of Gallatin is provided verification to the supply meter.
Herzog pushed the street resurfacing project to August/September due to the floods and issues getting sand and supplies. Herzog will be resurfacing East and West Van Buren.
A list of streets was presented at an earlier meeting, which the city plans to start on for laying oil and chips, but may not finish if they run out of materials.
Chip prices were approved from Tragger Quarry: ¼-inch washed $13.15 per ton, $5.50 per ton delivery. Oil prices were approved from Vance Brothers: $2.70 per gallon, $420 per trip.
The oil and chip/seal has been delivered, but street crews are having issues with the oilier truck. They have replaced one cylinder, but there is still an electronic issue with the truck. Crews have only been able to chip/seal two different one block streets because of the truck issues and rainy weather.
DNR is requiring a comprehensive sewer collection and treatment plan to be drafted and implemented for repairs and improvements. The amount of storm water being collected and reaching the city’s treatment plant needs to be reduced. Morey stated the causes for additional storm water collection occurring included: broken pipes, cleanouts without caps, collapsed pipes, down spouts, sump pumps, storm drains, vented manhole lids, and root intrusion into manholes.
At an earlier meeting the board discussed the need to replace a main electric feeder line pole from an H structure to a ductile-iron pole. Farmer’s Electric also utilizes the pole, but the city’s lines are at the top of the pole making it the city’s responsibility to replace it.
Scobee was approved for labor and equipment for $9,000. After gathering quotes, Morey purchased and transported a $1,400 ductile line pole from Kearney to complete the replacement. Scobee plans to change out the transmission line pole the first week of September.
Morey has been working on a tree trimming bid packet for contractors for electric right-of-ways, but requested the board consider including street right-of-way tree trimming in the 2020 budget.
The board reviewed the recommended tree trimming policy and road tube replacement policy. Administrator Rains will work with Attorney Cowherd to move the recommendations to policy.
Police Chief Mark Richards submitted a report on activity for Aug. 26: 1-Civil Standby; 1-Theft Automobile; 1-Welfare Check; 1-Counterfeiting; 1-Sexual Assault; 1-Welfare Check; 1-Traffic Accident with Damage; 1-Burglary; 1-Burglary from Motor Vehicle; 4-Juvenile Problem; 1-Domestic Disturbance; 2-Runaway Juvenile. There are no dogs in the pound.
Public Works Director Mark Morey reported that electric crews responded to several power outages due to lightening. The outages were restored by replacing three different transformers and removing a tree limb on the lines.
The new water plant has been running well the past month. The water clarity is improving, the walls haven’t leaked recently, and the CO2 treatment has been corrected. Morey will be meeting with Ross Construction to discuss unfinished items.
Bills in the amount of $42,468.39 were approved for payment.
The board reviewed Eichler’s Bookkeeping Review for April 2019 and May 2019.
MIRMA Insurance Policy has changed and no longer covers non-police department employees and individuals to use the shooting range. Therefore, the board agreed to end the Police Department’s Conceal & Carry Classes held at the city’s shooting range.
Lagers retirement opportunity was discussed. The board agreed to have Lagers perform a $750 evaluation for the city to review.
Kate Chrisman presented the 2019 Chautauqua schedule (Sept. 20-21) at an earlier meeting.
The board approved a liquor license for the Daviess County Country Club located at 201 W Grand for Chautauqua.
Administrator Rains stated Hwy. 13 will not be shut down for the Gallatin Chautauqua due to the estimated cost of $2,000 to purchase major detour signs for traffic.
Discussion was held regarding the request for Fuller Street to be identified as a dead end. The board agreed to have the street crew set a dead end sign at the intersection of Grand and Fuller Street.
There will be another ribbon cutting held at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 at John & Marge’s Attic located at the Industrial Park.
The board entered closed session pursuant to consider the hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees.
During public comment, David Shelton stated his concerns with residential parking on Johnson Street especially in the winter months. He requested the board consider adding gravel for off street parking. The board acknowledged his frustrations and will have the street crew evaluate the situation.
Representatives with the Northeast Regional Office-Department of Natural Resources told the board that it has reorganized. The City of Gallatin has been moved out of the Kansas City area to the northeast area with the regional office located in Macon.
The above are the unapproved minutes of the meeting for the City of Gallatin held on Aug. 26.
Present were Mayor Barb Ballew, President of Board John Whitfield, Aldermen Carol Walker, Steve Evans, Dan Lockridge, City Administrator Lance Rains, City Clerk Hattie Rains, Police Chief Mark Richards, Public Works Director Mark Morey, Police Chaplain Austin Bonnett, David Shelton, Northeast-DNR Representatives, D.A. Davidson Representatives.
Highlights from recent meeting of the Gallatin Board of Aldermen
June 27 (special meeting)
The board approved the 2018 Audit as presented by John Gillum, CPA.
July 8 (regular meeting)
The 2007 Chevy had to have front end repairs done and the 2005 bucket truck had to have a fan and radiator replaced.
Bill Browning provided his resignation for his last day of employment, July 12.
The Semi-Annual Financial Statement was approved.
Discussion was held on the remaining roof repairs that need to be completed on the cupola building.
Aug. 12 (regular meeting)
Tax levies were set for property taxes; general revenue .6390: parks and recreation: .2273; and band funds: .0200.
Cranmer’s Seamless Siding & Gutters was approved to replace the gutters at city hall for $3,400 which includes six-inch seamless guttering and installing ice guards.
Four ultra violet light fixtures have been replaced at the waste water treatment plant, but three more were needed to be in compliance with Department of Natural Resources. Ray Lindsey quoted the fixtures at $3,600 each. The board approved the purchase of three UV light fixtures for a total of $10,800.
The board reviewed a quote for a hydraulic chain saw from Core & Main for $3,922.50 which didn’t include the power pack. Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (MIRMA) will be contacted for available grant funding as well as check with Core and Main to see if the bucket trucks would be able to run the hydraulic saw.
People Service were notified to cancel their services at the end of the current contract so the city can go out for bid.
Public Works Director Mark Morey and Rains will be working on a Request For Information (RFI) for sewer and water treatment operations.
Julia Filley was appointed as city prosecutor at $100 per hour.
New blowers have been installed at the wastewater plant and a new People Service operator has started working at the plant.
A city debt summary sheet and a list of wholesale water rates were provided to the board for review.
Aug. 15 (special meeting)
Administrator Rains led a discussion on the sunshine law request the city received for medical marijuana ordinances. Administrator Rains will be working on drafting ordinances for the board to review.