Gallatin City Council: Released electric funds will pay for roof at electric barn

Administrator Lance Rains and City Clerk Rains led discussion on finances at the Sept. 23 public meeting of the Gallatin Board of Aldermen. City officers focused on the amount of electric reserve funds that were released after refinancing electric bonds last year.
The cash amount deposited in March 2018 was $98,220.31. The board discussed how to spend this sum. The last estimated cost to repair the electric barn roof was approximately $100,000.
Mayor Barb Ballew read Ordinance No. 1222-19 twice by title. This authorizes the mayor to contract with John W. Gillum, CPA, LLC, for audit services and to do all acts necessary under such contract. The aldermen approved.
The aldermen unanimously agreed by vote to bid out roof repairs on the electric barn.
Mr. Rains has been working on the 2020 budget and plans to present a draft at the next board meeting.
The board agreed to make an offer on the milling machine for sale at B&S Equipment Auctions.
Public Works Director Mark Morey, Administrator Lance Rains, and Eric Kloepping led a tour of the water and sewer plants for USDA representatives last week. The water department has repaired four water main leaks in town, and they have two more water main leaks left to repair.
Gallatin crews were able to use the City of Bethany’s vacuum trailer for an afternoon and to repair five water valves. They also cleaned out 20 additional water valves.
The clarifier at the wastewater plant had been shut down this summer for repairs. Unfortunately, when crews refilled the clarifier, workers noticed one side was at least seven inches higher on one side. They believe the flood floated the clarifier up while it was down for repairs and it now is no longer level. Mr. Rains will be notifying MIRMA and SEMA to file insurance claims.
Johnathan Hobbs started working as a city employee on Sept. 23.
MIRMA has notified Mr. Rains concerning safety grants that will be awarded to the city.
Street paving has yet to occur in Gallatin this summer season. Mr. Morey has yet to hear anything from Herzog Construction, but it appears Herzog is starting to erect an asphalt plant at a local quarry.
Scobee has completed the feed line pole replacement.
Police Chief Richards submitted the following activity report dated Sept. 23: 4 truancy, 2 medical emergencies, 1 juvenile problem, 1 child abuse or neglect, 1 drug possession, 1 vandalism, 1 trespassing, 1 dog at large, 3 runaway juveniles, 2 burglaries, 1 theft, 1 welfare check, 1 harassment, 1 assault with firearm, 1 traffic accident with damage, 1 disorderly conduct. There presently are four dogs impounded.
The aldermen approved payment of bills totaling $31,523.13.
Stephanie Williams with the North Central Missouri Business Facilitation presented the board with a data summary sheet from the time period of March 1, 2016, to Sept. 23, 2019. During this time she has worked with 211 clients in seven counties, completing 40 business celebrations.
Mayor Barb Ballew declared the 2019 Gallatin Chautauqua a great success. City employees were busy during days leading up to the festival with street curb painting, street closures, and other duties.
Upcoming public meeting dates were scheduled, with holidays in mind, as follows: Tuesday, Oct. 15; Monday, Oct. 28; Tuesday, Nov. 12; and Monday, Nov. 25.
This report is taken from the unapproved minutes of the Sept. 23 public meeting held in the GIDA Room at city hall. Present were Mayor Ballew and aldermen John Whitfield, Steve, Evans, Dan Lockridge, Carol Walker; Administrator Lance Rains, Clerk Hattie Rains, Public Works Director Mark Morey, Police Chief Mark Richards, Chaplain Austin Bonnett; Dan McCann, and Stephanie Williams.