Will Red Stag hit a snag?; aldermen want opinions

Red Stag Retail, LLC, a medical marijuana dispensary which has been approved to do business in Gallatin, was discussed during the meeting of the City of Gallatin on April 13.
State statute states that dispensaries can’t be located within 1,000 feet from any church, school, or daycare. Cities can’t increase the distance, but they can pass an ordinance and decrease the distance requirement.
The new dispensary will be located less than 300 feet from an organized church within Gallatin, Friends in Christ.
Red Stag Retail, LLC, is requesting the board enact an ordinance authorizing the following: A license marijuana dispensary facility must be sited at least one hundred feet (100’) from any existing church.
The owners of Red Stag Retail, LLC, will be invited to a board meeting to present their business plan. Alderman Carol Walker said Friends in Christ Church would also like to attend the board meeting if a change in ordinance is being considered. The board agreed to postpone the invite until the COVID-19 social distancing recommendations are lifted.
Additionally, the board requested an online survey to be published to collect the public’s opinion regarding the requested change in ordinance.
Public Works Director Mark Morey requested the city lock the gate to the city dump and only open it by appointment. People are abusing the opportunity to dump brush and yard waste and crews are having issues maintaining the property. The board discussed setting a specific weekly date and time that residents will be allowed to access the property. Morey stated the city will still hold a monthly brush pickup on the last Friday of each month.
City Administrator Lance Rains and Morey will draft an official proposal for the board to consider at the next meeting.
Morey reported that Herzog has completed repaving Van Buren Street and crews have started on Daviess Street.
It was disclosed that the bid specifications the city advertised did include the dead-end stretch on South Daviess south of the intersection of Brook Street, but the contractor did not include it in their bid price. The additional cost to finish the dead-end stretch will be $13,650 for 175 tons. Morey also collected a bid of $17,160 for 220 tons to repave Brook Street from Daviess to Main.
The board accepted the bids from Herzog for repaving the additional stretch of South Daviess for $13,650 and Brook Street for $17,160 in order to complete that section of town.
An ordinance was accepted authorizing the City of Gallatin to enter a contract for a street resurfacing project with Herzog Contracting Corp.
Discussion was held regarding a commercial request to extend the street repaving to include business parking. Administrator Rains will contact the commercial customer to disclose the additional cost for repaving that will be their own responsibility. The board agreed to add additional rock that would be necessary to smooth and taper the area to allow for storm water to run properly.
Morey is requesting the board consider using Capital Improvement Tax Funds to replace a 1,200-foot water line stretch from Richardson Street to the dead-end. Morey stated that stretch has been by far the worst section of water line for leaks since he has been working for the city. Administrator Rains will start making the appropriate contacts with engineers to start the process.
Street crews have been busy grinding some of the worst pothole sections throughout town. Crews plan to finish the grinded sections by adding chip/seal once the temperature warms up.
Electric crews replaced an electrical pole off South Searcy last week.
Cemetery mowing bids were opened and the board accepted Michael Walker’s bid for Lile at $150 and Greenwood/Brown at $950, per good previous experience with the mowing of the cemeteries.
The other bids were: Down to Earth Lawn Care: Lile, $150, and Greenwood/Brown, $500; Adam Perry: Lile, $260, and Greenwood/Brown, $1,100; Legendary Lawn Care: Lile, $165, and Greenwood/Brown, $775.
Police Chief Mark Richards submitted an activity report dated April 13 for the board to review:
one citizen assist; one welfare check; two trespassing; one peace disturbance; one citizen dispute; three nuisances; one traffic accident with damage; three agency assistance; one civil standby; two domestic disturbance; one loud music; two business alarm; one littering.
There has been one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Gallatin. The police are currently observing the statewide order put out by the Governor.
There are five dogs in the pound.
Rains announced that the city still hasn’t received the loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the purchase of the vacuum trailer. Ditch Witch has invoiced the city twice. The second invoice includes fees for a late payment. Rains will reach out to USDA and Ditch Witch to help move the process along.
The March 2020 Financial Review and the People Service Operations & Maintenance Report for February 2020 were reviewed. The March transaction report was approved. Bills in the amount of $153,305.39 were approved for payment.
The board reviewed the Pandemic Virus Preparedness Plan represented by Administrator Rains. The plan was approved, including the following changes. Removing “city administrator” and adding “public works director” to be responsible for determining flexible work schedule or alternative work schedules. The schedules would then be approved by the city administrator. Additionally, stating the city clerk and deputy clerk do have the online ability to work from home and still utilize SimpleCity.
Discussion was held on developing a sidewalk enhancement program. The city would earn additional Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (MIRMA) points if a program was developed, as well as receiving points toward Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant applications for sidewalk replacement. The board also considered using some of the demolition budget to fund the program.
Administrator Rains provided a few electric rate change proposals for the board to consider. One adjusts the minimum cost of service fee and the other is a set per kilowatt hour charge across all residential and commercial accounts. The board will continue discussion at a later date.
No decision was made regarding the 2020 pool season. Administrator Rains is concerned that there has been no interest in the pool manager position; the city doesn’t have enough lifeguards to hire; and the lifeguards won’t be able to complete their certification prior to Memorial weekend. Rains will contact surrounding cities regarding their intentions for the pool season.
The board entered closed session to consider legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a public governmental body and any confidential or privileged communications between a public governmental body or its representatives and its attorneys.
The above are the unapproved minutes for the meeting of the City of Gallatin held on April 13 at the old fire station building, located at 202 North Water. Present: Mayor Barb Ballew, Board President Carol Walker, Aldermen Steve Evans, Dan Lockridge, Dan McCann, City Administrator Lance Rains, City Clerk Hattie Rains, Public Works Director Mark Morey, Police Chief Mark Richards, and Police Chaplain Austin Bonnett.