August 2024 Council Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE OZARK CITY COUNCIL
August 12, 2024
Ozark City Council Meeting Room
The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Hall. Upon a roll call, a quorum was declared. Council Members present were
Randy Melton, Charles Meeker, Argest Hyler, Angela Harris, Loren Maier, and Summer Miner. Also present were Mayor Roxie Hall, Treasurer/ Deputy City Clerk Marla Ward, and City Attorney Kevin Barham. The invocation was given by Mayor Hall and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Summer Miner.
With all Council Members present a motion was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Argest Hyler with all members voting aye to approve minutes from the July 8th Council meeting.
A motion was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Loren Maier with all members voting aye to approve the financial reports.
The Ozark Police Department reported 25 arrests, 66 reports taken, 7 accidents, 3 juveniles' tickets, 9 City Ordinance warnings issued with 5 City Ordinance tickets being written. There were 42 subpoenas, 48 warrants, 488 traffic warnings and 107 traffic tickets given. The FBI SWAT, the DEA SWAT, and the Van Buren SWAT teams all held training at our facility.
The Ozark Street Department worked mowing, weed eating and spraying. They also brush hogged right of ways, filled potholes and cleaned ditches on N. 61h Street.
The Ozark Community Center reported that with school starting, the Lifeguard schedule will return to 4 p.m. to Close. There is a Back- to- School Special of$ 10. 00 off full facility memberships. Sealed bids were opened on August 7th for the window coverings. There was discussion on which bid to accept with a start date as soon as possible. Advertising for Food Truck spaces open for rental. Booklets for Miracle League were received and work begun on the next steps to keep things going. The exercise room has been a terrific addition to the Center. A Back- To- School Bash is planned for September 71h from 3pm until 7pm with Webb City Baptist Church partnering the event.
The Ozark City Volunteer Fire Department answered fifty- one calls during the month of July. The new truck will be ready for pickup on Friday, August 9th.
In July, the Ozark Water and Sewer Department repaired leaks on Pence Lane, N. 18th Street, Hwy 64E, W. Commercial Street, Santa Fe Trail, and N. 2 d Street. The sludge removal was completed at the Water Treatment Plant. Training was completed on upgrade to the Beacon meter mobile reading system. At the Wastewater Treatment Plant repairs were made to the sludge pump valve. Engineers are assessing the replacement/repair for bar screen systems at the headworks of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. King& Jacoby CPA' s have begun work on the 2023 audit.
Tom Forrester has resigned from the Planning Commission and will need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Old Business:
Mayor Hall reports that she received a phone call from Blake Osmond stating that he and Josh Griffith are not going to proceed with the Kelley Street Sewer Project due to the cost.
Wednesday, July 31st was the deadline for bids on the Kimbrough building and no bids were received. City Attorney Kevin Barham stated that because the Circuit Court issued an order declaring it a public nuisance, the City has the power to go upon the premises and remediate it. The back wall has fallen already, and the City would be responsible for the adjoining walls. Loren Maier stated that the building could come down at any time as it is shifting and unstable. He asked if we might could get the bookstore building owners involved to save their wall (east side.) The Bank building on the west side could be plastered to hold. Mr. Barham said he would send a notice to the bookstore property owners. The whole project could be declared an emergency which would allow the Mayor to contract without bids.
Benches have been installed at the Pavilion at Highland Cemetery for use during services. There are still two benches available for memorials.
A study has been conducted by the Highway Department at the intersection of N. 18'h Street and Airport Road. With the traffic count obtained and analyzed, a traffic light does meet requirements. A work layout and a cost estimate will be provided to the city to show the cost.
New Business:
Ordinance 2024-9 Adopting a policy for paid leave for the uniformed employees of the City of Ozark Police and Fire Departments. A motion to read was made by Argest Hyler and seconded by Angela Harris. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye. Mr. Barham then read the Ordinance. A motion to dispense with the 2nd& 3rd readings and proceed by title only was made by Angela Harris and seconded by Loren Maier. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and Mr. Barham then read the title two times. A motion was made to approve the Ordinance by Argest Hyler and seconded by Loren Maier. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and Ordinance 2024- 9 was approved. A motion was made to enact the emergency clause by Randy Melton and seconded by Angela Harris. Upon a roll call vote, allCouncil Members voted aye.
Ordinance 2024- 10 Governing the Highland Cemetery and the Burying or Placement of Containers with Cremated Remains, the Opening and Closing of Graves, Mandating the use of Burial Vaults and Placement of Footstones upon Graves and other Purposes. A motion to read was made by Angela Harris and seconded by Argest Hyler. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye. Mr. Barham then read the Ordinance. A motion to dispense with the 2nd & 3rd readings and proceed by title only was made by Angela Harris and seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and Mr. Barham read the title two times. After discussion, Argest Hyler made a motion to amend the Ordinance to read" concrete or steel", and substitute" Highland for City". This was seconded by Angela Harris. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and the Ordinance was amended. A motion was made to approve the Ordinance by Argest Hyler and seconded by Angela Harris. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and Ordinance 2024- 10 was approved. A motion was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Angela Harris to enact the emergency clause. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye.
Ordinance 2024- 11 Amending Zoning Regulations. A motion to read was made by Angela Harris and seconded by Summer Miner. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and Mr. Barham read the Ordinance. A motion to dispense with the 2nd& 3rd readings and proceed by title only was made by Argest Hyler and seconded by Angela Harris. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and Mr. Barham read the title two times. A motion to approve was made by Angela Harris and seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and Ordinance 2024- 11 was approved. Charlie Meeker then asked if the streets involved would be City streets (for maintenance purposes) and the answer was no. Mr. Phillip Terry was made aware that he(as owner) will be responsible for any streets. If thischanges, he will need to apply to rezone the property as a subdivision.
Ordinance 2024- 12 Amending Zoning Regulations. It was recommended by City Attorney Kevin Barham that this Ordinance be sent back to the Planning Commission for clarification of boundaries. Charlie Meeker made a motion to table Ordinance 2024- 12 and was seconded by Randy Melton. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and the Ordinance was tabled.
Resolution 2024-7 a Resolution amending the 2024 Budget and Approving Expenditures which may exceed$ 10, 000. 00. A motion to read was made by Charlie Meeker and seconded by Angela Harris. Mr. Barham then read the Resolution. A motion to approve was made by Randy Melton and seconded by Angela Harris. Upon a roll call vote, all Council Members voted aye and Resolution 2024-7 was approved.
There was no Public Input.
Announcements: The Community Center will host a Back-to- School Bash on Saturday,
September 7'h from 3pm to 7pm. The Ozark Police and Fire Departments along with the Webb City Baptist Church will be sponsoring the event. Fall Clean-up is scheduled for the week of October 7- 12. Residents may take a load to the Transfer Station free of charge with a current City of Ozark water bill.
A motion was made by Argest Hyler to adjourn and seconded by Loren Maier. Upon a roll call vote, all members voted aye and the meeting was adjourned.
Having been tabled for corrections, the Minutes for the Ozark City Council meeting held Monday, August 12. 2024 were approved and passed this 14th day of October 2024.