The Eupora Board of Aldermen took action on various issues during meetings in November, according to meeting minutes.
Nov. 3
Aldermen Ricky Newton, Billy Tabb and James Shaw were present for an agenda work session the morning of Nov. 3, with City Clerk Gail Newton opening the work session in the absence of then-Acting Mayor Jerry Gary. All agenda items for Nov. 6 were discussed and the agenda finalized.
Nov. 6
As previously reported, the board had a regular meeting Nov. 6 with all five aldermen present and Gary presiding as acting mayor at that time by telephone.
In an amended agenda item, the board considered an emergency purchase of a “new police computer” to replace the old computer because of loss of data with no hope of retrieval. The board voted to approve an emergency purchase of a new police computer in the amount of $2,815.69.
See under Nov. 20 for additional topics discussed Nov. 6.
Nov. 17
All aldermen except Robert Gibbs were present for a Nov. 17 agenda work session with Gary presiding as acting mayor at that time.
The minutes show JM Jaynes made a presentation on the “Use of Cameras in Law Enforcement and Communities.” All agenda items for Nov. 20 were discussed.
Nov. 20
All five aldermen were present for a Nov. 20 recessed meeting with Gary presiding as acting mayor at that time. The official agenda and these consented items were approved:
• Consideration of the Blue Cross Blue Shield employee health insurance renewal effective Jan. 1. The current rate per full-time employee is $447.92; the renewal rate is $416.04 per full-time employee, a decrease of $31.88 per employee.
• Discussion of USDA grant for police vehicle and utility vehicles in the amount of $46,300. The board approved a motion to accept the lower quote from Adventure ATV in the amount of $18,685.50 for one utility vehicle for the Parks and Recreation Department and to continue to search for a police vehicle.
• Discussion of selecting an additional street for paving. The board voted to authorize the public works director to move forward with street selection after consulting with the city engineer.
• Request authorization for the city clerk to open a separate bank account to hold funds form the 2% Special Levy Tax (tourism tax) with the city clerk and mayor to sign the forms.
• Consideration of increase in election worker pay from $100 to $125/day for poll workers and $125 to $150 for election commissioners; Resolution Board remaining $100/day.
• Request authorization to proceed with publication of a Request for Proposals and Survey for Conceptual Design Services for Spud Stennett Park as related to the BCBS grand award.
• Request authorization to transfer a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado used by the Street Department to the Parks and Recreation Department.
• Request authorization to hire Kristen Rowe as a maintenance technician/equipment operator in the Street Department at a rate of $14 an hour.
• Request authorization to increase the hourly wage for street maintenance technician Marcus Jennings from $13.64 to $14 an hour.
Public Appearances
Sue Boatman appeared before the board to discuss “fire hydrant and abandoned house on Autumn Drive,” according to the minutes.
Board Business
The board approved a motion concerning requests by Wayne and Mickey Hodges to be exempt from solid waste monthly service fees.
Meeting minutes show Wayne Hodges first appeared before the board Oct. 16 concerning solid waste collection exemption.
On Nov. 6, he appeared before the board concerning a garbage disposal exemption request and Mickey Hodges made a Water Department inquiry. No board action was taken on both topics that night.
On Nov. 20, the board voted 4-0 to approve a motion by Robert Gibbs, seconded by Junior Shaw, to deny their request to be exempt from solid waste monthly service fees.
The board met in executive session for the purpose of possible litigation and personnel. No board action was taken.
