Bernie aldermen approve ordinance for sidewalk project

The Bernie Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance amending the solid waste policy of the city and also an ordinance authorizing Mayor James Tilmon to contact the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to prepare to award a contract for a sidewalk improvement project. The aldermen also opened bids on a used tractor and a used pickup truck and approved selling both items at their regular meeting Monday night.

The first ordinance addressed by the aldermen dealt with the city's solid waste policy. The ordinance amends Section L by inserting that solid waste bins containing garbage must be dumped one time each week. City Superintendent Charles Dean told city officials at the May meeting that odor and appearance of solid waste bins was becoming a problem. It was decided at that time that the issue needed addressing, so City Attorney Robin Phelan Northern drew up the amended ordinance. There was little discussion and the ordinance passed by a 5-0 vote. Aldermen Ivan Mekan, Butch Barnes, Derik Arnold, Todd Young and Dennis Jackson were present.

Tilmon told the aldermen that he needed authorization to begin the planning process for a sidewalk project from the old Brown Shoe Company building to Town and Country. The city received a sidewalk enhancement grant from the Highways and Transportation Commission. The grant requires a 20 percent match by the city. Tilmon said the first step of the process would be to get an engineer to draw up plans for the project. The aldermen passed the ordinance by a 5-0 vote.

The city received only one bid on a 1983 John Deere 1050 that was no longer needed by the city. The bid was from McGowan Electric Company and it was for $1,002. Dean said the tractor was in need of repairs and it was no longer needed. Young made a motion to sell the tractor for $1,002 and it passed by a 5-0 vote.

The city received only one bid on a 1987 Dodge Dakota pickup. That bid was from Anthony Young and it was for $250. Mekan said the truck wasn't in good shape. Someone asked whether it would bring more as scrap metal, and it was pointed out that scrap metal prices are very low at the time. Mekan made the motion to sell the truck and it passed by a 4-0 vote. Todd Young abstained but pointed out that he was no relation to Anthony Young. He said he abstained to make sure that there was no apparent conflict of interest.

Waynetta Rodgers addressed the council about an effort to recognize and reward the women of the area who volunteered during the January ice storm. Speaking on behalf of the volunteers, Rodgers said she appreciated the gratitude shown by the city. She said after talking it over, the volunteers decided they would prefer that the city do something for the Community Center. She said obtaining ice during the winter storm had been a problem, although local stores helped as much as they could. She said the city could purchase an ice maker for the Community Center, and that would be a big benefit to all those that use the facility.

Rodgers said she had looked into the purchase of an ice maker and found one at Sears in Malden. She said the ice maker had been ordered but was not picked up. She said the ice maker, regularly $1,200, could be purchased for $806. She said the ice maker could generate up to 51 pounds in a 24-hour period. She said it was self-cleaning and could be turned off when not needed.

City Clerk Gloria Dean said the city had planned to host a dinner for the volunteers, but "they asked for this." One alderman asked whether it was large enough to service the Center. Young pointed out that it would produce around 17 three-pound bags an hour.

"The thing that appeals to me is that it's on sale," Mekan stated, "It would help out a lot, even it they had to supplement it."

Mekan made a motion to buy the ice maker and it passed by a 5-0 vote.

The alderman approved expenditures for sending Supt. Charles Dean to a gas seminar in late June and early July. It passed by a 5-0 vote.

Tilmon told the aldermen that the city was still waiting for prices on generators for the solid waste department. He also asked about putting a policy in place for reserving that ball field owned by the city. Tilmon said there needed to be an "orderly process" for making reservations. He appointed Arnold to oversee instituting a policy.

Mekan said the city needed to decide if they were going to spend $3 million on a new clarifier for the sewer treatment system or seek grant money to construct a new sewer plant. He said the current one is 32 years old. He said the state had already compiled a list of improvements that had to be made.

The discussion turned to grants that might be available and the time frame that repairs must be made to the sewer plant. No action was taken, but Mekan warned "something has to be done."

In final action, the aldermen gave their approval for Tilmon to set a free cleanup day in the city. He said it would be for items normally picked up by the city, and not refrigerators, air conditioners or other items that would pose a liability for the city. Tilmon said he would look into setting a date. The aldermen then went into executive session.