The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on Monday evening accepted bids for cemetery mowing and repaving.
The accepted mowing bid was from Michael Walker and was $150 for Lile Cemetery and $950 for Greenwood/Brown Cemetery. That bid was one of four submitted. The others ranged from $150 to $260 for Lile and $500 to $775 for Greenwood/Brown. The bid from Herzog Contracting Corporation for repaving an additional stretch of South Daviess was $13,650 for 175 tons and Brook Street for $17,160 for 220 tons.
The board approved an ordinance authorizing the City of Gallatin entering into a contract for a street resurfacing project with Herzog. This was done after Public Works Director Mark Morey reported Herzog completed repaving Van Buren Street and started on Daviess Street. He noted the bid specification the city advertised included the dead-end stretch of South Daviess south of the intersection with Brook Street, but the contractor did not include it in its bid price. Administrator Lance Rains recommended the board move forward with the additional repaving.
A discussion was held regarding a commercial request to extend the street repaving to include business parking. Rains will contact the commercial customer to disclose the additional cost for repaving which will be the customer’s responsibility. The board agreed to add rock that would be necessary to smooth and taper the area to allow for stormwater to run properly.
Morey requested the city lock the city dump gate and only open it by appointment. He said persons are abusing the opportunity to dump brush and yard waste, and crews have problems maintaining the property. The board talked about setting a specific weekly date and time residents will be allowed to access the property. Morey said Gallatin would still hold a monthly brush pick up on the last Friday of each month. Rains and Morey will draft an official proposal for the board to consider at the next meeting.
Morey also requested the board consider using capital improvement tax funds to replace a 12 hundred feet water line stretch from Richardson Street to the dead end. He said that stretch has been the worst section of water line leaks since he started working for Gallatin. Rains will contact engineers to start the process.
Street crews have ground out some pothole sections in the city. They plan to finish the ground sections by adding a chip/seal after the temperature warms. Electric crews replaced an electrical pole on South Searcy last week.
Rains reported Gallatin still had not received a United States Department of Agriculture loan for the purchase of a vacuum trailer. Ditch Witch has invoiced the city twice, and the second invoice includes fees for late payment. Rains will contact the USDA and Ditch Witch.
The board discussed the development of a sidewalk enhancement program. Rains reported Gallatin would earn additional MIRMA (Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association) points if a program was developed. It would also receive points toward Transportation Alternatives Program Grant applications for sidewalk replacement. The board considered using some of the demolition budget to fund the program.
The Pandemic Virus Preparedness Plan was approved with several changes. The changes included removing the city administrator and adding the public works director be responsible for determining flexible work schedules or alternative work schedules. The schedules would then be approved by the city administrator. The Pandemic Virus Preparedness Plan also says the city clerk and deputy clerk have the online ability to work from home and still use Simple City.
Police Chief Mark Richards reported there has been one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Gallatin. The city is observing the statewide order put into place by the governor.
The board discussed a medical marijuana dispensary. A state statute says dispensaries cannot be located within 1,000 feet from a church, school, or daycare. Cities cannot increase the distance, but they can decrease the distance requirement. Red Stag Retail, LLC, will be located less than 300 feet from an organized church. The board might enact an ordinance stating a licensed marijuana dispensary facility must be sited at least 100 feet from an existing church.
Board Member Dan Lockridge requested Rains invite the owners of Red Stag to the next board meeting and present their business plan. Board President Carol Walker said the Friends of Christ Church would also like to attend the meeting if a change in ordinance is to be considered. The board agreed to postpone the invite until the COVID-19 social distancing recommendations are lifted and requested an online survey be published to collect the public’s opinion regarding the requested change in ordinance.
Rains provided electric rate change proposals for the board to consider. One adjusts the minimum cost of the service fee, and the other is a set per kilowatt-hour charge across residential and commercial accounts. The board will continue the discussion later.
No decision was made regarding the 2020 pool season. Rains expressed concern that there has been no interest in the pool manager position. He noted Gallatin does not have enough lifeguards to hire, and the lifeguards will not be able to complete their certification prior to Memorial Day weekend. Rains will contact surrounding cities regarding their intentions for the pool season.
The board entered a closed session to consider legal actions.