City of LaBelle Raises Cost of Mowing Properties from $50.00 to $500.00

LaBelle City Council Open Business Meeting Minutes October 12, 2015

The LaBelle Board of Alderman met in Open session on October 12, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Amy Turpin presided over the meeting. Mayor Amy Turpin declared that a quorum was present and called the meeting to order.

Alderman Present: Roger Scott, Christopher Parrish, Roy Lewis, Jesse Rogers, Justin Parrish and Paul Harvey.

City Personnel Present: Dianna Sparrow, City Collector, Wendy Lewis, and Karen Lasswell.

Approval of Agenda: Alderman Rogers motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Alderman Christopher Parrish seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote: aye-6, nay-0.

Others present: Mickey Tom Lumley, Jonah Lewis and Shannon Lay.

Approval of September 14, 2015 Open Meeting Minutes and September 14, 2015 Closed Meeting Minutes. Alderman Justin Parrish motioned to approve the September 14, 2015 Open and Closed meeting minutes as written. Alderman Christopher Parrish seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of Aye-6, Nay-none.

Approval of September 17, 2015 Open Meeting Minutes and September 17, 2015 Closed Meeting Minutes. Alderman Justin Parrish motioned to approve the September 14, 2015 Open and Closed meeting minutes as corrected.  Alderman Christopher Parrish seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of Aye-6, Nay-none.

Mickey Tom Lumley met with the Board requesting a comprehensive financial report from the City. Mayor Turpin provided Mr. Lumley with his request.

Mayor Turpin told the Board that Shannon Lay wanted permission to have a bottle calf in city limits for a 4-H project. The board decided the ordinance should remain as is and if they receive a complaint they will have to take action.

Water Usage Report: The monthly water usage report was presented and studied.

Financial Report: The monthly financial reports were presented and studied.

Bids for approval: Bills for the month were presented and studied. Alderman Justin Parrish motioned to pay all bills. Alderman Lewis seconded the motion.  The motion passed with a vote of Aye-6, Nay-none.

Bills from Bartlett and West:  Final bill from Bartlett & West for engineering services for the water project in the amount of $17012.00 was presented and studied. Alderman Christopher Parrish made a motion to pay in full. Alderman Scott seconded the motion. Motion passed with a vote of Aye-6, Nay-0.

Mayor Turpin reported that after all bills are paid, the USDA will allow the city to purchase meters with the remaining funds.

Unfinished Business: Sam’s Club membership: The board discussed the pro’s and con’s of a Sam’s Club membership. After the discussion Alderman Justin Parrish made a motion to purchase a one year membership to Sam’s Club for $100.00. Alderman Christopher Parrish seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of Aye-6, Nay-none.

Collector’s Computer Upgrade: Diana Sparrow presented information from Staples and Best Buy for a new computer. It was decided to table this matter until next meeting, needing more information to proceed.

Municipal City Ordinance Review: The review of City Ordinances was tabled pending looking into a more detailed ordinance.

New business: Legion Hall Furnace: Mayor Turpin met with Mr. Johnson, a certified electrician to check out the Legion Hall furnace. Mr. Johnson determined that the furnace was not efficient enough for heating City Hall. Mayor Turpin talked to Elam Heating and received an estimate for anew furnace would be approximately $7128.00. It was discussed, and the Board decided to table this issue and asked the Mayor to look into a few alternative options such as baseboard heating and or a smaller system.

Presentation of Resolution amending water and sewer budget: The Resolution amending the water and sewer budget was presented and studied. Alderman Christopher Parrish made a motion to accept the amended water and sewer budget as presented. Alderman Scott seconded the motion. Motion passed with a vote of Aye-6, Nay-0.

Christian Church Parking Lot: It was brought to the attention of the council that the LaBelle Christian Church would like the city to chip and seal their parking lot. The church would pay for materials needed. It was discussed and after deliberation Alderman Christopher Parrish made a motion that the city chip and seal the parking lot. Alderman Justin Parrish seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of Aye-6, Nay-none.

Charge increase for mowing properties: Mayor Turpin asked the Board to increase the charge for mowing properties from $50.00 to a higher amount. This would give more of an incentive for people to mow their yard. It was discussed what our neighboring cities charged for comparison. After deliberation Alderman Scott made a motion to change the cost of mowing properties from $50.00 to $500.00. Alderman Justin Parrish seconded the motion. Motion passed with a vote of Aye-6, Nay-0.

USDA water and sewer accounts: USDA is encouraging the city to separate the combined water and sewer account into two separate accounts. By general consensus the Board decided to leave the account as is for now.