Edina City Council March Meeting with VIDEO

 

March Regular Meeting Minutes

Submitted by Margaret Gibson, City Clerk

DRAFT  – March 9, 2026 – The Board of Aldermen met in regular session with Mayor Linda Kerr presiding. Aldermen present: Dot Kriegshauser, Delmar Strange, David Bugh, Rick Yoakum, Staci Rimer (arrived later), Don Crim. Absent: none.

Others present: Roger Parton, Superintendent of Utilities; Peggy Collinge, City Treasurer; Echo Menges, Edina Sentinel Editor; David Dudley, Chief of Police; Brenda Swedberg, City Attorney; James Robertson, Bright Futures Knox County Board President.

Mayor Kerr called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and gave the invocation. The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Motion was made by David Bugh and seconded by Delmar Strange to approve all reports and minutes as presented. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Don Crim and seconded by David Bugh to pay all bills as presented. Motion carried.

Citizen Comments – Alderman Rick Yoakum noted that he was asked by Chad Skaggs to bring to the attention of the Board his concern regarding the due date of the monthly utility bills. The City traditionally mails these bills about the 10th of each month for the prior month’s usage and they are due by the last business day of the month. Chad said that he receives his check on the 3rd of the month and is assessed a late fee every month because he pays all of his bills on the 3rd and does not have any money left by the 10th. The City Collector has assured Chad that he can contact City Hall on the 3rd and the amount of his bill will be available so he can pay it. This courtesy is already available to others that have requested to pay before the bills are actually mailed. Rick said that Chad did confirm that his problem has been taken care of but suggested that the water ordinance be changed so others would not have this same issue. The Board agreed that changing the due date would not be a benefit to everyone and there is no need to change it at this time.

James Robertson, representing Bright Futures Knox County, met with the Board. He said they will be sponsoring the 6th Annual Youth Fishing Day at the City Lake on Saturday, May 2, 2026. This has been well attended in the past and is an excellent opportunity to encourage the youth and their parents to enjoy the lake property. Robertson requested that the City help to support this event at the City Lake by assuming the $270 cost of providing one handicap portable rest room with a washing station. He said this fee allows the rest room to be at the lake for 28 days. The Board agreed that it should be removed after the fishing day event due to liability concerns for the extended time. Motion was made by David Bugh and seconded by Delmar Strange to pay $270 for the portable rest room for the fishing day event. Motion carried.

Peggy Collinge, City Treasurer, said she had no additional comments at this time.

Roger Parton, Superintendent of Utilities, met with the Board. (Staci Rimer arrived at this time.) He reported that the City has taken ownership of a 2026 Kubota skidsteer (as budgeted) and traded in the 2019 skidsteer. He said the amount budgeted was $35,000 but when the new one arrived the 2019 model had acquired enough additional hours to require a $600 increase in the amount allowed for the trade. Motion was made by Rick Yoakum and seconded by David Bugh to allow the $600 increase and pay $35,600. Motion carried unanimously. The City Treasurer confirmed that there is no need to amend the budget at this time since this is only one of several items listed in the capital improvement budget and it will not exceed the total amount budgeted.

Roger also suggested that the dates for Spring Cleanup be scheduled if the Board wants to continue this additional service for trash customers. There was a consensus of the Board to have Spring Cleanup April 22nd and 23rd (7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.) at the City Maintenance Shed, which allows better control for the City.

David Dudley, Chief of Police, met with the Board. He shared his monthly report which included quotes he received from two local businesses for the decal and design graphics to be added to the patrol car. Motion was made by Rick Yoakum and seconded by David Bugh to select the low bid submitted by Dee Railed Designs. Motion carried unanimously.

Chief Dudley also updated the Board regarding his efforts to get the junk removed from properties and addressing the issues with dogs running loose. He said Roger has agreed to provide a temporary holding facility for dogs that are picked up. Owners will be required to pay fines and costs to retrieve their dog.

The Chief requested that Officer Salsberry be allowed to work 24 hours/week. He is currently working on a volunteer basis in exchange for training. The City Treasurer confirmed that this would be within the budget since a part-time officer was already included for a period of 3 months. Motion was made by David Bugh and seconded by Delmar Strange to hire Brian Salsberry to work part-time and revisit this in 3 months.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Kerr reported that Chris Feeney recently informed her that the asbestos inspection has been completed and samples sent to the lab as required for the CDBG Demolition Grant Project. She also confirmed that Klingner & Associates was the firm selected for the MoDOT TAP Sidewalk Project and that information was forwarded and approved by MoDOT.

Additional Citizen Comments

Echo Menges noted that there will be an emergency planning meeting for Knox and Scotland County March 24th, 6:30 p.m. at the Rutledge Community Center. This initial meeting is in regard to establishing the Local Emergency Planning District (LEPD) to be prepared for hazardous material incidents and other chemical emergencies. All public safety officials are invited to attend and food will be provided for those in attendance.

Motion was made by Rick Yoakum and seconded by David to close a part of the meeting pursuant to 610.021(1) Legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a public governmental body and any confidential or privileged communications between a public governmental body or its representatives and its attorneys. Roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Dot Kriegshauser, Delmar Strange, David Bugh, Rick Yoakum, Staci Rimer, Don Crim. Nays: none. Motion carried and the meeting was closed.

When the Board returned to open session the City Treasurer informed the Board that the hourly rate of pay for the reserve officer had not been confirmed. Motion was made by Delmar Strange and seconded by Don Crim to set this at $19/hr. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion was made by Rick Yoakum and seconded by Don Crim to adjourn. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.