Dexter, MO - The Dexter Board of Alderman met on Monday, February 7, 2022 in a regular meeting at city hall. The Alderman passed four new city ordinances.
At 7 p.m. Mayor Jason banken called the meeting to order.
Aldermen present: Mike Shepard, Terry Battles, Tim Aslin, Frank Killian, Larry Rogers, and Glen Robinson. Also present were city administrator Trevor Pulley, City Clerk Crystal Bishop and City Attorney Yewell Lawrence, Jr.
City Auditor's Report: C.P.A. Eddie Cato presented the financial report for December 2021. The report showed the city had nearly $7.9 million in cash and investments. In December receipts of $1,285,550.80 exceeded disbursements of $1,201,326.24 by $84,224.56.
The December Sales Tax was $167,472.58, Capital Improvement Tax was $92,973.55 and Park and Recreation Tax was $92,973.58. the receipts for the month included property, sales and use taxes and franchise tax. The disbursements for the month included 3 pay periods and capital improvements.
Ordinance #5021: This ordinance was presented by city attorney, Yewell Lawrence, Jr. and was an amendment regarding the responsibility for repairs to water lines. The ordinance states that the city is responsible for repairs to lines from the main to the property and the property owner is responsible for repairs on the property. It also states the property owner is responsible for repairs to the meter in the event of freezing or other damages. The owner is also liable for all expenses for failure to furnish a safe place for the meter.
Ordinance #5022: This ordinance allows for horse-drawn carriages or wagons on the streets of Dexter. A permit must be acquired from city hall for $25 per week or $100 per year. The carriage or wagon must be equipped with proper equipment to contain all feces and urine from the horses. In the event the waste is not completely contained, the permit holder must promptly clean up all waste.
Ordinance #5023: This ordinance corrected the permit price for the operation of a UTV in Dexter. There was an error with the price when writing up the original ordinance. The price of $50 in the ordinance was higher than allowed by the state of Missouri. The new price is $15 with a $35 processing fee, which is allowed by the state equalling $50.
Ordinance #5024: This ordinance requires resident to have functional running water in their dwelling in the city of Dexter. The ordinance states that at least one sin, lavatory, bathtub or shower, drinking fountain, water closet or other plumbing fixture is required to be connected to the public water system. In the event that the water service is disconnected the owner and/or resident must have the water restored within five business days.
New Water/Wastewater Supervisor: The board of Aldermen named Jimmy Overall, water dept employee, as the new water/wastewater supervisor. Tom Espey, former supervisor, retired. Overall stated in his first report that a water pump is currently out at the East Water Plant. A new pump was ordered 8 weeks ago and was expected to arrive in 16 weeks, therefore 8 more weeks to go.
Economic Development: Dexter Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alish Trammell reported on her recent trip to the Chamber Institute of Organizational Management in Arizona.
Trammell also stated that the Dexter Chamber had 313 members as of the end of 2021.
Mayor Jason Banken reappointed Mike Howard to a four-year term on the Planning and Zoning Board. Bank also appointed Dexter R-XI School District Asst. Superintendent Gavin Miller and Dexter Chamber Executive Director Alisha Trammell to the Southeast Missouri University - Sikeston Campus Advisory Board. Banken stated someone from the school district and the chamber economic development were required to be on the board. The appointments were then approved by the board.
Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout said the department has applied for multiple grants. The first is a MoDOT grant for $56,000 that would help replace the computers in all of the police vehicles. The second is a public safety grant for $8,800 to upgrade the officer body cameras. The third is a MoDOT online driving grant, which would pay for all online training for all officers. Trout said the department received a $6,592 grant for the fingerprint system.
Jimmy Kirkman was hired by the board as a Dexter PD communications officer and also appointed Justin Robey to the fire department.
Fire Chief Don Seymore reported also at the public safety committee meeting they recommend to appoint Mr. Justin Robey as a paid-on call fireman. Mayor Banken appointed Mr. Robey as a paid-on call fireman.
Seymore reported there were no incidents during the recent winter weather, but prior to the storm they had six structure fires.
City Clerk Bishop reported thirteen (13) UTV permits have been issued since February 1, 2022.
