Jun 15, 2006

The Ava Board of Aldermen addressed a number of issues Tuesday evening, as well as approved several purchases for community betterment. Council members also received a proposed budget breakdown for the ensuing year. The budget numbers for fiscal year 2007 will be submitted for approval at the next council meeting June 27, and based on the summary budget figures provided Tuesday evening, city adminis-trators and councilmen will oversee an anticipated budget figure of $6.6 million for 2007. Council members discussed the need for a city well on the south side of Ava, and proposed costs of the project. Director of Development Janice Lorrain explained the recommended process for con-structing a well would be to apply for another Community Develop-ment Block Grant/Loan, and the first step encompasses submitting a proposal to the Missouri Water and Wastewater Review Committee. Following a brief discussion, coun-cil members approved pursuing possibilities on the south side, and okayed submitting a proposal to the wastewater review committee. Lorrain reported the sewer pro-ject close-out inspection on the work recently completed by Mid-State is still under review, but final approval should be received within the next two weeks. Council members reviewed a list of improvements for the Bill Martin Memorial Airport Tuesday evening, the proposed recommen-dations had been provided by Scott Consulting Engineers, P.C. of Springfield. Upgrades proposed for the airport facility were as-sessed solely for the purpose of applying for a grant offering from MoDOT. The grant opportunity, if received, would pro-vide 90 percent of the monies needed for the airport improve-ments, with city coffers matching 10 percent of the total expenditure. Recommendations to revitalize the airport addressed several defi-ciencies, including runway mainte-nance, trees/brush removal (ob-structions), and other safety issues. The firm noted several areas within the 500-foot wide runway surface that will require the removal of sloped ground, with the excavation of land and rocky areas to create a safer horizontal line for the runway. The letter also noted the pavement was in need of crack and joint sealing, surface treatment, and new pavement markings. The projected overall cost for airport improvements was esti-mated to be $425,100. Maximum dollar amount available through the grant is $600,000. The Lang Gang, Inc. was ap-proved for contract as a city planner. The group submitted the lowest bid on the project, and had also been rec-ommended by the Missouri Municipal League. The Lang Gang will have the responsibility of compiling a comprehensive review and rewrite of the City of Ava’s Land Use Ordinances. The company is located in Lake St. Louis, Mo. Administrative Director Peggy Porter provided an overview of anticipated revenues for the city, explaining a need to minimally change city trash rates. According to Porter, the current trash-dumpster rates fall short in covering costs associated with the service pro-vided Ava residents. Porter said the last cost increase was imple-mented in 1998, and in today’s market with increased fuel costs, environmental surcharges, additional taxes, and tipping fees, the city is not covering expenses related to the service. Consequently, council members approved an increase of 53˘ a week to help overcome rising costs associated with the service; dump-ster rates also received a slight increase. Porter said it was impor-tant to city officials to provide these services to city busi-nesses and residents –– to do a good job for a reasonable rate. Whereas, if trash-dumpster service was dropped by the city and contracted out to a private waste management com-pany, the rates would likely be more costly and quality of service questionable. Keeping trash disposal service under city control provides employment for several city employees, Porter said, as well as offers service opportunities for the city and residents. Council members approved a bid from Accu-Steel Building Inc., of Templeton, Iowa, for the purchase of an overhead door and single-entry door, to close one end of the Quonset building which is used for ice control and salt storage. According to Mayor Leon Harris, the doors must be installed before the protective top can be stretched over the structure for use this winter. The purchase of a cantilever shade system for the city pool was approved by council. The canopy, 12x30x8 in size, will be installed on the west side of the children’s wading pool. The top is constructed of breathable canvas, and will cost approximately $5,000. Four ordinances were adopted to amend and revise the employee handbook, incorporating changes that had been previously discussed by the board. Policy changes adopted were: maternity leave will comply with the Federal Family Medical Leave Act; employees may receive up to three days funeral leave for the death of a close relative; regular full-time employees working 28 hours or more per week will be allowed a sick leave policy at the rate of one day of leave for each month of employment, with leave not to accumulate for more than a two-year period or 24 days; employees will be paid for unused sick leave that has been earned and accumulated; and in an effort to promote good attendance, city employees will receive compensation for sick leave balances accrued over 24 days. The rate of pay for additional sick leave days, and unused sick leave time, was set at $25 per day. Vacation policy was also changed for employees hired after June 13, 2006. (Employees hired prior to the designated date would continue to structure their vacation time according to the original policy.) The revised policy however, allows employees to receive one week after one consecutive year of employment; two weeks after three consecutive years of employment; and three weeks after five consecutive years of employment. During the citizens’ comment segment of the meeting, Mabel Everett asked city officials for permission to build a gazebo pavilion, 10’x16’, in a vacant area on the northeast corner of the cemetery. The pavilion would be constructed at the cost of the family. Mabel provided a drawing of the structure which showed a concrete slab with benches on each side, and a metal roof with gables on both ends. The structure was approved with the understanding the gazebo was for public use, and the building site location would be determined by the city. Administrative Director Peggy Porter reminded council the city was sponsoring the Chamber luncheon on June 20. Kris Norman, director of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce will be the speaker. The court docket was accepted as presented by City Attorney Larry Tyrrell, and account payables approved for payment. City budget informa-tion is open to the public for review; copies may be picked up at City Hall. Council members in attendance for the meeting were Judy Lovan, Ric Engelhardt, Burrely Loftin, and David Norman. The Board of Aldermen will convene again Tuesday, June 27, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.