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SRO Memorandum of Understanding main topic of discussion at monthly council meeting
After the City Council members read and approved the minutes of the previous meetings, one change was made and the board approved the minutes and other department reports.
Joey Walters of the street department mentioned that after fixing some water leaks and street repairs and replacing a few culverts, they would be ready to have the streets paved. Streets should be paved near the first of next month.
The board also decided to make the annual Fall Clean up week as the third week in October.
As apart of old business, the topic of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Portageville School District and the City of Portageville was brought to the board's attention from Mayor Denis McCrate.
In last month's City Council meeting there was some discussion of needing to get an Memorandum of Understanding set up and a meeting needed to be held between the school and city to set terms as to what the City will take on and what the School will take on.
Point of Clarification-
From the beginning, Mayor McCrate agreed with this, and mentioned he was to going to be out of town the week of August 13, and said we should meet on August 20, and to give time for City Attorney to draw up a document as a starting place. Additionally, a point of clarification from the City's recorded minutes, Mayor McCrate did ask the board, “If we need to have a Special meeting on the Memorandum, would Friday, August 10 work?” No further discussion was offered on that, some board members said they would be at work and could not attend.
Alderman Berry said that the Memorandum should be done before school starts on Thursday, August 16. After several minutes of discussion, Mayor McCrate again mentioned to have the meeting on August 20. According to City recorded minutes, Alderman Berry agrees that could work.
On Friday, August 10, City Clerk Rachel Wrather was notified by councilman Ray Staffey to post that a special meeting was to be held on Monday, August 13 for the purpose of discussion the Memorandum of Understanding with the School and the City. In the meeting, only three City Council members were present, Alderman James was not in town and the Mayor was preparing leaving town that day.
Despite the fact that Mayor McCrate was out of town, the City Council called for the Special Meeting. According to the Missouri Sunshine laws, the City Council has every right to do this, and the Mayor does not have to be there. “Technically the meeting you held was legal, but to me it was unethical to have it,” said McCrate.
Berry responds, “You calling me unethical and the rest of the board unethical? I can't believe this!”
Then, Berry said in a motion, “I call for a Vote of No Confidence in the Mayor.” alderman Doering seconded.
Since the City Council and the Portageville School administrators met, a Memorandum of Understanding was drafted and approved by both parties. However, McCrate said he would not sign it. Alderman Berry then motioned to have Alderman Ray Staffey to sign the Memorandum in the Mayor's place. Motion was seconded.
In brief, the Memorandum of Understanding reads, “ Purpose of This Memorandum - To set out the understanding between the City and the School under which the City will provide a School Resource Officer for the School for the 2018-2019 school year. Mutual Obligations - The City will provide a School Resource Officer for the School for the school year 20182019 and the School will pay certain expenses for the officer.
City of Portageville shall - A) Provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the School for the school year 2018-2019. The SRO shall be a certified police officer in the State of Missouri and shall be a member of the City's police department under the supervision of the City's Chief of Police and shall be subject to the policies and rules of the City's police department and City employees. B) Pay the SRO no less than $31,200 annually plus normal benefits as a City employee, payable at the same time and in the same manner as other City employees. C) Provide for up to $1,000 for training of the SRO. D) Provide uniforms and a working police radio to the SRO. E) The SRO will cover all School extra-curricular activities requested by the School. For covering extra-curricular activities, the City shall pay the SRO the sum of $2300 per year. The School shall pay the City the sum of $1800 per year as partial reimbursement of the expense of covering extra-curricular activities.
The School Shall: A) Provide the SRO with a vehicle. The vehicle for the first year shall be a 2014 Ford Tauras. The School shall also provide equipment for the vehicle, as determined by the City, up to $800 in value. School will pay all fuel and maintenance expenses for the vehicle. B) Pay up to $2000.00 for expenses and materials for the 5th grade DAR.E. Program.
Signed my Alderman Ray Staffey and School Superintendent of School, Michael Allred on September 4, 2018
Three citizens, Danny Ivie, Rodi Walker, ands Mike Nowell voiced their concerns about the speeding on 12th Street. They are asking if the City can place speed bumps on that street like what is on Clover Lane. “There is a lot of speeding especially before school begins and after school lets out,” said Walker.
Mayor McCrate said, there would have to a petition signed by 100 percent of the folks on 12 Street, then that has to be presented to the council, and an ordinance will have to be drawn up and approved.
A member of the audience then ask Police Captain Freddie Hill if they can write tickets? “If the City Council can handle the pressure, we can write the tickets,” said Hill. Mayor McCrate, sure we can, tickets help make money for the City!”
After some smaller items were discussed, a motion was made to adjourn, and passed.
The City Council plans to hold a mid-month meeting on Thursday, Sept. 20.