Other than the air conditioner not working properly Monday night at the Portageville City Council, Mayor McCrate had an item to discuss with Police Chief Ronnie Adams. He wanted to know why Adams promoted officer Austin DeLisle to sergeant with out prior approval from the board.
"I have never have before," said Adams. After several minutes of discussion, McCrate assumed that the promotion also meant an increase in pay, when actually it was just a replacement in position within the ranks. "I promoted Mark Stockton and you did not say anything," said Adams. "After Tom Doering left, I promoted Mark to his place, and am promoting Austin to the rank of Sergeant. This has nothing to do with budget, just change of position." Thenceforth, the board is to be made aware of any changes or promotions on the police force.
Fire Chief Bill Foster then approached the board with some financial help in paying off the newest fire truck. The remaining balance on the 2010 E1 truck is $26,472. The fire department is also paying $7,304 leaving the remaining balance of $19,168.86. Foster has the board if the City could payoff the remaining balance. A motion was made to payoff the final balance, and approved the motion.
In talking about the City drainage issues in the north western section of town, the board has ask the street department to begin digging out more ditches and on Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and McArthur Avenues. Please be watchful for the trucks and equipment in these neighborhoods.
Also in discussion are some three different locations where tree limbs are taking over and causing poor visibility on the city roads. The Mayor and a couple of aldermen have asked the property owners to trim them back, but to no avail. Now, Mayor McCrate is sending out a letter requesting these property owners to do so. Before that is done, the City is taking measurements to find the exact boundary lines.
These locations are: East Sixth and Huffman, Fourth St. and King, and Twelfth St. and Huffman.
Two visitors came before the City Council, first was Vonnie Snelling. She thanked the City for spraying round up on the weeds on the side walks, but they also sprayed the flowers, and ask that the employees play closer attention to what they are spraying. Secondly, she said the trash can in front of the library was filled with water. No hole at the bottom for water to drain. Snelling asked the council to look into this. "Won't cost you anything, but a little time," Snelling said. She works at the New Madrid County Public Library.
The second quest was David DeVaughn from Midwest Meter Inc. out of Cape Girardeau. He gave a sales pitch on the Badger Meter BEACON Advanced Metering system. Put simply, a upgraded water meter that works with a smartphone or tablet. It is designed to give you information daily instead of monthly.
The City Council also approved of two ordinances, the first was an Conflict of Interest or Ethics policy that the board is supposed to do at least every two years. This ordinance is to establish a procedure to disclose potential conflicts of interest and substantial interests for certain officials.
The second ordinance has to do with rental dwelling units. This is to establish a requirement of occupancy certificates for rental dwelling units in the City of Portageville; the procedures for obtaining the certificates and ther appears for denial therof. The main purpose is for the City to provide health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the City through the establishment of a rental inspection program., the purpose of which to monitor the general condition of rental units within the City through a regularly schedule inspection program.
Lastly, City Council has called for a Town Hall Meeting set for Friday, July 18th the need for a capital improvement tax. It will be held at the City Hall at 6 PM. The City Council is hoping to bring a tax increase mainly for infrastructure uses, They hope to have something on the November ballot.