Sikeston City Council reorganizes, awards general liability insurance bid

Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow takes the oath of office from City Clerk Rhonda Council as he begins his new term Friday, April 12 in council chambers at Sikeston City Hall. Gina Williams/ Standard Democrat

SIKESTON — Sikeston City Council reorganized during its regular meeting Friday, April 12 at City Hall.

Mayor Greg Turnbow, Ward 2 Council representative Vest Baker, Ward 3 Council representative David Teachout and Mayor Pro-Tem Onethia Williams were sworn into office for their new terms.

During the meeting, the council voted to award the city’s general liability insurance to Marsh Wortham Insurance for $538,148 for one year.

Amanda Groves, Sikeston’s financial officer, said this year, they sent out bid packets and received two responses. 

“One of them was Marsh Wortham Insurance; they are based out of Texas,” Groves said. “Another response was from Anderson Green Insurance. They were not able to provide us a bid for the insurance itself.”

Gina Williams/Standard Democrat Sikeston Mayor Pro-Tem Onethia Williams takes the oath of office from City Clerk Rhonda Council as she begins her new term Friday, April 12 in council chambers at Sikeston City Hall.

Blake Bain from Anderson Green Insurance was present and informed the council they were unable to obtain quotes due to a lack of time before the bid deadline. 

“They have requested that we allow them to take over the insurance from Marsh at the same cost,” Groves said. 

Tom Robinson, a city council member, questioned whether the city would need to rebid to allow that. Groves said she recommended working with Marsh for one year rather than the usual six.

“If the council wanted to, we could accept Marsh’s bid for this one year and then put everything back out to bid in next year for a five-year term,” Groves said. 

Gina Williams/Standard Democrat Sikeston City Council Ward 2 representative Vest Baker takes the oath of office from City Clerk Rhonda Council as he begins his new term Friday, April 12 in council chambers at Sikeston City Hall.

The council voted 4-0 in favor, with Baker abstaining.

Council approved the purchase of fire accessories and equipment with grant funds also at the meeting. According to Capt. Derick Wheetley, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety has been awarded a Region Homeland Security Oversight Committee Grant (RHSOC) worth $16,392.40. Wheetley said with the funds, DPS will purchase 16 Team Wendy helmets with accessories from Banner Fire Equipment for $8,543. 

“The other items we are requesting to buy under the grant are 20 MSA G! Facepiece filter adapters and 38 filters,” Wheetley said. 

The items cost $7,050, and Sentinel Emergency Solutions is the regional vendor. Wheetley said the total cost of the equipment is $15,593.20, which is fully covered by the grant.

Gina Williams/Standard Democrat Sikeston City Council Ward 3 representative David Teachout takes the oath of office from City Clerk Rhonda Council as he begins his new term Friday, April 12 in council chambers at Sikeston City Hall.

The council approved amending a section of the city code that specifies which industries and facilities must have backflow prevention devices. 

Barry Blevins, city of Sikeston community development director, said the change will be consistent with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and all changes will make the codes compliant with regulations.

The council also approved amending a section of the city code that governs the inspection and testing of prevention devices. To inspect backflow prevention devices in the City of Sikeston, all inspection companies or individuals must hold a plumber’s performance bond and a city-issued license.

Council also approved the 10-year Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority Plan. 

In other action council: council chose members John Leible, Baker and Ryan Lindsey were reappointed to the Professional Consulting Committee; Robinson to the Liquor License Review Board; Lindsey and Teachout to the Planning and Zoning Commission; Robison to the BMU Board; Teachout to the Library Board of Trustees; Williams to the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; Leible to the LCRA Commission; Robison to the Park Board; Teachout to the DPS Advisory Board; Lindsey to the Stormwater Management Board; Lindsey to the Friends of PAWS Animal Shelter Advisory Board; and Turnbow to the Capital Improvements Plan Committee.