Council renames city streets, honors citizens

Mayor Roger Wheeler reads Resolutions honoring citizens, John Robertson and Metz Skelton for their years of service to the Planning Commision. Staff photo by Amenda Alexander [Click to enlarge]

The next ordinance passed, by roll call vote, was to include a tuition program to provide tuition reimbursement for newly hired police officers. The Program Was added to the personnel manual.

Mayor Wheeler read resolutions, honoring John Robertson and Metz Skelton for their years of dedicated service to the Planning Commission for the City of Kennett, before the council and citizens.

During the public participation session, Bob Young, a citizen of Kennett, spoke to the council voicing concerns about the Consolidated Ditch No. 2, (known as Buffalo Ditch), having overgrown grass and weeds along with a large Oak tree growing in it.

Young said, he has talk to council members, the Mayor, and talked to the Drainage District, who takes care of local ditches, and also talked to the County Commission, trying to find out about this ditch.

"I guess nobody wants to take care of it, that is what it looks like," Young said

"I guess the city quit maintaining it for some reason. I got a couple of different answers, the city doesn't seem to own the ditch, and the Drainage Board doesn't own the ditch. As a citizen of Kennett, I am asking for the help of the city."

City Attorney Terry McVey replied, "I have written a couple of letters to the Drainage District, specifically about the Oak tree."

"I received a call from the chairman of their board, who said, their position was that they do not collect any taxes in the City of Kennett, so they don't do any work in the City of Kennett, I reminded him it is their ditch, and he was to talk to their attorney and get back with me."

"We have done research, and we are convinced it is their ditch. As far as not paying any taxes, I believe the city does, Randy Carter has done a lot of research on this, and the City of Kennett does pay taxes to them, so we are going to address it. We think it is something they should do, there is money available for them, and we are going to press it."

"If need be, they may be in violation of some federal laws, like blocking up waters ways, and we may push through that end, but it is being pursued."

George Archer, citizen of Kennett, also addressed the council saying, "That ditch is a major problem, if we start getting those 5 or 6 inch rains we are going to have problems."

Continuing to Department reports, Ken Goslee, city administrator, informed the council, the first request had been submitted to the Rural Development Commission to purchase rebar and bolts for use in building the new dog pound, and the build for the pound should arrive October 20th.

Randy Carter of the street department informed the council the new street sweeper had arrived.

"I think it will serve the city well for a number of years to come," Carter said.

Officer Steve Cook, addressed the continuing rise in curfew violations, none being repeat offenders. "Parents are picking them up and are being explained the law concerning curfew times," Cook said.

Fire Chief John Mallott told the council that this month is Fire Prevention Month, and the fire department would be busy going to the schools for programs.

During the new business session, bids for a used police car from Delta Auto Parts and Salvage of Portageville, Mo., for $618 was accepted by the council, and funds will be put in the Police Reserve Fund.

Councilman Mark Ellis asked the council about the Jones building that has recently collapsed and has been condemned.

"Thomas Graham is approaching the Kennett Community Development Corporation, (KCDC) about the revolving loan fund to take care of the part of the building that has been condemned," Mayor Wheeler said.

The next regular scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, October 21, 2008.