CPD looks at switching to new training program

The Cardwell Police Department has proposed the exchanging of their current training organization, due to the amount of traveling involved.

At the Cardwell City Council meeting yesterday, Police Chief Anthony Parker discussed the pros and cons of the current training organization Missouri Sheriff's Association and the alternative organization the Bootheel Regional Training LLC. Missouri Sheriff's Association's training classes are based out of New Madrid and Poplar Bluff. The majority of the Bootheel Regional Training LLC's classes will be based out of Kennett. The department has three years to complete 48 hours of continued education through training classes. This training will be completed easier without the travel restrictions and both organizations cost $500 annually, according the Parker.

The council approved the motion, contingent upon a three-year term legal liability. The Missouri Sheriff's Association is an annually renewed contract, the contract shown through the Bootheel Regional Training LLC is a three-year contract.

Also covered in the meeting was the hiring of two individuals to the Water Department during the closed session of the Nov. 13 regular meeting and the Nov. 18 closed meeting. The first was Charles Moore who will work full-time for the department, and the second was Earnest Shirley, hired as part-time and used as needed to read meters, according to Mary Vaughn City Clerk.

A representative from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently assessed equipment throughout the city. The representative checked the last three months of pump tests, fire hydrants, along with procedures.

"The only problems that were foreseen in the assessment were some of the fire hydrants in the city and the departments need to have more training meetings," Chief Parker said.

The council decided to drop the repeater service from MO-ARK Communications costing the city $40 per month. The service was for the radios in the police cars which have had no recent problems, Vaughn said.

Mayor John Prince stated that a letter was received on Dec. 5 from DNR involving 310 and 312 Pool and Brinkley Streets. The letter informed the city to install three temporary peizometers within 90 days of notification. A peizometer is used to measure the hydraulic head of groundwater in aquifiers and the pressure of a fluid in a specific location.

The council gave authority to Mayor Prince to sign a renewal application for the lagoon permit. The application has to be filed 180 days before the expiration of the current permit, which expires July 8, 2009.

"Thank you to the community for the plaques for service to myself and to Mary, it was a complete surprise," Mayor Prince said.

The remodeling of the City Hall office area was approved, which will consist of removing a wall, stripping and waxing the floor, and placing a window in the inside door.

Additionally during the meeting on Thursday, an issue was discussed concerning the water department and a rental house. A landlord has not paid a past due water bill and has new tenants, who recently moved into his property, Vaughn said. The tenants have paid the deposit and have not been late, although the bill is still past due. The council decided to disconnect the properties water, due to not receiving the landlord's payment. The renter's deposit will be refunded in full, according to the council's decision.

Also, in the meeting the council approved the bills to be paid, requisitions, and the city budget for 2009.