Unopposed incumbents sworn in at Cardwell council meeting

Cardwell Mayor John Prince swore in to his position on Tuesday, following the recent election. Prince ran unopposed in his re-election as Mayor. From left to right Mayor John Prince and City Clerk Mary Vaughn. Staff photo by Joshua Payne

Following the swearing in, the city council appointed Mary Vaughn as the City Collector, because no one filed for the position.

Prince then appointed department chairs, leaving them the same as the previous year. South Ward Alderman Judy Oravetz will head the Water and Sewer Department, North Ward Alderman Wanda Lee will head the Fire Department, South Ward Alderman Jack Sparks will head the Police Department, and North Ward Alderman Irvin Harper will head the Street Department.

Also during the meeting, the department heads gave their reports to the city council.

Charles Moore led with the Water and Sewer report. During his report, Moore noted that the jetter at one of the stations will need a new pump and will cost approximately $1,500 to repair. Also, he noted that Douglas Electric has been unsuccessful in locating all of the needed supplies to repair some of the city's stations.

Moore added that his department was able to catch five stray dogs during the month, but had issues containing the dogs. This was due to the shape of the dog pen, which will be repaired when the weather permits, according to Moore.

City Clerk Mary Vaughn followed Moore with the collector, internal audit, and delinquent tax reports.

In the first quarter of 2009, the city of Cardwell was able to collect $4,691 in taxes, with 106 city stickers sold in the month of March, according to Vaughn.

The city's annual audit was held in March, and though information has yet to be received on the audit, during the auditor's exit he noted it was the smoothest and cleanest audit the city has ever had, Vaughn pointed out.

The General Funds are at 43 percent, which is under budget, this relates to taxes the city will receive later in the year, according to Vaughn.

Certified letters will be sent to individuals with delinquent homeowners tax for three years or more. The letters will allow the individuals to pay their taxes within 30 days, or their property will be submitted to the Dunklin County sale held in August.

Following the reports, officials reviewed the bills for the city and decided to not pay Douglas Electric for work on pump stations until the work is completed.

The company had already billed the city for the work, but has yet to complete the project.

"I believe we shouldn't pay them until they complete the job," South Ward Alderman Jack Sparks said.

Also in the bills, Pemiscot Dunklin did not charge the city fees on street lights for the second month. This is because so many of the lights are still not working, according to Vaughn.

City officials recently discovered a boat in the city owned shed. The boat was originally thought to be city owned, but evidence now shows that it was borrowed from someone years ago, according to the city council.

The city is unsure who the boat belongs to and have not heard from anyone claiming the boat.

"I believe if someone appears claiming the boat, they should show proof of identity," Sparks said.

The council followed Sparks' request by approving the motion to receive proper identification before presenting the boat to any individual.

FEMA will be reimbursing approximately $15,000 to the city of Cardwell, according to Vaughn. Also, the donated resources totaled an amount greater than the city's 25 percent match, Vaughn added.

"Now we just wait on the reimbursement," Vaughn said.

The city approved submitting an application for the COPS Grant that will reimburse 100 percent of salary and benefits for one full-time officer for three years. To accept the grant, the city must have a plan of action to keep the officer in the city at least 12 months following the three years. The estimated total for the three years of work is $83,620, according to Vaughn.

Burl Langston was hired as the building inspector, after volunteering to do the job free of charge to the city. Hall will be paid $1 per year by the city of Cardwell for insurance purposes, according to Prince.

The first weekend of May has been set as the city-wide yard sale date. The yard sale will wave permit fees through the city and will be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, per the city council's approval.

In other matters of the council:

* Ray Hall was appointed to the Housing Authority Board.

* Richard Mara was authorized to buy from Missouri State agency surplus property.

* Charles Moore was authorized to travel to Jefferson City to take a water operators test.

* County Commissioner Don Collins informed the city that the clean up crews will be making another sweep throughout Cardwell.

* The Missouri Department of Natural Resources have been testing sites throughout the city, but results won't be known for a while, according to Vaughn.

* The pavilion is still being repaired by may need new plywood to replace rotted areas.

* The supplies are being gathered on Thursday or Friday to repair the band stand.

The next Cardwell City Council Meeting is slated for Thursday, May 14, 2009.