Council Addresses Personnel Issues; Hears Police Dept. Proposition

 

At their regular May 12 meeting, Holden City Council members addressed several personnel issues.

They received and accepted the resignation Morgan Pemberton from the street department. Council also approved the employment of Shawn Guinn to the street department.

In police department news, Police Chief Trent Neil introduced Robert Mitchell, a student at the police academy.

Chief Neil presented a proposal for a new police department program with the City of Holden that would involve Mitchell.

The program would entail the city paying the police academy tuition for Mitchell in exchange for a three-year contract with him once he graduated from the academy.

If Mitchell were to leave the Holden Police Department prior to the end of the three-year contract, he would be required to pay the city back his full tuition amount.

Mayor Doyle Weeks said that the proposal had already received unanimous approval from the Merit Board.

After discussion, the council approved the plan with Mitchell as the test candidate.

In other police department news, council approved the PD to obtain bids on potential newer, used vehicles to replace some of the vehicles the department continues to have repair issues with in their current fleet.

The police department will present bids at the June meeting of the city council.

In new business, the council voted to continue to waive city lake permit passes through December 31, 2020.

They also decided that anyone who previously purchased a 2020 pass will be able to use it through December 31, 2021.  “People have been through enough,” explained Mayor Weeks.

Dog tags/licenses and ATV licenses will once again be required, starting Jun 1, 2020.

The council also approved a financial consultation for the Board of Public Works (BPW), performed by Piper Sanders.

The consultation will look at possibly refinancing the current bonds at a lower rate to allow the savings to help provide for infrastructure improvements.

If the BPW is able to refinance, it will also help prevent rate increases for customers. The council vote was 6-1 in favor of allowing the consultation.

In other business, council discussed the light poles that have been taken down as part of the MoDOT street repairs and updates on 2nd St.

The council voted to allow the Chamber of Commerce to have four poles that are in the best condition to possibly hang banners at both ends of town.

Mayor Weeks will personally view the poles to determine the condition.  The remaining poles may be used to mount lights for the tractor pull, they might be sold off, or they might be sold for scrap.  The council will revisit what to do with the light poles at the June meeting.

In ordinance news, the council voted to make ice and water shields required when new roofs are installed.

The May council meeting adjourned, to reconvene in June.