Council Administers Oath of Office to Elected Members

At their regular June 9 meeting, the Holden City Council swore in newly elected members, Ray Briscoe, Rusty Kephart, Jeremy Knox and Liz Weeks.

Council members elected Councilman Jim McDaniel as Mayor Pro Tem.

In personnel issues. the council accepted the contracts for Police Chief Trent Neal, Assistant Chief Matt Carter, and Officer Robert Mitchell.

They also approved the hiring of officers Courtney Gate and Brian Ward. Mayor Doyle Weeks thanked the police for all their work.

In his communications report, Mayor Weeks announced he would push the budget discussion to a special June 23 meeting.

He is also looking into a possible new ordinance to protect the new roads.

Additionally, his office is working on fixing city job descriptions in order to have them ready for the July council meeting.

In ordinance news, Fire Chief Andrew Watkins requested signs saying “No engine bracking” be posted to encourage compliance with the city’s noise ordinance. Ron Heinemann of the street department will check on the cost of the signs.

Chief Watkins also presented a request for the fire department to take over managing the burn permits for Holden.

After a discussion with the council, Watkins will present a fully detailed proposal at the July meeting.

In Board of Public Works (BPW) business, after a presentation from Water Superintendent Tony Lerda, the council approved the BPW budget, which included refinancing the current debt service. BPW will work with Piper Sandler to finalize the refinancing details.

In old business, the council discussed the street/light poles that have been taken down on 2nd St. as part of the MoDOT roadway and sidewalk project.

Mayor Weeks looked at the poles and reported on the condition. The council voted to allow the Chamber of Commerce to have the four poles that were in good condition.

The rest of the poles will be repaired and used at the tractor pull, rather than renting light towers.

Since the towers are normally $500 each to rent, and the tractor pull uses 10 towers, repairing the street poles will actually save the City of Holden money.

In open forum, council heard comments from several concerned citizens about the condition of the city’s flag. As a result of those comments, the council agreed to get a new flag from the VFW to replace the current one that is worn out.

In other business, the council confirmed that “No Parking – Snow Route” signs will be installed downtown this fall.

In an ordinance update, council approved drug testing policy wording changes to the personnel manual and will send changes to ordinances 22-26 to the City Attorney for approval.

The regular meeting of the Holden City Council adjourned, to reconvene next month.