The Carl Junction City Council met in regular session on Tuesday March 18 2025 at 7:00 PM at City Hall. Mayor Mark Powers called the meeting to order with the following present: LaDonna Allen, Rick Flinn, Walter Hayes, Hollie LaVigne, Roger Spencer, and Carole Wofford. Bob McAfee and David Pyle were absent. Also present were City Administrator Steve Lawver, City Attorney Mike Talley, and City Clerk Alaina Wright. AGENDA Roger Spencer motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Rick Flinn seconded. All in favor. No opposed with two absent. LaDonna Allen motioned to approve the consent agenda. Carole Wofford seconded. All in favor. No opposed with two absent. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one present for public forum. APPOINT RYAN WEST AS NEW POLICE OFFICER Chief McCall said Ryan West is a retired chief from Joplin Police Department and also started the Neosho School District's Police Department. He said all the background checks have been done. LaDonna Allen motioned to approve Mayor Powers appointment. Walter Hayes seconded. All in favor. No opposed with two absent. ORDINANCES LaDonna Allen motioned to put "AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CARL JUNCTION, MISSOURI AND JEFF ASBELL EXCAVATING & TRUCKING, INC., TO CONSTRUCT THE COOLEY BRANCH WATER LINE REPLACEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR THE SUM OF $36,959.79; PROVIDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND/OR THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CARL JUNCTION, MISSOURI" on first reading by title only. Rick Flinn seconded. All in favor. No opposed with two absent. Discussion: Steve Lawver said this is for the scoured line on Cooley Brach that was approved at the last meeting Roger Spencer motioned to put it on second reading. LaDonna Allen seconded. All in favor. No opposed with two absent. Discussion: There was no further discussion. LaDonna Allen motioned to put it on final passage. Rick Flinn seconded. All in favor. No opposed with two absent. LaVigne-yes, McAfee-absent, Flinn-yes, Spencer-yes, Allen-yes, Pyle-absent, Hayes-yes, Wofford-yes. Motion on Ordinance #25-07 was approved by roll call vote, signed by the Mayor, attested by the City Clerk and made a part of the permanent records of the City of Carl Junction. PRESENT DRAFT OF BUDGET FOR FY 2026 LaDonna Allen said this is the proposed budget that was decided on at the budget meeting in February. She said at the first meeting in April we will need to adopt the budget. REPORTS Long-Term Project report - Mayor Powers and LaDonna Allen said it was nice to see several of the projects completed. Hollie LaVigne asked about the cameras at Lakeside Park and Steve Lawver said they had to order conduit, and those cameras aren'tyet operational. Hollie LaVigne asked if there would be free public Wi-Fi available at the parks and Steve Lawver said that would be something for the council to decide. There was a consensus among the council to offer public Wi-Fi at city properties. LaDonna Allen asked ift there was a dollar amount assessed yet for the vandalism at Country Club Park. Treasurer' S report - No discussion. Police Dept. report - Hollie LaVigne asked Chief McCall if he thought there was an increase in cases and Chief McCall said he didn't believe there was. Public Works report Steve Lawver said on Facebook there were complaints about a squeaking noise at the WWTP. He said they've been working on the issue for the past few days and are getting it taken care of. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget/Finance: LaDonna Allen said the budget was handed out earlier and will be voted on in two weeks. Code/ Nuisance: Rick Flinn had nothing to report. Human Resources: Roger Spencer had nothing to report. Public Facilities & Planning: David Pyle was absent. Economic Development: Hollie LaVigne said Retail Strategies would be here April 9 to meet with her and Steve Lawver to check out some sites and get drone footage. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mayor Powers said he signed an emergency declaration to repair a manhole near the walking bridge. Roger Spencer motioned to ratify the Mayor's emergency declaration. LaDonna Allen seconded. All in favor. No opposed with two absent. Chief McCall said when juveniles are actively on golf carts or other things on the road to call and let the police department know. NEW BUSINESS Hollie LaVigne asked who owned the email address associated with the candidate forum and Steve Lawver said he did not know. Hollie LaVigne said the community and education awards are on April 17 and she would like to see everyone there. Mayor Powers asked about the Spire pamphlet and Steve Lawver said it's because they are moving onto ther next phase of their project. Steve Lawver said Liberty sent in a 30% rate increase, and that would increase our sewer and water electricity bills by $100,000 over the course of a year. ADJOURNMENT Roger Spencer motioned to adjourn the meeting. LaDonna Allen seconded. All in favor. No opposed with two absent. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM. Qam Wapl ivne CITY CLERK MAYOR