The Carl Junction City Council met in regular session on Tuesday April 1, 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, Bob McAfee, David Pyle, Roger Spencer, and Carole Wofford. Also present were City Administrator Steve Lawver, City Attorney Mike Talley, City Clerk Alaina Wright and City Administrator Assistant Crystal Winkfield. AGENDA Roger Spencer motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Rick Flinn seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Hollie LaVigne asked why we paid $390.00 to Optic Communications for internet to the water tower. Steve Lawver said some of that was equipment for the internet. Hollie LaVigne motioned to approve the consent agenda. LaDonna Allen seconded. All in favor. No opposed. PUBLIC FORUM Richard Garrett - 1021 Copper Oaks Drive- Said he was here January 7th and spoke about streetlights, mainly the decorative lights on Main Street between Pennell and City Hall. He said he was told that Liberty was working on it, and he said when he came last night the streetlights were still out three months later. He said that seemed like a long time to have light bulbs replaced and asked if anyone had followed up with Liberty to see about them and asked if there was a process in place to ensure this won't happen again. LaDonna Allen said shel had reported them again to Liberty and thought they had been working but she wasn't entirely sure. LaDonna Allen said she spoke with Chief McCall about having the officers report streetlights out. Steve Lawver said Liberty doesn't provide us with a report when one is fixed. LaDonna Allen asked if we could email and get aj progress report about which ones had been changed. Renee Landsaw - 2510 Florida Said she appreciated Mayor Powers and his leadership. ORDINANCES LaDonna Allen motioned to put "AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2026 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET" on first reading by title only. David Pyle seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Discussion: Rick Flinn said he appreciated all the work the budget committee puts into making the budget. David Pyle motioned to put it on second reading. Roger Spencer seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Discussion: There was no further discussion. David Pyle motioned to put it on final passage. Roger Spencer seconded. All in favor. No opposed. LaVigne-yes, McAfee-yes, Flinn-yes, Spencer-yes, Allen-yes, Pyle-yes, Hayes-yes, Wofford-yes. Motion on Ordinance #25- 08 was approved by roll call vote, signed by the Mayor, attested by the City Clerk and made a part ofthe permanent records of the City of Carl Junction. LaDonna Allen motioned to put "AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SALARIES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2025" on first reading by title only. David Pyle seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Discussion: Hollie LaVigne said she thinks it's strange that the city treasurer makes more than the city Mayor. Mayor Powers explained that an elected official cannot give themselves a raise and the salary is the same as it was when the previous Mayor was in. She asked if the treasurer is supposed to present ai report annually to the council. She also thought it was strange that the ordinance was passed before the election. Roger Spencer motioned to put it on second reading. Walter Hayes seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Discussion: There was no further discussion. David Pyle motioned to put it on final passage. Roger Spencer seconded. All in favor. No opposed. LaVigne-yes, McAfee-yes, Flinn-yes, Spencer-yes, Allen-yes, Pyle-yes, Hayes-yes, Wofford-yes. Motion on Ordinance #25- 09 was approved by roll call vote, signed by the Mayor, attested by the City Clerk and made a part ofthe permanent records of the City of Carl Junction. LaDonna Allen motioned to put "AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING CITY OFFICERS TO THE CITY OF CARL JUNCTION TO SERVE THE ENSUING YEAR UNTIL NEW OFFICERS ARE DULY APPOINTED" on first reading by title only. Rick Flinn seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Discussion: There was no discussion. LaDonna Allen motioned to put it on second reading. Carole Wofford seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Rick Flinn motioned to put it on final passage. LaDonna Allen seconded. All in favor. No opposed. LaVigne-yes, McAfee-yes, Flinn-yes, Spencer-yes, Allen-yes, Pyle-yes, Hayes-yes, Wofford-yes. Motion on Ordinance #25- 10 was approved by roll call vote, signed by the Mayor, attested by the City Clerk and made a part ofthe permanent records of the City of Carl Junction. REPORTS The Council reviewed the Administration report. Steve Lawver said he was wrong two weeks ago about getting free Wi-Fi to the parks and there would be a charge. He said it would be for a separate public system not connected to the city Wi-Fi. Hollie LaVigne said part of the agreement with Optic Communications is that we wouldn't charge franchise fees in exchange for internet to city properties and that we would be receiving between $5,800-$9000 in franchise fees currently with the number of subscribers they have in town and asked if we were receiving in-kind services for that amount. Steve Lawver said we were probably not receiving services that would equal that amount of money. She said she feels like it would be a major perk to the citizens. Steve Lawver said he would invite someone from Optic Communications to the next meeting. David Pyle asked if there were content filters on the public connection at city hall and Steve Lawver said he didn't think SO. David Pyle said we would want some kind of filter to prevent inappropriate content to Wi-Fi connections at the parks. Steve Lawver said Newton County has published a meeting to disband the Joplin Special Road and assumes Jasper County will hold a meeting soon as well. Steve Lawver said he has been getting bids on a new generator agreement since Cummins is no longer in the area. He said CDL Electric was cheapest with no trip charge plus a cheaper labor rate. Steve said he would put an agreement with CDL Electric on the agenda at the next meeting. Police Dept. report - Hollie LaVigne said she asked Chief McCall to have officers keep a close eye on the parks right now. Public Works report - Hollie LaVigne asked what the Missouri Rural Water Association is, and Jay Morton explained. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget/Finance: LaDonna Allen said the budget was adopted earlier. Code/ Nuisance: Rick Flinn had nothing to report. Human Resources: Roger Spencer said he has proposed new forms for city administrator evaluation, handbook for employees and employee evaluations. Public Facilities & Planning: David Pyle said he did a quick search and there are several legal issues that we might need to consider regarding providing internet to the parks. Economic Development: Hollie LaVigne said Retail Strategies will be here next Wednesday and invited the new mayor to attend, whomever it might be. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Walter Hayes said last week he attended the MML legislative conference that was snowed out in February. Hollie LaVigne said next Tuesday is the election, the Chamber ofCommerce banquet is April 17th, and the first farmer's market will be April 24th. NEW BUSINESS Hollie LaVigne wanted to thank Rick Flinn and LaDonna Allen since this is their last full meeting as aldermen. Mayor Powers said fireworks have gone up in price and the Briarbrook CID is asking for a $3500 fireworks partnership this year. Hollie LaVigne motioned to approve a $3500 donation to the Briarbrook CID for the fireworks show. Carole Wofford seconded. All in favor. No opposed. LaDonna Allen said she appreciated the opportunity to serve the citizens of Carl Junction. ADJOURNMENT Roger Spencer motioned to adjourn the meeting. Rick Flinn seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM. Qim CITY CLERK MAYOR lnyht