City of Canton – December 18th, 2023 Minutes

REGULAR BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2023 

Mayor Upchurch called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. In attendance were Upchurch, Aldermen Janney, Steinbeck, Hausdorf, Martin, Mathieson and Bracey arriving at 7:03 pm. Also, in attendance; City Attorney Smith, City Clerk Seangmany, PW Director Kell, Chief Blakely, Terry Fretwell, Jim Crenshaw, Jim Bensman, Michael Logston, Valerie Holland, Bruce Smith, Dan Iorio, Brian Martin, Chris Feeney, Scott Robertson and Brian Law. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

Motion was made by Steinbeck and seconded by Martin to approve the items on the Consent Agenda: Approval of minutes from November 20, 2023 Regular Board Meeting. Motion included approval of minutes of Committee Meetings, November Collector’s and Treasurer’s report and appropriations. Motion carried. 

MECO PFAS PROPOSAL 

Meco Engineering presented to the board. A decision to award the bid for PFAS removal will be made at a later date. 

CD INTEREST PENALTY APPROVAL 

Motion was made by Hausdorf to approve to move all Certificate of Deposit’s to a 13-month certificate at 5.03% with penalties for early withdrawal at United State Bank. Martin seconded, motion carried. 

RECORDS DISPOSAL LIST 

Motion was made by Hausdorf to authorize disposal of old records from the police department. Mathieson seconded, motion carried. 

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICE 

Chris Feeney spoke to board regarding the process and grant. Motion was made by Janney to approve the request for qualifications Professional Engineering Service. Hausdorf seconded, motion carried. 

PARKS BOARD REQUEST FOR PARK BENCHES 

Motion was made by Mathieson to approve replacing 4 park benches at Mississippi Park to be paid from the parks fund. This project is part of the Parks long range plan. Steinbeck seconded, motion carried. 

DISPOSITION OF EXTRA POLICE VEHICLE 

Chief Blakely voiced his concern of disposal of the oldest police vehicle, stating he would like to keep it for a reserve vehicle. The board has decided to wait and revisit this at a later time, 

RENOVATIONS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT 

Motion was made by Martin to approve the completion of a secure wall in the police department, along with the purchase of video/audio cameras for the interview room. Mathieson seconded, motion carried. Alderman Janney will work with Chief Blakely to draw up a plan with cost for further needed renovations needed to present to the board at a later date. 

SALARY FOR NEW POLICE OFFICERS 

Motion was made by Janney to approve the following starting pay scale for the Police Department: 

Starting for new experienced officers: 
$21.50 after 6 months of full-time employment will be $22.00. 

Starting pay for Academy Cadets: 

$16.00 enrolled in the Academy 
$20.14 full-time POST certified officer with Academy completed 
$20.50 after 6 months of full-time employment 
$22.00 after 1 year of full-time employment 

(Employees’ anniversary starts when they are POST certified and the academy is completed.) (Employees COLA will begin in the 2nd year of employment.) 

Steinbeck seconded, motion carried. 

MISSOURI BLUE SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION (PD) 

Chief Blakely explained to the board about this program, 

CLOSED SESSION 

Janney motioned to go into closed session pursuant to RSMO 610.021(3) “hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body” and Steinbeck seconded. Vote to close by roll call vote: 

Bracey – aye 
Steinbeck – aye 
Janney – aye 
Hausdorf – aye
Martin – aye
Mathieson – aye

Motion carried at 8:25 p.m. 

Motion was made by Martin to hire Matthew David Pearl pending acceptance into the Police academy, personality evaluation, drug screen and pre-employment physical results. Mathieson seconded, motion carried. 

Roll call vote: 
Bracey  aye 
Steinbeck aye 
Janney aye 
Hausdorf
Martin aye 
Mathieson aye

Steinbeck motioned to return to open session and Mathieson seconded the motion.
Roll call vote:

Hausdorf aye 
Martin aye 
Mathieson  aye 
Bracey aye 
Steinbeck aye 
Janney aye 

Motion carried at 8:31 p.m. 

ORDINANCES 

Bill No. 23-16         Ordinance NO. 882-C 

Bracey moved to have the first reading, by title only, of Bill No. 23-16, proposed Ordinance No. 882-C, an ordinance amending Ordinance 800-C and section 605.100 of the Municipal Code in the City of Canton, Missouri, Listing Exempt Occupations Exempt from the Occupational License Requirements of the City of Canton, Missouri; Hausdorf seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

Following its reading by Smith, Mathieson moved to have the 2nd reading, by title only, and Steinbeck seconded. Motion carried. Copies of the proposed bill have previously been made available to the public. Motion carried and the ordinance was read. 

Janney moved to adopt Bill No.23-16, and assign it Ordinance No. 882-C and Bracey seconded. 

Roll call vote:

Martin -aye 
Steinbeck -aye 
Mathieson -aye  
Bracey -aye
Janney -aye 
Hausdorf -aye

Motion carried.

Bill No. 23-17         Ordinance NO. 883-C 

Bracey moved to have the first reading, by title only, of Bill No. 23-17, proposed Ordinance No. 883-C, an ordinance approving and adopting a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Canton, Missouri and Mississippi River Rec, Inc., in regard to the Administration of ARPA Local Tourism Asset Development Grant Program Funds and Authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to Execute the Memorandum for and on Behalf of the City of Canton, Missouri, Listing Exempt Occupations Exempt from the Occupational License Requirements of the City of Canton, Missouri; Steinbeck seconded the motion and the motion carried. 

Following its reading by Smith, Mathieson moved to have the 2nd reading, by title only, and Hausdorf seconded. Motion carried. Copies of the proposed bill have previously been made available to the public. Motion carried and the ordinance was read. 

Hausdorf moved to adopt Bill No.23-17, and assign it Ordinance No. 883-C and Bracey seconded.
 

Roll call vote:
Martin -aye 
Steinbeck -aye 
Bracey -aye
Janney -aye 
Mathieson -aye 
Hausdorf -aye

Motion carried. 

OTHER BUSINESS 

City Clerk Seangmany asked the board if Regular Board Pack physical delivery could be eliminated to help free up the under staffed Police Department. Hausdorf requested that his pack continue to be delivered to his house. All other board members will print their own off or stop by City Hall to pick it up. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS 

There were no public comments or questions. 

PUBLIC WORKS 

None 

POLICE COMMITTEE 

None 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Finance did not meet. ANNOUNCEMENTS 

ADJOURNMENT 

Janney motioned to adjourn and Bracey seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:47 pm. 

Christina Seangmany, City Clerk 

Sharon Upchurch, Mayor