Roll call was called at 7:00 p.m. for the August 2, 2004 meeting.  In attendance was Mayor Bob Closser, Dan Cassill, Jeff Sines, Karen Rudd, Sharon Sines, Craig Walker, Clerk, Mary Stocker.  Also, Dave Dowdy from Rural Development and John Humphrey from Rathbun Regional and a large number of residents of the City.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved with a motion by Sharon Sines, seconded by Karen Rudd and motion carried.

The Financial Report showed balances in all accounts as of July 31, 2004 and the bills for payment in August were presented.  A motion was made by Karen Rudd, seconded by Jeff Sines to accept the Financial Report.

The Park Board minutes were read by the Clerk, and a motion to approve them was made by Sharon Sines, seconded by Dan Cassill and motion carried.

John Humphrey had been in contact with a few of the residents about their sewer hook-up and other gray water being discharged.  He will continue to be in contact with them and the City and work with them to get this corrected.

It was also discussed about the large amount of water on the Thompson property from a drain.  Conclusion was that it was the City’s drain from the Oval and other parts of town.  Rathbun would be able to repair it but they need a letter in writing from the City as a formality.  Clerk will send a letter asking that they do the work and try to complete in the next couple of weeks.

Brad McKee’s building permit – tabled till the September meeting.

Sam Van Skike building permit tabled till the September meeting.

Installation of the Rathbun Tower – Larry Wilkinson had called the Clerk and confirmed that it was all still go – Rathbun was just running behind in getting to the installation of it done.  And, yes, City siren can be mounted on it if it passes all specifications.  Mayor Closser should send copies of siren information or call Larry.

Brad McKee not present to discuss the Amish Corner’s Open House.

Street commissioner’s wages was discussed briefly.  Chris was under the impression that when he was hired, his wages was to be $10.00 per hour.  No record in minutes of this was found and he has been being pair $8.00 per hour thus far.  Following discussion, a motion was made by Jeff Sines, seconded by Sharon Sines to increase his wages to $10 per hour effective immediately.  Motion carried.

Unmowed ditches and embankments were discussed at length with a few of the citizens present.  The City is hoping to make some major improvements to the streets and ditches.  It is the property owner’s responsibility to mow the ditch adjoining their property, but the City realizes some cannot be done by a regular mower due to prior ditch work.

Any building permits for Craig Walker will not be needing approval – he will advise as to when to put on the Agenda again.

Drakesville Web-Site renewal was tabled – Brad McKee not present.

Discussion on the sidewalks in Drakesville and how to go about replacing them and what to replace and what not to and putting in new ones.  An estimate of re-doing the one in front of City Hall was presented by the Street Commissioner.  One bid for sidewalk across the alley and drive and one for it to not cross the alley and drive.  A motion was made by Jeff Sines to put in the one of 31’ x 4” not crossing the drive of alley in the amount of $329.26.  Motion seconded by Sharon Sines and motion carried.

A building permit for a garage was presented by Paul Piper.  A motion to accept it was made by Jeff Sines, seconded by Dan Cassill and motion carried.

Condemnation of the Stephenson Building (Hardware) was discussed.  Lila Thompson relayed a message from the Stephenson’s that the roof repair and painting and other repair of and trapping of rodents would be commenced within the next two weeks.  The City instructed the Clerk to write them a Certified letter stating that this work was to begin within the next two weeks as they stated and give them 30 days to make some progress of the City would begin the process of condemning it.  Sharon Sines made the motion for the Clerk to send the letter and it was seconded by Jeff Sines and motion carried.

The half-torn down house on N. Washington belonging to Sam Closser was also discussed.  A motion was made by Sharon Sines, seconded by Jeff Sines for the clerk to send Closser’s a Certified letter that it needs to be completed within 30 days or the process of condemning it will be started by the City.  Motion carried.

Rural Development representative Dave Dowdy was present to discuss Grants that the city recently received.  One was for the Strom Alert Siren and the other for a Fire Jeep Chassis.  Following a time of question/answer a motion was made by Jeff Sines, seconded by Sharon Sines for the Mayor to Sign the Letter of Intent to Accept Grant and motion carried (for the Truck Chassis).

A motion was then made by Craig Walker, seconded by Jeff Sines that the Mayor sign the Letter of Condition and Intent to accept the Grant for the Storm Siren in the amount of $8,500.  Motion carried.

A very lengthy discussion followed between the citizens present and the Mayor regarding the junked or abandoned vehicles, other junk and weeds, etc. in town.  The list shown on the Agenda was to be discussed between the Mayor & the Council ( who had not previously had an opportunity to do so).  They briefly got to discuss the matter and what they needed to know from each one of these citizens.  A motion was then made by Sharon Sines to send a letter to each one on the list and a copy of the Ordinance.  A lot of opposition from citizens present.  Sharon withdrew her motion.  A motion was then made by Jeff Sines to have the Clerk send a generic letter to every  citizen along with a copy of the Ordinance on autos and ask them to reply about any autos they had on their property.  Reply was to be received by August 20.  Motion was seconded by Sharon Sines and motion carried.

The September meeting date would fall on Labor Day so it was decided to hold it on Thursday, September 9^th.

Area 15 Regional Planning had sent a letter wanting to know how many members would attend a meeting on Conducting a council meeting, etc. and other information.  Clerk is to reply back.  Some would attend, no preference in date, only evening.

The Betty Hines/John Stiltner property has not been mowed in the past month.  The phone numbers the Clerk had are no longer in working order.  Clerk will do some investigating with regard to ownership and/or maybe sent a reminder letter about the mowing.

A motion to adjourn was made by Jeff Sines, seconded by Sharon Sines and metting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Mary Stocker

City Clerk