May 11,2001

The City Council met in special session on Thursday evening. May 10,2001 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Harold L. Ludwig presiding and the following Councilmen present: Lowe. Rossiter, Sherwood, Martin, Wiewel and Griesbaum. Also present at this meeting City Attorney Russell Kruse. Mayor Ludwig opened the meeting, by first saying contrary to the rumors this is not an impeachment hearing regarding Tim Rossiter. Nor did Chief Baker call this meeting. This meeting was called by myself. The question was asked from the visitors if they will be allowed to speak. Mayor Ludwig stated no this is a Council meeting.

Mayor Ludwig turned the floor over to Rossiter. Rossiter stated he did not have much to say since, he was just shut down, because he represents the citizens, and without them being allowed to speak, cut down on his support. Rossiter went on to state the citizens are up set about Baker not living in the City. Rossiter stated he did not want to bring this matter up before the old Council, because he knows how they will react. Rossiter stated he is upset not only about Baker not living in the City, but taking the new police car home. Rossiter read to the Council from previous minutes, where even Martin stated there would be a problem hiring someone not living in the City and letting them take a car home. Rossiter stated there have been problems ever since Baker was hired. Jerry Brandt saw there was a problem, Ayers saw there was a problem. Mayor Ludwig stated in three different report, it stated that you told these people if I would put you on the Police Committee then all of these problems would be dropped. Rossiter stated basically if he was put on the committee he could work from within and show the people he was trying to make changes.

Rossiter stated he did not like being called to Mayor Ludwig house and being told about his daughters work habits. Mayor Ludwig stated he had call Rossiter to his home out of courtesy, and had asked Rossiter if he would like to speak to his daughter or would he like the Mayor to speak to her. Rossiter stated I told you to fire her. Mayor Ludwig stated he did not remember that comment. Rossiter stated Shawn had spoken to him about getting a drug dog, and he had told him to bring it before the Council. Then Shawn went to you about getting a drug dog. Rossiter stated these people here elected the Council, let them speak. When are you all going to start listening.

 Rossiter next subject was the Fire Chief, not living in town, and the Street commissioner is to do alley's. It's in the Charter. Rossiter states it also say in the Charter you are to appoint so many election judges, but none has ever been brought before the Council and I don't even know who they are. Wiewel stated if you are going to pick and chose, the Charter also states that every able body man would work on the streets. Are you going to see if that is enforced. Rossiter stated he under stands there are several things in the ordinance book out dated. Wiewel stated as long as he has been on the Council he had received four phone calls. Rossiter stated he has had four phone calls since being home from work tonight. Wiewel stated he finds that is very interesting that only he (Rossiter) is getting all of these calls and none of the other Councilmen receive them. Rossiter stated this town is a laughing stock. Whenever he goes to Quincy he hears comments about the City being a laughing stock. Martin stated the laughing stock only comes when something is brought before the Council and you don't get your way, and then going around sprouting things. Martin stated all of this up roar is what makes the City a laughing stock.

Martin stated even when Irene Solter and Jerry Brandt were in office they caused the up roars to make the City look bad. Rossiter stated I don't agree. Martin stated as far as the number of officers, we are trying to comply with the Gaming Commission. Rossiter stated at one meeting, they were told a minimum of seven officer would be needed. Then the following day he starts hearing 10 officers are needed. At a Police Committee meeting they discussed and approved hiring a part time officer. Rossiter stated I told you all then that the people were up set with ten officers and now you are hiring a part time officer. Rossiter stated a public hearing for the Casino, it was asked by several people to discuss the police dept, and they were told by the Mayor this was not the meeting to have those discussion, and they were told a special police meeting would be held. Nothing has ever been done. Martin stated there was only one young lady that spoke. Rossiter stated there was more. Martin stated she was placed on the agenda and did not even bother to show up. Mayor Ludwig stated when he had gotten home from the Council meeting there was an message on his answering machine at five minutes to seven that she would not be attending. Mayor Ludwig stated that according to Penn, Hydom and Baker that you stated to them, that if Harold puts me on the police committee all of this would be dropped. Rossiter stated because I could work on the inside. Mayor Ludwig stated I feel this is blackmail. Rossiter stated Baker either is appointed or hired. Mayor Ludwig stated hired by the full Council. Rossiter stated there is an easy way to end this is to start a petition to get Baker to move to town or take the car away. You name the number of names needed and I can get them. Mayor Ludwig stated what is really sad over this matter is before Ronnie Powers was elected he was a good ole boy, but now even before he is in the office he's no good. Rossiter asked for a showing of hands on who attended several different events in the City. Rossiter stated one reason people talk to him is because he goes to every event, and the others don't

Griesbaum asked Rossiter who he has been talking to in Jefferson City. Rossiter stated he could not remember the gentleman name nor the name of the office, but it is out of the Division of Labor. Rossiter stated the internet was down and he was unable to get the needed information. Mayor Ludwig asked Rossiter to show him in the ordinance book where it states the Chief of Police is appointed. Rossiter stated actually there is nothing said about the Chief of Police. Griesbaum stated talking about making Mike move to the City. When he was hired he was the only one to apply for the position. And should you now try and make him move to the City, I feel that he should be grand fathered in. Rossiter stated I don't want him fired. Someone has blown this whole matter out of portion. Martin stated you are also going around stating the Council is doing something illegal, that would stop the Casino from coming in. That's what I want an answer to. Rossiter stated that's all this Council is worried about the Casino. Martin stated then you must of forgotten, because the people voted it in 6 to 1. Rossiter stated you should ask them now, he could get a petition showing those not interested of about 300. Martin stated he would like to see the names. Sherwood stated he had called the Missouri Municipal League and spoke to Mr. Steward. According to the MML, if it is not stated in the City Charter that the Chief of Police is required to live in the City you can not force him to. Also for any other employee, unless specifically stated in the Charter you can not make residency a requirement. Sherwood stated article 4.1 stated the officers of the City and the Chief of Police is not mentioned. Page 6 and Page 21 show no mention of the Chief of Police. Rossiter stated he had spoken to the MML and was told if Baker takes and oath of office he should be appointed. Rossiter stated a one meeting Chief Baker stated he did not want a new car, then at a Council meeting he wanted to make the motion to not allow Chief Baker to have a new car and I was told not to worry about it. Then downstairs fifteen minutes later he was told Chief Baker would be driving the new car. Further discussion was held on housing and not being available for employees. Rossiter stated a time frame should be set, if nothing was found in that time then an extension could be given. To not do anything is not right.

Martin again asked Rossiter to point out what the Council is doing illegal. Rossiter stated it is in the Council book, and he needs to research more before making any statements. Mayor Ludwig stated Rossiter had already been making statements and should have had his facts straight. Martin asked Rossiter again to point out the illegal actions. Rossiter stated he did not have to. Questions were asked again about letting some of the visitors speak. Mayor Ludwig stated this is a Council meeting and he was not going to let it turn into a shouting match. Rossiter stated he would have his information for the next Council meeting. Mayor Ludwig asked for anything further for the Council. Having nothing further before the Council. Martin made the motion to adjourn. Sherwood second the motion. Motion carried with five yes and Rossiter opposing stated nothing have been completed at this meeting.