SPECIAL
MEETINGS
These are the in-between meetings that the Mayor and
Councilmen use to do things they do not want the public to see in the paper.
August
20, 1999
The
Police committee met in session on Thursday evening August 19, 1999 at 8:00 p.m.
with chairman Wiewel presiding and the following members present: D. Burbridge,
and M. Lowe. Also present at
the meeting Mayor Ludwig, Chief Baker and Officer Hydorn.
Chairman
Wiewel opened the meeting and turned the floor over to Chief Baker.
Chief Baker stated he had asked at the last Council meeting about
rehiring Gina Balmer. Chief Baker
stated he did not have any problems, he only felt she was not aggressive enough.
Chief Baker stated he talked to Balmer regarding this matter and she had
stated she was not properly trained by her training officer.
NOTE: When Jerry Brandt was elected Mayor, She
and her school officials showed glowing reports and acknowledgements. Chief Baker stated Balmer has asked if she was to be rehired if he
would put her back through a complete training session.
Wiewel asked about the dog Balmer has.
Chief Baker stated at present Balmer is having her dog trained in
narcotic. Chief Baker stated this
was good, because if you try and get the dog through several area of training,
it requires a lot of time on the handler. WAIT A MINUTE? What happened to Bakers Drug dog? Is the City still
paying for dog food? If so, why do we need two drug dogs?
Wiewel asked what type of work Balmer has been doing since leaving.
Chief Baker stated she has worked as a bar manager, going to school and
cutting hair. Chief Baker stated at
present she was not doing anything.
Mayor
Ludwig asked if the City had already purchased a vest to fit Balmer.
Chief Baker stated yes, it was the one purchased from Canton.
Chief Baker stated Balmer still has her uniforms with the City patches
and other equipment. The only thing
she would need would be a gun.
How many guns does
an officer need? MAYBE, they can use of the guns Baker has locked up in the gun
safe he said he needed. Lowe stated the Council never received any complaints when she was
employed before and she would be able to take over the Neighborhood watch
program again and get this off of Chief Baker’s shoulders.
WHY, what does Baker do with his time anyway?
Burbridge stated he was in favor of hiring Balmer, if Chief Baker was
comfortable. Wiewel asked if the
Committee had the power to hire Balmer. Mayor
Ludwig and Chief Baker both stated, the Council wanted the Police Committee to
discuss the matter and bring it back to the full Council.
Wiewel stated since the Police Committee was in full agreement they would
recommend to the Council to hire Gina Balmer. Chief Baker stated he would get in contact with Balmer and
let her know of the Committee decision, but it would not be until the next
regular Council meeting before she would be hired.
CITY
ORDINANCE NUMBER (1)
Section
(8)
No person, unless otherwise provided by Ordinance, shall be ELECTED
OR APPOINTED to ANY OFFICE under the City Charter of this City unless he be a
citizen of the United States; over the age of twenty-one years, and SHALL HAVE
RESIDED IN THE CITY ONE WHOLE YEAR next preceeding his election or APPOINTMENT.
Chief Baker, Shawn Hydron, Gina Balmer, Greg Heindselman. Don't pass
the muster.
Part-time
Officers: Chief Baker stated Jim Woolfolk and Cory Bringer where both going to
be graduating from the Academy and they were interested in working part-time for
the City. Woolfolk has even stated
he would be willing to move to LaGrange. Discussion
was held on having money in the budget. Why not? What is 2 more officers the City can't afford?
Discussion was
held on applications that Chief Baker has received.
Chief Baker stated he would start setting up interviews for the
Committee, possibly withing the next two weeks. Wiewel asked if there was money in the budget, to hire any
part-time officers. City Clerk
Spindler stated she would be able to have this information at the next special
Council meeting on the 30th of August.
Nothing definite has been set and no further action was taken.
Discussion was held regarding adding additional officers to the
department when the Gaming Boat was established.
Chief Baker stated he was willing to contact Ward Salvage.
Chief Baker stated he was planning on splitting up the town different
sections and having officers switch off.
WHY, are the people
going to the boat going to drive all over town?
MULS/NCIC:
Chief Baker discussed getting the mules system in the City.
Discussion was held on getting the figures needed and possible adding
this to next years police budget. Discussion
was held on when the new radio would be available.
Chief Baker stated he had ordered them, and would check with Gem
Electronics.
Having
no further business before the committee, Chairman Wiewel adjourned the meeting.
September
1, 1999
A
public hearing was held on August 30, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Harold L.
Ludwig presiding and the following Council members present: Martin, Lowe,
Sherwood, Ayers, and Wiewel. Absent
from the meeting Burbridge. Also
present at this hearing Chief Baker. There
were no citizens present to voice their opinions.
At this meeting it was discussed that the City would not increase the
City tax valuation. The valuation would remain at the present .89 cent per $100
valuation.
Having
no citizens present, Mayor Ludwig closed the public hearing.
The
Council met in session on Monday evening, August 30, 1999 immediately following
the public hearing with Mayor Harold L. Ludwig presiding and the following
Council members present: Wiewel, Martin, Sherwood, Lowe and Ayers.
Absent from the meeting Burbridge. Mayor
Ludwig stated a proposed ordinance setting the city tax rerate needed to be read
and passed to set the City tax assessments.
Ayers motioned to have the first reading of proposed ordinance #396
setting the City tax rate. Martin
second the motion. Motion carried
all five yes.
Lowe
motioned to have the second reading of proposed ordinance #396 setting the City
tax rate. Wiewel second the motion.
Motion carried all five yes.
Martin
motioned to have the third reading of proposed ordinance #396 setting the City
tax rate.
Lowe
second the motion. Motion carried
all five yes.
HERE YOU GO, Make
up an Ordinance, read it three times at a meeting, pass it.
NO PUBLIC INPUT NEEDED HERE.
Lowe
motioned to adopt ordinance #396 setting the City tax rate.
Wiewel second the motion.
Motion
carried with the following roll call vote.
Martin yes, Sherwood yes, Lowe yes, Ayers yes and Wiewel yes.
Mayor
Ludwig turned the floor over to Police Chairman Wiewel.
Wiewel stated when the Police Committee met, they had held discussion on
rehiring Gina Balmer and possible hiring a part-time officer.
Wiewel stated the full committee would recommend rehiring Balmer and
placing her through a complete training period.
Ayers asked Chief Baker why he wanted Balmer back.
Chief Baker stated it was not so much he wanted her back, she called and
asked if he would approach the Council on her behalf.
Weiwel
stated Chief Baker had prepared a summary of the Police Dept., salary.
Chief Baker stated the City Clerk had prepared the information.
According to the summary there would be enough money to hire a part-time
officer. Discussion was held on Jim
Woolfolk and Cory Bringer. Chief
Baker stated both had asked about working part-time for the City of LaGrange.
Chief Baker stated Woolfolk has now changed his mind and he would be
wanting a full time position. Cory
Bringer was still going to school and still would be available to work
part-time. Ayers asked if Balmer
would be interested in working part-time. Chief
Baker stated he never asked her.
Wiewel
motioned to rehire Gina Balmer. Lowe
second the motion. Motion carried
all five yes. AYERS VOTED WITH THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.
Discussion was held on training. Chief
Baker stated he would first like to get Balmer trained before starting on
another officer. Wiewel stated once
Chief Baker felt ready to proceed with looking into hiring a part-time officer
he could bring the matter back before the Council.
No further action was taken.
Having
no further business before the Council. Lowe/Sherwood
motioned to adjourn the meeting. Wiewel second the motion.
Motion carried all five yes.
September
22, 1999
September
21, 1999
The
LaGrange City Council met in special session on Tuesday evening, September 21,
1999 at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Harold L. Ludwig presiding and the following
Council members present: Lowe, Sherwood, Burbridge and Wiewel.
Absent from the meeting Ayers and Martin.
Training
for Distribution Course E - Level License: The City received the October 1999 -
February 2000, Water Operator Training Schedule. Mayor Ludwig stated he would like to see about sending Marlo
Slater to this training. Mayor
Ludwig stated this would be a stepping stone to help her achieve, the C-D Level
license in January. The training
course is set for a four week period. October
5, 7, 12, 19, 21, 26 and 28. The
cost for this course is $65. Lowe
motioned to allow Slater to attend this training session. Burbridge second the motion.
Motion carried all four yes.
Training
Chief Baker and Officer Balmer, Annual Gang Conference: Mayor Ludwig stated
chief Baker had received notice of this conference and he would like to attend
this conference as well as having Officer Balmer attend due to the recent events
of dealing with 4 individuals whom have been in a gang or are affiliated with
gangs. LA GRANGE HAS FOUR MEMEBRS OF
A GANG?? WHERE? The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn in the Lake of
Ozark, a cost of $95 per officer and reservations for two rooms for this session
will be $398.34. The conference
will run from October 3 - 6. Chief
Baker stated THEY (he and Gina?) would be back the evening of October 6. Burbridge stated he had spoke to Chief Baker regarding this
conference, and Chief Baker had explained about the most recent events of having
trouble with (A)
gang related member, that Officer Hydorn had trouble with the passed weekend,
and he was called in to help. The
individual stated he had aids, and spit on Officer Hydorn.
Wiewel motioned to allow for this training for Chief Baker and Officer
Balmer. Burbridge second the
motion. Motion carried all four
yes.
Moving
the Scotties Potties: mayor Ludwig stated Ralph Martin had asked about moving
the scotties pottie from the Riverfront park, since boating season is over and
placing it at Oyster Park. Mayor
Ludwig stated, the soccer teams were using the Oyster Park, for practice and
games. Discussion was held on the
amount of time the City leases the potties.
Discussion was held on the time frame that the soccer teams would need
the pottie. Wiewel stated possibly
until the middle of November. Discussion
was held on moving the pottie from the City park as well at the pottie from the
Riverfront park. Wiewel motioned to
have both the scottie potties moved to Oyster park.
Lowe second the motion. Motion
carried all four yes.
Cost
of renting a U-haul: Mayor Ludwig stated Henry Gunsauls had inquired about the
cost of renting a U-haul from Middletown, New Jersey and bring it back to
LaGrange. The cost were figured on
a five day basis, to rent a 4 x 8 =$189, 5 x 8 =$248 and 6 x 12 =$424.
Gunsauls also checked with Tony Jacobs and to rent a U-haul round trip
from LaGrange and back would cost $24.95 per day, plus $8 per day for insurance,
at a cost for five days of $164.75. Discussion
was held on paying for gas and the dollar amount it would take.
Burbridge stated it was an 16 to 18 hour drive.
Sherwood asked if the Rural would be responsible for part of this cost.
Mayor Ludwig stated they should since this would fall under equipment,
and agreement states they will pay for half of the expenses. Mayor Ludwig and Wiewel both stated they thought it would
probably cost around $250 to $300. Fire
Chief Heindselman, Funsauls, and Mark Tanner will be leaving on 09/24/99 and
returning late on the 26 or early morning of the 27. City Clerk Spindler stated there was a chance, Mike Lair was
going to donate a trailer for the Fire Dep., to use. Lair stated as long as the person driving had insurance and
the trailer would be covered. Lowe
stated, Fire Chief Heindselman had spoke to his insurance company and they were
going to prepare a rider and place it is in his file, should it be needed it
would be there and if nothing happen they would dispose of the rider.
Wiewel motioned to rent the U-haul from Tony Jacobs, contingent with the
donation of the trailer and paying for gas going out and coming back when
receipts have been presented. Burbridge
second the motion. Motion carried
all four yes.
*
Lowe motioned to go into closed session to discuss legal action, and real
estate. Burbridge second the
motion. Motion carried all four
yes. SUNSHINE LAW STATES ONLY ONE SUBJECT CAN BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED
MEETINGS.
*
Lowe motioned to go back into open session.
Burbridge second the motion. Motion
carried all four yes.
*Wiewel
motion to pursue legal action discussion in closed session and have the City
Clerk contact the City attorney. Burbridge
second the motion. Motion carried
all four yes.
* Lowe motioned to place both the city maintenance buildings in the paper for bids.