Anderson Council Learns Of New Dispatch Procedures

Police Chief Donavon Pierson began the June 16 council meeting by notifying the council of impending changes to dispatch procedure.

In an attempt to keep sensitive information secure, McDonald County 911 will no longer fax or text vehicle information to officers at the police department or roadside at a stop. Instead, they have set up email addresses for each unit so this information can be transmitted via a protected network. To access these accounts, departments must only have a processor equipped with Windows 7 software or newer.

Departments, like Anderson, without this software must either make the necessary upgrades or be forced to drive between seven and ten miles to the 911 Dispatch Center after any arrest, crash, or towing to get the paperwork needed to complete incident reports. This would take valuable time that could be spent patrolling the city.

Rather than pay the extra wages that would result from the increased workload or the $12,000 it would cost to equip the current server, Pierson proposed that the city invest in implementing a mobile Computer Aided Dispatch system.

By using a mobile CAD system, law enforcement would be able to securely transmit information to and from dispatch via a computer tablet in their vehicle, access cloud-style record hosting, and share reports with other agencies across the state who are on the same system -- all without undergoing the frustration or expenses associated with replacing their current server.

The council voted to instate a CAD with an InterAct record management system at a cost of $2,000 per year and a mobile data terminal through the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System at a cost of $500 per year. The council also approved the purchase of computer tablets at a cost of $300 to $500 each with mobile data charges totalling $40 per month for each tablet through Verizon Wireless.

Fire Chief Shelby Turner then addressed the council concerning the impending dispatch changes and how the department plans to adapt. He is currently considering "Active 911," a digital messaging system that, within 10 seconds of a call, notifies first responders of an emergency, provides a map of the location, and records who has responded as well as who is en route to a scene.

The council voted to permit Turner to begin drafting the contract and authorized Mayor Sellers to sign the contract upon completion.

Police Report

Chief Pierson notified the council that criminal complaints are up in May, the most prevalent being those for stealing and forgery. Multiple break-in thefts have been reported at Bear's Den Storage and forgeries on self-printed checks have been cashed at Pit Stop as well as Town and Country. Arrests have been made in three of the theft cases and one of the forgery cases.

Pierson reported that officer Belt has been terminated due to "erratic, harassing behavior and insubordination" and that officer Lemonds has completed his 90-day probationary period without complaint.

The council voted to promote officer Lemonds to a full-time officer.

Fire Report

Chief Turner reported a calm month thanks to the wet weather and updated the council on the department vehicles that were deemed disposable at the last council meeting. He noted that Jon's Mid-America Fire Apparatus Inc. is scheduled to complete an appraisal on the department's No. 2 engine.

Utility Report

Public works director Brandon Forcum reported that the water department has replaced nearly 600 feet of water line on the east side of town and repaired nine leaks. He believes that the city is combating a number of small leaks as opposed to a single sizable one.

Forcum then expressed the department's need for a bumper trailer, between 16 and 20 feet long, for hauling pipe and large equipment to locations inaccessible by delivery truck. He said that an 18-foot bumper trailer from Tricks 4 Trucks costs $3,600. Alderman Gene Cantrell asked that he research additional price comparisons.

Mayor Sellers asked about a replacement pressure tank for the Moss Church community due to the instability of the current one. Forcum answered that the current tank has a 10,000 gallon capacity with a purchase price of $17,400 but was manufactured in Florida. As a result, he estimates shipping of the tank at another $10,000. He said that he is currently looking into a different pressure vessel, locally, from Gilbert Industries. Alderman Cantrell noted that it would need to be installed before winter and Mayor Sellers added that a building would need to be constructed to keep the tank warm.

The council voted to hire Nathan Wagner as a water department employee for 30 more days.

Forcum reported hiring a new employee for the Street and Parks department. Jody Frazier will begin work June 29.

Forcum notified the council of the department's recent purchase of a waterline tapping machine for $2,400. It can tap lines up to two inches in diameter without having to shut off the water supply.

Street Paving

Bids were then reviewed for the pending street project, which will resurface Cedar Street and Industrial Park Drive. The council voted to accept a bid from Swift Construction Company for the amount of $85,342.25. After a down payment, the sum will be paid in monthly increments.

Mayor Sellers noted that there could be increased traffic control issues during the repair of Industrial Park Drive and suggested that the city either coordinate with business owners to arrange for deliveries and such or implement a temporary, alternate route.

300 S Walnut and 314 Cedar Streets

The council discussed splitting the $10,000 expense of removing asbestos contaminated debris left after a fire destroyed the structure late last year.

While Aaron Wolf, who had previously expressed interest in sharing the expense, no longer wishes to do so, property owners Michael and Krystal Bourg intend to pay for half of the costs. They are prepared to make yearly payments towards the $5,000 sum over the next five years

The council voted to accept the proposed payment plan.

Annexation Public Hearing

Mayor Sellers then gave an update on the public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. June 29 at City Hall regarding the voluntary annexation of the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. He talked with Jason Dill, owner of McDonald County Mini Storage, O'Reilly Automotive, and Stampede Car Wash, and he is in favor of annexing those locations at the same time.

The only point of issue is that the Stampede Car Wash is categorized as an island, which municipal annexations cannot allow. Mayor Sellers spoke with the county commissioners and they are willing to deed Indian Trail Road, from Highway 76 to Mustang Lane, to the city as well as Mustang Lane up to the Middle School.

The council voted to add the three properties to the public hearing agenda.

Speed Reduction

Alderman Cantrell asked Chief Pierson if he had made any progress in the attempt to lower the speed limit on Highway 76. Pierson replied that he has requested a traffic study report to substantiate his request for review by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. He also noted an increase in passing on the right since the opening of the Neighborhood Market.

The mayor recommended posting a "No Passing on Shoulder" sign.

Financial Advisors

Mayor Sellers reported speaking with Steve Goehl, a municipal financial advisor with D.A. Davidson. The firm handles funding, bonds, voter education and obtaining low interest loans through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state's revolving loan fund. They provide alternatives to rate increases such as water/sewer bonds or a capital improvement sales tax.

The council voted to meet with Goehl at the July council meeting.

City Clerk Resignation

With a heavy heart, the council accepted city clerk Gayla Clay's resignation after eight years in the position. Qualified candidates may submit their application at city hall.

Community on 06/25/2015