At its Aug. 16 meeting, Anderson City Council voted to make changes to the fire code.
Fire Chief Shelby Turner noted that it was previously decided by the council to only observe portions of the code.
Turner asked the council to reconsider this decision as the town grows.
This would require that all businesses have their exhaust hoods cleaned annually, by a professional, which most businesses don't currently do, Turner said.
"We follow sewer and building codes, I think we should follow the fire code as well," he said. "It could be a load on businesses temporarily but it will be better in the long run."
The council voted to fully adopt the code, with a $20 fee for inspection by the department. Businesses will have 30 days to begin complying and 90 days to complete the requirements.
When licenses are due in March, all businesses must be in compliance before a license is issued.
Alderman Don Hines noted that businesses will be able to secure a cheaper insurance rate as a result.
The board of aldermen proposed a tax levy of $0.646 per $100 of assessed valuation -- a slight decrease from last year's rate. Despite the drop, Mayor John Sellers expects revenue will increase due to new business in town.
The council voted to formally adopt the rate.
After speaking with the city attorney at last month's meeting, the council met again with John and Vicky Davis to address their request for an exception to the city's livestock ordinance.
At the last meeting the family said they have lived on the property for eight years, generally with livestock, and prior to that the land was owned by their family for more than 50 years.
They currently have a dozen sows and one boar on four acres. He said he breeds the sows and sells the piglets.
No alderman offered a motion to grant the exception, therefore the family was acknowledged to be in violation of the ordinance and granted 30 days to remove the livestock from the property.
Anderson recently received permits to begin work on several waterline replacement projects, including South Missouri Highway 59 and Sellers Road.
The council voted to receive bids for the replacement of infrastructure on South Missouri Highway 59.
Departmental Reports
Police Chief Daniel Gardner told the council he had researched the speed limit along Missouri Highway 76, in front of the new Harps store. He explained that it wouldn't be beneficial to conduct a traffic survey there until the store has been open for some time and traffic has settled.
Gardner reported that bicycle patrols are going very well, "but sweaty."
Public Works Director Dane Small reported removing a pressure tank at Moss Church community. Sellers commented that the council will need to contemplate elevated storage for the area in the near future.
In other business:
• The council voted to adopt the Livable Streets Policy as guideline when feasible and practical.
• The City's last remaining CD is ready to be cashed out and allotted to the street fund.
• The council discussed solutions to erosion that occurs during heavy rain on Sellers Road.
• Jill Cornett with the Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council addressed the council about a Community Convening Grant. She said the grant would help flesh-out ideas from the recent visioning study by researching and implementing policy in town that is mindful of healthy living. The council voted to issue a letter of support.
General News on 08/25/2016