Southwest City's Board of Aldermen discussed how to go about replacing part of the city's north storm siren during the regular council meeting on Tuesday.
Mayor David Blake recently received a letter from Storm Sirens, Inc., regarding a top cap torn from the siren, likely due to strong winds. The cap protects the siren motor and veins from rain. The missing piece does not interfere with the siren's function but could decrease the machinery's longevity.
The letter stated the issue was discovered during a service call last year, but officials agreed they hadn't heard about the missing piece prior to the letter.
A replacement top cap was quoted at $1,450.
The council asked City Clerk Missy Zinn to speak with the city's insurance company about filing a claim to replace the top cap.
DepartmentalReports
Fire Chief Shane Clark reported the department received 261 calls for service in 2018, including two motor vehicle accidents, one landing zone usage, one lift assist, one road obstruction and one mutual aid structure fire since last council meeting.
Regarding the Public Works Department, Director Shane Clark reported servicing the city's one-ton and half-ton vehicles and removing Christmas lights from Main Street. Clark noted the city has been inundated with dogs as of late, but multiple animals are being transported this week through I'm Your Huckleberry Rescue. Clark also reported repairing a water valve on Broadway Street and clearing a blockage from a sewer main on Choctaw Street.
Police Chief Bud Gow reported the department received 796 calls for service in 2018 and handled 281 cases. He said all reports for 2018 have been submitted and three reflex sites for the department's rifles were received from the Department of Defense.
City Clerk Zinn said she is working on W2s and 1099s. She informed the council that City Tax Collector Judith Pendergraft has collected $108,729.38 in taxes for 2018.
Zinn also spoke about an impending increase in postage fees. She said the cost of stamps will increase by five cents - from 50 cents to 55 cents -- on Jan. 28. Zinn requested permission to purchase additional stamped envelopes prior to the increase. The council approved this purchase.
Zinn presented council members with a copy of designated holidays for city employees. She explained that city workers normally have a half-day holiday on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, but suggested altering the schedule to allow for a full day off on Christmas Eve and then a full day of work on New Year's Eve. Zinn said Christmas Eve is generally busier for families, whereas staying open all day on New Year's Eve would allow taxes to be collected until 5 p.m. The council approved changes to the holiday schedule.
Community on 01/10/2019