The Clinton City Council met in open session, January 3, at City Hall. Councilman Gene Henry was absent, all other council persons were present – Mayor Carla Moberly presided.
Following roll call and the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance, the previous meeting’s minutes were adopted with a correction. Councilman Danial Wislon noticed that, in the minutes, the vote for an enclosure at the Clinton Animal Shelter was not in the minutes and asked they be added. City Clerk Wendee Seaton said the minutes would be amended.
A personal appearance was made by Nick Smith, who in previous council meetings has brought up the matter of the Sweeney Cemetery – located south of Englewood Cemetery. He has previously requested that the city incorporate the Sweeney Cemetery into Englewood’s property area. Upon research, he did uncover a burial referred to the Sweeney cemetery plots as “Englewood” therefore suggesting it may have been understood the area was already considered part of Englewood Cemetery at that time (1944). Smith also pointed out that he had uncovered research that there were veterans buried in the Sweeney plot and that the Sweeney lineage can be traced back to the Revolutionary War.
City Administrator Christy Maggi said the matter, although previously researched (the older property descriptions were hard to read), had been pushed down the list of things needed to be addressed, but promised a renewed effort in the matter. City Clerk Wendee Seaton took Mr. Smith’s contact information.
The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce update was given by David Lee. He reported there were five board members leaving and being replaced on the Chamber Board. The incoming president is Adam Cummings.
Lee highlighted some new businesses and ribbon cuttings (such as the Dalton House – a lighthouse for trauma, grief and loss – and a ribbon cutting for Legacy Memorials). He also alluded to an event which will be coming to the Katy Trail in 2023: a run from Clinton to St. Charles (well, as far as a person can run, anyway). The event will start at the Katy Trail head in Clinton and participants are to run as much of the 223 miles of the trail as they can. It is expected to have 50 to 80 participants minus Councilman Daniel Wilson, who David Lee tried to convince should participate as well.
Economic Director Mark Dawson reported to the council that project activity is relatively flat at this time – which is normal for this time of year. He did report the need for large area sites is still a concern. He also reported that, after visiting with the Henry County Commission, the county agreed to contribute $100,000 towards the Commerce Drive road project – if the grant for that project were awarded.
Dawson said a submission with GLS Consulting turned up some interesting data for Clinton. GLS Consulting is a site-review organization that measures a community’s economic viability for site project attractiveness on a scale of various metrics. Some of the detracting metrics were: rail service sites, easements, distance to interstates, and the ability to handle large (very large) waste water and electric demands. Clinton scored near the “low cost, high quality” bubble of a graph depicting the various measurements. But, one of the biggest areas of detraction was that of “workforce” (it being too small).
At any rate, Dawson said it was a useful tool to know “how we [Clinton] stacks up” to other communities and that it was important to do the analysis: “We are doing the analysis with these things and have to do it,” he told the council.
Following the economic director’s report the council held the second readings of Bills Nos. 2022-27 and 28, both concerning ordinances surrounding the recent legalization of marijuana. Both were unanimously passed by the council and adopted.
There was no Public Works report, however, it was noted that the Franklin Street Bridge is now open.
The Public Safety report was given by Councilwoman Debbie Smith. She reported that 58 units of fire hose (brought to the council’s attention at the previous meeting) will be declared as surplus property and all of the units be available to sell, and the council approved the measure. Originally, the cost per unit was $100, and it has been decided that $50 be the unit price. The excess hose was determined by the Clinton Fire Department to be of better use to the surrounding small communities with volunteer fire departments rather than sitting in storage. Fire Chief Mark Manuel said that any money made off of the selling of the excess equipment will go towards purchasing equipment for the new fire truck.
The deadline for the application (to fill a recent vacancy) for engineer/driver at the Clinton Fire Department is fast approaching (January 11). Thus far one application has been received.
Councilwoman Smith updated the council concerning the animal shelter outdoor area – which has caused some grief for a few area residents lately. She reported they are looking into a sound-proof tarp as an option to reduce the unwanted noise at odd hours from the outdoor enclosures when the animals are moved for cleaning purposes at the shelter. Also: she reported that the recent complaints regarding 702 East Lincoln will be turned over to the city attorney for guidance on how to proceed.
There was no finance committee report.
Mayor Carla Moberly commented on the recently reopened bridge on Franklin Street: “It looks great,” she said. She said she had an opportunity to drive across it and was pleased with the work. City Administrator Christy Maggi said a walk-through would take place the next day (January 4) – a standard procedure following the completion of a project to check and make sure the work accomplished what was paid for.
Having no further business, the council adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
