Council debates mower purchase

The Nevada Parks Department wanted to purchase four new Bad Boy mowers for use at the golf course and for other mowing the department does and requested that City Council approve the purchase.

The Council had other ideas and after a lengthy discussion approved the purchase of four Grasshopper mowers from Deems Equipment for $45,040.

Councilmember Jayne Novak said that she had talked to several businesses that did mowing and only one of the companies was familiar with the Bad Boy mowers.

She said that company, which does similar mowing for the parks department in Lamar, had purchased some of the Bad Boy mowers two years ago and now he was going to have replace them because they were worn out.

"I don't think the Bad Boy is a proven brand we can rely on," Novak said.

"We can add all the options that are on the Bad Boy and still cost less," she said. This will also keep the money in Nevada.

"The Grasshopper is one of the top three mowers in the country," Tim Wells said.

In other business the council:

* Voted 4-1, with Bill Gillette voting no, to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving using $33,040 from the interest on the city's special project fund to purchase four mowers. The ordinance obligates the parks department to repay the money at 4 percent interest. Paul Hokanson, city treasurer said that this will save about $1,500, compared to financing the purchase through a bank or a dealer. Gillette said that while he did not object to using the money from the special projects fund interest, he did object to paying interest on the money.

* Voted 5-0 to OK the purchase of new reverse osmosis membranes for the city's water treatment plant from Global Filters for $39,600.

* Voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of 144 feet of 4-foot-by-8-foot reinforced concrete culvert from Scurlock Industries, Springfield, for $28,217. This will replace an existing storm drain at 815 S. Ash St. that has collapsed.

* Voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of two Masimo Rad-57 CO Oximeters from Boundtree Medical for $3,995 each for the Nevada Haz-Mat Team. The meters will be paid for by the state haz-mat team grant.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance establishing the Western Missouri 911 Dispatch Center.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first reading an amendment to Chapter 2 of the city code dealing with I.M.P.A.C.T. Nevada, to move responsibility for the solicitation, appropriation, disbursement and reporting for the annual tourism tax funded projects from the city clerk and finance department to the Chamber of Commerce executive director and the tourism coordinator.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving a service agreement with the Nevada-Vernon County Chamber of Commerce to provide tourism and marketing services for the city.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance increasing the tourism budget by $20,000 for wayfinding signs. The money was appropriated in 2008, but the signs were not installed until 2009.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving a service agreement with Flynn Drilling, Rolla, for repair services on the city's water well and pumps. This will give the city a second company that can service the wells.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance accepting a drainage easement from William L. and Amy L. Prather at 1120 N. Oak St. to extend an existing storm drain.

* Approved the fee structure for Walton Family Aquatic Center to offset the increase in operating costs when the minimum wage increases by $.60 per hour in July. The fee structure increases season pool passes from $60 to $70 for an individual and for each additional immediate family member they increase from $20 to $30. It also establishes a new family pass for four or more immediate family member for $160.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on first and second readings an emergency ordinance setting the fees for the Marmaduke Park Community Building effective May 1, for the ensuing 60 days. All users will be charged a $100 security/cleaning deposit, some or all of the deposit may be refunded upon the return of the building key and the condition of the building. Local governments, non profit organizations and religious organizations will be charged $50 for the first four hours and $10 for each additional hour. Public users will be charged $75 for the first four hours and $10 for each additional hour. Businesses will be charged $100 for the first four hours and $20 for each additional hour.