Parks Board discusses city pool management at city countil meeting

At the top of Tuesday evening's Nevada City Council meeting, Mayor George Knox read a proclamation declaring Nov. 20-21, 2020, VFW — Buddy Poppy Days. The annual distribution of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has been officially recognized and endorsed by governmental leaders since 1922. The VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled veterans, and the proceeds of this fundraising campaign are used exclusively for the benefit of disabled and needy veterans, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans.

“I urge the citizens of this community to recognize the merits of this cause by contributing generously to its support through your donations for Buddy Poppies from the Ralph V. Bobbett Post No. 2175 as symbols of appreciation for the sacrifices of our honored dead,” declared Mayor Knox. “I urge all patriotic citizens to wear a Buddy Poppy as mute evidence of our gratitude to the men and women of this country who have risked their lives in defense of the freedoms, which we continue to enjoy as American citizens.”

Next on the agenda were the following appointment to boards and commissions:

• Consideration of reappointment of Steve Russ to Nevada Regional Medical Center Board of Directors. Russ has served on the board since January 2009. His current term ends Dec. 31, 2020. Russ serves as the Board of Directors Chair, as well as Chairman of the Physician Relations Committee. With a motion and a second, the city council voted unanimously to reappoint Russ to the NRMC Board of Directors.

• Consideration of reappointment of Dr. Candice Moore to Nevada Regional Medical Center Board of Directors. Dr. Moore has served on the board since March 2016. Her current term ends Dec. 31, 2020. Dr. Moore has served as a member of the Physician Relations Committee and is eligible for reappointment according to the NRMC Board Bylaws. With a motion and a second, the city council voted unanimously to reappoint Dr. Moore to the NRMC Board of Directors.

• Consideration of appointment of Aimee Meyer to the Nevada Regional Medical Center Board of Directors. In response to a term limit leaving a vacancy, the NRMC Board of Directors wishes the Nevada City Council to consider Aimee Meyer for appointment pursuant to Municipal Code Section 2-11. According to a letter to the Mayor and city council members, “The Board believes that Mrs. Meyer possesses the qualities and experience that would make her an excellent choice to serve in this capacity. We feel that she is an excellent candidate based on current Board composition and identified gaps in the medical and business background.” If approved, Meyer’s term would run through Dec. 31, 2023. With a motion and a second, the city council voted unanimously to appoint Meyer to the NRMC Board of Directors.

In communications and petitions:

The Parks Board had been asked to consider a proposal from Jeff Snyder of the YMCA to collaborate with the City of Nevada to operate Walton Aquatics Center. The Parks and Recreation Department would no longer be involved. At the regularly schedule Parks Board meeting in August, Jeff asked board members to consider a partnership in which the YMCA would take over management of the pool. Following review of his vision for this program, the Parks Board asked for (and received) his formal proposal at their Sept. 30 regularly scheduled meeting.

The Parks Board considered the YMCA proposal, discussed their concerns, obtained information from a variety of sources, and reached their conclusion which was forwarded to the City of Nevada and the city council Tuesday evening. Cyndia Haggard, Parks Board Chair, was on hand at the city council meeting to discuss the recommendation. It is the recommendation of the Parks Board that the City and Council not move forward with this collaboration. The Parks Board determined that a collaboration only made sense if it results in a benefit to the community; is shown to be fiscally sound for the City; and creates an experience that exceeds that which is currently provided through the existing Parks and Recreation program. Merely eliminating duplications of services and expenses with the YMCA’s services/expenses was not considered a justification for accepting the proposal. The Parks Board also concluded that the YMCA proposal does not offer any benefit beyond what is currently in place with the existing program, nor is there any indication it would be safer or more efficient. Other concerns included moving management of the pool to a third party vendor and pool maintenance.

In old business:

• Second reading of Bill No. 2020-077 vacating the unused utility easements on lots 5 and 6 of Timberbrook Drive in the Shearer Ferry Addition. Rodney Beard owns property on Timberbrook Drive in the Shearer Ferry Addition. He would like to construct a new home on his property; lot 5 and 6 of Shearer Ferry Addition. The original plat of Shearer Ferry included utility easements on both sides and front and back of each lot. Mr. Beard is combining his lots into one parcel and would like to vacate the unused utility easements on lots 5 and 6. This ordinance would vacate the 5-foot easement on the west side of lot 5 and the 5-foot easement on the east side of lot 6. The Planning Commission held a special meeting on Oct. 27, 2020, and voted unanimously to send a positive recommendation to City Council to vacate the 5-foot easement on west side of lot 5 and 5-foot easement on east side of lot 6. With a motion, second, and a roll call vote, the council unanimously approved to place the bill on second reading.

• Second reading of Bill No. 2020-078 authorizing the execution of agreement with Dynamic Disc of Emporia, Kan., for design services. The Park Board is currently working on a 5-year Parks plan. One of the projects they are working on is the expansion of the 9-hole Disc Golf Course at Marmaduke Park. The proposed agreement is for design services and supplies with Dynamic Disc of Emporia, Kan. Funding for this project will be from the Parks Project fund and Tourism funds. With a motion, second, and a roll call vote, the council unanimously approved to place the bill on second reading.

• Second reading of Bill No. 2020-079 amending section 2-78 of the code of the city of Nevada, Mo. The proposed amendment to Chapter 2, Section 78, will return the authority of the Finance Department to the City Manager. During a time in 2006 the City was without a Full-Time City Manager and Finance Director. The City Council at that time made changes to the administrative departments to keep a functioning City government. Code adopted in June 2006: “Only the city treasurer may delegate such duties to the associated clerks as may from time to time be deemed expedient. The City Manager will employ and terminate employment of clerks in the finance department if it is deemed necessary necessary, after conferring with the city treasurer. The duties of the city treasurer are set out in section 3.8(b) of the city’s Home Rule Charter.”

Code prior to June 2006: “The City Manager will act as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Finance Department and may delegate such duties to the City Treasurer, collector or associated clerks as may from time to time be deemed expedient. The duties of the City Treasurer are set out in Section 3.8 (b) of the Home Rule Charter for the City of Nevada, Missouri. Statutory duties of the City Collector are set out in Sections 94.010 to Section 94.180 inclusive, RSMo.” With a motion, second, and a roll call vote, the council unanimously approved to place the bill on second reading.

In new business:

• Consideration of Bill No. 2020-082 approving a depository agreement for governmental entities with the US Bank authorizing account signers for Municipal Court Clearing Account. The proposed ordinance will verify check signers on the Municipal Court Clearing account with US Bank. This will allow the court to maintain compliance with Office of State Courts Administrator by having separation from Executive and Legislative Branches of government. With a motion, second, and a roll call vote, the council unanimously approved to place the bill on first reading.

• Consideration of Bill No. 2020-083 requesting emergency ordinance authorizing and appointing City Manager Mark Mitchell as the City’s representative to execute all instruments necessary to marshal and reinvest city investments maturing prior to the employment and appointment of a new City Treasurer. The proposed bill will authorize and appoint City Manager Mark Mitchell to execute all instruments necessary to marshal and reinvest city investments maturing prior to the employment and appointment of a new City Treasurer. With a motion, second, and a roll call vote, the council unanimously approved to place the bill on first reading.

• Second reading of Bill No. 2020-083 requesting emergency ordinance authorizing and appointing City Manager Mark Mitchell as the City’s representative to execute all instruments necessary to marshal and reinvest city investments maturing prior to the employment and appointment of a new City Treasurer. With a motion, second, and a roll call vote, the council unanimously approved to place the bill on second reading.