Bernie awards contract for pavilion construction

BERNIE, Mo. -- The Bernie Board of Aldermen opened bids on rebuilding a pavilion at the City Park Monday night at their regular meeting. They received only one bid. Tom Morgan of Dexter submitted a bid of $34,500 to build the 30' x 80' open pavilion. After some discussion, the aldermen voted 6-0 to award the contract for the construction to Morgan.

The original pavilion was destroyed by three teens in early April this year. The teens were subsequently charged with arson. The city discovered the pavilion was going to cost more to rebuild than was covered by the insurance policy. The city has already spent about $2,000 to clean up the rubble from the fire, but received $15,656 from the insurance settlement. The aldermen discussed erecting a cheaper pavilion, but decided to rebuild the pavilion much like it was originally.

Alderman Ivan Mekan asked whether the contractor had the necessary insurance for the work. City Clerk Gloria Dean responded that insurance documents would have to be submitted by the contractor prior the start of any work.

"Do we have the funds?" Alderman Butch Barnes inquired.

Mayor James Tilmon said the city had $34,752 in a special account to pay for the pavilion. He said that included the insurance settlement, and money had already been expended for the cleanup.

Alderman Tim Gage noted that the city would be out around $22,500 total in replacing the pavilion, taking into consideration the cleanup, site prep and construction.

Mekan asked if the city had been notified about any restitution that may be made by the three teens. Tilmon said he had been contacted about some of the costs of replacing the pavilion, but he had heard nothing about the amount of restitution. There was some discussion about whether there would be any restitution since the arson was committed by teenagers.

"It's not something we need to let go," said Mekan. He urged Tilmon and City Attorney Robin Northern to keep abreast of the developments and work toward obtaining some type of restitution.

It was asked when the work would begin. City Superintendent Charles Dean said the contractor had another project underway and would probably begin when he completed that one.

Alderman Ray Coats made a motion to accept the bid from Morgan. It was approved by a unanimous vote. All aldermen were present, including newly appointed Alderman Brian Jennings. Jennings was appointed to complete the term of Kristy Barnes who resigned. She moved from the city.

The aldermen voted 6-0 to take bids on a city audit. Tilmon said it was time to put the audit up for bids.

Alderman Butch Barnes asked if they could postpone action until after the current fiscal year. He said the city did not need to be expending any more money this year, noting that they were very close to exceeding the budget.

It was pointed out that the request for bids had a formal procedure to be followed, and it would be some time before the contract could be awarded.

Coats said he would like to see a local auditing firm handle the audit. He said the last firm did not attend a board meeting to discuss the findings with the board. He said he had questions, but never had the opportunity to ask them.

G. Dean said she had sent letters to local auditing firms requesting a bid, but received none. She said she would be happy to send bid packets to anyone the aldermen recommended. Coats said he would like the auditing firm to be required to present the audit to the board and answer any questions when it is concluded.

"If you know of anyone that does this, let us know so we can contact them," Tilman told the board.

Gage made the motion to proceed with the bid process, and it passed by 6-0 vote.

The board voted 6-0 to approve a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for Stoddard County and the cities inside the county. The plan was developed by the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission. There was little discussion.

Mekan presented a proposal to the board for construction of a concrete ramp and hand railings at City Hall to make it handicapped accessible. He said the proposal estimated a cost of $2,000. It was from Jack Meese.

There was some discussion about whether the city had the funds. Mekan said he believed the money could come from the city streets and sidewalks fund. Tilmon said there was $70,000 budgeted in that account and there was enough to fund the City Hall project.

Alderman Todd Young made the motion to proceed with the improvements, contingent on money being available from the streets and sidewalks account. It passed by 6-0 vote.

The board tabled action on an ordinance renewing a franchise agreement with Union Electric, doing business as Ameren Missouri.

Tilman read the ordinance in the first reading, but questions arose about the terms of the contract. G. Dean said she was told there were no changes. She said the agreement generates $60,000 per year in franchise fees. The contract would be for 20 years.

Coats said he would feel more comfortable if he knew the exact numbers in the agreement.

"I think we need someone to look over it and compare it to the old one," Barnes said.

Tilmon appointed Coats and Gage to review the new agreement and compare it to the old one. They will present their findings at the September meeting at which time the aldermen will vote.

In other action, the board:

* voted to install a security system at the new sewer treatment plant;

* voted to promote Officer Bob Heskett to corporal and hire Nathan Vails as a reserve officer in the police department;

* voted to hire Harry Curtis, Jr. in the city utilities department; and

* discussed animal control in the city, specifically complaints made after 5 p.m.