Bernie votes to continue 'no alcohol' policy at Center

BERNIE, Mo. -- The Bernie Board of Aldermen worked through a short agenda that included setting Wednesday, Dec. 11, for the annual Christmas meeting and setting the hours from 5 to 9 p.m. for trick-or-treating in the city on Halloween. The aldermen tabled action on new rules governing the Community Center as recommended by the Community Center Committee.

The biggest change in rules for use of the Community Center as recommended by the committee was allowing alcohol at events. The aldermen voted to have the city oversee the rental of the Community Building and prohibited alcohol in the facility in June, 2012. Some events leading up to that decision had required the police to respond, and citizens complained about the noise.

Alderman Todd Young presented the recommendation of the committee to the full board, noting that rental income had dropped significantly since the change.

"They have lost a lot of revenue since then," said Young. "Not allowing alcohol has hurt the use of the Community Center."

Young went on to say that many Bernie High School graduating classes that formerly held their class reunions in the building, stopped using it after the change.

"I did get a chance to read it (rules recommendations)," said Alderman Ivan Mekan. "I have to say I'm not crazy about it."

"I will never vote to allow alcohol in the Community Center," stated Alderman Tim Gage. "I thought we had already decided this."

Gage said if any of the other aldermen lived near the Community Center, they would not want to see it go back to allowing alcohol.

"If you haven't heard it, then you don't know," said Gage.

Young said he thought the rule was too strict, and that local groups were responsible when using the Community Center. He said he was only passing along the recommendations of the committee.

"I understand there is a loss of revenue," said Gage. "but I will be adamantly against allowing alcohol."

Gage made a motion to go on record that the aldermen are not in favor of allowing alcohol at the Center. It was seconded by Alderman Ray Coats. It passed by a 4-2 vote. Gage, Coats, Mekan and Barry Zimmerman voted in favor of the motion. Alderman Dennis Jackson and Young voted no.

December meeting set

With little discussion, the board approved Dec. 11 for the annual Christmas meeting. City Clerk Gloria Dean said the arrangements had been made, and the board just needed to formally approve it. In related action, Mayor David Teeters appointed Young and Gage to the Christmas Committee to organize and get bids for the dinner.

Other action

The board voted to hire Richard Humphries as a full-time employee in the street department at the recommendation of Gage. They also voted to hire James Culverson as a reserve police officer on the recommendation of Zimmerman. Zimmerman said Culverson had worked as a paramedic for 13 years and as an officer for two years.

In executive session, the aldermen accepted the resignation of City Superintendent Roger Smith, who is retiring. He will officially retire on Oct. 20. Teeters said the city would be seeking applications for someone to replace him.

Mekan said the city had a problem with basketball goals being on city streets. He said it was a safety issue, and he thought the city needed an ordinance requiring all basketball goals to be at least three feet off a city street.

City Attorney Robin Northern said she didn't think an ordinance was needed. She said there were not supposed to be anything put in the city street right-of-ways.

Gage agreed. He said the city should send the code enforcement officer to request that goals be moved off the street at least three feet.

Mekan said he understood that the city didn't want to discourage "kids playing," but he felt there was a safety issue involved.

It was agreed that anyone with basketball goals on a street should be advised by the police department to move them back three feet.

Coats noted the work done at the City Park by Shepherd's Fold, based in Cardwell, Mo. Coats said the volunteers had done a great job at the park.

"There was an awful lot of good volunteers," said Coats.

Coats said he thought it would be a good idea to send a card of thanks to the group, and perhaps a donation.

Northern said a city or municipality is not allowed to donate money.

After some discussion, Mekan said he would be meeting with the Bernie Ministerial Alliance and would see if they could make a donation to Shepherd's Fold. Coats said the city should at least send a card of thanks to the group.

Teeters thanked Teresa Slinkard and other committee members that worked to make the Fall Fest successful last Saturday,

"It was well-planned and executed," said Teeters. He noted that in spite of the weather, there was a large turnout for the event.

"I want to thank the committee and all the volunteers," stated Teeters.

Sidewalk project

Keith Richard, project manager for Hessling Construction, asked the aldermen questions about curbing and driveways on a city sidewalk project. Hessling Construction of Dexter was the lower bidder on the project with a bid of $29,471.91. The city is replacing 2,492 linear feet of sidewalks. The bid by Hessling was for $11.83 per linear foot.

Richard said he wanted to make sure what the city required about driveways intersected by the sidewalks. Mekan said the city normally just tapered the sidewalk down to the driveway. Richard said there was question about a handicapped ramp. Mekan said he wasn't sure, but thought the sidewalk could be tapered to the ramp.

Richard said the American Disabilities Act required a two percent slope. Mekan said the city wanted to abide by any regulations.

After further discussion, Mekan agreed to meet with Richard to look at any driveways or ramps and decide what to do.

The aldermen agreed that if there were extra costs, then the city would pay them.

Richard said there would be some extra costs, and he would submit that amount to them after he met with Mekan.