The Dexter Board of Aldermen agreed to use a 50/50 grant to install a restroom at the Dexter City Lake.
Dexter City Administrator Trevor Pulley said the grant is through the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Missouri Department of Conservation works with the city to maintain the city lake. Dexter Mayor Jason Banken said the restroom will be similar to the new restroom at Boon Park. However, instead of two stalls like the restroom at the park, the new facility at the city lake will be one stall.
The 50/50 grant means the city will pay half of the final cost of the new restroom and the other half will be covered by the grant.
New Ordinance
City attorney Yewell “Bud” Lawrence Jr. presented one new ordinance to the board. The ordinance will now make it an offense if a driver of a motor vehicle collides with a parked or stopped car. Lawrence said previously this was covered under the careless and imprudent driving offense. However, the state has mandated that this be changed. The city passed the new ordinance unanimously and it takes effect immediately upon its passing.
City Administrator and Mayor’s reports
City Administrator Trevor Pulley said Ameren Missouri is continuing to replace gas lines on the east side of Dexter. Pulley also thanked all city departments for their work during the recent winter storms.
Mayor Banken reappointed Bennetta Harrellson to the Dexter Tree Concil. He also asked the board to approve a temporary liquor license for Pixley’s Place LLC for the March 11 Get Lucky Cornhole Tournament. Banken asked for the approval of a temporary liquor license for El Cabrito (Lara Enterprise) for the July 8 and 9 Grille it Up event. The temporary licenses are necessary because these events are in a city park where alcohol is usually not allowed.
Banken asked the board to approve liquor licenses for USA Investments Inc. (the former Amerimart) and Bootheel Location Inc DBA on Highway AD (formerly Stanfield’s). The board approved the tree board appointment and all licenses.
Other Business
Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout said the Dexter Police Department will take part in the St. Patrick’s DWI enforcement March 16-17. Additionally, he asked the board to hire Tanner Boening as a communications officer. Mayor Banken appointed Boening to the position and the board approved the appointment. Banken also appointed Austin Burnett to a full-time position on the street department, which the board of aldermen approved.
Street and Sanitation Superintendent Jeff Myers said an axel broke on a city grader. Myers said the new part has been ordered but it is not known exactly when it will arrive.
Dexter Fire Chief Don Seymore said the doors have been installed in the new building being constructed behind the fire station on Cooper Street. Seymore also said the department was audited last week. He said the results of the audit will take six to eight months to receive.
City Engineer Rich Cochran said himself and Pulley will have a Zoom meeting with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The meeting with the DNR is part of the process to find the best solution to ammonia leaks at the east wastewater plant. The issue was first reported at the December board of aldermen meeting.