Tuesday night's regular Mexico City Council meeting attracted several residents and invited myriad discussions including the news of AmerenUE raising its rates, a public hearing for the 2011 operating and capital budget, possible vacations of various city streets, and – if the budget is approved – improvements in three area parks, Garfield included.
The community's newest charity case, Billy the homeless goat, also made the agenda, and brought out area supporters that included local farmers, business owners and concerned citizens, sporting "Got Goat" T-shirts, as well as local television coverage.
The meeting opened with only three councilmen present – Dan Botts, Steve Nichols and Michael Myers. Councilman Christopher Williams walked in five minutes into the meeting, and Mayor Ron Loesch was absent. Due to the lack of a quorum before Williams' arrival, the council was forced to table its approval of the Aug. 25 meeting, because Botts was unable to vote on a meeting he did not attend. At least three votes are needed for approval of council business.
First on the agenda was a presentation by Kelly Smith, a customer service advisor of AmerenUE, who announced the company's recent filing for a natural gas rate increase by 7.3 percent (on delivery cost only), and an electric rate hike of 11 percent. The reason for the increases, she said, is due in part to a recent $600 million investment made at the Power Plant to install new scrubbers, and the company's quest to become more energy efficient.
A decision on the increases by the Public Service Commission are not expected before July or August of next year. If Ameren gets the full amount, Smith said Ameren residential customers can expect to see an approximate $7.25 increase on their monthly bill. She also reassured residents that even with the rate increase, Ameren would still be 25 percent below national average on electric rates.
Smith also highlighted several AmerenUE programs, which include rebate specials for both electric and natural gas users. Its newest project is a drive to collect used refrigerators or freezers in working order. According to Smith, Ameren will pay residents $35 for each refrigerator and haul the item away for recycling. The purpose of the project is to encourage patrons to purchase new appliances that will help save energy.
A public hearing followed, regarding the City's 2010-2011 operating and capital budget – which establishes the types and levels of programs and services it will provide. Total budgeted expenditures equal $20,546,498 with revenues equal to $14,401,053. The difference of $6,083,339 represents the amount of unreserved fund balance and project reserves budgeted.
According to City Manager Todd Thompson, a significant portion of the fund balance expenditures will be for capital projects carried over from prior years including, $4,197,297 wastewater capital improvements, and $1,244,273 Mid-America Brick NID. Note: After the expenditure of unreserved fund balance, adequate reserved fund balance will exist in the significant operating funds to meet reserve requirements, and that unreserved fund balance has only been budgeted to fund non-recurring items. Total one-time capital outlay expenditures included in this budget equal $5,423,689.
"For the greatest part, revenues have improved in areas of concern and this budget was able to be compiled without significant reductions in levels or number of programs," Thompson ex-plained. "As noted, several vacant positions have not been funded and revenues are still below levels from previous years. The growth in recurring expenditures, and the reduction or flattening of recurring revenues, will continue to be a concern absent a noted improvement in sales tax and/or property tax revenues."
The public hearing offered no public comment, and council voted 4-0-0 for the first reading, approving the 2010-2011 operating budget. It will come back for a second reading and passage at the Sept. 27 meeting. If accepted, one of the significant projects/programs included in the budget, is storm-water improvements at Fairground Park ($30,000), a pool cleaning robot for the city pool ($4,800), and steps into the pool, which is for ADA compliant, and ADA compliant ramp for Garfield Park ($15,000).
Capping off the evening's meeting, a crowd of "Billy Goat" supporters – which took up the back two rows of public seating – spoke out in behalf of the Billy's rights.
Nikki Leach and Bobbette Wilson were first to the microphone. Both ladies earnestly believe Billy needs to stay in Mexico, and suggested that the City halt the Thursday auction, and its plan to sell Billy to the highest bidder. Dr. Kristi Kessler-Williams also voiced concerns for the goat.
"We feel we've (the city of Mexico) been given the greatest PR tool this town has ever seen, and the goat is responsible for that. And, the community's response has been phenomenal," Leach said. "We're not asking a lot. We feel he has been a good-will ambassador, and since we live in an agricultural community that supports multiple 4-H chapters, he would be a definite asset."
Since the goat's week-long rendezvous throughout the City and its subsequent capture, Leach said 700 T-shirts have been sold promoting the goat, plus several thousand dollars have been raised to help support the city's animal shelter. The animal's Facebook, she said is dwindling slightly in number of hits, but still has an impressive number of supporters. Leach also discounted misconceptions generating that they want to replace Mexico High School's mascot from a bulldog to a goat, as only rumors.
"We're simply asking the council to adopt the goat as the city's good-will ambassador, allow them to hold a parade in the goat’s honor, and to help them halt the sale of the goat, until adequate funds can be raised,"
The council voiced support of any activities the community might wish to provide regarding the goat, however in accordance with state law, they have no jurisdiction over what happens to the goat. The fact that the animal is considered a stray, gives the goat's captor, Mervin Beechy, all rights to sell him – regardless if he is or isn't the rightful owner, and despite that he captured the goat on privately owned property. The City did however agree to ask Beechy to halt the auction temporarily, but offered no promises that it would occur.
The goat group's next immediate move is to plan various last-minute fundraisers to support their cause, starting today. As of last night's meeting, the auction is still set for 1 p.m. Thursday at the Midwest Regional Stockyards, east of Mexico. A special account, “the Mexico goat fund,” has been set up at US Bank to help purchase the goat.
"We have one day to raise enough money, and we need the community's help to do it," Leach said in her public plea to save the goat. If the group is able to purchase the animal, plans are to keep him on Wilson's farm, which houses several other goats and welcomes public visits.
As prospective owners, the group promised council, "he will not be exploited, and would only be called upon at the City's request for local petting zoos, city parades and other community activities."
Other topics the council heard/or approved at Tuesday's meeting are as follows:
• An ordinance providing for the vacation of various streets and related utility easements located east of Green Boulevard that are a part of Ladd's Addition Extended. The council heard a second reading by title only, and approved the ordinance 4-0-0, meaning Breckenridge, Park, Greely, Ladd, Seminary and Harrison streets from the south line of Park Street to the north line of Ladd Street – and related utility easements located east of the Boulevard that are a part of Ladd's Addition Extended – will be vacated for all general vehicular and public traffic purposes, except however, an easement for water and telephone construction and maintenance is specifically reserved on Breckenridge east of Green Boulevard.
• A resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Reynolds Inliner, LLC, that bid $267,099.50 for Phase I of the sanitary sewage collection system rehabilitation was approved 4-0-0. Funding for this work comes from the bond issue for Phase I work that is also funding the current wastewater plant improvements. The City set aside $600,000 for work in the collection system.
• A first reading only for an ordinance revising the budget for the City of Mexico, for the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2009 to Sept. 30, 2010, inclusive, and adopting the budget for fiscal year Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011, inclusive, appropriating the funds as allocated to various accounts and authorizing purpose indicated.
• An ordinance ordering that assessments be made against benefited properties situated within a portion of the Cunningham Road Neighbor-hood Improvement District based upon estimated costs of certain proposed improvements within the district; ordering preparation of an assessment roll; calling for a public hearing and providing direction for the giving of notice thereof; all pursuant to the NID Act. Two readings by title only were heard, and council approved the call for assessments, 4-0-0;
• An ordinance adopting a fund balance policy for the city of Mexico.
The council also heard public comments including:
• An update from pet owner Beverly DeOrnellis, whose dog was fatally wounded earlier this year by her next door neighbor's two pit bulls. DeOrnellis reported that the dogs are still running loose in the area, where kids play daily. But the good news, she said, is "the neighbor and her dogs will be moving out in four days." Seeing the dogs continually roam, is a daily reminder of her loss.
• Mexico resident Gina Laird voiced the extreme need for the City to adopt an ordinance requiring lights on motorized street vehicles – particularly wheelchairs and lawnmowers. She used the recent fatal vehicular accident that allegedly killed Mexico resident Richard Cobb, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while operating a riding lawnmower with no lights. She also referred to an accident near Hickman's Plaza, where a vehicle nearly rear-ended a woman in a wheelchair. The council made no ruling on Laird's suggestion.
Note: Calls made to Midwest Regional Stockyards Wednesday morning confirmed that Thursday's sale of the goat can not be halted, due to widespread publicity on the Internet. The spokesperson also stated that interest in purchasing the goat has been expressed from as far away as Pennsylvania and California, both with no ties to Audrain.
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Tuesday night's regular Mexico City Council meeting attracted several residents and invited myriad discussions including the news of AmerenUE raising its rates, a public hearing for the 2011 operating and capital budget, possible vacations of various city streets, and – if the budget is approved – improvements in three area parks, Garfield included.
The community's newest charity case, Billy the homeless goat, also made the agenda, and brought out area supporters that included local farmers, business owners and concerned citizens, sporting "Got Goat" T-shirts, as well as local television coverage.
The meeting opened with only three councilmen present – Dan Botts, Steve Nichols and Michael Myers. Councilman Christopher Williams walked in five minutes into the meeting, and Mayor Ron Loesch was absent. Due to the lack of a quorum before Williams' arrival, the council was forced to table its approval of the Aug. 25 meeting, because Botts was unable to vote on a meeting he did not attend. At least three votes are needed for approval of council business.
First on the agenda was a presentation by Kelly Smith, a customer service advisor of AmerenUE, who announced the company's recent filing for a natural gas rate increase by 7.3 percent (on delivery cost only), and an electric rate hike of 11 percent. The reason for the increases, she said, is due in part to a recent $600 million investment made at the Power Plant to install new scrubbers, and the company's quest to become more energy efficient.
A decision on the increases by the Public Service Commission are not expected before July or August of next year. If Ameren gets the full amount, Smith said Ameren residential customers can expect to see an approximate $7.25 increase on their monthly bill. She also reassured residents that even with the rate increase, Ameren would still be 25 percent below national average on electric rates.
Smith also highlighted several AmerenUE programs, which include rebate specials for both electric and natural gas users. Its newest project is a drive to collect used refrigerators or freezers in working order. According to Smith, Ameren will pay residents $35 for each refrigerator and haul the item away for recycling. The purpose of the project is to encourage patrons to purchase new appliances that will help save energy.
A public hearing followed, regarding the City's 2010-2011 operating and capital budget – which establishes the types and levels of programs and services it will provide. Total budgeted expenditures equal $20,546,498 with revenues equal to $14,401,053. The difference of $6,083,339 represents the amount of unreserved fund balance and project reserves budgeted.
According to City Manager Todd Thompson, a significant portion of the fund balance expenditures will be for capital projects carried over from prior years including, $4,197,297 wastewater capital improvements, and $1,244,273 Mid-America Brick NID. Note: After the expenditure of unreserved fund balance, adequate reserved fund balance will exist in the significant operating funds to meet reserve requirements, and that unreserved fund balance has only been budgeted to fund non-recurring items. Total one-time capital outlay expenditures included in this budget equal $5,423,689.
"For the greatest part, revenues have improved in areas of concern and this budget was able to be compiled without significant reductions in levels or number of programs," Thompson ex-plained. "As noted, several vacant positions have not been funded and revenues are still below levels from previous years. The growth in recurring expenditures, and the reduction or flattening of recurring revenues, will continue to be a concern absent a noted improvement in sales tax and/or property tax revenues."
The public hearing offered no public comment, and council voted 4-0-0 for the first reading, approving the 2010-2011 operating budget. It will come back for a second reading and passage at the Sept. 27 meeting. If accepted, one of the significant projects/programs included in the budget, is storm-water improvements at Fairground Park ($30,000), a pool cleaning robot for the city pool ($4,800), and steps into the pool, which is for ADA compliant, and ADA compliant ramp for Garfield Park ($15,000).
Capping off the evening's meeting, a crowd of "Billy Goat" supporters – which took up the back two rows of public seating – spoke out in behalf of the Billy's rights.
Nikki Leach and Bobbette Wilson were first to the microphone. Both ladies earnestly believe Billy needs to stay in Mexico, and suggested that the City halt the Thursday auction, and its plan to sell Billy to the highest bidder. Dr. Kristi Kessler-Williams also voiced concerns for the goat.
"We feel we've (the city of Mexico) been given the greatest PR tool this town has ever seen, and the goat is responsible for that. And, the community's response has been phenomenal," Leach said. "We're not asking a lot. We feel he has been a good-will ambassador, and since we live in an agricultural community that supports multiple 4-H chapters, he would be a definite asset."
Since the goat's week-long rendezvous throughout the City and its subsequent capture, Leach said 700 T-shirts have been sold promoting the goat, plus several thousand dollars have been raised to help support the city's animal shelter. The animal's Facebook, she said is dwindling slightly in number of hits, but still has an impressive number of supporters. Leach also discounted misconceptions generating that they want to replace Mexico High School's mascot from a bulldog to a goat, as only rumors.
"We're simply asking the council to adopt the goat as the city's good-will ambassador, allow them to hold a parade in the goat’s honor, and to help them halt the sale of the goat, until adequate funds can be raised,"
The council voiced support of any activities the community might wish to provide regarding the goat, however in accordance with state law, they have no jurisdiction over what happens to the goat. The fact that the animal is considered a stray, gives the goat's captor, Mervin Beechy, all rights to sell him – regardless if he is or isn't the rightful owner, and despite that he captured the goat on privately owned property. The City did however agree to ask Beechy to halt the auction temporarily, but offered no promises that it would occur.
The goat group's next immediate move is to plan various last-minute fundraisers to support their cause, starting today. As of last night's meeting, the auction is still set for 1 p.m. Thursday at the Midwest Regional Stockyards, east of Mexico. A special account, “the Mexico goat fund,” has been set up at US Bank to help purchase the goat.
"We have one day to raise enough money, and we need the community's help to do it," Leach said in her public plea to save the goat. If the group is able to purchase the animal, plans are to keep him on Wilson's farm, which houses several other goats and welcomes public visits.
As prospective owners, the group promised council, "he will not be exploited, and would only be called upon at the City's request for local petting zoos, city parades and other community activities."
Other topics the council heard/or approved at Tuesday's meeting are as follows:
• An ordinance providing for the vacation of various streets and related utility easements located east of Green Boulevard that are a part of Ladd's Addition Extended. The council heard a second reading by title only, and approved the ordinance 4-0-0, meaning Breckenridge, Park, Greely, Ladd, Seminary and Harrison streets from the south line of Park Street to the north line of Ladd Street – and related utility easements located east of the Boulevard that are a part of Ladd's Addition Extended – will be vacated for all general vehicular and public traffic purposes, except however, an easement for water and telephone construction and maintenance is specifically reserved on Breckenridge east of Green Boulevard.
• A resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Reynolds Inliner, LLC, that bid $267,099.50 for Phase I of the sanitary sewage collection system rehabilitation was approved 4-0-0. Funding for this work comes from the bond issue for Phase I work that is also funding the current wastewater plant improvements. The City set aside $600,000 for work in the collection system.
• A first reading only for an ordinance revising the budget for the City of Mexico, for the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2009 to Sept. 30, 2010, inclusive, and adopting the budget for fiscal year Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011, inclusive, appropriating the funds as allocated to various accounts and authorizing purpose indicated.
• An ordinance ordering that assessments be made against benefited properties situated within a portion of the Cunningham Road Neighbor-hood Improvement District based upon estimated costs of certain proposed improvements within the district; ordering preparation of an assessment roll; calling for a public hearing and providing direction for the giving of notice thereof; all pursuant to the NID Act. Two readings by title only were heard, and council approved the call for assessments, 4-0-0;
• An ordinance adopting a fund balance policy for the city of Mexico.
The council also heard public comments including:
• An update from pet owner Beverly DeOrnellis, whose dog was fatally wounded earlier this year by her next door neighbor's two pit bulls. DeOrnellis reported that the dogs are still running loose in the area, where kids play daily. But the good news, she said, is "the neighbor and her dogs will be moving out in four days." Seeing the dogs continually roam, is a daily reminder of her loss.
• Mexico resident Gina Laird voiced the extreme need for the City to adopt an ordinance requiring lights on motorized street vehicles – particularly wheelchairs and lawnmowers. She used the recent fatal vehicular accident that allegedly killed Mexico resident Richard Cobb, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while operating a riding lawnmower with no lights. She also referred to an accident near Hickman's Plaza, where a vehicle nearly rear-ended a woman in a wheelchair. The council made no ruling on Laird's suggestion.
Note: Calls made to Midwest Regional Stockyards Wednesday morning confirmed that Thursday's sale of the goat can not be halted, due to widespread publicity on the Internet. The spokesperson also stated that interest in purchasing the goat has been expressed from as far away as Pennsylvania and California, both with no ties to Audrain.
