Officials make plans for election
MINER - Election news was one of the top items on the
agenda for the Miner Board of Aldermen which gathered
Tuesday night at City Hall.
Last week, voters in Miner defeated a proposal to have
the chief of police become an appointed position
rather than elected. The election results were 79 no
to 71 yes.
After the aldermen voted to accept the results of the
election, they discussed and approved an ordinance
pertaining to the police chief's job description.
Among things, the ordinance states:
* The chief shall be required to work a minimum 40
hour week and is on call at all times. The chief shall
be required to register his time on the job by
punching the time clock.
* The police chief shall fall under the direction of
the mayor and board of aldermen. The police chief must
follow directions from the mayor and board unless he
is given an unlawful order.
* The city of Miner requires the elected marshal
(police chief) to maintain and further his education
to complete the recommended 480 hours of training.
This training will be at the expense of the marshal
(police chief).
* Salary for the remaining unexpired term will be
$2,100 per month. A 5 percent cost of living increase
will be allowed for this three-year period only. These
cost of living increases will be given on the one-year
employment anniversary of the April 2, 2002, election
and each year thereafter on the yearly anniversary for
three years. After this three-year term is up the
police chief will not receive any cost of living or
other pay increases in accordance with State Statute
RSMo. 79.270.
* Vacation time will be accumulated as with other
employees and must be used each year. No additional
compensation will be paid for holidays and the chief
shall receive no comp time or pay for overtime.
Tom Mitchell resigned as police chief in June having
put in some 18 years with the Miner Police Department.
Voters will fill the three years left in that term of
office when the next regular city election is held on
April 2.
In addition, ballots will also be cast for the offices
of mayor, Ward 1 and Ward 2 aldermen. All three
offices carry a two-year term. The officials whose
terms are set to expire next year are Frank Tatum,
mayor; Mitch Thompson, Ward 1 alderman; and Harry
Barnes, Ward 2 alderman (absent from Tuesday's
meeting).
Those wanting to file for the election can do so from
Dec. 18 to Jan. 15.
The aldermen also passed an ordinance pertaining to
unsafe homes which is to "provide a just, equitable
and practicable method for the repairing, vacating or
demolition of buildings or structures which may
endanger the life, limb, health, property, safety or
welfare of the occupants of such buildings or to the
general public ... "
The ordinance applies to current buildings and any
built from now on.
Discussion on the matter included what time limits
residents will have to make repairs.
Alderman Tom Brock stated: "My biggest concern is
somebody that says 'I'm working on it' and they just
do a little at a time. Because I've had that answer
quite a few times."
In cases of house fires, homeowners will have 30 days
to get started on repairing the structure.
"This ordinance is not to move somebody out in the
street," Tatum said. "Its strictly a safety issue."
During the meeting the board:
* Voted to annex two properties into the city limits;
one is owned by J.C. Cain, the other is owned by Floyd
W. Humphreys and both are situated on H Road.
* Approved the placement of stop signs on the east and
west ends of Albert and Elizabeth, and the
intersection of Albert and Harrison.
Also, Tatum offered some economic development news,
stating, "Ruby Tuesdays has committed to come into
Miner to be located east of the Ramada Inn next to the
interstate." Work on the new restaurant site is
expected to begin January.
He said there are some other new business prospects
but "nothing definite."
With no other business, the board adjourned into
executive session to discuss personnel.