Kennett Fire Department emphasizes 'no burn' policy; Police Chief extends invitation

Chief of Police Barry Tate of the Kennett Police Department extended an open invitation to all councilmen during Tuesday's Kennett City Council meeting to schedule a time in which they could ride alongside law enforcement officers and experience what it is like to protect and serve the community.

"In trying to better familiarize our city officials with the various roles our police officers play in protecting and serving the people of Kennett, I would like to offer the council the opportunity to accompany some of our officers during their scheduled shifts," Tate said. "It's easy for people to guess what police do or don't do. I think this would be a good chance for everyone to experience first-hand what our officers encounter from day to day."

Tate said that councilmen who were interested in participating in the venture should contact him and let him know what dates they would like to do so.

Councilmen Donald Burke asked Tate what the best times are for riding with the officers.

Tate said that typically the hours between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., are the best times to fully experience what takes place in the community in terms of enforcing laws.

"I think that your proposal is an excellent idea and I encourage all councilmen to participate," Burke said. "It should be an interesting experience."

Mayor Roger Wheeler said that he had ridden with law enforcement in the past and that his experience was very interesting to say the least.

"Again, I would like to commend our officers for the job they do for the people of this community," Wheeler said.

In addition to the verbal invitation councilmen received from Tate, aldermen also received a piece of paper from the Chief of Police, who in jest described the hand-out as "homework."

The assignment given to councilmen by Tate was actually more of a request. Tate asked the aldermen to list and describe at least three issues or concerns facing their particular ward that they feel the Kennett Police Department could help them correct.

"We want to improve the lines of communication between the department and our elected officials," Tate said. "In attempting to be more pro-active in the community, we are asking the council to put forth ideas and or concerns surrounding each of the wards within the city that we can assist with."

Tate said that once he receives the information from the council, he and others within the department will begin to address those concerns. The chief of police added that, once addressed, he will create a written report regarding actions taken and supply that report to the council in a future council meeting.

"To my knowledge this is a first for us, but I like the idea and think it will serve us and the community well in investigating various issues throughout each ward that may need to be addressed," Tate explained.

Tate added that it was likely that the police department would continue the project over time, possibly re-visiting the issue at a later date and asking the council for more suggestions.

During the last council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 7, Mayor Roger Wheeler ordered a strict "No Burn" policy after discussing excessive drought conditions with John Mallott, city fire chief.

Wheeler added that the city would continue to follow the "No Burn" policy until the National Weather Service orders an "all clear" for the Dunklin County and Bootheel region.

Though it was reported through media outlets, advertisement, and bright neon signs located at the local fire stations, Assistant Fire Chief David Horton told the council during last night's meeting that the city has witnessed five violations thus far.

Horton said that some individuals in the community ignored the strict "No Burn" ban by burning leaves after dark and leaving the burn barrels unattended. The assistant chief for the KFD also said that the department responded to one call in which an alley had caught fire.

"I feel that we have done everything we can to let the people of the community know that no burning will be tolerated within city limits," Horton said. "It has been in the newspaper, on the radio, and we have posted signs for everyone to see. Still yet, there are some that continue to burn nevertheless."

Alderman Jingo Cole asked what the penalty is for those individuals who don't comply with the "No Burn" policy.

"I can tell you that at the minimum, these individuals will receive a citation to appear and court and will likely be fined for court cost as well as for the cost incurred to the fire department as a result of their actions," said city of Kennett attorney Terry McVey.

The council held a public hearing on Tuesday regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Micro-Enterprise Project and Funds Grant Request. Following the hearing, a resolution was read by McVey and adopted by the council, authorizing Mayor Wheeler to seek funding for the CDBG Micro-Enterprise Project and for CDBG other public funds.

In City Administrator Ken Goslee's report to the council, aldermen were informed that Knuckles Brothers, Inc., (KBI) has started work on the downtown sidewalk project as of Aug. 20, and that the project is progressing.

Improvements are currently being made to the sidewalk beside the Bank of Antiques at the corner of Kennett Street and First Street.

Goslee also reported that the city had been contacted about creating an Urban Development Corporation in order to provide Tax abatement for the Ely-Walker project.

"I am working with Mark Grimm of Gilmore and Bell, and Chris Castellanos of RGSZ, a St. Louis law firm representing Carlson Gardner to get this accomplished," Goslee said. "I first mentioned the need for this in my Jan. 16, 2007 report."

Referring to the CDBG Micro-Enterprise Project, Goslee said that one proposal was received for the administration of the Micro-Enterprise Loan program from the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission for a cost of $8,750. The council accepted the proposal at Goslee's recommendation.

Also recommended by Goslee was the acceptance of a proposal from the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission for $16,000 for the administration of the other public needs program for awning removal at various businesses in the downtown district as described in the Downtown Revitalization project.

Goslee said that he recommended the acceptance of Bootheel Regional Planning Commission because it is less expensive than that of the $21,370 bid submitted by INFRA Consulting LC of Jefferson City, Mo., also because of the familiarity between BRPC and the city of Kennett and the distance in travel between the two companies.

In old business the council approved a number of issues including:

* An ordinance amending requirements for street paving

* Ordinance accepting and approving Walton Subdivision Plat

* The public hearing regarding the 2007 tax rate

* The Re-Adoption of the ordinance disclosing potential conflict of interest of certain city officials

Also discussed in Tuesday's meeting was the demolition of the dilapidated Westgate Motel.

A bid had been received from Ross Farms Trucking in the amount of $9,800 for the demolition and hauling of all debris related to the project. Mayor Roger Wheeler asked to defer the decision until the next council meeting to investigate other options the city may have.

Wheeler indicated that the city may look into the cost of completing the project on its own rather than awarding the bid to outside companies, however, nothing is set in stone and the matter will not be decided upon until the next meeting.

In new business, the council set a public hearing date for Sept. 4, regarding a rezoning request by Phillip Wilburn.

The council also discussed and approved a request made by the Missouri Army National Guard to use the area around Indian Park in Kennett as a exercise and training ground.

The next regular scheduled council meeting is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4.