Pool, Ball Fields To Remain Closed Through May 31 Following Council Meeting
The Sullivan swimming pool complex, splash Park, ball fields and play areas will remain closed through May 31, as the City of Sullivan continues to follow Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services order and the Center for Disease Control guidelines about reopening, which ordered maintaining social distancing along with other measures.
Sullivan City Administrator J.T. Hardy addressed the Sullivan City Council during their social distancing meeting held on Tuesday, May 5.
Discussions with the council over current COVID-19 restrictions included what other communities are doing in which Hardy stated most are not opening their outside pools at this time and most are waiting for Governor Mike Parson’s order to expire on May 31.
Hardy stated that normally the pool is open on Memorial Day weekend, but staff recommended postponing it until later review. They determined that more than likely there will be trouble enforcing six-foot distancing measures at the pool.
Discussions on the basketball and tennis courts was held. Alderman Paul McCulloch said he was opposed to ignoring CDC guidelines at these areas.
The splash pad has several touch points, according to Hardy, and if it were allowed to open this season, occupancy limitations should be established that would require stage monitoring.
The Meramec Community Fair was discussed for its event June 25-27 and the board felt they could not make a decision on the fair until after the May 31, 2020 Governor’s order.
The 2020 fireworks display set for July was also discussed and how social distancing measures could be implemented.
The council discussed the current utility disconnects that were suspended from March 17 until May 25, with late and continuation/reconnection fees being applied. The council decided to move forward with disconnection for nonpayment of utility bills.
Hardy also informed the council that Missouri Department of Natural Resources requires the city collect primacy fees for water and sewer customers the month of June to ensure citizens have quality water that is safe to drink thus residential customers will see a $3 charge on their water bill and an .80 cent charge for sewer.
The Sullivan Police Department HVAC system went out and required bids for two ductless mini-split units with the low bid coming in from Maciejewski Plumbing and Heating, Owensville at $9,962 and Juergens Heating and Cooling, Sullivan, $12,290. The council unanimously approved the bid from Maciejewski in the amount of $9,962.
Hardy informed the council that Sullivan Community Center will be used for the municipal election on June 2, after it was moved by the state on April 7.
The council also decided to allow the Missouri State Highway Patrol to use the Sullivan Skating Rink building once again for drivers tests on the second and fourth Tuesdays so long as site is satisfactory for CDC guidelines.
The council approved three ordinances following recommendations by the Planning and Zoning Commission that included:
Ord. 3885 which subdivided Lots 29 and 30 of Tessa Park Estates by moving the lot line 10-feet south in order to make Lot 30 larger. The property is owned by Crump Investments, Inc.;
Ord. 3886, approved the adjustment of two lines on two separate lots located at 42 South olive. The property is owned by Kuenzel Properties, LLC;
Ord, 3887, approved the consolidation of four lots into two lots located at 347 North Clark, 122 West Springfield and 126 West Springfield. The property is owned by Leroy and Sharon Toews and Cross Stone Holdings.
Under Aldermen Input, Alderman Jason Alexander reported that Tessa Drive seems to be crowded with all street parking being used and would like to see Planning and Zoning take parking into consideration when reviewing multi-family units.
Alderman Paul McCulloch reported that a resident on South Park filed a complaint with him regarding their neighbors using their trash can and going through it taking items. Administrator Hardy reported the spoke with this resident and city code 235 contains information and references to this type of issue.
The council did not have any items for closed session and adjourned following a lengthy meeting that lasted two and half hours.