Council recognizes police, fire departments

Moberly Police Chief Russell Tarr, center, receives a plaque from MIRMA representative Jeff Arp, signifying the Risk Management Grant given on behlaf of MIRMA to reimburse the city for the purchase of a video camera used in one of the MPD cars. Pictured from left are Mayor Bob Riley, Council member Nancy Copenhaver,, Councilman Dick Boots, Tarr, Arp, and Mayor Pro Tem Don Burton.

The Moberly Fire and Police Departments were recognized separately during Monday’s City Council meeting.

Jeff Arp, a representative of IRMA (Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management) presented Mayor Bob Riley with a plaque recognizing the city’s participation in the Association’s Risk Management Awards Program. More importantly, MIRMA will present the city with a check in the amount of $3,375 as part of a Risk Management Grant. The monies are a reimbursement for the cost of a camera placed in one of the M.D. cars. Moberly Police Chief Russell Tar said the addition of this latest camera makes a total of six for the department with a need for two more.

Retired Police Chief Dennis Cupp worked for many years applying for, and receiving, these grants to increase the safety of the community. Cupp still works with the department working on grant applications such as the one awarded Monday.

“Chief Cupp has gotten several other grants for the schools,” said ARP.

Grants received in the past have been used to add such things as additional lighting and video equipment to the various school campuses. Each school now has entry security, thanks to grants written by Chief Cupp and received through the IRMA Risk Management Program.

“He was instrumental in getting this grant for the department,” said Chief Tar. “Kudos go to Chief Cupp.”

Several Moberly firefighters were present to receive a proclamation declaring October 3-9 Fire Prevention week. The theme for this special week is “Smoke Alarms – A Sound that you can live with” The proclamation states that the theme “reminds us all of the simple actions we can take to stay safe from fire.”

Fire Department crews will visit area schools and other sites to discuss fire safety, especially with children.

In regular action, the council approved an ordinance to authorize the city manager to execute a “round 1 survey/national Register Projects final application” for funds available next year through the Historic preservation Fund administered through the State Historic Preservation office of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

In work session, the council agreed to bring forward to the next regular meeting the receipt of bids for the Comprehensive Master Plan project. Mayor Pro Tem Don Burton said this was a project that had not been done since 1996 and was in need of updating. Parks director Michael Bork explained that in the process of asking bids, eight companies were initially contacted with four making the final consideration. In the end, a company in Denver, Colo. whom Bork had worked with in the past, Denver Design, was approved by the Moberly Parks Board. The budget set for the project is $80,000.

Also in work session, the council discussed an agreement with Home Care of Mid-Missouri. The city is negotiating the right to use the south side of the Home Care building for the construction of a mural.

“Costs will come from the Tourism Advisory Committee,” said City Manager Andy Morris. “There is no fee for services – no exchange of money will take place with the city.”

The work session agenda was amended to include a pole-use agreement with AmerenUE and members of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). The group seeks permission from the city and help from the fire department, to hang ‘banners” on Ameren poles, primarily down Morley St. These signs bear the names of local service members currently in the military. There were some comments regarding the cost and responsibility of the project to the city.

“While I think this is a good project, I don’t think anyone is against the project, I do think we have to be careful not to use public funds for private organizations,” said Mayor Riley.

The matter was tabled for later discussion.

The signs honoring active duty service members can be seen in Huntsville and the group seeks to install signs in other county communities, as well.

Change orders involving the Ault/Rollins Storm water project, the Reed Street Combined Sewer project and the Wastewater Disinfection project were discussed and will be brought before the council at its next regular meeting of the Moberly City Council Monday, October 18.

Mayor Bob Riley and members of the Moberly City Council present Capt Daryl Rasmussen with a proclamation declaring October 3-9 Fire Prevention Week. Pictured are from left, front row, Rasmussen, Riley and Council member Nancy Copenhaver; back row, Firemen Ron Tompson, Seth Truesdell, Josh Couture and Bobbie Ballow, Ben Leathers, Councilman Dick Boots, Mayor Pro Tem Don Burton and Councilman Herb Lawrence.