California City Council approves EQ pump repair bid

California City Hall
California City Hall

California's City Council approved a bid for EQ pump repair, along with a number of other agenda items, at its August regular session.

The council discussed and approved a bid from Independent Electric for the repair. The base bid was $3,751.83, with various figures dependent on the severity of the damage - the cost will increase to $4,076.83 for minor wear, $5,916.17 for severe electrical damage, or $16,291.19 for severe mechanical damage.

An ordinance reaffirming the city's commitment to the fair and ethical disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and substantial interests for municipal officials was approved. Such an ordinance is an annual requirement with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The California Police Department interviewed six applicants to fill an officer position, and an individual was selected to fill that position - pending successful background checks - with an intended start date of Sept. 1.

The police department will be working on new policies for its manual for review in the next month. Additionally, Templeton requested the department look into possible office security upgrades - he said it will research further and come to the council with bids for future approval.

The California Fire Department's efforts to acquire a truck from Columbia will be on hold for another year to year and a half, Fire Chief Allen Smith said. The council also discussed a burned private property on West Street and granted Smith authority to deem the building unsafe in order to move forward with cleanup.

In Parks and Recreation, Recreation Supervisor Leslie Scheidt reported on two summer programs, the summer swim lesson program and art camp. Swim lessons resulted in a $1,305 profit, while the art camp resulted in a $345 cost, respectively. Scheidt also said she received bids from companies for work on pickleball facilities in the city, and the council approved one for $1,500. This would add pickleball stripes to the tennis court at the park.

The council also discussed the ongoing stormwater project being handled by Bartlett & West - California Mayor Norris Gerhart requested the project be put on hold because the pipe underneath Latham Road needs to be replaced.

The council also gave it's approval for the Quarterback Club to shoot off fireworks prior to California High's five home football games this season. Brad Friedmeyer, speaking on behalf of the Quarterback Club, requested permission to check with citizens living in the neighborhood around Hillcrest Drive and Brett Drive to see if private property nearby could be used. Friedmeyer said the effort is intended to motivate the surrounding community to support the football team.

In particular, Friedmeyer said the Quarterback Club would use Class B fireworks, or 1.3G explosives - these are commonly known as display fireworks. The council gave its approval, provided that the Quarterback Club gets renewed council approval each year and ceases firework activity if Fire Chief Allen Smith deems that it is too dry for at the time for it to be safe.

In other news: The council gave the Chamber of Commerce the green light to use space at Proctor Park for Christmas light displays for local businesses later this year.

The council approved the use of the City Hall parking lot for a 9-11 Memorial, provided California Progress, Inc. wants to host an event again this year.

The council approved a yearly maintenance renewal quote with Huber & Associates for the city's hardware and software at $2,941.41.

Registration forms for youth soccer - available to boys and girls kindergarten through sixth grade - are available online and in City Hall. The deadline is Sept. 2 and play begins Sept. 21. Registration fee is $30.

The council will continue to work to update parking ordinances.

The council will host a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday Aug. 15 for discussion on a tax levy, with a special meeting to follow to approve the measure.

The council approved a motion to move its September meeting to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3.