City may save on insurance renewal

GRANT CITY, Mo. — The Grant City Board of Aldermen discussed during its Oct. 22 meeting two possible items that may save the city funds if removed from its annual insurance renewal.

During the meeting, board members reviewed its annual insurance renewal through the Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund, or MOPERM. While the renewal comes at a 20 percent cost increase, the board did find two items that city officials were unsure they needed: law enforcement liability insurance and liability insurance on the buildings at the city golf course. Board members questioned if the coverage may be unnecessary since the city does not currently employ a law enforcement officer and because the head of the golf course, Roberta Owens, said that organization is also carrying liability insurance on the course.

City Clerk Farrah Richey told The Times-Tribune that the law enforcement portion of the premium cost is $3,002 for the upcoming year. She has reached out to MOPERM, of Jefferson City, but as of Tuesday afternoon, hadn't yet heard back from the agent.

Mayor Debbie Roach reached out to Owens, who said the organization she heads which runs the golf course is not paying for insurance on the buildings. The course plans to reimburse the city for the 2024-2025 premiums.

Other notes

City Administrator Lizzie Jeanes reported to the board that a family, who would like to remain unnamed at this time, wants to build another shelter house in memory of a late family member. The board has been considering building another shelter house, and already has a location picked out closer to the skating rink. The family plans to fundraise for the project in order to build the shelter house to the city-required parameters, such as having electricity and power outlets.The city accepted a bid from Jed Morin for repairs on the current shelter house, and the support poles. The cost of labor and materials is going to be $2,106.64.The city's $5 million lagoon and sewer project is underway, with SAGR units already built, and the lining and pipes installed on site southwest of town. Richey said the rock the project received from Norris Quarries is too soft. She explained that when the rock is too soft it breaks down and clogs the SAGR system and stops it from running properly. The project engineer's plan moving forward is to have someone on site at the quarry to inspect the rock before it is loaded and brought to the building site.The total cleanup cost of the collapsed buildings downtown is $27,263.06, which will be billed to the building owners.Jeanes told the board that she is working toward demolition of the Mason and Dogman's buildings. However, one of the grants is through Mo-Kan, a federally funded regional planning commission, and the grant program is at a standstill due to the federal government shutdown.City employee Ryan Fletchall reported that the city water plant is planning to do a chlorine burnout and flush to help get chlorine levels back to where they should be. This will reportedly affect Grant City, Stanberry and rural water users.City Gas Superintendent Carl Staton told the board he received a letter stating that the city passed a gas inspection that took place in August. He also said they plan soon to install a new gas service line at the Christian church.City Public Works Director Tyson Troutwine reported to the board that Mid-American Road Builders completed its chip sealing, and the city crew is almost finished replacing street signs around town.The board approved Troutwine's request to purchase rock, sand and salt for the winter at a cost of $10,000.