CHAMOIS — The Chamois Board of Aldermen approved additional lead service-line investigations during its Aug. 25 meeting after learning that approximately $5,300 remained available from an earlier round of funding.

City Clerk Meghan Birmingham said the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had considered reallocating the money because the city previously submitted documentation indicating that its service-line inventory was complete. After Birmingham explained that the inventory was not complete and described the city’s experience with the previous contractor, DNR authorized Chamois to use the remaining funds.

Crossfire, a Westphalia-area company, is expected to investigate approximately seven properties by excavating 14 holes. Birmingham said the company could begin before the end of August.

She also reported that DNR representatives said the $79,524 paid to the previous contractor should have covered approximately 180 service lines. However, Birmingham said the city might have limited recourse because invoices submitted by the company had been approved by the previous board.

The board approved the new contract, which Mayor Shawn Mitchem signed during the meeting.

In other water-system business, the board approved moving three high-priority water meters from inside buildings to outdoor meter pits.

Installing each outdoor meter setting, pit, ring, and lid is expected to cost $1,980. Birmingham said approximately seven inside meters had been identified as priorities, but the board chose to begin with the three considered most urgent.

Birmingham also said Aaron Lachowicz of Mid MO Operations recommended the city consider a meter-replacement program because many of its meters are more than 10 years old. Lachowicz was continuing to locate outdoor meters, with approximately 21 still unaccounted for. Some have been buried, obstructed, or covered by parked vehicles.

The board also approved spending approximately $1,200 from the water fund to replace the main water shutoff valve serving the apartments near the four-way intersection. The existing angle valve is broken, leaving the city unable to shut off water at that location.

The board approved a drainage improvement requested by Mike Nolting, owner of Jerry’s Stop & Go and Chamois Ag Supply, contingent upon completion of the required floodplain development permit paperwork.

The affected area is near N. Market St., an alley, and the Ag Supply property. Trucks have created ruts in the wet area, and Nolting proposed improving the drainage and adding gravel himself. After reviewing a map, the board determined that at least part of the area is within the floodplain. The work was approved provided Nolting obtains the required permit.

The board also discussed drainage problems elsewhere in the city. Mitchem said residents had reported clogged or full drainage ditches and culverts. Alderman Darrell Chrisenberry agreed to ask whether another department’s new $150,000 jetter could be brought to Chamois through a mutual-assistance arrangement. The matter was tabled while he investigates.

Gravel and drainage conditions on Cherry Street were also discussed. Mitchem said leftover asphalt material placed there had remained in place, including after heavy rain, and he had not received additional complaints for approximately a month and a half.

Board members agreed that repeatedly adding material would not solve the underlying problem. They said some existing material would need to be removed and drainage ditches installed before additional material was placed. The board left the issue alone for the time being because the current material was holding.

At the city campground, Mitchem reported that campsites four and five and the area near the dumping sign were muddy and showing tire ruts. Because the city cannot currently afford additional gravel, Mitchem agreed to contact Brad Stiefferman, who had previously offered to donate gravel.

City maintenance needs prompted a broader discussion after Mitchem told the board that the workload was affecting his health. Mitchem has been performing maintenance work to reduce city expenses but said he planned to step back from some of those duties.

Board members agreed that the city could not currently afford to hire a part-time maintenance employee. They discussed seeking volunteers, community-service workers, and student assistance instead.

Mitchem said Chamois Lions Steve Duncan and Lana Hackmann planned to help paint the concession stand, and previously donated paint is available for several projects. Remaining work includes painting the concession stand and curbs, inspecting wood above the park bathrooms, installing donated gable vents, and painting the bathroom gable area.

Chrisenberry agreed to contact Osage County Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Grellner about directing additional community-service workers to Chamois. Birmingham also suggested seeking help from environmental science students.

The board approved spending up to $70 from the park fund for a replacement electrical box at the pavilion. The new box can be locked, and board members discussed placing the pavilion lights and electrical outlets on separate breakers so visitors can use the outlets without turning on the lights.

Alderman Justin “Jay” Bathke said the city would set aside the money-box issue because the box remained accessible and usable.

The board also received an update on the park bathrooms. Alderman Mercedes Durham said her grandfather knew someone in Jefferson City who might donate two lightly damaged steel exterior doors. Durham and her grandfather planned to inspect the doors to determine whether they would work.

The bathroom leaks have been repaired, and O-rings were ordered for the installation of a new flush valve on the urinal. Mitchem also reported that Grayson Light planned to donate lumber for the bathroom gables.

A proposed renovation of the city bandstand will require additional research because the structure is in a floodway. The Chamois Historical Society requested permission to restore the bandstand to an earlier appearance by raising the roof, creating an upper level or balcony, and removing the center storage area.

Although the historical society reportedly has been raising money for the project, the structure would remain city property and fall under the city’s insurance coverage. Board members raised concerns about floodway requirements, structural stability, liability, children falling from the upper level, and increased insurance costs.

Durham agreed to research the floodway and permitting requirements. The historical society may return for further discussion.

The board scheduled a special meeting for Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. to discuss employee performance, work expectations, fuel use, mowing frequency, and possible maintenance responsibilities for part-time groundskeeper Larry Rinne.

The city’s sewer smoke test is scheduled for Sept. 3, weather permitting. Lachowicz and representatives of the Missouri Rural Water Association are expected to assist. The city will need volunteers to watch for smoke emerging from manholes and other locations during the test.

During a discussion of dangerous buildings, Birmingham said the city was waiting for a copy of an ordinance from Owensville to consider adopting it because the city of Chamois did not have a signed copy of its own Dangerous Buildings ordinance. Former mayor and Unterrified Democrat reporter Elise Brochu located a scanned copy of Chamois’ existing signed dangerous buildings ordinance in her electronic records during the meeting and emailed it to Birmingham.

The city clerk said the city would need to hire an inspector to enforce the ordinance. No enforcement action was approved during the meeting.

The board tabled discussion of sidewalk responsibility after Birmingham said she could not locate a city ordinance establishing whether the city or adjoining property owners are responsible for repairs.

A sidewalk near the four-way intersection was described as a hazard because it had been raised and damaged, apparently by roots from a tree on the property. The board discussed making property owners responsible, sharing repair costs with property owners, and reviewing ordinances used by nearby municipalities.

The board also renewed the city’s membership in the Meramec Regional Planning Commission for $693.50. Birmingham said MRPC assists the city with grant applications and long-term planning.

Other business included:

• Agreeing not to replace the lift station pumps until the existing pumps fail. When replacement becomes necessary, the city may consider pumps with a higher discharge rate.

• Approving preparation of an agreement under which the Chamois Fire Protection District would assist with monthly generator maintenance and testing.

• Dropping discussion of purchasing a sewer jetter until a suitable, reasonably priced unit is located.

• Asking Police Chief Riley Lewis to spend additional time in town around school dismissal in response to speeding complaints. No speed bumps were approved.

• Accepting Chrisenberry’s offer to obtain and adapt police report, witness statement, search-affidavit, and related forms for the city’s police department.

• Reporting that the city was temporarily paying for both Starlink and its existing internet service while waiting for a router needed to complete the Starlink installation.

The city also reported:

• Bills totaling $22,528.00 were approved for August.

• Water loss of 39% (395,900 gallons).

• Water revenue of $8,209.49 with 536,200 gallons billed and 71,400 gallons unbilled.

• August bank balances showed a total of $588,759.89 in checking, including General Fund ($75,911.64), City CDBG In & Out ($10), City Park ($2,790.35), Cemetery Fund ($2,638.89), ARPA Funds ($12,084.78), Water Fund ($287,285.77), Sewer Fund ($126,368.77), City Police ($1,240.75), Online Bill Pay ($41,171.65), and Street ($39,257.29).

Savings account balances totaled $103,344.29, including Sewer Bond Reserve ($24,794.39), City Cemetery ($20,874.45), Water Repair ($30,249.31), Meter Deposits ($20,450.68), and Sewer Repair ($6,975.46).

CDs totaled $10,859.26, including two one-year ($2,138.44 and $0.00) and three two-year ($2,520.82, $5,200, and $1,000).

• County Aid Road Trust (CART) distribution received from the state of Missouri for the month of July was $1,966.12, including Motor Fuel Tax ($1,468.59), Motor Vehicle Sales Tax ($367.58), and Motor Vehicle Fee Increases ($129.95).

• Other taxes collected for July totaled $7,049.56, including Franchise Tax ($2,032.70), Sales Tax ($4,685.54), and Property Tax ($331.32).

The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m.