Kirsch abruptly resigns without notice as Chamois maintenance supervisor

By Theresa Brandt, Staff Writer
Posted 10/26/22

CHAMOIS — Chamois Utilities Supervisor Danny Kirsch quit last Wednesday without giving notice. Mayor Elise Brochu and the Board of Aldermen were surprised by Kirsch, who left his keys at City …

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Kirsch abruptly resigns without notice as Chamois maintenance supervisor

Posted

CHAMOIS — Chamois Utilities Supervisor Danny Kirsch quit last Wednesday without giving notice. Mayor Elise Brochu and the Board of Aldermen were surprised by Kirsch, who left his keys at City Hall on Wednesday afternoon after calling the mayor. Brochu had contacted the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to find out precisely what is required for someone to become a certified operator and to see if the city would still be in compliance if they hired someone without the proper certification who is supervised by a certified operator.

“DNR will send me a link to a list of certified operators, and maybe someone will be willing to work with us or to oversee our operator,” Brochu said.

Aldermen approved putting an ad in the Unterrified Democrat and the Jefferson City News Tribune as soon as possible advertising the position. For the immediate future, the city was approached by Anthony Nichols, who offered to fill in temporarily.

“He is not a certified operator,” Brochu said. “Once I hear back from DNR, we’ll know what options we have and figure out what to do. In the meantime, we have someone willing to help us out.”

Aldermen approved offering Nichols $18 per hour as a temporary replacement.

City Clerk Meghan Birmingham noted that Kirsch said he would help if needed before leaving on Thursday.

In other business, Birmingham is concerned that city residents have been calling Chamois R-1, where she is employed as the school counselor, about city clerk business.

“Stop calling me at my other job,” Birmingham said. “It’s all I ask.”

Brochu noted that city residents have been calling the school and going by Birmingham’s home when City Hall is not open to ask her to do things related to her job as City Clerk.

“It is not appropriate to call the school to try to get her when she is not here,” Brochu said. “It’s also not okay to go to her house and ask her to come up here and do things.”

Brochu noted that City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 8:30 and Saturdays from 8-10 a.m. City Clerk Birmingham should only be contacted about city business between these office hours and through 573-763-5541.

* City residents should be prepared for water rates to increase. Brochu noted that DNR is requiring the city to raise its water rates to match sewer rates.

Aldermen Jim Wright questioned why the city must raise the water rates.

“In order to get money,” Brochu responded. “The government won’t give us money if we don’t raise our rates.” 

She explained that water rates are set by a DNR formula based on the number of users and the money needed to sustain the system.

Brochu promised that she and Birmingham would have a revised ordinance with the new water rates completed by the November meeting.

* Aldermen approved the Osage County Multi-Jurisdiction Natural Hazard mitigation Plan as resolution #22-02.

* They also approved the Meramec Regional Planning Commission Annual Membership Technical Contract. The city had already approved annual membership with MRPC for $350.

* The board briefly discussed a new ordinance they are working on for the city that will allow the city of Chamois to file a lien against properties that have unpaid utility bills. City Attorney Amanda Grellner mentioned that the city must have an ordinance to file for the lien. Aldermen will discuss this at the November meeting.

* The city is also considering adding a fine to the business license ordinance for people who operate a business inside the city limits without a license. Wright thought it would make the most sense for Grellner to suggest an amount for the fine. Birmingham will contact Grellner and report back at the next meeting.

* Brochu noted there are several forms she needs to fill out for the water project but that she needed clarification on some of the terminology. She will work with the engineer and DNR to complete the forms in a timely manner.

* Brochu also plans to look at several grant opportunities that may apply to the city and report back to aldermen.

* City resident Jennifer Wright, speaking on behalf of St. John’s UCC Church, asked the board if there is any way around the $300 charge for removing a water meter. The church would like to consolidate both water meters into one. Currently, the church and the parsonage building have a water meter.

“We are no longer using the parsonage,” Wright said. “The (water) is actually shut off because we are in the middle of repairing the parsonage.” 

Wright noted that several church members have volunteered to help take out the water meter if it would reduce the $300 charge.

“The price for removing the water meter is in the ordinance,” Brochu said.

“We only have 20 parishioners, and it’s almost getting too expensive,” Wright said. 

She added the church had not used the water meter for several years, and the water had been shut off, but the church has still been paying the monthly minimum.

“They (the church) would be money ahead in a year or so if they pay to have the water meter pulled out,” Alderman Wright suggested.

“It’s unfortunate that the ordinance is there, but if we do it for you, we’d have to do it for everyone,” Alderman Jeffrey Connor said.

* Brochu and Birmingham will have small items to hand out for trick-or-treaters on Halloween at City Hall.

* Aldermen approved monthly expenses for $23,543.23.

* The city had the following account balances: cemetery fund ($10,286.17), general fund ($20,271.99), water fund ($185,809.55), sewer fund ($95,381.31), Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) in and out ($1,250), city park ($3,256.59), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund ($77,213.68), sewer bond reserve ($26,683.71), sewer repair ($6,923.37), city cemetery ($20,497.50), meter deposits ($22,004.38), and water repair ($28,960.24).

* The next meeting will be held on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.