LINN — At their June meeting, Linn aldermen passed Bill No. 2023-012, establishing a stop sign at the intersection of Jefferson and South Second streets.

“This recommendation was to make a four-way stop out of this,” Mayor Dwight Massey explained, noting that Linn Police Chief Sam Ford raised safety concerns because of the concrete retaining walls and parked cars that made it hard to see traffic at the intersection.

“We’ve had some near misses,” City Clerk Carrie Grellner added.

Ford told aldermen to expect other ordinances in upcoming meetings that he would like to see passed, including one for disorderly conduct.

Ford was happy to announce that the Linn Police Department is now fully staffed. The new officer is a canine handler and experienced officer.

The city of Linn will also be sponsoring a candidate for the police academy who hopes to graduate at the end of the year. Ford found a grant he believes may pay up to $3,000 in police academy costs for the city, dropping the fund outlay from $10,500 to $7,500.

Ford would like to hire the police academy candidate as a part-time compliance officer to deal with nuisance ordinance violations.

“He can do numerous duties,” Ford explained. “He can write reports of private property accidents and help direct traffic when there is an accident. It’s basically him getting to be a part of the family before he straps on a gun and a badge.”

Ford would like to hire him for 20 hours per week at $16 per hour.

The department is looking for another vehicle, and Ford thinks a Chevy Tahoe will be a good fit for his new officer and the department. The Missouri Highway Patrol has a Chevy Tahoe that is set up for the city police department, except for the radio. The cost of the vehicle is $28,900 and includes the light bar. Ford reasoned that the department would need another vehicle if annexation goes forward.

The Linn Police Department will have three dogs since the new officer will bring his dog with him to his new position. The dog is only 5 years old, and Ford is confident that the dog will be able to be certified. The city will work on a lease for the dog for $1, and ownership of the dog will revert to the officer.

“For $1, he does tracking, apprehension, and narcotics, and he’s never been on marijuana,” Ford explained. “We’ll get him tuned up and certified.”

That leaves the department with three police dogs, one of which is rarely used since the handler has taken more work at his other job. The officer had only one shift in the previous pay period.

“That’s a lot of investment sitting at his house, not being used,” Ford said. “There are departments out there that could use that dog. I think I have a responsibility to the citizens but also a fiscal responsibility.”

Ford explained that he had been a canine handler and hated to separate a handler from his dog, but he felt the dog would be better utilized elsewhere.

“I think we are sitting on an asset that could really help another community,” Ford said.

He hopes to find a community needing a dog that might have something to trade with the Linn Police Department.

Sheriff Mike Bonham informed Massey that the county would start charging a boarding fee of $45 per day for holding the city’s prisoners.

Ford explained that he would start releasing people on summons so that the city did not have to pay the $45 per day. The new policy was set to go into effect July 1. Massey believes they need to clarify details about the policy, and how the money is being reimbursed through the state.

In other business, Bartlett & West told aldermen the Jaegers Wastewater Regionalization project was progressing. However, they were still waiting on the pumps. Project Engineer Hope Drennan believes the project will be completed in July.

She also informed aldermen the Lemar Hills Wastewater Project is on the contingency list per the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“The contingency list means the funds have been set aside in the city’s name for this project, but the service agreement has not yet been executed,” Drennan explained.

Allocated funds of $1.6 million match the amount requested.

Drennan explained that the process would be slightly different on this grant, with the city being reimbursed for the amount instead of receiving the funds up front.

“This will help DNR increase the amount if the bids come in higher than anticipated and planning for supply chain issues,” Drennan said. “They said it would be a benefit to the city as well.”

Alderman Bill Turner asked if any grants were available for electric vehicle charging stations. Project Engineer Gary Davis noted that they will be on the lookout for those grants, but so far, there is nothing for the city of Linn.

Davis also noted that Bartlett & West received repair bids for Lee Street and was not able to put them together for this meeting.

Mayor Massey is still concerned with the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) plan to help with traffic problems near the college.

“Basically, they are going to break the flow of the traffic and slow it down,” Massey explained. “I don’t think it’s going to stop a lot of the backup by putting in extra turn lanes.”

Massey was also concerned with MoDOT’s plan to add stoplights.

“It’s going to be difficult to keep that traffic flowing, but, of course, they had their computer study, and it knows everything,” Massey said.

Massey believes he was successful in convincing MoDOT to reduce the speed limit to 45 MPH through town to the city limits.

Massey presented former alderman Rick Niewald with an award for his 10 years of service.

“You had 10 years serving your community, “Mayor Dwight Massey said. “In the 10 years you were here with us, you always brought us ideas, challenged us to stretch ourselves a little bit, and I always knew I had support a phone call away.”

Massey thanked Niewald for his years of service.

After receiving his plaque, Niewald requested that the aldermen approve him putting a drain tile in the ditch in front of his house.

“I’m not asking for any money or anything,” Niewald said. “I’m going to do this myself. It’s just a little beautification project.”

Massey said that if it didn’t affect drainage for anyone else, he didn’t have a problem with it.

• Turner reported that the shades for the City Pool were ordered and should arrive in about a month.

Turner would like to replace the sink in the concession stand, and the leaking water heater needs to be replaced. Turner has already replaced the sink in the women’s restroom, added new faucets to the men’s and women’s restrooms, and put a new shower curtain in the men’s shower. He has had the drains replaced in the urinals and the sinks. Turner had trouble with the stencils for the lettering on the pool deck. The words weren’t legible, so the lifeguards are working on making the letters and numbers clearer with paint pens.

Turner believes that he may need to take the steps down again because a place on the top edge needs to be welded.

• Massey will work on getting a quote for posts and cables for the barrier at Maguire Park, where Park Committee Chairman Neil Loethen has had concrete poured in the ballfield dugouts.

Utilities Superintendent Derrick McCubbin reported that the treatment plant is reaching its Ph limits, and he is keeping an eye on that.

Turner asked McCubbin how he liked working for the city of Linn.

“It’s been great so far,” McCubbin answered.

Utilities employee Alek Rowinski noted that he is developing a spreadsheet for the city to keep track of maintenance and repairs on city equipment.

• Grellner noted that online renewals are going well for the Linn License Fee Office.

• Aldermen approved outstanding bills totaling $147,438.30.

• Linn had the following governmental account balances: general ($455,383.72), pool ($1,980.01), park ($108,221.18), police training ($3,228.18), park, improvement and equipment ($19,373.09), and pool, improvement and equipment ($11,328.89).

• The city had the following business-type funds: water ($484,948.69), water replacement ($66,368.36), sewer ($438,278.70), sewer replacement ($21,454.81), and grants (-41,452.09).

• Linn holds nine certificates of deposits totaling $1,277,838.92.

• The next meeting is set for July 18 at 5 p.m.