Meta alderman to put a bond issue on August ballot

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 5/18/22

Meta residents will be asked in August whether to approve the issuance of up to $1.5 million in waterworks revenue bonds to fund improvements to the system following the passage of an ordinance at …

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Meta alderman to put a bond issue on August ballot

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Meta residents will be asked in August whether to approve the issuance of up to $1.5 million in waterworks revenue bonds to fund improvements to the system following the passage of an ordinance at last week’s meeting.

Bartlett & West continues to assist the city with the water improvement project and has held discussions with Gilmore & Bell to set up a bond election for Aug. 2 to secure funding.

Aldermen had already approved a resolution to commit a 20% match for grants and an SRF loan application for water improvements.

Meta’s basic stormwater project, the smaller of the two, would cost an estimated $325,193.91 and cover only stormwater/sewer improvements. With a typical 20% match through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the city would be obligated to chip in $65,038.78.

If Meta chooses to build a retaining wall at City Hall and make improvements on several streets, the project has a total price tag of $521,864.47.

For the drinking water improvement project, the cost is much more significant at $5,105,375 and includes distribution system improvements ($3,162,075), well house improvements ($162,070), and a new water tower ($1,781,230). These cost estimates were originally submitted to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in a 2019 Preliminary Engineering Report and updated to reflect an increase in prices for 2022.

The same 20% match through CDBG would mean Meta’s share would be $1,021,075. The State Revolving Fund (SRF) also offers a low-interest loan on the city’s balance.

In other business, aldermen approved an increase in the fee for the Nov. 5 Holiday Mart.

Mayor Emily Sommerer told aldermen that the Civic League wants $175 to rent the hall. That’s $50 higher than usual, and Sommerer explained that she didn’t get a good answer as to why.

“You mean us, specifically?” Alderman Ivie Helton asked.

“Well, yes,” Sommerer replied. “I went to the Civic League meeting to discuss it with them. They reassured me they weren’t picking on us. This is special treatment, apparently, because what they want to do is charge us a fee and take four percent of everyone’s profits. We’d have to ask every vendor how much money they made and take four percent of that. I told them that wasn’t where we were raising funds.”

Sommerer agreed, pending approval by aldermen, to pay the additional $50 but did not agree to collect a percentage from each vendor.

“They made lots of excuses as to why,” said Sommerer. “They think our non-profit organization has more money than other non-profits in town, so we should be able to pay more,” she said. “And that this is special treatment. They never really gave me a straight-forward answer about why ours was raised. I asked if they were raising prices for everyone else because, at first, they said it was because of utilities. They were gung-ho on $175.”

“It really went well last year,” said Alderman Otto Wankum.

Sommerer agreed. “I brought that up to the Civic League,” she said. “I told them they would want the citizens to come down, and they weren’t concerned about that. They stuck to $175.”

Sommerer reiterated that the Civic League wants vendors to pay 4% of their profits.

“The vendors aren’t going to go for that,” said Alderman Steve Sherrell.

“I know, and I don’t ask them how much they make,” said Sommerer.

“I don’t think we want to get into that,” Wankum said.

“I agree,” Sommerer replied.

Some at the meeting doubted vendors would part with such information.

“So it’s going to be $50 more than last year?” Wankum said.

“Yes,” said Sommerer.

“It brings bodies into town,” said Sherrell, adding it was a very positive event last year that he believes is beneficial to the city. The monies raised at the Holiday Mart will help pay for Christmas decorations for the city.

In related news, Sommerer said she plans to hold a holiday parade again this year on Dec. 4.

In closed session, aldermen approved the resignations of Deidra Buechter as Interim Water Operator, and Treasurer Mary Plassmeyer.

• Office staff will soon have a new printer. Aldermen agreed with a proposal from Ricoh on a monthly lease totaling $151.67. Buechter explained that the current printer is not reliable and said service is locked in for five years, with a $750 rebate that can be used for any purpose. The package will include installation, training, and return of the old printer. While the monthly cost is slightly higher than the current lease of $134.85, aldermen agreed it was a minimal increase and well worth it.

• Aldermen approved a request from St. Cecilia Parish to sell alcohol by the drink at its July 10 church picnic at the Citizens Civic League.

• This year’s Fourth of July fireworks show will be held on the day of the holiday, a Monday. Sherrell asked about holding it on the Sunday before, but aldermen agreed that since it has always been held on the actual holiday, that tradition should continue.

WATER/TRASH SALES

• A total of $4,219.94 in water sales were recorded, with $1,194.37 collected for trash service, $60 in late fees, and $149.76 collected in sales tax. Total charges were $5,624.07 with a previous balance of $747.10, and payments were received in the amount of $5,133.17, leaving a balance due of $1,238.

• Buechter reported that 570,473 gallons of water were pumped during April, with 330,454 gallons sold, 100,000 gallons flushed for tower repainting, and 25,000 gallons leaked, leaving 115,019 gallons of water lost, or 20.16%.

FINANCIAL NEWS

• In her regular monthly financial report, Plassmeyer noted income/deposits totaled $22,097.89 and debits of $16,089.37 for a balance on hand as of April. 29 totaling $392,134.03; the money market balance was $140,463.45, and certificates of deposit totaling $54,555.39 and $125,178.27, giving the city total funds on hand of $712,331.14. Checks written last month totaled $41,958.75.

Remaining business will be presented next week.