META  —  At their Nov. 13 meeting, Meta aldermen updated the city’s parking ordinance to provide a penalty for illegal parking.

“Nathan told us that our current parking ordinance only allowed for towing during a snow emergency, so we need to update that,” said City Clerk Deidra Buechter, citing a recommendation from City Attorney Nathan Nickolaus.

The update reads as follows: “Any person found guilty of violating any section of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $500; in addition, any code enforcement officer of the city is hereby given the authority to have any vehicle unlawfully parked on any street within the city towed to any authorized storage lot. In any such event, the owner of said vehicle said to be responsible for and must pay for all towing, storage, and other fees occurred as a result of the removal of said vehicle from any street in the city.”

She noted that the change would allow the city to tow vehicles. However, Buechter said the deputy she spoke to at the beginning of the year suggested the city take pictures before a vehicle is placed on the tow truck. “He said, ‘I’m not saying anything bad about tow companies, but we have had situations where a vehicle has been towed, it’s made it to the tow lot, scratched, bent, or whatever.’”

Buechter noted that the city would need the license plate number, make, and model of the vehicle. She said she would contact the county with that information and let them know the vehicle was going to be towed. Each tow would have its own identification number for easier tracking and disposition.

In other business, Clerk Buechter noted that a suggestion was made at last week’s water workshop to increase the pressure at the top of the hill by jumping up the pressure meter so it kicks on sooner. “The electric controls company that took over, the company that installed that pressure gauge, charges $194 an hour if they can do it over the phone,” said Buechter. “If they can’t do it over the phone, and they have to come here, we have to pay for travel time, travel and living expenses, and parts and material. They have a four-hour minimum if they have to come out. So they said that they would waive the minimum if they could do it over a phone call and tell one of us how to do it.”

“Obviously, that’s the more economical way to do it,” said Helton. “Is that something you’re willing to work with them on, or do we need to get (Chief Water Operator) Trevor (Plemmons) up here?

“I’m willing to work with them,” Buechter replied, noting she was floored by the cost of service over the phone.

Aldermen approved the work request.

• Clerk Buechter told aldermen that the tower needs to be inspected. Earlier in the year, she acquired prices from Bartlett & West and Maguire Iron, the former quoting between $3,000 and $5,000 and the latter offering a cost of $1,300. Aldermen agreed with her recommendation to go with Maguire Iron for a 2025 inspection.

• Aldermen agreed to increase the annual price of liquor licenses from $50 to $65 and business licenses from $25 to $40.

Treasurer Karla Buechter suggested the increase. “I don’t know how you all feel about that, but I’m sure they’re getting off cheap for $25 a year,” she said of business licenses, suggesting an increase to $40.

Buechter noted that if the craft fair isn’t held next year, the city would lose approximately $1,300. Raising the cost of licenses may offset some of the loss.

Helton clarified that single-event vendors wishing to sell alcohol must acquire a business and liquor license.

• Filing for the April election opens on Dec. 10 and closes on Dec. 31. Mayor Helton, Aldermen Austin Buechter, and Steve Sherrell are up for reelection. An ad announcing filing dates will run in the UD on Dec. 4 and Dec. 25.

• Former Mayor Emily Sommerer will not lead the vendor mart or Christmas parade after this year. Clerk Buechter asked if the city wanted to offer the former to the Meta Fire Ladies’ Auxiliary and the parade to the Meta Fire Department since they close the streets and run the event.

“I haven’t mentioned it to anybody,” said Mayor Helton, adding she would like to see an individual or local organization express interest in taking it over. “The only thing with the city taking it over, and I think Nathan has mentioned it before, is we don’t really want to be in charge of it.”

Anyone interested in assuming control of these events is encouraged to call City Hall.

• Regarding Christmas news, aldermen agreed to purchase a new tree since last year’s tree was falling apart and thrown away. Clerk Buechter will shop for the best price. Also, the board gave the go-ahead to put up Christmas lights.

Buechter will check with Creative Creations by Christine to see what she would charge to make the city a Christmas banner.

• Aldermen approved the placement of a Christmas greeting ad in the UD.

• Bartlett & West’s monthly report indicated the lead service line inventory continues to proceed. Clerk Buechter suggested changing out lines at a rate of 12 per year for nine years. “I’m going to wait for more direction from DNR and the EPA and to see how much more money we can get out of ARPA before we start that process,” she said. “If we have to pay out of pocket to save us a big chunk of change at one time, I recommend we start within the next year to get all of these unknowns changed out if we have to. We can start trying to verify what we can on our own.”

Helton agreed. “I can’t imagine they’re going to make us replace a customer’s personal property, but it’s the government we’re talking about, so, let’s have them figure that out a little bit better before we make any decisions,” she said.

“I don’t think any decisions need to be made on that right now, but it will also help when we find out the wait list for the ARPA funds,” said Buechter. “Bartlett & West said we should hopefully know soon..”

MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Alderman Otto Wankum told colleagues he had discussed moving the bench from City Hall to the maintenance building with Peyten Helton. The plan was to place it five or six feet behind the existing flag poles.

“You almost have to keep it out of traffic because if it’s a hanging out there too far in the front, which would have been the ideal place to put it, people that turn around in there could hit it,” said Wankum. “Sometimes big trucks get up in there, so we’re going to put it behind it. We’re going to get some blocks, dig them down into the ground a little bit, and then set the bench on top of it. That is one heavy son-of-a-gun, so it needs a decent footing, or it will sink and twist.”

Wankum added he believes Helton needs to be a part of the project since he did all the work installing the flag poles to earn Eagle Scout. “I let him make the plan, and I think he’s happy with it,” he added.

• In terms of general maintenance around town, Wankum said everything looks pretty good. During the winter, the maintenance crew plans to get rid of all of the stuff that’s rolled down into the ballpark into the low diamond area. “The folks that are expanding that infield are going to come down later in the winter or spring and try to finish that up,” said Wankum. “I don’t know if we have enough red clay to cover the expansion, so there might be a need for more of that. We won’t need a whole truckload, but I’m sure some of that’s going to get pretty thin, and we can live with that, but just look a little better.”

• Wankum said crews are starting to see some people doing donuts in the gravel at the park. “I think we probably need to get a little more security down there, cameras or something,” he added. “I don’t know what that might cost, but some of the folks just need to pay for some of that crap because all it does is just muck up the parking lot. Once you get that chat spun out, there’s a dent there, and the water collects, which makes the ditch deeper. Don’t get me wrong, I was young and did some stupid things my life, but I’d have done that, Pop would have had my, you know what, in a sling.”

Clerk Buechter noted she looked at the cameras a few months ago. One had a fuzzy image and said that all cameras are hardwired. There was talk of putting up another camera, and Buechter spoke with Remote Computer Services (RCS) about options. “I’ve been unsuccessful at getting information for cameras, so I thought about maybe seeing if you guys wanted to do some of the wireless ‘Night Owl’ cameras from Sam’s Club,” she said.

Aldermen agreed there were plenty of options to consider.

“I think we’re going to have to do something,” said Wankum. “Unless you catch them, proving it is difficult.”

The issue was tabled until next month so that research into camera systems can be conducted.

• Wankum reported that the city has plenty of cinders for the upcoming winter season, and the only remaining preparation is to install the truck’s cinder bed and snow blade.

WATER UPDATE

• Buechter reported that 436,706 gallons of water were pumped during October, with 315,358 gallons accounted for, with 1,000 gallons used by the fire department and 5,000 gallons flushed, leaving 115,348 gallons of water lost, or 26.41%.

• A total of $6,110.63 in water sales was recorded in October, with $1,302.98 charged for trash, $400 in late fees, and $206.20 in sales tax. Total charges were $7,993.94, with a previous balance due of $1,123.10 and payments received in the amount of $8,893.60, leaving a balance due the city of $223.44.

FINANCIAL NEWS

• In her regular monthly financial report, Treasurer Buechter noted that operating fund expenses for the month totaled $32,658.02. Income/deposits totaled $25,301.24 for a balance on hand of $641,392.65; the money market balance was $142,502.20; and two certificates of deposit totaled $176,559.59, giving the city total funds on hand as of Oct. 31 of $960,454.44.