Alderman Tim Bailey

RICHLAND, Mo. (May 15, 2012) — City council members voted Tuesday night to replace the existing four security cameras for the city property, with an upgrade to eight cameras for an additional $300 totaling $899.

Responding to questions from aldermen, Mayor Lucy Henson confirmed that there’s adequate money in the budget to pay for the cameras.

“Guys, we’re going to be in the black at the end of the year,” Henson said. “Cut me some slack!”

Some aldermen asked if the existing four cameras are sufficient; city staff said the existing camera’s aren’t adequate to cover some parts of the building.

Alderman Tim Bailey said something needs to be done to deal with people who have been breaking into the city offices.

“When we find and catch them, we need to nail them,” Bailey said. “Smack them down! … We can’t just slap them on the hand and say, ‘This is your first one.’ We’ve got to make them pay for these cameras. Otherwise, four is sufficient.”

Alderman Tom Murphy said city officials also need to crack down on other areas of problems including lack of lawn maintenance by city residents; other aldermen asked if cameras could be installed in different areas of city property where damage is happening.

In other business:

• Following a request for further information by Alderman Tom Murphy who verified that cemetery mowing is continuing, council members decided to wait 21 days for bids on the cemetery mowing and authorize Mayor Lucy Henson to open the bids prior to the next city council meeting and make a recommendation on the bids, with the bids to be reviewed at the June city council meeting.
• Henson appointed new committee members with the approval of the city council. Murphy will serve on the planning and zoning commission along with reappointed members Beth Myers, Mark Decker, and Amanda Pemberton; Tim Bailey, Eldon Haun and Harold Needs will serve on the street committee and the cemetery committee, Murphy and Bailey will serve on the police committee; Murphy and Bob Hollar will serve on the building maintenance committee, and Murphy, Hollar and Bob Lilly will serve on the abatement committee.
  “I tried to hit your strong points and your strong areas,” Henson said.
• Two fireworks license requests were received and approved from Compton’s Fireworks at the corner of Highway A and Highway 7, and Best Bang Fireworks at 411 South Pine Street.
• Responding to questions from aldermen, Henson said Show-Me Power representatives met with the Richland Utility Board Monday night and learned that half of the city’s 300 transformers are already upgraded. The city has five feeder lines which need to be upgraded and board members discussed how to do so without affecting customers. Henson and two city staff members will be attending a June 13 meeting in St. Robert to discuss billing for the new electric reseller which will be providing electricity to a group of area cities.