Fowler Mayor Ray Wards opened Monday evening's Fowler Town Council meeting thanking the public for their input concerning recent issues the town has dealt with. “I want to thank everyone for coming in and voicing their opinions. We appreciate the input,” Wards said. “With this much interest I think we will have a large turnout for the upcoming election of a mayor and trustees, as well as participation on the police advisory council. I would appreciate it if everyone would get out, run for office and take on some of this responsibility.”
Council then went on to work through a long list of items under New Business.
Trustees gave Town Administrator, Wayne Snider permission to apply for a $100,000 Community Facility grant through the United States Department of Agriculture. Funds would be used on the Park School project. Snider was also given the go ahead on a smaller USDA Community Facility grant to be used at Cottonwood Links Golf Course. Coupled with rebates from Black Hills Energy the total cost to install a solar unit at the club house with a backup diesel generator would be covered. That amount is $50,000. The club house would then be designated as an emergency shelter for the community.
Trustees were advised a contract with Vibrant Solar had been reviewed by Town Attorney, Dan Hyatt, and minor changes had been made. Trustees approved the final contract. The company will be installing solar units in the Fowler area to power town owned facilities and equipment. Vibrant Solar was able to lock in rebate rates with Black Hills Energy in the amount of 11 cents before that rate was reduced by half at the beginning of February.
The issue of increasing monthly remuneration for the mayor and trustees was discussed. Trustee Randy McKown asked the board to consider raising the amount to $50 per month for each trustee and the mayor. Currently it is $25 per month for the mayor and $1 per month for trustees. McKown pointed out a considerable amount of time and resources are spent by each trustee reviewing information, printing emails and relevant paperwork, taking phone calls and researching current issues. “There is some expense involved,” McKown stated. He also noted an increase might make it easier for younger citizens in Fowler to become involved. “I'm not doing this for me,” he said, “I'll be gone after April.” (McKown's trustee term expires this year and he has not indicated he will be running again.) McKown researched a variety of other communities comparable in size to Fowler and felt the amount he presented was reasonable.
In order to increase the remuneration, trustees must first approve the drafting of an ordinance to that affect, then approve said ordinance at a subsequent meeting. With a motion on the floor to draft the ordinance, trustees Jack Hobby and McKown voted yes, trustees Monie Stites and Chuck Hitchcock voted no, leaving trustee Pat Christensen to break the tie. Christensen said, “I took this job to help the community, but there are expenses involved.” After much consideration Christensen eventually voted no, killing the issue for now.
A request to use the Fowler Rodeo Grounds for a ranch rodeo on May 29 was approved as well as a request by the Missouri Day Association to use Gerard Park on July 10 for Missouri Day. A liquor license for Fowler Liquor was approved, and a sewer tap for Jerry Jensen was approved.
An executive session to discuss a police chief was scheduled. However, Hyatt clarified that unless specific people were discussed or specific salary negotiations were the subject, an executive session was not necessary, nor legal. On recommendation by Snider, trustees approved retaining the services of a specialist to assist with the process of hiring a police chief for the town. For an amount not to exceed $3000 the town will be assisted with screenings, background checks, psychological testing, etc., of potential candidates for the position of Chief of Police. Snider reported he currently has four candidates interested in the job.
Next council meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.
