April 2, 2010
This is a short and early update due to the Eastern weekend. We hope that everyone enjoys the weekend and that this is a safe and happy weekend for all.
From Council this past Monday the 29 th
of March, several very important discussions and directives to the Mayor’s office which have far reaching impact to our City and citizens. The first discussion was directed towards the City’s policy of providing City owned equipment to other governmental agencies when the City of Lebanon has either expended the useful life of the property or equipment or has deemed the equipment to be excess. Several members of Council,
Mr. Waggoner and Mr. Anthony, are of the opinion that this decision should rest with Council.
This discussion originated from a decision made by me to respond to a request from the Mayor of Conway for assistance with a police vehicle. The Mayor made this request when both of
Conway’s patrol vehicles were unavailable due to mechanical failure. One of those vehicles was deemed un-repairable and unsafe for the road. The other required extensive time in the shop to complete repairs. Given the urgency of the situation and having knowledge that the Lebanon
Police Department had several vehicles that were being prepared to be sold at auction, I made the decision to provide one of those vehicles to the City of Conway at no cost. I will point out that the vehicle was stripped of all police equipment and only the vehicle was provided. While the vehicle was beyond its useful life as based upon LPD guidelines, it still had useful life for a department such as Conway’s and was safe for road operations. The vehicle was 9 years old, had over 170,000 miles on it, and had a residual value of less than $1500. I felt then and still feel that it was within the authority of the Office of the Mayor to make this decision. More importantly, I feel that it was morally, ethically, and legally correct decision to help a neighboring city in their time of need. It was the Christian thing to do. The City does have and uses a policy for determining when equipment has reached the end of its useful life or is deemed surplus. That policy also details the procedures for sale by auction or disposal. What the policy does not define is the procedures and processes for transferring of similar property to other governmental agencies. What Council has directed to be accomplished is a draft policy to accomplish just that.
We have until the first Council session in May to provide Council with a draft of such a policy.
As I told Mr. Waggoner Monday evening, I agree with him that such a policy should be established to provide specific guidelines to the Administration and to prevent any possible abuses in the future.
The next issue discussed by Council was one of term limits for elected city officials, mayor, council members, city attorney (prosecutor), and municipal judge. Mr. Waggoner’s proposal was that the mayor be limited to two four-year terms, the council members, city attorney, and municipal judge be limited to four two-year terms and that all have a prohibition of 100 weeks before seeking election to another city office. After much discussion the Council determined to shelve the discussion until Mr. Waggoner was able to provide a draft of his concept for their review. I agreed to place the matter on the next Council agenda for further discussion by
Council. If you have an opinion on the matter, I would strongly encourage you to contact your council representatives and tell them how you feel on the subject.
Ground was broken for the Lebanon Fallen Warriors Memorial on Wednesday. I wish to thank the numerous contractors for their generous donations of time, materials, and labor for this project, the Shadel Colonial Funeral Home for donating the Memorial’s tablets, the Committee for their tireless efforts on this project, and you, our Citizens, for your generous funding of this
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April 2, 2010 important project that recognizes those fellow citizens of our community that have given the ultimate sacrifice on the field of battle to protect our way of life. We hope to dedicate the
Memorial this coming Memorial Day. Again, thank you to so many. I might add that the
Committee has been able to locate and verify names dating back to the Civil War/War Between the States, an amazing effort.
With the weather cooperating and the asphalt plant opening this month the Street Department will be out in full force repairing the road damage from this winter. A big job requiring a lot of effort. Please be careful around these work sites, be watchful for the work crews, and obey the posted speed limits. The Lebanon Police Department will be strictly enforcing traffic laws in these areas.
Construction continues on West Elm Street and we hope to have this phase completed by the end of May. Again, Please be careful in the construction areas, watch for the lane changes, construction crews and traffic.
Tuesday April 6 th
is municipal Election Day. Don’t forget to vote!
Next City Council is scheduled for April 12, 2010 at 7PM in Council Chambers, City Hall.
If you wish to make a comment, ask a question, express a concern, or make an appointment to speak with me; please feel free to e-mail me at mayor@lebanonmo.org
or call City Hall 417-
532-2156 for an appointment. Please note the new e-mail address.
Respectfully,
CP Craig
Mayor
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