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The Perryville Board of Aldermen held its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, but there were a few noticeable differences.
First off, in the wake of the county and state-wide stay-at-home orders, none of the aldermen — or the mayor, city administrator, city clerk and the rest of the usual faces — were in the same room. Instead, the meeting was held online in a virtual format.
City administrator Brent Buerck credited city clerk Tracy Prost and deputy treasurer Gina Buerck with getting everything set up.
“Gina Buerck and Tracy Prost did a phenomenal job researching different formats,” Buerck said. “It’s not ideal, but we’ll be able to continue to conduct city business in full compliance with the state’s Sunshine laws.”
The virtual meeting also resulted in a handful of procedural changes, especially when it came to approving new ordinances.
In deference to the online format, the board made a single motion and second to hear a number of items that were up for their second reading. City attorney Thomas Ludwig read all of the titles in order, then the board made a motion for the final reading and a roll call vote on the items as a group.
Before the vote, board members were given the opportunity to request the removal of any item for further discussion and an independent vote.
It made the meeting progress much faster than normal. All told, Tuesday’s meeting lasted just under 19 minutes.
“We should have started this years ago,” said Ward 1 alderman Larry Riney.
As part of the consent agenda, the board confirmed the city and county declarations regarding a state of emergency last month in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The action was taken outside of an official meeting, meaning the board still had to issue its formal approval.
In addition, the board approved a number of items, including:
Continued closure of the Perry Park Center and modified employee work schedules to coincide with the stay-at-home order and subsequent potential updates to it, State of Missouri or Federal such orders.
Authorizing a change of City of Perryville basis of accounting from modified accrual to modified cash beginning with the 2019-2020 audit.
The renewal of engagement with Beussink, Hey, Roe & Stroder, LLC for 2019-2020 auditing services.
The board also approved a number of requests regarding event scheduled for later this year, assuming that all stay-at-home orders have expired and the response to COVID-19 allows for such gatherings.
Among them were a request from the River Hills Antique Tractor Club regarding Old Timers Days, which they hope to hold on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24. In addition, the board approved a request from Rotary Club regarding the group’s annual fireworks display scheduled for Friday, July 3, at City Park with a rainout date of July 10, as well as a festival application from the Perryville Chamber of Commerce, which was forced to reschedule the annual Mayfest celebration for July 10-11.
Other rescheduled events which received approval were the Polar Beer Run, which was moved to June 6, and the Immanuel Lutheran Church & School 5K, which was moved to Sept. 12.
The board also approved an application for federal and state assistance from the Missouri Department of Transportation regarding a Runway Reconstruction and Justification Study, the final step in the process to determine the proper length and width of the runway at Perryville Regional Airport.
A request from Courtney Hotop to host a nondenominational worship service on Easter Sunday, April 12, at the Soccer Park.
Ms. Hotop has visited with the Perry County Commission regarding her plans to host an outside worship service using the parking lots at the Soccer Park. Ms. Hotop’s service will feature a sound system, prayer, and praise, followed by a goodwill offering to support local businesses.
The board also approved a resolution regarding the city’s new work-from-home policy.
According to Buerck, the schedule was discussed with the board prior to its implementation and the proposed policy helps lend structure to the current COVID-19 work schedules which divided most city offices and locations into split teams to help better ensure continuity of operations if a member of one of the teams were to become infected.
After approving the consent agenda, the board gave final approval to three ordinances, including a petition for the creation of the Perry Plaza Community Improvement District; amending an agreement with Horner & Shifrin, Inc., relative to repair and painting of the city’s 550,000-gallon standpipe, and amending a contract relative to a Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission State Block Grant Agreement for funds committed to T-hangar apron pavement.
The work has been completed, Buerck said, and the T-Hangar’s apron area is “much improved.”
