Citizen approaches Skidmore council on cemetery issue

At the October 12 Skidmore City Council meeting, Jeff Dearmont, resident, wanted to know what the city’s plans were for the three city cemeteries, Hillcrest, Smith and Masonic.

His main concern was the Masonic Cemetery. Before the meeting, he had questioned the city on the ownership of the Masonic. City Clerk Sadie McHugh had reviewed meeting minutes and found where the city had passed an ordinance accepting ownership of the cemetery and the actual deed to the property.

The city has separate accounts for each cemetery because of the Taylor Grant which can only be used for Hillcrest expenses. The city needs to apply for the grant each year. Mayor Teresa Carter indicated the city would look for more grants to be used for the cemeteries. The council said the cemetery tax levy which is planned to be on the April 2, 2024 ballot will be used for upkeep on all three cemeteries.

Discussion was held on reimbursing Alderman Steve Day $506.95 for a POK sewer nozzle purchased for cleaning out lines. He had not sought permission to buy the nozzle. However, when the October bills were approved, the Day purchase was not excluded and all bills were approved for payment.

At the September 28 closed session, the council hired Mike Reasoner at $16 per hour to fill the open city maintenance position. On October 12, Reasoner was introduced at the meeting and gave his first report.

He suggested putting motion sensor lights at the park to keep the lights from staying on. Evergy was called to replace two street lights. The Skidmore signs need to be repainted.

The city had used a grant to improve the city ball field so it could be used for high school ball games. Nodaway-Holt Superintendent Mike Hollingsworth said even with the improvements, the field is not up to MSHSAA standards. Also, Reasoner said instead of the three inches of clay on the field, there is only one. Carter is going to review the contract for the baseball field’s improvements. The weed spraying on the infield will need to be redone.

Reasoner had information on training for wastewater and water operators certification. The city approved him going. Resident Kenny Shewey told the city to check if Reasoner needed to be certified before attending. Shewey thought the training might be for keeping current water operators certified and wouldn’t count for a new certification. Reasoner will check.

The fire hydrants were flushed and the system was cleaner than Carter thought it would be.

Alderman Tim Slagle is working with Reasoner on doing citations on ordinance violations.

If the trash receptacle is available, the Skidmore cleanup will be November 4 and 5.

Resident Lou White inquired if there was surplus equipment the city could sell for extra funds. Slagle and Reasoner had just finished cleaning the Skidmore storage areas. Slagle said there was no excess that could be sold.

An insurance adjuster will be coming out to view the damage at the Newton Hall shop area when the excavator accidentally pushed over a wall.

The next meeting will be at 6 pm, Thursday, November 9 at Newton Hall.