News & Announcements

Board of Aldermen Agenda for the August 17th Meeting

The Mayor's Column

Smoke Testing Alert

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TAX LEVY
CITY OF LAKE LOTAWANA

The Board of Aldermen of the City of Lake Lotawana, Missouri, will hold a public hearing Tuesday, August 17, 2008 at 7:00 pm in the City Hall, Gate 2, Lake Lotawana, for the purpose of hearing citizen comments relative to the setting of the property tax rate for the City of Lake Lotawana for the year 2011.

The setting of the tax rates are governed by Article 9 Section 22 of the Constitution of Missouri and Section 137.073 and 137.043.4(1), RSMO. The proposed tax rates are based on information currently available.

Assessed Valuation  Current Tax Year  Prior Tax Year
By Categories____  2010_________   2009_______
Real/Property     $67,298,426         $66,764,352

THE FOLLOWING RATES ARE PROPOSED
AMOUNT OF PROPERTY PROPOSED TAX RATE

Fund               Tax Revenues – 2010       (Per $100) 2010
General                     $309,573                       $.46

City of Lake Lotawana
Rhonda Littrell
City Clerk

SMOKE TESTING ALERT

The City of Lake Lotawana, Missouri retained the services of TREKK Design Group, LLC to detect storm water inflow and infiltration (I/I) sources overloading the city operated sanitary sewer system. As part of this effort, TREKK Design Group will conduct smoke tests to locate existing and potential sources of I/I and to recommend removal, replacement, or rehabilitation methods to eliminate the problem. The tests will begin in late July and continue through September 2010.

How will SMOKE TESTING be conducted?  Approximately 48 hours prior to smoke testing, door hangers will be distributed at each residence providing information regarding the procedure. The tests will take place in predetermined groups of homes around the lake. Smoke will be introduced at manholes to identify defects in sewer lines, service pipes, roof downspouts, uncapped cleanouts, driveway drains, stairwell drains, yard or area drains, window well drains, and foundation-perimeter drains. Saturated soil hinders the migration of the smoke through the soil; therefore smoke testing activities will not be conducted during or immediately following rain events.

Are there any DANGEROUS EFFECTS  from the smoke testing process? No, the smoke that you will see from the a house or holes in the ground is: NON-TOXIC, HARMLESS, HAS NO ODOR,  CREATES NO FIRE HAZARD, AND WILL NOT SET OFF SMOKE ALARMS.   If smoke enters the home, homeowners should be aware that the potential exists for dangerous sewer gases to enter your home through faulty plumbing or dry drain traps. If you have those concerns, you should contact a member of the smoke testing crew or consult a licensed plumber.

What should a HOMEOWNER DO TO PREPARE for the smoke test?   To help prevent smoke from entering your house, check any seldom used drains and drain traps, such as floor drains in basements to be sure they are filled with water.  Drain traps should always be filled with water to prevent sewer gases or odors from entering a building. Additionally, many washing machine drainpipes do not have traps. To prevent smoke from entering around those unprotected washing drainpipes, tie a damp rag around the drain opening before the test begins in your area.

What happens if a SMOKE TEST INDICATES A PROBLEM?  Homeowners will be notified by the city if a deficiency is discovered and will be held responsible for the necessary repairs as required by city ordinance. The ordinance provides the homeowner a 90 day grace period to fix the problem and, after 90 days, the addition of a $50.00 monthly fine (in addition to the sewer bill) until the problem is fixed.

This action is a most important step by the city to protect and maintain our sanitary services.  The city’s sewer system is designed to handle up to 300,000 gallons of sewage daily.  The additional run-off water from a rainstorm can increase the inflow to the sewer system up to 1,000,000 gallons per day.  This massive infiltration of run-off water thus compromises the whole system, straining the pumps efficiency and reducing the bacterial action performed during the sanitation process. The city anticipates the smoke tests will require a few hours in your area.  Your patience and cooperation is very much appreciated.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call City Hall at 816-578-4215.

City of Lake Lotawana
Board of Aldermen Meeting Agenda

August 17, 2010
MUNICIPAL BUILDING        7:00 PM

1. Call meeting to order

2. Roll Call

3. Approval of Minutes –Regular Meeting July 20, 2010

4. Consideration of  July 2010 Financials

5. Approval of Disbursements for the period of  July 16, 2010 to August 11, 2010

6. Public hearing regarding approval of the 2011 Property Tax Levy.

7. Department Reports:
    a. Administration – Rhonda Littrell
    b. Planning & Zoning – Jack Kirse
    c. Public Works – Keith Herzberg
    d. Police – Jeff Rogers
    e. Court – Michelle Pegram

8. Monthly report from Olsson Associates concerning sewer project status.

9. Unfinished Business

    a. First reading of Bill 1021 an Ordinance to add PayPal method of sewer bill payment to the permitted types of payment for City sewer clients to use.

10.   New Business

    a. First and Second reading of Bill 1024 an Ordinance accepting the T Mobil settlement agreement. (Must be submitted by 9/14/10)

    b. First reading of Bill 1025 an Ordinance amending Municipal Code Section 700.160 for the approval, design, and inspection on-site wastewater disposal systems.

    c. First and Second reading of Bill 1026 and Ordinance setting the 2011 Property Tax Levy. (Must be submitted to Jackson County by 9/1/10)

    d. First Reading of Bill 1027 and Ordinance reaffirming the City’s policy regarding the “Sunshine Law”.

    e. Approval of Resolution 10-07 allowing the Mayor to accept the Jackson County agreement for Environmental Services for the Food Service Program.

    f. Approval of Resolution 10-08 allowing the Mayor to accept Contract Amendment #1 with Olsson Associates.

    g. Approval of Resolution (pending) resolving the sale of property at 47 & 48 X Street to record the proper Quit-Claim Deeds with Jackson County and the approval of the Notice of Property Waiver involved in the final sale with the Lake Lotawana Ass’n.

11. Executive Session Concerning Litigations and Employee Relations RE:  RSMo. 610.021, (1),  (3), and (13)

12. Adjournment

The Mayor's Column 

Hopefully, the smoke testing has started by the time this article has been published. With luck, the rain will abate sufficiently to see the process through by fall.

The work on Seven (7) Highway has begun; please heed the workmen and keep your speed down.  MoDot needs your help in being careful at those intersections which are being worked on.

The budget process is beginning.  As printed in the Lotawana News July 28th edition, the city is operating within the constraints of the monies it has received and plans to continue to do so.

If you missed "Camp Lotawana," otherwise known as "Lotawana Day," you missed one of the best days at Lake Lotawana for it exemplifies the divergency of people who live here.  From swimmers who swam the mile swim, to fishermen who let the big one get away, to skiers in a ski show beyond compare--clearly Lotawana is a very unique place to live.

On a Personal Note ...

It has been interesting to read some of the responses to my articles regarding the City.  I felt that the citizens had for the most part followed the law prohibiting fireworks on the 4th; I so stated in a prior article.  Following that I received an email which was printed in the July 28th edition.  Frankly, I had never before heard someone use the word "scofflaw" and "proud of it."  It is clear that though I've been a lawyer for 39 years, one can still learn something new.  I find the word "scofflaw" means "a contemptuous law violator."  Obviously, I've been remise in not knowing the meaning of the word "scofflaw."  In retrospect, I've represented more than one person who has been a "scofflaw," who having violated the law found himself standing before a judge.  Thanks to this job as Mayor, I can now be ready to explain to the judge when he asks why my client violated the law that my client is simply a scofflaw person and proud of it.  On the other hand, maybe I'd better think twice about that defense!

Sincerely,

Howard Chamberlin, Mayor
Howard.Chamberlin@LakeLotawana.org
City of Lake Lotawana