Tom Schmidt takes over as Peabody mayor
Ed Slocombe will fill council slot until April election
Due to the election last month of Peabody Mayor Randy Dallke to Marion County Commission, Monday night's Peabody City Council meeting began with some shuffling of positions and personnel.
Dallke cannot fulfill his term (which ends in April 2005) as Peabody mayor since his election to the county commission.
Councilman Gene Schmill, as president of the city council, was next in line for the mayoral position. However, Schmill's term has several years remaining that he wanted to serve to conclusion. Had he taken the mayor slot, his term would have ended in April and he would not have been able to rejoin the council.
Councilman Tom Schmidt's term will, however, end in April and Schmidt does not plan to run for office again.
Following Dallke's resignation, Schmill resigned as council president, Schmidt was appointed to the position of council president, then appointed to fill the mayoral post, and was sworn in.
Ed Slocombe was appointed to fill Schmidt's council seat and also was sworn in. His term will end in April.
Dallke will retain his position on several committees in an unofficial capacity in an effort to maintain continuity in those areas where he is knowledgeable.
In another personnel change council members were notified of the resignation of Ronnie Harms from his position with the city. His resignation is effective Dec. 1. An ad will be placed in the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin announcing the job opening.
In other business the council:
— heard from Jon Richstatter that Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission would be willing to build a press box at the baseball diamond. Rec commission members need permission from the city and some information concerning building regulations. Richstatter said he was not present to request funding for the project.
After discussion, the council asked him to put together a plan for location and style of building. He will bring his findings to a park committee meeting after the first of the year.
— heard from city treasurer Stephanie Ax that the city will need to file forms with the county by Dec. 6 to get an exemption from county trash fees on city owned lots and vacant houses.
— approved renewing the audit contract for the coming year with Knudson and Monroe.
— approved an expenditure of $150 to send Bruce Burke to Leadership Marion County.
— discussed at length the charges by city attorney Mark Wilkerson to send city council a "redlined" review of the updated personnel policy manual. Cost for the review will be $1,500 to $2,000.
After discussion, members decided they needed the review to lessen city liability and they approved the project.
The corrected version will be presented at the Dec. 13 meeting.
— heard that Rick Turner purchased some cold patch material from the city to fill holes in Peabody Market parking lot.
— heard the park committee will have a plan ready for next city council meeting outlining improvements to playground areas and equipment at city park.
— learned the plat map for Peabody Industrial Park is ready to be registered with the county. City council will need to approve the final version next meeting.
— went into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. No action was taken on return to open meeting.
