The Purdy City Council opted to delay tightening the screws on water and sewer customers behind on their bills one more month.

During the September council meeting, Clerk Katy Prock reported no significant changes or confrontations stemmed from the August decision to crack down on approximately 70 utility customers who have run up close to $12,000 in unpaid bills. A dozen customers were scheduled for shutoff and subsequently paid their bills in full, the highest running $400.

Public Works Foreman Kevin Cook said he secured enough locks to shut off 50 customers.

The monthly meeting fell prior to the monthly payment deadline on the 10th of the month, after which customers get 10 more days before shut-off action is scheduled. It appeared that only customers behind for two months actually got scheduled for discontinuation, contrary to the ordinance authorizing immediate action after one month.

“We can’t shut off people randomly,” said Heather Van Note, council member. “We must have a system.”

“We need to get more notice out there before we shut off 60 people,” Cook added.

Aldermen opted to wait one more month, review the utility clerk’s formula, then decide if they would rewrite the ordinance to offer a longer grace period or move forward aggressively.

Mayor Brian Bowers reported former mayor Steve Roden told him the situation got out of hand during his time on the city council, and a crackdown resolved issues.

Cook updated the council on the lead and copper pipe inventory. He said a few more days of good weather should enable city crews to tackle the remaining 100 services and meet the Oct. 16 deadline set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Cook received authorization by replace the 15-horsepower water pump at the west lift station, one of two servicing the world west of the railroad tracks. The pump still in service pumps effluent to the trunk line on Monroe Street, and the 50-horsepower pump on the pressurized line at the east lift station pushes the contents to Midway, after which gravity carries it to Monett’s wastewater treatment plant.

Aldermen authorized Cook to buy a pump for up to $10,500, plus freight. He noted that failure of the remaining pump without a backup would cause a serious problem. Cook expected the city to transition to Oma pumps in the future. He would try to rebuild the failed pump for an emergency.

A major water leak due to a “pinky-sized” hole in a water line was found by detecting a soft spot next to Highway 37. Cook suspected leaking water has been running under the highway and went undetected for a long time.

A new valve has been placed on the fountain in the city park that enable it to run on city water. Cook explained Mareth Enterprises installed the fountain to run on a frost-free hydrant, drawing water from a private well used for irrigating the park. When the well level dropped during hot months, the well would run on city water mixed with well water. With the new RPZ valve, the fountain can run fully on city water without the risk of cross-contamination of the two water sources.

The week of October 21 has been scheduled for the fall clean-up week.

Police Chief Jackie Lowe reported a couple major incidents in August. In one case, juveniles apparently rattled doors at the school campus until they found an open one. They entered to play basketball, and apparently caused no damage.

A resident at the Autumn Woods apartments was arrested on a felony warrant. Her house sitters were subsequently removed, and officers removed her after she climbed back in. In another case, Lowe reported a subject received a stern warning after exposing himself to a neighbor.

At the August meeting, Lowe reported concentrating on code violations, urging owners to maintain their property. A resident complained about property damage after an ongoing argument with his landlord and neighbors. On July 6, Marsha Branham, 63, at the Autumn Woods apartments complained about a prowler. Officer Russ Nichols determined no burglary had taken place but arrested Branham on an outstanding warrant for possession of a controlled substance.

One of the technicians helping with the Terry family’s community fireworks show on July 3 was hit in the shoulder by a misfiring mortar shell. The storm that blew through town on July 3 knocked down street signs.

Aldermen asked Lowe for recommendations on how to reduce prolonged fireworks use. The chief said firemen have helped in the past, though having them congregated for a community fireworks show did not offer extra hands to reduce nuisances.

Other parties also engaged in mischief that night.

“We’re glad to have people come to town, but misbehavior has to stop,” Lowe said.

He indicated he would ask the sheriff’s department for help next year.

Cook reported in August the public works crew had finished three-quarters of the lead and copper pipe survey. He expected to finish work by the deadline set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. He also said he and his colleague dug 10 snapping turtles out of the drainage pipe at the lift station.

Cook received no objections to scheduling the fall clean-up for the first week in October.

He also asked the council to consider a formula by which the city could receive reimbursement for aid rendered to nearby towns, such as Wheaton and Exeter, over calls to use city equipment, such as a jetter to unclog sewer lines. He described an incident where the jetter got hung up on a separated line, requiring help from the Purdy staffer for eight hours.

Aldermen proposed an hourly and trip rate for extended stays to cover fuel and overtime. The proposal was sent to the city’s legal counsel for review.

The council further approved the property tax levy for the 2024 tax cycle. Property assessment rose by 3% for the year. Retaining the same levy would generate $23,463.90, an increase of $722.24 if all property owners paid.

After scheduled business concluded in August, 14-year resident Heath Postlewait, who was in the audience, said he agreed to join the council. Bob Moser, senior alderman serving the East Ward, had asked for someone to take his place.

Moser was elected mayor in 2005, re-elected in 2007 but resigned, then came back in 2013 to fill Steve Roden’s alderman’s seat from Ward 1 when Roden became mayor. Moser had served on and off since then, mostly filling other vacancies. His recent election stemmed from no other candidates running.

Council members accepted Moser’s resignation. Mayor Brian Bowers administered the oath of office to Postlewait.