Exeter moves on city hall relocation, equipment purchases
May 29, 2019
Vinnie Roberts
During the Exeter City Council's regular meeting on Wednesday, May 15, council members made several moves that will affect city business moving forward.
This meeting marked the first meeting in Exeter’s new City Hall, the stand alone building next to the previous City Hall. The new facility features a secure entrance, with the city clerk seated behind a window in a lobby that is the only freely accessible point to the public. Behind the secure door that leads to the heart of the building are offices for various city officials, as well as a kitchenette that leads to the council chamber. The council chamber and kitchenette also act as the city’s courtroom and court lobby.
Exeter city council previously voted to enter into a rent-to-own agreement with the building’s owner Thomas (Rob) Sorensen, during a council meeting on March 27. Before moving into the facility, the council paid a $5,000 down payment toward an overall cost of $85,000. Rent at the new city hall is $907 a month.
The first change involves law enforcement. Recent graduate of the Missouri Southern State University Police Academy and lifelong Exeter resident Kenneth Phillips asked the council for the opportunity to work with Exeter Police Chief Willie Stephens, which was approved. Phillips, a post-certified peace officer, will work free hours riding along with Stephens. Once Phillips receives the appropriate training patrolling in town, he will be added to the list of Exeter’s reserve officers.
During the meeting, the council also opened and ruled on sealed bids for the surplus Dodge Charger, which previously served as the city’s patrol vehicle. The 2009 Dodge Charger was deemed too costly to fix by the council due to structural and motor damage.
Two bids were received for $300 and $500. The council opted to take the larger offer, awarding the vehicle to Exeter Police Chief Willie Stephens for the amount of $500.
The council recently purchased a new patrol vehicle for Exeter. The vehicle, a 2016 Ford Explorer, cost the city $8,900 to purchase.
At the meeting, the council opened sealed bids from parties interested in providing police decals for the car. The city received two bids, one in the amount of $460 from Country Mama and another from John Hilburn in the amount of $290. The council moved to accept the bid from Hilburn due to its preferable price and design aesthetic.
The council also ruled in favor of the purchase of a set of new blades and bolts for the city’s backhoe-mounted cutter for approximately $300.
Finally, the council heard an appeal from Exeter court clerk Marissa Robbins. Robbins stated that court’s current scheduled meetings every other month was insufficient to process the number of infractions and civil cases that pass through the city's court. Heeding Robbins’ claims, the council moved to hold court every month with payment reviews to be heard on one month and traffic tickets to be dealt with the next month.
Additionally, Robbins stated, due to the size of the public meeting room in the new city hall facility, some court attendees are kept in a separate room behind the public meeting area. In order to cut down on confusion caused by the people in the other room missing the judge’s opening statements on hearing procedure, Robbins asked that the council purchase a $54 two-way intercom system. The council approved the purchase of the intercom.
For more information on these or any other city council business, contact Exeter City Hall at (417) 835-2823.
Vinnie Roberts
During the Exeter City Council's regular meeting on Wednesday, May 15, council members made several moves that will affect city business moving forward.
This meeting marked the first meeting in Exeter’s new City Hall, the stand alone building next to the previous City Hall. The new facility features a secure entrance, with the city clerk seated behind a window in a lobby that is the only freely accessible point to the public. Behind the secure door that leads to the heart of the building are offices for various city officials, as well as a kitchenette that leads to the council chamber. The council chamber and kitchenette also act as the city’s courtroom and court lobby.
Exeter city council previously voted to enter into a rent-to-own agreement with the building’s owner Thomas (Rob) Sorensen, during a council meeting on March 27. Before moving into the facility, the council paid a $5,000 down payment toward an overall cost of $85,000. Rent at the new city hall is $907 a month.
The first change involves law enforcement. Recent graduate of the Missouri Southern State University Police Academy and lifelong Exeter resident Kenneth Phillips asked the council for the opportunity to work with Exeter Police Chief Willie Stephens, which was approved. Phillips, a post-certified peace officer, will work free hours riding along with Stephens. Once Phillips receives the appropriate training patrolling in town, he will be added to the list of Exeter’s reserve officers.
During the meeting, the council also opened and ruled on sealed bids for the surplus Dodge Charger, which previously served as the city’s patrol vehicle. The 2009 Dodge Charger was deemed too costly to fix by the council due to structural and motor damage.
Two bids were received for $300 and $500. The council opted to take the larger offer, awarding the vehicle to Exeter Police Chief Willie Stephens for the amount of $500.
The council recently purchased a new patrol vehicle for Exeter. The vehicle, a 2016 Ford Explorer, cost the city $8,900 to purchase.
At the meeting, the council opened sealed bids from parties interested in providing police decals for the car. The city received two bids, one in the amount of $460 from Country Mama and another from John Hilburn in the amount of $290. The council moved to accept the bid from Hilburn due to its preferable price and design aesthetic.
The council also ruled in favor of the purchase of a set of new blades and bolts for the city’s backhoe-mounted cutter for approximately $300.
Finally, the council heard an appeal from Exeter court clerk Marissa Robbins. Robbins stated that court’s current scheduled meetings every other month was insufficient to process the number of infractions and civil cases that pass through the city's court. Heeding Robbins’ claims, the council moved to hold court every month with payment reviews to be heard on one month and traffic tickets to be dealt with the next month.
Additionally, Robbins stated, due to the size of the public meeting room in the new city hall facility, some court attendees are kept in a separate room behind the public meeting area. In order to cut down on confusion caused by the people in the other room missing the judge’s opening statements on hearing procedure, Robbins asked that the council purchase a $54 two-way intercom system. The council approved the purchase of the intercom.
For more information on these or any other city council business, contact Exeter City Hall at (417) 835-2823.
