Third SRO Requested For Sullivan Schools, Building Bid Before Council

The Sullivan City Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday, March 6, with several items before the Board of Aldermen that includes a request to provide a third school resource officer in the Sullivan School District, bids for the construction of a block restroom at Tessa Park/Northside Park project, reports on the 2017 audit from KD Audit Services, LLC, and approval of Bill 3785 which if approved would provide a grant for impaired driving enforcement.

Under City Administrator J.T. Hardy’s report, Hardy was expected to address the council regarding the Sullivan School District request to hire a third School Resource Officer (SRO) which would provide an officer at each of the Sullivan School District campuses.

According to council Ordinance 3714, the City of Sullivan entered into an agreement with the Sullivan School District on Jan. 5, 2016, for up to three SRO officers, however at the time the school district opted to have only two SRO officers at that time.

The district is now requesting to bring on a third SRO that would allow an officer at each campus and under the existing agreement the school district provides 75 percent of the wages and benefits for the officer while the City of Sullivan pays the remaining 25 percent.

Hardy is seeking council approval to pursue the third officer and begin the hiring process for another patrol position and begin the training process for a third SRO officer.

Hardy is also seeking council approval on the installation of block for the Tessa Park restroom project.

Three bids were receiving for the project that included: Hunter Masonry, LLC, Cuba, $6,000; Wright Brick and Block Contracting, LLC, Owensville, $12,996 and King Masonry, INc., Sullivan, $10,190.

Following review of the bids by Robert Schaffer, City Engineer, city staff was recommending the bid be awarded to Hunter Masonry in the amount of $6,000.

One bill was before the council for approval as Ordinance 3785, which would provide an agreement between the City of Sullivan and Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Safety Division for an impaired driving enforcement campaign grant in the amount of $8,412.48.

The ordinance was sponsored by Alderman Paul McCulloch and expected to be approved as it has in previous years.

The council did have closed session posted for real estate, litigation and personnel.