Mountain View separates from fire chief

The City of Mountain View has parted ways with Fire Chief Stanley Murphy following the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen. The aldermen withdrew into closed session at 7:11 p.m. on Oct. 11. Minutes of the closed session record that both Police Chief Jamie Perkins and former Chief Stanley addressed the board.

Closed session lasted until 10:38 p.m. Returning to open session, Alderwoman Laura Wagner made a motion to authorize Mayor John Krasuski to discuss and accept the end of the former fire chief’s employment with the city. This motion passed unanimously. 

As a courtesy to Murphy, the board will allow him to choose whether the end of his employment is a voluntary resignation or termination. 

In an interview on Oct. 14, Mayor Krasuski told Howell County News that he had not received a decision from the former fire chief. 

“He is no longer employed by the city regardless,” Mayor Krasuski clarified. “He didn’t do wrong - this has nothing with Stan as an individual.”

Citing an ongoing police investigation, Mayor Krasuski would not elaborate except to say the “needed changes” in the fire department were caused by “circumstances outside of Stan’s control and outside of [the city’s] control.”

The fire chief position is a full-time position in the city of Mountain View. The city is seeking to fill the vacant position now. Applicants will be reviewed by a hiring committee, Mayor Krasuski said.

Abbie Schlattman, owner of 123 Elm, appeared before the aldermen to discuss a business plan and possible negotiations of new contract regarding her property.  Schlattman requested for the discussion to be moved to closed session. The aldermen agreed.

Schlattman presented a plan to follow up in the next meeting during open session.

The Sunshine Law allows government bodies to close meetings and records to the public in certain, limited circumstances dealing with legal actions and real estate. Discussions of business plans and contracts are not among these limited circumstances. RSMo. 610.021(1-2) Defines the exceptions as, “legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a public governmental body and any confidential or privileged communications between a public governmental body or its representatives and its attorneys” or “leasing, purchase or sale of real estate by a public governmental body where public knowledge of the transaction might adversely affect the legal consideration therefor.”

In other action, the aldermen unanimously passed a motion to launch a CDL license training program for city employees. According to the minutes of the meeting, interested employees will sign a contract agreeing to reimburse the city for $2,500 if they fail to complete their commitment.

Chief Perkins approached the aldermen about a matching grant for protective vests. The police department received a grant for 50 percent reimbursement of the equipment. The aldermen approved the upfront cost of $11,400 pending grant reimbursement. 

 

In other business:

-The aldermen opened propane bids for the 2022-2023 winter season. They approved the only bid, which was from Mountain View Oil and Propane for $2.099 per gallon. They also opened bids for pest control services. They approved the low bid of $33 per building from First Class Pest and Termite, LLC.

-A portion of Oak Street will be closed on Halloween for a trunk or treat event. Assistant Police Chief Stetson Schwien approached the aldermen about temporary road closures also on Halloween. 

-The aldermen discussed and tabled a purchasing policy. They also discussed and tabled a change to the ordinance regarding solid waste regulation and rates. 

-The board discussed an adopt-a-road program and future electrical improvements to the downtown alley with no action taken.