Cameron Schweiss, an Archer-Elgin engineer, discussed a $21,800 concrete change order for the new pickleball courts on June 2 with the Cuba Board of Aldermen.

Schweiss said that BuildTec Construction, the general contractor, was asked to quote a concrete pad to be placed full length between the two courts for a shadestructure, and new paving for an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant parking. The $21,800 change order includes a four-inch slab reinforced between the two courts and five inches of concrete paving for ADA parking.

The board approved the change order with a with a 6-0 vote.

The aldermen discussed starting a 501(c)(3) for the animal shelter, which is a subsection of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) that grants tax-exempt status to nonprofit organizations.

City Clerk Lainie Garbo said that the city would not actually start the 501(c)(3) if approved, but they are an agency partner.

“We will be reaching out to the Community Ozark Foundation and submitting paperwork to approve starting one through their organization,” Garbo said.

Police Chief Doug Shelton asked if the police department could be added to it, but Garbo explained that it would be specific to animal control.

Ward 3 Alderman Joyce Hartzell asked if the police department could be added to the next meeting’s agenda to possibly get them a 501(c)(3).

A motion to file 501(c)(3) paperwork for the animal shelter was approved with a 6-0 vote.

Due to some employees leaving and a lack of fully qualified staff members in some departments, Cuba city employees were in need of assistance. St. James Public Works employees assisted with a natural gas leak in Cuba, and both cities decided to enter into a mutual aid agreement. It will allow the two cities to assist each other with public works support when necessary.

The board approved a mutual aid agreement between the cities of Cuba and St. James with a 6-0 vote.

Comptroller Jennifer Basham announced that two bids were submitted for Cuba City Hall’s copier lease.

One bid was from the current company they are with now, Marco Technologies LLC, for $216.21 per month. Another bid was received from GFI Digital for $133.17 per month. 

Running the numbers for price per page and minimum charges, Basham said that GFI Digital looked cheaper overall.

The bid from GFI Digital was approved with a 6-0 vote.

Ward 3 Alderman Jeff Bouse said he has been contacted by a few businesses about being able to use the Route 66 stencil. He added that Jimmy West, with the Chamber of Commerce, said that if they are the rightful owners of the stencil, they give permission for anyone to use it.

The board approved loaning the Route 66 stencil with a 6-0 vote.

In other business, Street Supervisor Allen Monda reported on May 19 that the bridge on northeast Main Street had some erosion under it. The short-term fixes weren’t working anymore, so they had blocked it off.

A motion to close East Main Street, between Highway 19 and 20 feet east of the bridge for repairs, was accepted with a 6-0 vote.