Cuba Board of Aldermen on March 17 accepted the resignations and a retirement from city employees. 

A motion was approved to accept the resignation of Jeremy Copling from the street department and to post an advertisement for a laborer position with a 5-0 vote.

A motion was passed to accept the retirement of Randy Williams from the electric department with a 5-0 vote. They also approved a motion to go out for applications for either a lineman or an apprentice with a 5-0 vote.

A motion to accept the resignation of police officer Joseph Holle and advertise an officer position was approved with a 5-0 vote.

The board also approved a motion to accept the resignation of Natural Gas Supervisor Matt Pigg.

Comptroller Jennifer Basham explained that the board should start looking at decreasing the number of positions due to financial issues.

“Probably need to start looking at absorbing positions through attrition due to cash flow issues, especially in the general fund,” Basham said. “Now’s a good time as ever.”

Police Chief Doug Shelton explained that they are short-staffed, and their last hire is not out of the police academy yet and will be on probation when he starts.

The decision was made to advertise the position.

Hartzell presented the Cuba Parks and Recreation Board’s March 10 recommendations for approval by aldermen.

The Crawford County Fair Board was given permission to add a concrete walkway and pad for the goat barn at Hood Park with a 5-0 vote. 

Grounds Supervisor Jerry Montgomery previously advised that the pavilion at Tangle Creek Park could not be moved again without completely falling apart, so it was recommended to demolish it. The motion was approved with a 5-0 vote.

With a 5-0 vote, aldermen approved the park board’s pickleball court color recommendation of blue with green around it. 

Brett Bailey with the Meramec Adventure Ranch was approved with a 5-0 vote for permission to use Cuba’s city pool on May 15-17 to train their lifeguards. Due to renovations, the pool they usually use will be shut down until around July, so they asked for use of the Cuba pool while offering to train Cuba’s lifeguards at a lower rate.

The decision to renew the pool’s contract with the Red Cross was tabled until more information can be provided on the contract, such as the possible cost.

In other business, Copling announced that he rented a space at the former VFW Hall at around 9 a.m. to noon on April 4-5 for citizens to ask him questions.

Notice was received from Williams, Robinson and Wiggins Law Firm, the city’s attorney, putting in their 60-day notice to terminate their contract.