Police Chief Doug Shelton asked the Cuba Board of Aldermen to commit to hiring Madison Courtright after she graduates on July 24 from the Phelps County Law Enforcement Training Center.

He said that it is a necessary position to fill, and that it is already in the budget. He also added that the current officers would like to see more uniformity in their schedules.

Comptroller Jennifer Basham said that the city’s budget cannot handle refilling positions and recommended absorbing this position through attrition.

Shelton explained that at one time, they eliminated a position and used it to give the officers a $6,000 raise to help retain personnel. Basham said that the $6,000 came from the elimination of the city’s public works director.

Shelton was pushing for the board to make a commitment to hire Courtright once she graduates, before she decides to go somewhere else. Mayor Pitts Lesesne asked if Shelton could make it through the summer before the board makes a decision because the city doesn’t have the money for it.

Alderman Ward 2 Jeremy Rosemann asked if there were any crime statistics for Cuba. Alderman Ward 1 Louis Raineri asked about using statistics to find possible high crime areas in Cuba.

Alderman Ward 3 Joyce Hartzell had suggested that Shelton contact the Crawford County R-2 School District to see if they would take on the responsibility of paying one of the school resource officers (SROs), which would help balance the budget of adding a new officer.

A motion to commit to hiring Courtright after her graduation was approved with a 4-2 vote. Rosemann and Alderman Ward 1 Ray Mortimeyer voted no.

In other business, the board approved an employment and public decisions.

Anna Hiatt, with a 6-0 vote, was approved for the animal control part-time animal care attendant position.

A motion to approve advertising an animal control officer position was also approved with a 6-0 vote.

Treatment Plant Supervisor David Minardi was approved to purchase hydrant parts for $8,278.74 with a 5-0 vote.

He also gave an update on the city’s new website.

“We are just about as ready as we can be,” Minardi said.

He is waiting for the official date of when the website will be switched over to the new one, but it will be under the same URL as the old one.

The board approved one employment and one resignation.

A motion to approve Mike Montgomery as the Cuba Public Works Supervisor was approved with a 6-0 vote.

Public Workers water laborer Bryce Mounce’s resignation was approved with a 5-0 vote.

In other business, Bill No. 2212 became Special Ordinance 959 with a 5-0 vote. It authorizes the mayor to enter into a field agreement with the Cuba Ball Program for the use of facilities at the Cuba Sports Complex.

Bill No. 2213 authorizes the mayor to enter into a field agreement with the Cuba Soccer Association for the use of facilities at Hood Park. It became Special Ordinance 960 with a 5-0 vote.

Bill No. 2214 became Special Ordinance 961 with a 5-0 vote, which authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with Utility Safety & Design, Inc., for engineering services required for the operation of the natural gas system.

A motion to approve Bill No. 2215 became Special Ordinance 962 after it passed with a 5-0 vote. It authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Missouri Public Utility Alliance for natural gas operator qualification evaluations.

Bill No. 2216 became Special Ordinance 963 with a 5-0 vote. It authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with Charles Schroyer for hay cutting services at the Cuba Municipal Airport, Barnett Industrial Park and Treatment Plant.