Webber: Operation C.U.P.C.A.K.E. Underway Now

By Mike Scott

Kahoka Mayor Jerry Webber has had enough of unkept, run down properties in Kahoka.
“Get your property cleaned up, or I’m coming after you,” Webber said at last Monday’s Kahoka Board of Aldermen meeting.
“Tonight I am announcing operation C.U.P.C.A.K.E. It stands for Clean Up Properties, Continue Attractive Kahoka Eternally,” Webber said.
“I want to make this town attractive to people who come here, who might want to move here, or open a business here, or locate a factory here,” he said.
The council gave first reading to a new cemetery ordinance, that would restrict burial to one human remain, or one human remain plus one cremation, or two cremations per grave site. Remains would be required to be buried in a concrete vault, and cremations would need to be in a metal box.
“What we’re doing is not unusual. Most places have had this for a long time,” said Alderman Larry Young.
A second reading of the ordinance will be held at the September council meeting.
The board also held a second and third reading, by title only, of a Conflict of Interest ordinance, which must be renewed periodically. The board adopted the ordinance, which requires council members to disclose certain conflicts of interest in city business.
The council approved a request by employee Chris Plant to pay for him to complete his journeyman lineman training, at a cost of $2500.
“We need to do this,” said Alderman Greg Sutterfield, a lineman himself.
Plant agreed to stay with the city for at least a period of time after completion, and stated his intention to continue working for his home town of Kahoka.
In other business, the board:
-Announced the Farmer’s Market shelter plans were ready to go out for bids.
-The downtown sidewalk project has reached the phase where MoDOT requests the funding for the project.
-Mayor Webber reported gas and electric service have been removed from the condemned Davidson building on the west side of the square.
-Accepted the low bid of $3228 for a new Savin copier from The Business Center in Quincy.
-Approved three building permits.
-Pool Manager Hillary Plenge presented a list of repairs needed at the pool, including drain leaks, lights, and painting.
She also reported on good attendance this season.
-Police Chief Bill Conger reported 69 calls for service in July.
-Approved the hiring of Will Perez and Luis Perez as part-time police officers.
-Fire Chief Lary Fountain presented information on a foaming apparatus for the fire department. The council approved the purchase of the device and foam, at a cost of approximately $737, which will be split with the Clark County Rural Fire Corporation.
-Approved the installation of GFI electrical outlets in the dugouts for the south field.
-Approved a stump removal bid in the amount of $2350
-Alderman Young discussed issues at the cemetery.
“We have flowers stuck in the ground. Everything is supposed to be on the stone or on a shepherd hook,” he said, noting that the mowers cannot trim around graves with flowers.
“We need to give people a chance to get them out of there before we dispose of them,” he said.
These restrictions do not apply to families that maintain the graves.
-John Williams discussed several issues with the light plant, including repairs and upgrades needed.

Here is the video of the meeting