The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published March 26, 2014

Ordinances for political activity, police chief changed

By Jeff Thompson
OSAGE BEACH - Amending several city ordinances to be consistent with new state legislation was a priority for city officials at last week’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

City Attorney Edward Rucker spoke to the importance of keeping municipal regulations up to date.

He noted that elected officials may not be in office five or 10 years from now, so the actions they take now can ensure consistency in the future.

“I want the ordinances we leave here current and consistent with state law so it gets done properly,” Rucker said.

The first such ordinance amended city code to conform with state statutes permitting political activity by emergency service “first responders.”

Rucker noted the amendment allows certain specific rights for off-duty and out-of-uniform personnel such as EMTs, firefighters and police officers.

The second ordinance will change city code to conform with new state regulations concerning the termination of an appointed police chief.

The city attorney pointed out that since Osage Beach is a fourth class city, the new state statutes - House Bill 307 - changes the authority of the city to remove a police chief.

The new basis for “just cause” for termination of an appointed police chief includes committing a felony, acting in a self-interest manner and alcohol or substance abuse.

Both ordinances received first-reading approval by the board; second-reading approval could occur as early as the next board meeting set for April 3.

The third ordinance sought to amend the language in city codes regarding blasting permits.

“The city has issued several blasting permits over the years and the permit requirements have not been updated to reflect new state and municipal requirements,” Building Official Ron White said in a report to the board.

According to White, the new language meets legal expectations from both the city and those wishing blast permits.

“We’ll make sure our expectations are clear,” White told the board.

The specific modifications changes “Fire Official” to “Building Official” and adds “all permits share expire within 10 days of the date of issuance unless extended for another 10 days by the Building Official or his designee.”

The board gave first- and second-reading approval to the amended blasting permit ordinance.

Alderman Steve Kahrs was not present at the March 20 meeting.