The Stuart City Council met in regular session Monday night.

The Council approved liquor licenses for The Stuart Scoop and Ruby’s Pub and Grill, before hearing an update from Guthrie County Engineer Josh Sebern on future work to White Pole Road. Sebern told the Council that the original grant that had been applied for through the US Department of Transportation was denied, but that there was a new one they were looking to apply for.

The Council also heard from Public Works Director Jim Henderson on putting the fire department’s 1992 Ford F700 pumper truck out for bids, then heard from City Attorney Duwayne Dalen on the condemnation process and different ways to handle nuisance properties, then approved to have Henderson become the Code Enforcement Officer, starting March 12, 2024. They tabled a decision to vacate an alley made byChristina and David Ernster, approved the city audit for fiscal year 2023, and tabled a proposal for a marketing agreement with Marketing Mainstreet, as they wanted to check with the Utility Board to see if they would split the cost of the contract.

The Council then approved a resolution pertaining to adopting multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation and set public hearings to enter into a general obligation to borrow an amount to not exceed $250,000 and renew a development agreement with Stuart Enterprise for Economic Development. They also approved a renewal with the city’s current property and liability insurance holder, heard an update from the emergency medical services committee and approved a professional agreement with Northland Securities.

The Council tabled a decision on automated traffic cameras until April when more information was available, and a decision on the School Resource Officer (SRO) Program, as they wanted to reach out to the other cities in the West Central Valley School District and see if they would be alright with splitting the cost for having a full-time SRO, as the officer would service the entire district, then heard an update from Stuart Economic Development Director Matt Funk.

A public forum was held at the end of the meeting where a few residents voiced their concerns on how the mayor had handled some nuisance properties. The mayor appeared to have awareness of the issues, and had consulted with the city attorney. No other comments were made following the mayor’s response.