City approves agreement securing dispatch services

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

Monett City Council began its meeting on July 9 with the swearing in of a new addition to the Police force.

Officer Thor was sworn in as the city’s first K-9 unit. Thor was sworn in using his “translator” and handler Officer Blake Sperry. 

The pair completed the “Patriot K9 Training” program in May and are fully NAPWDA (North American Police Work Dog Association) certified.

Other department changes were announced at the meeting, as it was the last Police Chief George Daoud would attend in his position.

Daoud retired effective Aug. 3 following over 25 years with the Monett Police Department. 

Daoud began his career in December of 2000 as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks, serving nine years as a detective and 10 years as police chief.

The city announced the appointment of Monett Police Captain Dennis Camp as interim police chief following the retirement of Daoud July 31.

A lifelong Monett resident, Camp has served over 25 years with the Monett Police Department.

Camp attended the Missouri Southern State University Law Enforcement Academy where he earned both an Associate of Science in Law Enforcement and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from MSSU. 

In other business, the council proceeded to address several general maintenance issues ranging from 9-1-1 dispatch to future city planning. 

Council approved an intergovernmental agreement to secure 9-1-1 dispatch services from Barry/Lawrence County for fire and police emergency dispatch. 

This is an existing arrangement being renewed for continuity. The contract would take effect immediately, as the renewal was set for July 1. The contract allows the Lawrence County portion of Monett to be covered by Barry County 911 for both fire and police services. 

SIMCOG representatives were in attendance and presented the draft comprehensive plan, describing it as a community-driven, 20-year roadmap with a prioritization matrix to guide budgeting and implementation.

“I particularly like the prioritization matrix that you all put in there just recently because when we go through and start looking at the budget; that’s something we can refer to on what we can and cannot do,” said Randy Burke, mayor. “It gives us a road map.”

Council invited public review and comment before the second reading and planning-and-zoning hearing the following week. 

Burke said that while this is a 20-year plan, there is room for adjustments over that time as city needs change.

A first reading was done for a proposal to introduce a vacant building registry modeled on Springfield’s ordinance but scaled for Monett. This would be a non-voluntary registry limited to properties with code-enforcement concerns. 

If approved, the motion would have 365 days to take effect, plus another 365 days to register once the registry is active. This is a longer timeline than the Springfield model. Additionally, the fee would be a fraction of the Springfield model to fit Monett. 

The purpose is to bring vacant spaces into safety compliance and reduce vagrancy and debris issues. 

The council also approved a resolution to form a gateway-sign committee to examine a larger welcoming sign at the intersection of Highway 37 and Highway 60. 

Regular City Council Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Monett City Annex located at 100 South Maple St., with video available on the city’s website the following day.