On Tuesday morning the Kimberling City Board of Aldermen met to work on a number of issues. The first issue raised, however, was a carryover from the board’s last meeting when Alderman Mike Bell said he would ask for an audit to see what had happened during the time period that Alderwoman Betty Kowalewich was acting as Mayor Pro Tem. During the morning session, and before taking her seat on the board, Kowalewich addressed the board as a citizen under the public comments portion of the agenda.
Kowalewich noted she had been serving in politics for more than three decades and had never had her reputation questioned before as had happened in the previous meeting.
“I know the mayor and his close friend (Alderman Mike) Bell and I differ in politics, but that isn’t a reason to attack me as he (Bell) did,” she said.
Kowalewich said the accusations by Bell amounted to accusing her of committing a crime. She stated she would welcome an audit and said she wanted to know who at City Hall had told him that she had handled any finances of the city while acting as Mayor Pro Tem. “As the Mayor Pro Tem I wrote no checks,” she said. “How these shady things I have been accused of came about are a mystery.”
Noting that she had heard rumors that some in the political arena were looking to “get rid of her” Kowalewich said, “Only the people in Ward One can get rid of me. I serve the will of the poeple and not the will of the mayor of the board.”
On a positive note, a city resident requested the Board look at the possibility of creating an ordinance to address concerns over auctions being held within city limits. Karen Smith noted a recent auction held by Clint Short at 20 HIlltop Drive had resulted in blocked streets, damage to private property and even inturrupted the delivery of mail. In addition, she noted, portable toilets were still in place.
Mayor Jason Hulliung noted the Board was currently working on an ordinance to address any large special event and would certainly look at creating a section that addressed the issues of auctions.
In other actions, the city applauded the work of the public works department that managed to finish the Northwoods Phase II sewer line well under budget. The savings allowed the city to address concerns over the odor coming from its sewer treatment plant by authorizing a new sloped floor at the collection basin, which, according to Public Works Director Travis Tucker, may reduce the odor by up to 90 percent.
In other action, the board approved a letter which will require every resident impacted by the Northwoods Phase II sewer project to come up with more than $4,000 within 60 days. Despite a poor local economy, and dwindling sales tax revenue, board members agreed unanimously to authorize the letter and to request it be mailed out as soon as possible.
Those effected will, under city ordinance, have no option other than to comply.

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