Belle aldermen on Sept. 8 passed two city ordinances officially outlining and revising the expectations for the elected marshal position, and waived the second reading on a third.

According to Ordinance 596 that revises Section 200.040 requirements in the city code, first read on Aug. 11, “any person elected to the office of marshal shall be considered a full-time employee of the city of Belle.”

As an employee, the elected marshal shall:

Be required to work no less than 40 hours a week performing police duties inside the city of Belle.

Make sure the hours are accurately tracked and reported on a weekly basis to the mayor and board of aldermen.

The elected marshal shall also:

Attend regular meetings of the Belle City Council and report items of progress.

Serve as court bailiff during all sessions of Belle Municipal Court.

Sign all documents and paperwork required.

Serve to abate rental property and nuisance violations as outlined in the Belle City ordinances.

The board also approved item A in Section 200.050, “Failure to perform required duties.”

“Failure to perform required duties or violation of the City of Belle’s Policy and Procedures Manual or Belle city ordinances shall result in possible impeachment proceedings for contested cases under 536.060-14, RsMo.

Aldermen have asked Marshal Joe Turnbough for a logbook or record of his hours in the past, which the marshal has said he does not have to provide because he is an elected official and not a city employee.

During the July 14 city meeting, the aldermen asked Turnbough if he could report a log of his patrols to the board each month. The marshal said he would, but would not give names, just instances. Turnbough did report instances during the Aug. 11 meeting, but said he had not had time to complete a logbook during the Sept. 8 meeting.

Mayor Steve Vogt completed the second reading and asked aldermen for a motion to approve or discard the ordinance. Alderman Tony Gieck made a motion to accept the ordinance, Alderman Sundi Jo Graham seconded the motion and the board passed the ordinance with a 4-0 vote.

“That will take effect immediately,” Vogt said in response to a question from The Advocate.

Ordinance 597 revises parts of Section 205.320 that outlines the city marshal’s participation in the dog catcher duties.

According to Ordinance 597, the following should be added to Section 205.320:

“The dog catcher shall notify the city marshal when a citation shall be issued by the city marshal to any owner or person found violating any provisions of the city dog ordinances.”

The following has also been added to paragraph five:

“The elected marshal shall serve as chief animal control officer for the city of Belle. In the absence of an appointed dog catcher (Ord. No. 582 9-12-17) the elected marshal shall perform the full duties of dog catcher until such time as one is appointed by the mayor and board of aldermen.

“As such the elected marshal shall be responsible for the enforcement of all city ordinances pertaining to animals in the city code book.”

Gieck made a motion to waive the second reading, seconded by Graham, and passed with a 4-0 vote. Gieck made a motion to accept Ordinance 597 as written and Graham seconded the motion, which also passed with a 4-0 vote.

Proposed Ordinance 595 adds to Section 200.015 City Marshal Powers and Duties in the city’s code book. The addition should be added after Section D and following paragraph E, according to the ordinance instructions.

“The elected marshal serves to abate nuisances by issuing notices upon property documentation, such as photos, throughout the city of Belle and uphold all ordinances as outlined in the articles of Section 215 Health and Nuisances in the Belle City Code Book. The marshal shall issue a summons to those who fail to abate any nuisance after notice deadline.”

Graham made a motion to waive the second reading of the ordinance, seconded by Alderman Courtney Abel and passed with a 4-0 vote. The first reading of the ordinance took place at the Aug. 11 meeting, and a deciding vote to implement the ordinance will take place at the Oct. 13 meeting.