When Mayor John Sellers started discussing infrastructure needs to meet growing economic development in the city at the Anderson City Council meeting held Aug. 19, he probably didn't think the topic would get him chastised by a member of the council.
Sellers told the council the city needed to be looking at constructing a 100,000-gallon water storage tank on the east side of town in the area of 'Stangs Travel Center. Sellers said even if the city can get the land donated for a tower, the estimated construction cost would be about $330,000.
Sellers said that amount is more than the city can afford on its own and that he will look at getting financial help from the Missouri Public Utilities Association and at obtaining a low interest loan from the state revolving fund.
Brandon Forcum, public works director, told the council another issue on the east side of town was the construction of a performing arts center at the high school by the McDonald County School District. Forcum said he would be working with a representative from Midwest Fire Protection on seeing about getting enough water pressure for the sprinkler system.
Sellers said with the addition of a new Walmart Express, along with the possibilities of additional "two, maybe three and possibly four" new businesses in the area, the city needs to very seriously look at locating a new tower in the area.
"We need to make sure we have the infrastructure to support that commercial growth," Sellers said.
Sellers said some of the property is inside the city limits and some is not, but a request for annexation is expected to be "forthcoming."
In response to a question from Forcum, Sellers said all the businesses would be on the west side of I-49, but that he couldn't "divulge the precise location. I've been granted this information and that is all I can say."
Alderman Don Hines responded that it was time for the mayor to start keeping the council better informed regarding new businesses.
"You were saying there are new businesses that are coming in," Hines said. "The Walmart deal has been a hush-hush thing. The whole nine yards until we actually started seeing construction. My opinion is council members, people who are elected to this town, and the ones who work for this town are not together on growth of this town. The secrecy in the town has got to stop."
"Don, here is the deal," Sellers answered. "When someone tells me something in confidence...I am obliged to honor that."
Alderman Chester Neel said the way Sellers is doing things is correct.
"It has got to be this way," Neel said. "It's a legal issue and he cannot divulge any information because of the legalities of it. It's not 'hush-hush' crap. I am so sick of hearing about the 'hush-hush' crap. I can't handle it no more."
Alderman Rusty Wilson said the mayor needs to follow state statutes.
Hines said he understands Sellers not divulging confidential information, but said the developers need to inform the council as a whole of its plans, not just the mayor.
"In the future, when I am able to tell you something, I certainly will," Sellers said. "I was not trying to keep anything from anybody."
Highway Issues
Sellers told the council he had met with the Missouri Department of Transportation regarding a safety issue at the intersection of Highway 76 and Highway 59. Sellers said the design of the intersection makes it difficult for northbound traffic on Highway 59 turning west on Highway 76 and all traffic going from Highway 76 onto Highway 59.
Sellers said MoDOT suggested the possibility of a roundabout, but he said "NO" to that. Sellers also said that since MoDOT had no money for a traffic signal, the transportation department suggested moving the stop sign closer to Highway 76. He said that the intersection will then have some type of an "island" where the stop sign will be located.
But in order to move the stop sign closer, MoDOT said access from Roark Street to Highway 76 would need to be shut off. Ken Haynes, a resident on Roark Street, said his only concern would be property value. Sellers said he thought the closing would might actually increase the value.
"I have seen an incredible number of near misses there," Haynes said.
The council agreed to close Roark Street and will also look at rerouting Fourth Street to the south so that it will intersect with Highway 59 closer to a 90 degree angle.
Other Business
The council approved condemning two properties and for the structures to be demolished. The first is located at 314 Cedar Street. The owner has 30 days to respond. The second is at 115 Sellers Road. The council granted the owner 60 days to see about getting someone to demolish the structure before the city took control.
The council voted to switch the police department from overtime to comp time for extra hours worked.
Bills in the amount of $66,318.58 were approved for payment.
General News on 08/28/2014