Southwest City Council approves Christmas block party

Jamie Kitlen is a second-grade teacher at Southwest City Elementary School. Kitlen said she loves her job, but she hates seeing how many children are excluded from activities due to insufficient funds. This bitter truth inspired her to approach Southwest City's city council last week to seek approval of a Christmas Block Party downtown.

"You've got a great idea," said Alderman Steve Reece. "Run with it."

The festivities will begin at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, on the east lawn of the Anne Croxdale Memorial Library, and end at 9 p.m.

Kitlen would like to project a Christmas movie onto the side of the library's accessory building for families to enjoy. She said the Corner Cafe has agreed to stay open late for shoppers and host pictures with Santa for the kids. Food trucks will also be parked at the library, offering fresh food and warm drinks.

Kitlen proposed horse-drawn carriage rides as well. She said "Shire for Hire" from Brighton provides rides for two and a half hours at a cost of $728. She asked if she should charge guests for rides or if the city would be interested in sponsoring the cost.

"If it's free, not everyone will get a turn to ride," said Alderman Tammie Martin. She suggested charging a fee, but a small one.

Martin also recommended the city donate a certain amount toward the cost rather than sponsor the whole activity.

After discussion, the council voted to waive vendor license fees for Dec. 9 to attract additional vendors.

Council members then spoke about the ongoing grant applications -- one regarding a pedestrian bridge over Honey Creek and another regarding a nature trail in town.

Engineer drafts of the proposed pedestrian bridge estimate a cost of $500,000.

Blake expressed interest in having a bridge constructed by a local business instead of purchasing from a distant manufacturer.

Nikki Hill with the Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council confirmed the city is still qualified for the grant money as long as the specs are drawn by a qualified individual, but the applications are due Dec. 4.

The council ultimately asked Hill to put the pedestrian bridge application on hold until another year

Departmental Reports

Mayor David Blake spoke about a meeting earlier this month where local mayors met to discuss economic development. Speakers suggested meeting with business owners and loyal donors in town to find out what steps municipal governments can take to create a more mutually beneficial relationship.

Blake emphasized the importance of discovering what the city can do to continue giving back to the community as well as the local economy.

He also spoke about the possibility of grants to fund improvement and expansion of industries currently operating in Southwest City, as well as industries that may operate there in the future.

Council members agreed they would like to see grants secured to help fund the restoration of historic buildings on Main Street, as well as grants to help fund the rejuvenation of the local economy.

Blake suggested collaborating with government programs to waive property taxes on new businesses for an unspecified number of years in hopes of attracting new industry.

Two residents in attendance, Jamie and Rance Kitlen, said they were excited to hear of the council's support of new business, as they know of more than one business interested in moving into Southwest City.

Alderman Ray Cooper spoke on behalf of the fire department, because he serves on the department. Cooper said it was discovered during a recent demonstration that the city's hydraulic rescue tool (commonly referred to as the "Jaws of Life") does not have enough pressure to cut through the material with which newer-model vehicles are made. He said the tool has a lifetime warranty, so it was taken to the manufacturer, who estimated a cost of $1,100 for a new hose and attachments for the rescue tool that will increase the pressure exerted.

While the council discussed funding, Nikki Hill with the Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council noted the police department recently received a $500 grant from MoDOT for rescue gear. The department used the money to purchase a radar gun and additional trauma bags for patrol units. Hill said that the fire department could apply for the same grant money next year.

City clerk Missy Zinn relayed the public works department report. She said the street department cleaned up a property where a tree was downed and installed a stop sign at the intersection of Chickasaw and Thacker. Department employees are now working to hang Christmas lights throughout town. She also noted the UV system at the wastewater treatment plant has been shut down for the season.

Blake, who works in construction, asked about a lean-to at the treatment plant that the council previously approved to be built. He said the current structure is not sound and needs to be rebuilt. It is currently vacant but will house the city's backhoe and dump truck in the future.

The council also spoke about the condition of the city pound. Alderman Martin suggested a log to track how often and when individual cages are cleaned.

Bud Gow, police chief, reported a profit of $100 from the patrol car bash at Trunk or Treat.

Clerk Zinn reported speaking with surrounding cities about their possible interest in having city tax collection completed by the county and splitting the cost of the system update fee. She said Anderson and Goodman would both be interested if Southwest City chooses to do so.

Zinn asked permission from the council to arrange a Christmas tree display near the flagpole at Blankenship Park, using decorations city employees recovered from storage. She suggested involving school groups in the decoration and inviting them to host corresponding activities. The biggest expense would be a Christmas tree unless it was locally harvested or donated.

The council approved Zinn's display.

Zinn noted the bids for construction of a basketball court are due Monday, Nov. 27, and will be opened at the next meeting. One bid has been submitted so far.

The city received a reimbursement check from FEMA in the amount of $3,378.83. This income covers 75 percent of costs to repair the damage the senior center sustained during flooding in April.

Zinn presented the council with policy #1701, regarding records destruction. She said the city currently has records dating back to 2000 but no policy outlining the destruction process. Municipal records older than seven years can be destroyed, so long as they are inventoried and their destruction is signed and approved by the council.

The council voted to implement the policy to annually dispose of obsolete documents.

Zinn presented council members with the city's current budget for review and proposal of adjustments for 2018.

Community on 11/23/2017