Southwest City Approves Bike And Pedestrian Trail Plan

Southwest City's board of aldermen voted to approve the city's bike and pedestrian trail plan following a short presentation from the zoning and planning committee at the council meeting on Friday, Feb. 2.

The trail plan will serve as a framework for the construction of future trails, as budgets allow. City officials will begin pursuing grant funding for sidewalk improvement throughout the town as the first phase of trail construction.

Departmental Reports

Public works director Jackie Coatney submitted his two week's notice. His last day will be Friday, Feb. 16. The city will need a certified wastewater operator to run the wastewater plant in Coatney's absence.

Coatney reported normal operations for the street department. The water department installed a new meter loop on the south side of town. He also reported a prop for the wastewater treatment plant's aeration ditch was lost. Employees will need to lower the water level of the ditch, repair the prop and then refill it.

Police chief Bud Gow informed the council of an injury sustained by Officer Rick Lance on personal time. He will be unable to work until further notice, following scheduling of surgery.

The council voted to seek part-time coverage at $12 per hour for up to 40 hours per week until Lance is able to work again. The officer must be post certified.

Gow also spoke about renovating the police department. He said the building's north wall is riddled with mold and mildew.

Mayor David Blake agreed the department needs an overhaul, badly.

The council asked Gow and Blake to review the building and provide a scope of work to begin seeking bids.

The council voted to approve annual training for city clerk Missy Zinn.

Zinn gave a positive review of assistant city clerk Danielle Smith's first 30 days.

Community on 02/08/2018