The city of Pineville is making great strides to beautify and improve the community.

A new tree advisory committee is focused on several tasks at hand to help more trees thrive in Pineville. Committee members wish to remove a sycamore in peril, located by the Pineville Community Center. They also hope to educate their neighbors about preserving small saplings through the winter, as well as host a free tree giveaway on the last Saturday of April.

Committee member Ann Crowder-Sanders, who also sits on the Pineville City Council, said the committee plans to contact area canoe and camping businesses which may have guests bringing in their own firewood. The firewood could bring in emerald ash borers, which are very destructive. The committee is gaining quite a bit of education with information provided by committee adviser John Skinner, a Missouri Department of Conservation agent, she said.

In related business, city council member Scott Dennis, who also sits on the Planning Committee, said members are wanting to line out certain projects for this year, allot budgeting and get started on the work. One of the main projects includes building a path around the Pineville ball field.

New welcome signs, helping promote the city at the entrances to Pineville, will be ready shortly, Dennis said. Signs denoting Purple Heart recipients will also be placed, he said.

A sign is also being created to place on the Chamber of Commerce building.

In council action, members voted -- on its first and only reading -- to approve Resolution 2018-1, which authorizes the city clerk to destroy certain records in accordance with applicable retention schedules.

The obsolete records to be destroyed will include: 2010 VFIS Insurance, 2012 United Health, 2009 MOPERM, 2010-2011 Beimdiek Insurance, 2012 Meter Reports, 2014 Bank Statements, 2009 and 2010 payroll, and 2015 Accounts Payable.

The resolution is part of a law, passed by the 76th General Assembly.

Council members also approved $61,168.44, which included $24,232.50 as part of the allotment for the water tower concrete pad.

The Pineville City Council also met on Friday morning, Dec. 29.

The meeting was originally scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 26, but was rescheduled for Dec. 29.

During the meeting, council members approved the 2018 budget and accepted the official annexation of 1298 Big Sugar Creek Road, which is the Pineville Bike Park.

A short public hearing was held regarding the annexation of 1298 Big Sugar Creek Road at the city council meeting on Dec. 19. No comments were made during that time.

Council members also approved $300,315.63 in bills, which included $238,007.14 for the first payment on the water tower.