The Willow Springs City Council took a moment during its October meeting Thursday evening to reflect on the impact of domestic violence on the community.
Kelli Neel, interim director of Christos House, and Amanda Wade, case manager for the domestic violence resource organization, presented information pertaining to Christos House’s mission and awareness of domestic violence. October is recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; accordingly, Mayor Brooke Fair signed a proclamation recognizing it as such in Willow Springs, and a photo was taken with the presenters and city council to commemorate the occasion.
Wendell Bailey was also in attendance, speaking as a guest to propose a possible city park on Turner Drive. He told the council that he visited with South Central Ozarks Council of Governments Director Trent Courtney and came to the understanding that once the houses were demolished and the ground level, the city will own the properties. Bailey said he also spoke to Terri Elmore at the YMCA regarding that facility’s needs including soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts and restroom facilities.
City Administrator Beverly Hicks added the city is in support of the YMCA as it works to meet those need and said she understood grant funding will become available through the Department of Economic Development (DED) to help facilitate parks and recreation facilities in areas acquired through flood buyout programs. She noted that steps need to be completed before the (DED) can give notice to proceed, and a solid plan must be prepared.
Fire Chief Vance Farmer gave the council a brief presentation of his department’s new pumper tanker truck, and Electric Supervisor Nick Tooley presented his department’s new bucket truck.
Under old business, updates were regarding the continued progress of restoring the McClellan building at 104 E. Main St., which was declared dangerous in December by the city council. Dean Aye with the Willow Springs Community Foundation told council members he had met with representatives from Rio Contracting and MTS Contracting, and a plan was outlined to build an interior wall to support each floor, disconnect the outside wall, and then replace the roof. Work on that project is expected to begin around Dec. 1, and be complete by the end of January.
Aye further outlined the plan to replace the exterior wall beginning in spring, with a reduction to the building’s entrance side so as to provide more support for the wall, similarly to how the Ferguson building was repaired. He expressed confidence the project can be done “well within” the foundation’s budget.
Hicks, bringing up new business for discussion, told council members that the city had solicited sealed bids for a five-year lease to mow the airport grounds for hay, which were opened Oct. 13. Two bids were received: $4,350 annually from current lessee Stoney Creek Ranch and $2,375 annually from Stolba Farms. Hicks recommended continuing leasing to Stoney Creek in part because it made the highest bid, but also because it is already familiar with Federal Aviation Administration regulations regarding hay mowing at the airport, having held the lease for the last five years. On a motion by Alderwoman Kim Rich, seconded by Alderman Tyler Morris, a resolution was unanimously adopted to renew the lease with Stoney Creek.
An ordinance to establish a Public Safety Advisory Committee was also unanimously approved, on a motion from Alderman Danny Bradley and seconded by Morris on first reading, and then a motion by Bradley, seconded by Alderman Phil Knott on second reading. Rich, who prepared and proposed the ordinance, explained she did not feel right for the committee to meet without an official ordinance establishing its existence, member duties and terms of office.
The first draft of the proposed 2024 budget was presented by Hicks, who noted that on first calculation, she was within $3,000 of balancing the budget. Areas of focus, she said, include continuing involvement with Missouri Public Utility Alliance with electric grid planning, and evaluating water and sewer rates. She explained continuous changes in regulations between the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agency are causing sewer expenses alone to increase by 31%. The last increase to water and sewer rates, she noted, was by 50 cents on the base rate and 14 cents for every addition 1,000 gallons yearly from 2017 to 2019.
Smoke testing of the sewer main will be conducted next year, as well as the replacement of the Sunshine Drive lift station, she added.
Council set a special budget work session to be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6 to discuss the draft budget in more detail.
Prior to adjourning, council members moved into closed session to discuss legal, real estate and personnel matters, with no action taken.
