Aldermen Give Approval To $415,956 Project For Water Main Improvement On Cedar, Biltmore
By ERIC VICCARO
STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD
Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a capital improvement project at its regularly scheduled meeting last Thursday.
CE Contracting of Ste. Genevieve was the bid winner for a water main improvement project set for Cedar Lane and Biltmore Street.
The cost of the project is $414,956. It was reported during the meeting the duration of construction will be 90 days.
City officials also approved a bid proposal from Marzuco Electric, Inc. of Ste. Genevieve for LED lights, fixtures and installation at the Ste. Genevieve Fire House.
The cost is for $8,421.25, and needed an amendment to the capital improvements fund budget.
Originally only the first readings were expected to occur on both of these matters. However, there was a consensus from the aldermen to expedite the process, and approve the second reading on both.
Lighting in the fire station had become sub-standard, with sulfur bulbs requiring up to 20 minutes to turn on, Ste. Genevieve city administrator Happy Welch noted.
ZIELINSKI SPEAKS FOR RV PARK
Stephen “Iggy” Zielinski, owner of Iggy’s Pop Shop on Merchant Street, represented the Downtown Ste. Genevieve group while speaking to the aldermen Thursday.
Zielinski updated city leaders on programs such as Moonlight Madness, which took place last Friday. He also gave support for the potential RV park on South Main Street.
More than 20 signatures of support were gathered and presented.
Later during the meeting, aldermen approved an amended ordinance regarding zoning regulations. The newly accepted provision would allow RV parks in areas zoned as I-1 (industrial).
This basically paves the way for a probable approval of the RV park, to be located across from Audubon Bar & Grill, at the next board of aldermen meeting set for Aug. 13.
In a related matter, there was a short three-minute public hearing to consider a request from city residents Jayne and Dustin Martin for a special use permit that will allow for guest lodging at 288 S. Main Street.
The Ste. Genevieve Planning and Zoning Commission at its July 2 meeting gave its approval, said community development director David Bova. However, there’s still a second reading required for the ordinance to pass.
The property is in a R-2 zone (general residential). An adjoining property at 296 S. Main Street, also owned by the Martins, already operates as guest lodging.
This marks another sign of the growing popularity of AirBNB’s in the city, in addition to tradition bed-and-breakfast operations.
WATER WELL PART OF WELCH’S REPORT
• Welch reported the city needed to make an emergency purchase totaling $7,108 because a water well malfunctioned two weeks ago. There was no impact to the water supply. A new pump was installed on July 13.
• The city may be changing the way it handles water billing in the near future, examining a shift from postcards to letter-size bills and outsourcing both printing and mailing. This matter will be discussed at a work session within the next two months.
• Welch said yearly performance reviews are underway for department heads.
• Ten-year capital plan reviews will be finished this week, which should help with future budgets. However, capital requests will still outpace revenue, Welch explained in his report.
MEETING NOTES
• Aldermen unanimously approved Ordinance No. 4296, which authorizes mayor Paul Hassler to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Ste. Genevieve County to provide COVID-19 funding under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security [CARES] Act.
Funding helped with expenses due to construction of the new lobby at Ste. Genevieve City Hall plus additional personal protective equipment and additional hand sanitizer.
• Hassler appointed Gary Smith, from Ward 1, and Jeff Eydmann of Ward 3, as Joint Levee Commission members.
