City Making Progress On Big Projects
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
By MARK EVANS
STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD
Things are moving forward, both with the city of Ste. Genevieve’s projected subdivision in the Progress Parkway area and with plans to remodel the city hall building.
During last Thursday night’s board of aldermen meeting, the board passed an ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to obtain formal proposals from developers for developing a subdivision.
The board also passed a resolution of the city to establish its intent to expand Basler Drive from its current termination, to Progress Parkway, a key component of the planned subdivision. Originally part of the consent agenda, it was taken out and voted on as a separate item.
Meanwhile, an ordinance to enter into an agreement with Donze Construction, Inc., for the city hall remodel project for $349,541 also passed on first and second readings.
There was no discussion during the voting, other than on the Basler Drive resolution.
Ward 4 Alderman Mike Raney moved to pass the consent agenda, with the exception of that item.
“It seems like we’ll have more conversation about that later in this meeting,” he said, “and I don’t understand. I’m just unclear on why we would have that, prior to that discussion.”
Ward 2 Alderman Bob Donovan also had an issue with a consent agenda item that would authorize the purchase of $13,925 worth of office furniture for the remodeled boardroom.
“I had some questions about that, also,” he said, requesting it be removed from the consent agenda, as well.
“I’m not objecting to this purchase,” Donovan said. “I’m just concerned that we’re talking about $14,000, here for board room equipment and stuff.”
He asked City Administrator Happy Welch whether any of them had been tried out, or whether they were just being selected based on photographs.
Welch said the seller brought demonstration examples of the chairs and that the staff was able to test them out.
“I took a tour of all the furniture they had,” Welch said. “These seemed like the least expensive they had at the time. They were $450 prices. You can tell prices jumped up, unfortunately. They brought one down and everybody had a chance to try it and everybody seemed to be very happy with the way it felt.”
Welch estimates the construction work at city hall to be going on from August until February, with the new furniture arriving after its completion.
Notes
• The board also approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Jokerst, Inc., for the water main improvement project, for $342,605.
• The board approved special use permits for Jayne and Dustin Martin to have guest lodging at 495 Jefferson Street and for the Ste. Genevieve Knights of Columbus Council 1037 to place an internally illuminated sign in front of their hall on Market Street, on second reading.
• An ordinance authorizing an agreement with Vern Bauman Contracting for $35,240 for removal of an old water tank on Blaine Street was approved on second reading.
• An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Bales Concrete for the individual owner concrete sidewalk replacement agreement at $62.83 per linear foot passed on second reading.
• Welch reported that the project to eliminate N. Fourth Street water ponding is getting closer to completion. Bids will soon go out, meanwhile, on the sidewalk/stormwater system next to Fourth Street.
• Fire Chief Kenny Steiger reported that the 18-year-old female recruit he had previously mentioned had passed her exams and would be used to help promote recruitment.
• Steiger announced that radios had been ordered, from a successful $43,00 grant and that he is working on a ARP grant of up to $20,000 grant (with 50% match).
• Assistant City Manager David Bova reported that an exterior painting workshop would be held Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, with the historic preservation grant obtained by the Heritage Commission.