More buildings coming down
Sikeston City Council news
SIKESTON - The city will tear down another 10 structures found to be health and safety hazards.
Council members approved the resolution authorizing the demolitions during the regular City Council meeting Monday.
Sue Rogers, council member, voiced concerns about the owners being properly notified. It was decided that the demolitions will be subject to review by the city manager to ensure owners are notified.
The properties will remain on the fast track to demolition, however.
"Nobody has a right to have a health and safety hazard in the city of Sikeston," Councilman Mike Bohannon said.
City Manager Doug Friend said the staff does have documentation to back up the city's determination that the structures have "immediate health and safety issues."
Council members agreed if the owners are tracked down, they should also be sent a bill for the cost of demolition.
The 10 structures are located at: 413 Clayton, 221-223 W. Kathleen, 626 Lanning, 628 Lanning, 703 W. Malone, 606 Montgomery, 607 Montgomery, 215 Petty, 301 Prosperity and 115 Ruth.
In other business Monday:
* Council authorized the mayor to execute a scope of services contract with the state of Missouri for the city's participation in the DREAM Initiative program.
Included will be various review, analysis and planning activities to facilitate downtown revitalization at an estimated cost of $245,982, according to Linda Lowes, director of governmental services, with the city to pay 20 percent, or up to $49,196, over the course of three years.
Lowes said the contract will be signed by the mayor once some language changes recommended by Chuck Leible, city counselor, are negotiated with the state.
She also assured that the program is funded and that "the change in governor should have no affect on it."
"I think this will be a good program," Mayor Mike Marshall said, adding that it should prove to be a good example of investment in the city and the downtown area.
* Council members awarded the bid for two park division mowers to Aufdenberg Equipment as recommended by staff at a net price of $12,000 after trading in the division's old mowers.
Also bidding was Medlin Equipment.
Jiggs Moore, parks division director, said at only $2 apart, these were the closest bids he has ever seen.
Moore said $15,000 was budgeted for this purchase.
* Marian Jones was selected for an interim appointment to the Rental Ordinance Review Committee by council members.
With no applicants for the Board of Adjustments, council members will look for someone for an interim appointment to that board.
Lowes explained the appointments are needed because two appointees failed to take an oath of office for their positions.
Jones' appointment will be effective through October 2010 while the Board of Adjustments opening, which is for an alternate member, will run through October 2012.
Council members also appointed Freida Cardwell to a two-year term on the Scott County Extension Council to replace Darlene Leonard. Leonard has served two terms and is not eligible for another term.
Cardwell's term will run from March 3 through February 2010.
* A request to replat portions of Lots 2 and 3 in Block 5 and Lot 1 in Block 6 of Glenn and Clara Matthews East Acres 5th Addition in southeast Sikeston was approved by council members.
Leible said this replat will combine several lots into one big lot as requested by property owner James Busby.
Busby said he intends to dig a pond on the big lot and use the excavated dirt to build up an adjacent lot. The pond will be used to collect drainage water and will be stocked to serve as his private "fishing hole".
* Friend advised the Fiscal Year 2007 financial audit of the city has been received and is available for review by council members.