Council accepts bid for street overlay

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by Mark Cheffey

The Palmyra City Council accepted a bid for street resurfacing and approved a lease agreement for the fairgrounds with the Palmyra Chamber of Commerce, during last Thursday’s regular meeting.

By a unanimous vote, the council accepted the bid from Emery, Sapp & Sons for street overlay work costing $186,817.50.

To be resurfaced are portions of Marion City Road, Warren Lane, Thompson Ave., Daren Drive, Industrial Drive, Ashland, Prosperity Lane, Lafayette Street, West Jefferson Street, West Hamilton and East Main Cross, as well as Memorial Drive in Flower City Park.

The council voted 4-2 in favor of finalizing a fairgrounds lease agreement with the Palmyra Chamber of Commerce.

The agreement, which begins this year on July 31 and ends Aug. 7, lays out maintenance and cleanup policies for both the city and Chamber. 

The Chamber will be leasing the grounds at a cost of $2,000 with $250 to be paid prior to the fair.

City Attorney James Lemons, who drafted the lease, recommended approving it now even though separate leases are still to be drafted and agreed upon for the junior fair and concession stands.

Lemons said those agreements will have to be worked on for next year’s fair.

Voting against the fairgrounds lease with the Chamber were third ward council members Pam Behring and Earl Meyers.

Lemons also noted he now has the necessary information for a proposed agreement between the city and the Palmyra Cemetery Endowment and Improvement Association.

The two groups have been working for sometime to come to an agreement concerning city assistance with tree maintenance and snow removal for all of the cemetery property.

“It sounds like we’re on the right path,” said Mayor Rusty Adrian, referring to the length and complications connected with the negotiations.

BPW Superintendent Brent Abell reported the Missouri Public Utility Alliance, of which Palmyra is a member, was able to obtain a zero-percent loan to help members absorb the cost of higher electric power bills resulting from February’s polar vortex.

Police Chief Eddie Bogue reported his department will be looking to hire a patrol officer to fill a spot vacated by one who quit.

Council member Brock Fahy asked the council to think seriously about joining a downtown revitalization program that has been discussed over several past meetings.

The topic was placed on the July 19 council agenda for discussion and possible action.

City Attorney Lemons reported that court costs will actually go down by $3 for municipal cases due to a recent Missouri Supreme Court decision in which it was ruled municipalities no longer need to collect the $3 court costs and transfer the funds to the Missouri Sheriff’s Retirement Fund.

Council member Ellen Goodwin reported on a recent Finance Committee meeting during which members discussed requesting additional funds on the city’s line of credit to assist with paying for upcoming projects until the approved grant and FEMA funding arrive.

Chuck Anderson, the city’s building inspector and code enforcer, reported he has been performing rental inspections.

The council voted to move the first council meeting in August from Aug. 5 to Aug. 12 due to the Marion County Fair.

The second meeting will still be held on the regular evening, Aug. 19.