Palmyra City Council approves boundaries for proposed Community Improvement District

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by Mark Cheffey

The Palmyra City Council last Thursday gave final approval for the boundaries of the proposed Community Improvement District involving downtown Palmyra and some of the surrounding area.

The unanimous vote was the next step in a process to provide property improvement and economic development for the designated territory.

In other business, the council voted to authorize the purchase of a sewer lift station for the next 36.4 acre portion to Greystone Haven Subdivision to be developed on the south side of the city.

Also okayed for purchase were two pet waste stations for placement downtown. 

The final CID boundaries are the product of meetings with affected property owners as well as city council discussion over the past several months.

The boundaries were needed before the proposed district can be put before voters within the  district in a future election.

If approved, it would open the way for funding mechanisms designed to help commercial property owners improve their buildings and assist in the start up of new businesses.

Council member, Brock Fahy, who has help lead efforts to establish a CID, said the final revisions involved excluding some residential property and including some commercial property.

“We want to include as much commercial property as we possibly can,” Fahy said.

There was some council discussion concerning the likelihood of the city recouping its financing of the legal paperwork involved for a CID.

Fahy said some of the revenue generated by the CID would be used to reimburse the city. However, he said, it will take some time for that to happen.

“It’s not going to take off like wildfire the first year,” Fahy said.

The city is working with Corey Mehaffy, of the Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council with the effort.

Following unanimous council action, the Board of Public Works will be purchasing $150,000 in materials and installation work for a sewer lift station for expansion of the Greystone Haven Substation south of Janet Trail.

In a related issue, the council heard the first reading of an ordinance rezoning 36.4 acres in the subdivision from C-1 Commercial to R-I Single and Two Family District.

Also approved for purchase by the BPW were 37 utility poles from Anixter at total cost of $15,052.

After some discussion, the council voted unanimously to approved the purchase of two pet waste stations for $560 for placement in the downtown business district.

The action came as a result of the council hearing complaints from some downtown business owners about pet waste on the sidewalks.

The council voted unanimously in favor of an amended  dog ordinance, which makes changes to how a dangerous dog is determined.

The council voted unanimously authorizing the mayor to execute a contract with D&A Timber for harvesting and purchasing timber in a portion of the Warren Head Business Park.

Mayor Rusty Adrian presented a proclamation to Mallory Sublette, a Palmyra High School student, honoring her for, among other things, her efforts in promoting Wellness 360, a social impact initiative she developed and spreading the word about since 2017.

The council continued to table any action concerning repair of the council chamber roof until Austin Dornburger, street commissioner, can determine if city employees would be able to remove a chimney.

The council also heard the first reading of an ordinances amending an existing ordinance to correct a typo referring incorrectly to the city’s adoption of “International Electrical Codes” when it should say “National Electric Codes.”

Fahy urged the council to meet with Paul Frankenbach, the city’s emergency management director, about developing a comprehensive emergency plan for the city.

The council also visited with a resident, Kendra Jobe, concerning a home marked uninhabitable.