Council awards street resurfacing projects

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by Mark Cheffey

During its regular meeting last Thursday, the Palmyra City Council awarded the bid for asphalt street overlay projects and approved the park board’s bid for converting the Flower City Park tennis courts into pickleball courts.

The council approved awarding the bid for completing planned asphalt overlay projects to Emery Sapp & Sons at a cost of $193,350. 

Austin Dornberger, street commissioner said the full price tag was lowered from $222,850 to reflect a recent decision by Palmyra Parks & Recreation Board to not go through with planned overlays in Flower City Park.

The list includes:

• the 100 to 200 blocks of West Jefferson St.;

• the 100 block of W. Hamilton St.;

• Thompson St. from Main St. to W. Line St.;

• Marion City Rd. from Warren Dr. to the Marion County Jail;

• Warren Dr. from U.S. 61 to Industrial Dr.; and

• East St. north of Water St.

As recommended by the Palmyra Parks and Recreation Board, the council unanimously approved awarding a bid for converting the Flower City Park tennis courts to pickle ball courts to Gerald Perry Tennis Company, of Springfield, Mo., at a cost of $41,250.

The project, which will result in the installation of six pickle ball courts, is expected to be completed by the fall.

By ordinance, the council must give approval to large expenditures sought by city departments.

The council also voted unanimously in favor of a special corrective warranty deed related to the past sale of property in the Palmyra Industrial Park to Jeff and Ann Wilson, who own and operate Wilco Fast Break.

James Lemon, city attorney, explained to the council the original deed had mistakes that needed corrected, including one that left the ground where the city water tower is in the ownership of the Wilson’s LLC.

The council tabled action on an ordinance eliminating references to the fire department’s duties now that it is it’s own entity, separate from the city.

The ordinance assigns the duties to other city personnel, but it was referred back to committee for more work.

Brent Abell, BPW superintendent reported on the recent use by the BPW of the city’s Code Red alert system in asking businesses and residents to conserve electricity in order to lower  the city’s peak usage level.

He said an earlier alert resulted in a savings of a megawatt and half of electrical usage citywide.

“So, it can make a difference on our rates,” Abell said.

He also reported the Marion County Water District finally signed a contract which allows the BPW to continue selling water to the district.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he said.

Police Chief Eddie Bogue reported his department has and will continue taking training for active shooter situations, now has new body cameras and has been planning security for the upcoming Marion County Fair.

The council discussed the need for refurbishing the downtown mural.

Mayor Rusty Adrian said the  mural was painted by Palmyra High School students and was put up by the city, and that it should be the city’s obligation to have it refurbished at city expense.

He said he had discussed it with the high school art teacher, who indicated redoing the mural would require some extensive planning.

Council member Brock Fahy, who chairs the Personnel Committee, said interviews of building inspector/code enforcer candidates was to begin soon.

“Hopefully, we’ll get that position filled,” he said. “They will be busy the rest of the year, I assure you that.”

Council member Andrew Salsman reported on a recent meeting of the Building Commission, which continued discussion about a need to work with some downtown building owners about fixing structural problems.

The council continued discussion about plans to upgrade electrical wiring and connection for use during Taste of Palmyra in October.

Abell said a suggestion to consider using coal shoots to access downtown buildings for electrical hookups was worth looking into.

The council again took up the topic of selecting a new city logo, but tabled action and asked for more samples from which to choose.