Fayette city council members expressed lackluster confidence with the Howard County Economic Development Council at their regular meeting Tuesday. They also reviewed bids for renovation of downtown sidewalks and noted several positive projects “moving forward.”

Less support for county-wide economic development

Council members approved only $5,000 towards the Howard County Economic Development Council for fiscal year 2010 rather than the $20,000 previously paid in 2008 and 2009 fiscal years. Council members expressed a desire to pursue economic development as a city rather than with other county entities.

Council member Jan Addison was the most vocal, but other council members joined her in expressing disappointment with the efforts of the Howard County economic developer, JoAnn Sumner.

“If we give $5,000 or $12,000 or $20,000, we won’t get any more from this person. It’s a waste of money,” Addison said.

Mayor Joe Bex said, “It’s rare to get an audience with her [Sumner] for our city economic committee.”

Bex mentioned the DREAM project as one way the city could pursue its own economic development goals.

(DREAM stands for Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri. The program provides technical and financial assistance to communities to accomplish downtown revitalization plans.)

He has asked representatives from other cities awarded DREAM funds to come and speak to the council.

The HCEDC currently has 19 members with most investing $1,000 to $5,000. Now that the city of Fayette has reduced its contribution, it no longer is the top investor. Howard Electric Cooperative now holds that unofficial title contributing $12,000 to HCEDC. The second highest investor is Central Methodist University which has contributed $10,000 annually. (See inset for other members’ contributions to HCEDC.)

Downtown sidewalk renovation low bid is $94,095

Eight bids for the Missouri Department of Transportation-funded project for the downtown enhancement project were received on Monday and reviewed by the council at their meeting Tuesday. Concrete Engineering of Jefferson City is the apparent low bidder with its bid of $94,095. But before the city can select a contractor, MoDOT must review and approve all bids.

The downtown enhancement project will reconstruct sidewalks in the following areas:

• Both east and west sides of Church Street from Morrison to Walnut Streets.

• South side of West Morrison from South Linn Avenue to South Church Street.

• South side of East Morrison from South Main to South Mulberry Streets.

• The four corners of the courthouse square will be made handicapped-accessible.

• Section in front of Merchants and Farmers Bank along East Morrison Street.

Mulberry Street project

“I think we’ll call it ‘Lucky Street,’” Kyle Pociask of MECO Engineering commented wryly about the Mulberry Street upgrade work at the council’s meeting.

He was referring, tongue-in-cheek, to the changes made to the project after work was under way.

A second revision was needed to accommodate unexpected soft soil discovered at the entrance to the Philips Recreation Center on the CMU campus.

To correct the problem, the contractor will apply a layer of concrete above the soft soil and then construct a new curb above the layered concrete and compacted soil.

Two items were removed from the job order to keep the project within budget: the adjustment of a water valve (completed by city crews) and landscaping after the construction is complete (to be completed by CMU staff).  With these two items removed and one added (the concrete layer), the resulting change in the overall cost will add $305 to the $114,417 project.

RV park proposed

As a board member of the Central Missouri Community Action, Susan Keyton proposed development of a recreational vehicle park at D.C. Rogers Lake as a way to attract visitors to the area thereby increasing economic activity. She asked for, and received, the council’s backing on the proposal.

The next step will be to pursue grant funds to establish an RV park.

Veolia taken to task...again

Mayor Bex commented, “I’m tired of changes in Veolia’s recycling policy.” He referred to Veolia’s new recycling policy put in place about three weeks ago. Without notice, residential customers  were given a 15-gallon plastic tub with written instructions on what would and would not be accepted.

The recycling program is “more complicated,” Bex told the Democrat-Leader Wednesday. He invites constituent feedback about Veolia service--specifically, whether customers would be willing to pay more for better trash service.

Bex added at the meeting, “Our recycling has not been picked up in two weeks.”

Council member Kenny O’Brian suggested the city re-bid the trash service.
Many projects ‘moving forward’

After attending a planning and zoning commission meeting, council member Megan Hess relayed “how impressed” one new member of the P&Z was by the number of projects moving forward in the city.

Hess listed several projects that the city was conducting that improved quality of life in the city:

• New sidewalks to be constructed downtown.

• Upgrade of Mulberry Street.

• New wastewater treatment facility.

• Receiving $890,000 grant from USDA to fund upgrades of the city’s water system.

Insurance renewed

Council members renewed property, auto, liability and terrorism insurance with Missouri Rural Services Corporation at an annual premium of $123,700, a decrease of $21,100 from last year.

In other business, the council:

• Waived sewer fees for Penny Westhues at 603-½ W. Davis, Apt. 2 for Aug. 31 billing cycle.