New Park Hills Alderman takes oath at Tuesday meeting

PARK HILLS – Alderman Dennis Gordon was sworn in by City Clerk Carla Johnson during the Park Hills City Council meeting Tuesday. Gordon replaces Ward I Tracy McRaven, who resigned after a recent move outside her ward made her ineligible to continue to serve on the council.

“I’ve lived in Park Hills since 1967 on the same street,” said Gordon. “I retired from Missouri Natural Gas. I’ve been retired for three years now after 37 years there. I have thought about being on the council before. I will be on it until April if I decide to run, so it gives me a chance to see how it works. I’ve been on the planning and zoning commission two years now. This gives me chance to get my feet wet and take a shot at it if I want to.”   

The Park Hills City Council approved authorizations to pursue a transportation grant in relation to the Columbia Park/Sports Complex pedestrian and bicycle trail connector. The grant will authorize reimbursement for 80 percent, approximately $145,000, of the project if the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) awards funding.

The cost to the city for the trail will be approximately $40,000. According to city officials, the trail will make it more convenient for the public to travel between the parks during special events. The proposed trail will be located parallel to Sports Complex Road and Crocker Rd.

The council voted to authorize the city administrator and the chief of police to execute documents for a Safe Routes to School grant. MoDOT offers an application for funding of sidewalk construction in cities which form partnerships with schools to improve walking routes for younger students. The proposed improvements will be located along East and West Elvins Boulevard and Garrett Street between West Elementary and Elvins Park.

An ordinance amending yard sales regulations in the city was approved. The new ordinance will change the number of yard sales from two per year, to three per year per premises, if occupied by the same family or any member of the family.

An ordinance approving the plat of a subdivision survey of Roseners subdivision was approved. The plat will subdivide the parcel that currently contains the Rosener’s Restaurant and Motel.

The council approved a proposal for plant rotor repair at the wastewater treatment plant. The rotor is inoperable due to 30 years of wear. The “worst case scenario” proposal from sole source provider Vandevanter Engineering was $37,501.

The reinvestment of a certificate of deposit was approved. The general fund CD matured on October 6 following a 13 month renewal term. The CD had previously been invested for terms of 24 months or less to provide maximum opportunity for reinvestment as interest rates fluctuate, or to provide cash for the general fund if needed. The funds will be placed in a short term CD with Belgrade State Bank at rate of .9 percent per 13 month period.

A proposal from Neubrand and Associates LLC for external accounting services was approved. Changes in auditing rules and standards make it necessary for the City to employ an external accounting firm to provide year end adjustments and other reconciliations prior to the auditing firm beginning their work. The proposed rate of compensation is the same as the previous year.

Approval was given to the Downtown Park Hills association for use of the municipal parking lot adjacent to All Occasions Banquet Hall 5:30-6:30 p.m. October for the Trunk-N-Treat Event.

A time and date for a public hearing for zoning fee changes was set for November 13 at 7 p.m.

Pat Pratt is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010 ext. 172 or ppratt@dailyjournalonline.com