Council discusses Main Street
City employees and members of the Park Hills City Council moved efficiently through a rather brief agenda during Tuesday night’s work session.
City Administrator Matt Whitwell started things off with a request from Central High School softball coach Bryan Wallen regarding a fundraiser for his team, which was approved by the council.
Wallen, who wasn’t able to attend the meeting, requested permission to use the city streets on May 6 for a 5K “fun run” to raise money for the varsity softball team.
“I’ve spoken with the police department,” Whitwell said, “and they said that they’d have additional patrols and officers (to ensure the safety of the participants.)”
In action items, the council approved an updated agreement with the St. Francois County Collector for the collection of taxes. Whitwell said the agreement allows for an additional half-percent — from two percent to two and a half percent — in the collection of delinquent taxes.
Next, the council discussed bids for the project to widen a one block section of Main Street between Mitchell Street and Flat River Drive that will create a two-way turning lane allowing drivers to make an unencumbered left turn into either the pawn shop complex or into the Park Hills River Mart. Whitwell pointed out that the bids received were higher than expected and recommended that the council reject them.
“We’d request the council go ahead and reject these bids,” he said, “and we will have the city public works crews begin working on this widening project right away. Therefore, they can have it completed in time for the East Main repaving project to start in approximately mid-April.”
Council members agreed with Whitwell’s recommendation and voted to reject the bids. By doing so, Whitwell said it will save the city about $12,000 to $15,000 by having city workers complete the project, keeping it under the original $27,000 budgeted for the modification.
“The real cost here is in the concrete work,” he said, “because there is a storm sewer structure on the north side of Main Street just east of Mitchell Street that needs some considerable work in order to move it back about three feet.”
In other action items, the council approved a new appointment to the city’s planning and zoning commission and approved the authorization to advertise for bids on the Fairgrounds Drive extension project.
In his administrator’s report, Whitwell summarized the numerous activities of the various city departments, including the installation of new playground sets at Columbia Park, design for the lighting features at Haney Park and the addition of a memorial bench for Kelly Valle in a city park.
Council members also agreed to a green color for the new tennis courts at Haney Park and to add a memorial bench for late council member Larry Kelly at the park as well.
Prior to adjourning, Mayor David Easter reported on new housing construction and new businesses coming into the city.
“Recently a question was posed regarding the number of new homes being constructed in the city,” he said. “The question alluded to the supposed fact that no new houses were being constructed within the city, when in fact, at this time, in the month of March there are four underway. In addition, there were two rehab/remodels under permit. Opinions have also been that there are no new businesses moving into the downtown area. At this time, processes for two restaurants are ongoing in the downtown area and a third to be located in the old BP location. In the past two years, we have welcomed Café Redux, Dixie’s, Hungry Bellies and Canton Gardens.”
City Administrator Matt Whitwell gives members of the Park Hills City Council an update on various city departments during a work session on Tuesday night.
Members of the Park Hills City Council listen to a proposal to reject bids for a street-widening project from City Administrator Matt Whitwell during a work session.
Amy Patterson is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3616 or apatterson@dailyjournalonline.com.
