CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 12, 2010 (UTVs and Golf Carts, Drumm Roadside Park, Leeper)

City Takes Up Discussion on Golf carts, UTVs on City Streets
Constitution-Tribune, July 14, 2010

City Attorney Adam Warren opened discussion on Monday at the City Council meeting for an ordinance allowing UTVs and golf carts on city streets with a permit. Warren stated that during this last session, legislation was passed by the state allowing cities to adopt such ordinances. Discussion was held about safety rules the city could enforce such as seat belts, hours of operation and the number of passengers. The discussion was tabled Monday night allowing councilmen to look over the options on regulations for utility terrain vehicles and golf carts. The council will revisit the topic in two weeks at the next council meeting.

In other business, an ordinance passed by a 5-0 vote by council members accepted an addendum to the lease agreement between the City and Wabash Barbecue LLC. The addendum states that Wabash's option to purchase the city-owned building shall be subject to the condition that the entire obligations be paid. Warren stated Monday night that the addendum would protect the city by not allowing Wabash to exercise their purchase option until all their debt to the city is paid.

Mayor Chuck Haney presided over Monday night's meeting with all council members present. In other business, council members:

• Approved an ordinance waiving all applications and license fees for vendors participating in a not-for-profit sponsored even within the City of Chillicothe;
• Approved an ordinance of the City of Chillicothe granting a temporary construction easement to the Livingston County Commission for the building of a bridge;
• Approved the payment of invoices, $640,090.56 and payroll, $151,314.84.

City Takes Up Drumm Signs Matter
Constitution-Tribune, July 13, 2010

Beginning Monday, July 12, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission officially ceased its obligation to maintain the Manuel Drumm Roadside Park located east of Chillicothe.

The Chillicothe City Council along with MHTC terminated the 99-year lease last night during the council's regular meeting at City Hall. Although the park was not within city limits, it is on city property, adjacent to the municipal airport. The city declined interest in taking over the park due to increased expense and liability. Airport Manager Bill Kieffer will take over maintenance for the area. The signs however, will be distributed.

The Manuel Drumm tribute marker, dedicated in 1958 in memory of Drumm, a long-time president of the Chillicothe Park and Airport Board, will be relocated to Simpson Park.

The historical marker will remain in the area, relocating to the airport. City Administrator Dean Brookshier stated this morning that the main factor behind leaving the sign in the area was the wording on the sign and the distance it is from where the final spike was driven in the track of the first railroad across Missouri.

For photos and more information, visit the Livingston County Missouri website...

Marker Moved
C-T Photo/Laura Schuler
Constitution-Tribune, Aug 06, 2010

Jeff Gillespie (left) and Bill Boley (right) of the city street department, secure the foundation of the Manuel Drumm tribute marker with compactible fill yesterday afternoon in Simpson Park. The street department workers removed the marker from its previous location at the state highway roadside park east of town after dismantling the base and bringing it to the park by trailer. The marker, which is estimated to weigh 3,000 pounds, was dedicated in 1958 in memory of Drumm, a long-time president of the Chillicothe Park and Airport Board of the Park Board. The roadside park was recently dismantled by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

City Owns Leeper
Aging building signed over; Main Street to find inspector
Constitution-Tribune, July 09, 2010

The City of Chillicothe is now the owner of the old Leeper Hotel. Council members had given prior permission nearly two months ago to City Attorney Adam Warren to pursue legal options to enable city representatives to get inside and conduct a structural inspection of the old vacant building in downtown Chillicothe.

Warren had been in correspondence with the building's owner, who just recently signed the old hotel over to the City of Chillicothe, and as of today, the Leeper is property of the City.

City Administrator Dean Brookshier said this morning (Friday) that the next step is having a structural engineer come in to evaluate the building. "The city's number one priority is safety," said Brookshier.

Main Street Chillicothe representatives went before the council in June stating that the organization could put $2,000 toward the cost of a structural engineer, in hopes of preserving the building as a part of Chillicothe’s history.

Main Street now has four proposals from varied firms for the inspection of the building. Main Street has also requested from those submitting proposals additional information including examples of projects they have completed on this scope.