The city of Chillicothe honored James “Bubba” Maxwell (second from left) and Michael K. Lent (third from left) during the City Council meeting Monday night in recognition for their acts of bravery during an armed robbery last month at a convenience store. Chillicothe Police Chief Rick Knouse (left), presented the two with plaques. Also, present for the award ceremony were Police Lt. Tony Kirkendoll, CPD Office Manager Cindy Hanavan, and CPD Assistant Chief Rick Sampsel.

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

It was standing room only when the Chillicothe City Council began its meeting with friends and family members in attendance as two young men were applauded for their acts of bravery when an armed robbery occurred at a local convenience store last month. Chillicothe Police Chief Rick Knouse presented awards of merit to Michael K. Lent and James “Bubba” Maxwell for their unselfish acts of bravery which helped bring about the quick apprehension of the suspects who committed the crime at Hy-Vee Gas on March 15. If not for information provided by the men to local law enforcement, the suspects might still remain at large, Knouse said. The two had chased the suspects from Hy-Vee Gas to a vehicle located a couple of blocks away. Lent and Maxwell were being shot at as they chased the suspects.

City Moves Ahead on Tennis Court Project
Published: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 C-T

Chillicothe City Council on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance to spend up to $57,000 in a partnership project to build two new tennis courts at Danner Park. While this is the lion's share of the project cost, some financial variables were uncertain as of Monday night's meeting and deadlines for the contractor's bid and donation funds are nearing. The low bid received to construct two new courts at Danner Park was $128,863, which was considerably more than the $90,000 originally anticipated. On top of the bid amount, there would have been $10,000 needed for landscaping, fencing and a sidewalk.

However, some adjustments were made to the proposal (using crushed rock as a sidewalk and a different type of fencing) and presented to the council. So now, rather than the total project cost being $138,863, the projected cost is $130,163. The city has firm commitments of $13,000 from local foundations, $10,000 from a private citizen (only if the courts are completed and playable by Aug. 1, 2008), and $20,000 to be paid by the school district if grant funding doesn't come through which would pay for 20 percent of the overall cost. The school expects to hear the outcome of its grant application later this month. The Chillicothe R-2 School Board will consider increasing their pledged amount of $20,000 to 20 percent of the project cost when they meet for their regular meeting tonight. In order for the project to go through, though, additional funds will need to be secured since the city set its cap at $57,000.

To complicate matters during a lengthy discussion Monday night, the council was asked to consider repairing the courts at Chillicothe Country Club. Individuals representing the country club suggested that reconstructing the courts at the country club would be considerably less than the overall cost of constructing new tennis courts at Danner Park. It was earlier stated that the area of these courts had poor drainage and that drainage issues would continue to cause problems for the courts even if they were reconstructed. However, it was mentioned Monday night that the courts currently at the country club were built with too low of a grade which caused water issues.

Money from the capital improvements fund could be used to build tennis courts at Danner Park, questions were raised whether that money could be used on private property. The country club had proposed offering a long-term lease to the city. Country club representatives said they would meet with the rest of their board to get feedback on a proposal to deed the property to the city. Country Club president Paul Ealey said it was cost prohibitive for the country club members to contribute funds to repair their courts.

City Picks Warren to Complete Term of Elected Attorney
Published: Tuesday, April 15, 2008, C-T

The Chillicothe attorney who lost his bid a year ago to become the elected city attorney by just two votes was hired Monday night as the city's attorney. Adam Warren sought the office last spring running against incumbent attorney Scott Washburn. Washburn, however, resigned in December after being accused of taking funds from estates which he represented in his private practice. He has since lost his license to practice law in Missouri. Since Washburn's resignation, Robert Cowherd of the Chapman, Cowherd and Turner law firm, has been contracted by the city to handle general counsel duties at an hourly rate and Livingston County Prosecutor Michael Koenig has been handling the prosecutorial duties of the city attorney.

Warren's appointment as city attorney becomes effective next Tuesday, April 22. At that time, the resignation of Koenig becomes effective. Warren will also assume the general counsel responsibilities while the city will retain its contract with the Chapman, Cowherd and Turner firm to use the firm as needed. The lawyer-client fee agreement, which the council approved on Monday, states, in part, that Warren will be paid $35,000 annually in equal monthly installments plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Warren, attending Chillicothe's City Council meeting Monday night, said he wants to serve as the city attorney and intends to seek the elected office next spring.

Council members addressed a number of issues during their regular semimonthly meeting in the council chambers at City Hall. The council moved forward on plans to build two new tennis courts (see related story), recognized two Chillicothe men for acts of bravery (see related story), approved a bid for the 2008 street overlay program, paid tribute to a man who served on the golf board, expanded the duties of the city administrator, and established season pass prices for the aquatic center. The council approved the lowest of two bids submitted for the street overlay program. Council members awarded the contract to APAC Missouri, Inc., for $217,912.25 for this year's project, which was slightly more than the engineer's estimate of $214,137.16.

The council also presented a plaque of appreciation to the family of Dale McKee, who had served on the Golf Board for eight years until his death recently. The presentation was made to his wife, Maridona, his daughter, Becky, and son, David. Comments were made by board chairman Charles Meek, Green Hills Golf Course manager Joe Gilliland and course superintendent Gerry Gabel.

During Monday's meeting, council members set rates for the aquatic center. The cost for daily admission will remain the same as last year, but the price for season passes, 15-visit passes and swim lessons will increase. Family passes will increase from $130 to $140; individual passes will increase from $35 to $37.50; and swim lessons will increase from $30 to $35. Crawford said that the pool generates about $28,000 annually through the various passes offered. In making his recommendation to the council, parks director Ed Crawford said that the costs fro pool operation are increasing. "Costs continue to climb faster than revenues and we need to adjust the playing field to continue to keep the Chillicothe Family Aquatic Center a viable enterprise," Crawford said. The aquatic center's last two price increases were in 2003 and 2006. "It is necessary to adjust rates again," he said. "We absorbed a large minimum wage increase in 2007 and are facing another one this summer as well as chemical hikes."

Mayor Chuck Haney presided over Monday night's meeting with the full council in attendance. In other business, the council:

• Confirmed the re-appointment of Jody Case to the board of Adjustments;
• Approved the request for street closings for the Mrs. Missouri Parade at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. The parade, expected to last about an hour, will begin at Bryan and Washington streets, proceed south to 3rd Street, east to Locust Street and then north to Webster Street;
• Passed an ordinance expanding the city administrator's duties to give him authority to attend any and all meetings of any department of the city, including closed executive sessions;
• Approved the payment of invoices, $607,661.68, and payroll, $105,079.17. A significant item in the invoices was $406,233 paid to the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for construction of the road - Kelsie Reeter Road - between U.S. Highway 65 and the new Chillicothe Correctional Center in north Chillicothe. Funds for this project were taken out of the city's capital improvements fund.