City Beat: City delays sewer decision, approves downtown fund

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Council delays sewer construction in east-side neighborhoods|ret||ret||tab|

In its June 12 meeting, council voted to table a resolution accepting a $1 million contract with TT&T Contracting Inc. for the construction of sanitary sewers for approximately 200 homes in the neighborhoods of Hickory Hills Country Club District, Hickory Village, White Oak and White Oak, First Addition. |ret||ret||tab|

Residents of the neighborhoods came out in droves to the May 22 council meeting to protest the sewers, claiming they saw no reason for their neighborhoods to be connected to the city sewer system and that their septic tanks were not harmful to the environment. Residents were also concerned about the cost of the construction, which some claimed could reach nearly $12,000. Council unanimously approved the sewers in the May 22 meeting after hearing nearly three hours of public comment on the issue. |ret||ret||tab|

In the June 12 meeting, council instead approved a substitute bill delaying the start date of the sewer construction. The bill also made available to the public the findings used to deem a petition signed by opponents of the sewers invalid. Council will take additional public comment on the sewer issue in its June 26 meeting.|ret||ret||tab|

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CID fund approved, subdivision bill tabled|ret||ret||tab|

Council voted 7-1-1 to establish a Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District municipal fund and tabled a bill approving the preliminary plat of Countryland subdivision, located near the intersection of West Gate and West Chestnut Expressway. Council unanimously approved a bill annexing property described as three islands of private and public property into the city. A bill amending the city code, known as the salary ordinance relating to salary rates and pay grades for various city job titles, was also approved. An emergency bill authorizing the city to accept a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, for the purpose of reimbursing the Department of Aviation of the city for funds it expended in upgrading the security access control system at the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, was approved.|ret||ret||tab|

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Public hearing bills focus on rezoning|ret||ret||tab|

Council heard nine rezoning bills concerning areas on the west and north sides of town, including a bill to rezone approximately 21 acres at the corner of West Battlefield Road and Cox Road. The rezoning would change the property from a general retail district to an industrial commercial district to allow Grizzly Industrial Inc. to expand its location at Battlefield and Kansas Expressway with a second building across the street. Another bill for public hearing was a bill amending the official map of Springfield by changing the names of certain streets. |ret||ret||tab|

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First reading bills include treatment plant improvements, CVB agreement|ret||ret||tab|

First reading bills included a bill approving the plans and specifications for the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant phase V improvements and granting the construction contract to Davis Structure & Development Corporation, subject to approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Another first reading bill involved authorizing an agreement with the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau and amending the budget for the CVB for fiscal year 2000-2001 in the amount of $260,100. Other first reading bills included amending the City Code to increase the maximum amount of city purchases that can be made without competitive bidding from $1,000 to $2,000, authorizing agreements between the city and Commerce Bank, City Utilities and Firstar Bank for certain banking services and authorizing a cooperative agreement with Greene County whereby the city will purchase storm warning sirens for the county and be repaid by the county in four installments. |ret||ret||tab|

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Service agreement with county, four new subdivisions approved on consent agenda|ret||ret||tab|

Council authorized a memorandum of understanding with Greene County whereby the Public Works service center will furnish minor repair services for law enforcement vehicles of the Greene County Sheriff's Department during evenings and on weekends with payment for such services to be made by the county. Council also approved the preliminary plats of Parks subdivision, located near West Sunshine and West Bypass; Autumn Corner subdivision, located north of the intersection of South Nettleton and West Sunset; Kanan subdivision, second addition, located near I-44 and North Glenstone and Stavros Estates, located north and east of the intersection of East McClernon and North Glenstone as additions to the city. Council also authorized a lease with the Concrete Company of Springfield and authorized an agreement with Southwest Missouri State University for temporary closure of Harrison Street. |ret||ret||tab|

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