City Beat: Council tables water rates, OKs Valley Pain move

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Keg registration analyzed|ret||ret||tab|

A bill that would require a more thorough registration for the purchase of kegs in the city received a first reading at the July 9 City Council meeting. If the bill passes in two weeks, all kegs will be affixed with a tag or seal to identify and/or trace it to the purchaser. Further-more, a sworn statement must be signed stating that the purchaser is of legal age to buy and drink the alcohol and that the purchaser will not allow minors to consume it. That signed document must be posted within five feet of the tapped keg. |ret||ret||tab|

The ordinance would assist police in linking the keg and the individual who purchased it, should there be any legal problems, according to City Manager Tom Finnie. "The intent is to add another tool to combat underage drinking," Finnie said. "The key to the ordinance is holding (the purchaser) responsible." |ret||ret||tab|

A few members of the audience spoke on the bill, including Melissa Haddow of Ozarks Fighting Back, the group that proposed the bill. Haddow told council that 11 other states and 11 other counties in Missouri have similar ordinances, and their data show that keg registration does reduce underage drinking. No public comment was made in opposition.|ret||ret||tab|

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CU water rates|ret||ret||tab|

A bill that would establish new City Utilities water rates and repeal the previously determined rates was tabled before any public comment could be made. Mayor Tom Carlson made the motion so the suggested rate hikes would be sent back to CU for reconsideration. Carlson's motion passed 9-1.|ret||ret||tab|

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Valley Paint permit approved|ret||ret||tab|

After allowing extended public comment regarding Valley Paint & Supply Co.'s conditional use permit, council voted for the company's move to 2457 N. Patterson Ave. Several neighbors again spoke to council, expressing their fears and concerns about bulk storage of flammable liquids near their homes. |ret||ret||tab|

Councilwoman Mary Collette sided with the neighbors, saying, "I find it ironic that we would protect these parties in our community and not protect our neighborhoods." But council approved the permit because, as Carlson stated, "(Valley Paint) has done everything that the law requires." The new location is in a general manufacturing district. |ret||ret||tab|

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Planning bill approved|ret||ret||tab|

A resolution bill was approved that requires the planning of all public facilities to be in conjunction with Spring-field's Master Plan. In accordance with state law, all governmental agencies within the city must submit their plans for the construction of public facilities to Springfield's Planning and Zoning Commission before any action is taken. |ret||ret||tab|

Several members of city neighborhood associations urged council for passage, stating that they just wanted to be aware of what was going on in their neighborhoods. Representing Midtown was Ken Williams, president of the Midtown Neighborhood Association. Before the approval, he asked council, "Is Vision 20/20 a goal or is it just a dream? It's an issue for all of Springfield."|ret||ret||tab|

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Public hearing bills|ret||ret||tab|

Among the public hearing bills, one would rezone more than five acres of land on the south side of the 1800 block of West Walnut Lawn Street from single-family residential to low-density multifamily residential. It is a request for an apartment complex. |ret||ret||tab|

Another was for the approval of the preliminary plat of Fassnight Meadows, an 18-lot patio home subdivision. The proposal is for a 55-and-over development with homes in the $100,000 to $140,000 price range and located north of Linwood Street, between Fort and Thelma avenues. [[In-content Ad]]