Council hears bill on Jordan Valley land purchase

Mobile home park to be moved

Residents of Scenic View Mobile Home Park in west Springfield will have additional funding to relocate as the result of a resolution approved in the Aug. 6 City Council meeting.

The city has already acquired the trailer park, which is in a flood plain, and will assist in the relocation of more than 35 mobile homes. City Manager Tom Finnie said city staff is working out a contract with a few qualified movers. The homes that aren't moveable will be purchased by the city at their appraised value, Finnie added.

"This is an extremely difficult situation because people are being uprooted from their homes," said Councilman Gary Gibson, who conducted the meeting in the absence of Mayor Tom Carlson.

Before a vote was taken, Councilman Ralph Manley said, "We weren't so smart when the trailer park was built there," so he asked his colleagues on council to "be fair with each property owner ... they deserve it." The resolution for more funding to facilitate the moves passed unanimously.

Sidewalk ordinance tabled

A revision two years ago to the city ordinance book repealed the law requiring that city sidewalks be cleared of ice and snow within 10 hours by the property owners abutting them.

Now, council faces that ordinance again and is being asked to re-enact the bill, but with some opposition. City Clerk Brenda Cirtin said City Hall received more than 10 calls of complaint, as well as several e-mails. Several council members also received phone calls from opponents of the ordinance. But only one member of the audience spoke.

"Ninety-five percent of people take care of their sidewalks ... occasionally you'll get the one who doesn't," said Finnie of the need for such a bill. "The essence of this law: It's just a matter of having the law on the books so people can do the right thing. ... It's actually never been used to our knowledge. Without it, it's not fair to those who do clean their sidewalks."

Still, with concern in the form of phone calls and public input, Council-woman Terri Hacker motioned to table the bill for further review by city staff. The motion passed.

Police cars go home

In other action, council passed the ordinance that says certain Springfield police officers have take-home use of their vehicles. Finnie said it can be implemented in 90 days and will start with city zones 1 and 2, which have higher crime rates.

Mosher House rezoned

Council rezoned the Mosher House, at 1147 E. Walnut Street, with a Landmarks District as an overlay zoning district.

However, another rezoning ordinance, for The Ski Shack at 3165 S. Campbell, was not approved. The Ski Shack's owner was requesting that about 2 1/3 acres of land be rezoned from a general retail district to a planned development district to facilitate his plans to sell and repair ski boats.

The plan would allow only five boats on the property at one time. Both the Planning and Zoning Commission and city staff recommended denial, and the bill was remanded to the earliest possible agenda to consider changes made by the applicant.

First Reading Bills

Council heard a first reading bill that would authorize the city manager to accept a $703,075 grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation for the design and construction of the East Trafficway Streetscape in conjunction with Jordan Valley Park, phase I.

The total streetscape project, which includes sidewalks, trees and lights, will cost $1,042,075, with the city paying the remaining $339,000.

The grant is a result of the efforts of Sen. Kit Bond, whom Finnie thanked publicly.

Another first reading bill was an ordinance for the purchase of the final piece of property for the Jordan Valley Park baseball facility and parking space. The Bay property, at 1131-1135 1/2 E. St. Louis St., may be purchased by the city for $421,451 if the bill passes in two weeks.