Mayor sends out warning to litterbugs

Sikeston City Council news

SIKESTON -- Litter in Sikeston, get thrown in the slammer?

"I've noticed lately that litter continues to be a problem here in town," Mayor Mike Marshall said during the regular City Council meeting Monday.

Marshall related how he witnessed a motorist tossing garbage out of the vehicle's window while driving in Sikeston last week. "Who do they think picks this trash up?" he asked.

The mayor called on the young people attending the City Council meeting to "set an example for your parents and other folks."

He then addressed Department of Public Safety officers attending the meeting.

"If you catch somebody littering, I want you to arrest them. This is ridiculous," Marshall said.

He said citizens should have more pride in their city. "If you can't wait until you get home to throw your trash away then we've really got a problem," Marshall said.

"I'm serious about it," Marshall said to DPS officers. "We've warned them before, but I want you guys to catch them. I want you to write them a ticket or throw them in jail."

DPS Director Drew Juden, who was not at Monday's meeting, was not available as of presstime to offer a comment on the mayor's request.

In other business Monday:

* Council members authorized the execution of a contract with the National League of Cities not to exceed $45,000 for strategic planning for the city.

A meeting was held in November with a representative from the National League of Cities regarding "a course of action that the city could take to develop a strategic plan," City Manager Doug Friend said.

Friend said the process, which which will take 9-12 months to complete, will "involve not only the school system, the hospital and the BMU, but interaction with Public Safety and the community as a whole."

* The bid for a new backhoe loader for the Department of Public Works was awarded by Council members to the low bidder, Luby Equipment Services.

Luby Equipment offered a 2008 four-wheel drive backhoe loader for $55,365 which includes a trade-in allowance of $17,000 for the 1992 backhoe it will replace.

Council members also approved a ride control option for $1,010 and an operator's package for $358 as requested by Steve Lee, street superintendent, to bring the total cost to $56,733.

The other bids were: Roland Machinery Company, $68,450; ERB Equipment, $56,517; Fabick Cat, $63,787; Rudd Equipment Company, $63,000; and a second bid from Rudd Equipment for another model at $58,000.

* Staff presented the Five-year Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2009-2013 as required by the city's municipal charter.

The plan is the first "working document" related to the budget preparation process that is given to the Council by staff each year, Friend said.

He described the document as a "kind of a wish list" and a "planning tool" used during the annual budget preparation process. What the city is actually able to afford goes into the budget, Friend explained.

No action by the Council is required on the Five-year Capital Improvement Plan as approval and appropriation of funds is made during the budget approval process in June for each fiscal year.

* A bill calling for the April general election was approved by Council.

Up for election will be the at-large seat presently held by Sue Rogers, according to Carroll Couch, city clerk.

Rogers is running unopposed for another term, Couch said.