Council extends solid waste contract; evaluating use of recycling program
SIKESTON -- With only three months left to the city's solid waste contract, the Sikeston City Council has wasted no time to look at local interest recycling services.
With renewed interest in adding recycling to the city's residential solid waste contract the city's current provider, Sonny's Solid Waste Services Inc., has expanded its existing recycling program. In addition to the Wednesday drop-off at their facility on 451 Smith St., Sonny's will provide recyclable drop-off service on two Saturdays a month. In cooperation with the city, a recycling box will be located at the Compost Site for use when the site is open.
To determine residents' interest in a curbside program, the council extended Sonny's Solid Waste's contract by six months. During this period, use of the recycling program will be evaluated and residents polled to determine if the program should be expanded.
Also on the agenda was the discussion of the construction of a 12-foot tall and 24-foot wide public restroom to accommodate the Historic Downtown Sikeston area.The proposed site for the restrooms is at the corner of Front and North New Madrid streets in Downtown Sikeston.
Sikeston Depot Museum and Gallery board members asked the Council to reconsider this location, possibly moving the structure to the southeast corner of American Legion Park.
Secretary for the Sikeston Cultural Development Corporation, Janice Matthews expressed concern about potential adverse outcomes of public restrooms, such as trash, loitering, vandalism, foul odors, reliable sanitary service and maintenance for the facility.
"Many of us have worked hard for the revitalization of Downtown Sikeston," Matthews said. "If approved, (the public restrooms) will become a permanent part of the landscape in downtown Sikeston. The restrooms need to be accessible but not impose undue hardships for the present businesses and private property owners in the downtown area."
Lynn Lancaster, director of Historic Downtown Sikeston, argued it would be beneficial for downtown events and for consumers. According to Lancaster, shoppers have no access to bathrooms or baby changing stations in downtown businesses.
HDS spends $100 a month on portable toilets, which he said, people are a little disgruntled about using. But "when the time comes, you need a place to go," said Lancaster. He also said the public restrooms would be open during business hours and events only.
"This will have a long lasting impact on the city, said Mayor Steve Burch. "We don't need to make a bad decision." A decision on the location is anticipated during the next council meeting.
In the meeting, the Council also conducted the first and second readings and adoption of an emergency measure establishing no parking zones on East Kathleen while The Christian Academy is in session. This action was requested by the Academy out of concerns for children's safety.
Other items at the council meeting included:
- Ron Newton requested his property at the corner of Northwest and Kate be rezoned from R-4 Duplex to R-5 Multi-Family. During a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing on the request, local residents opposed the change in zoning, resulting in the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation to deny the request. Council will take final action on this request at their next meeting.
- Council authorized staff to complete negotiations and execute a contract with Geograph Industries of Harrison, Ohio, for the fabrication and installation of 30 gateway monument and wayfinding signs. This program is funded through the city's 4-percent lodging tax.
- A measure prohibiting parking on Edwards Street from Malone to Garwood Avenue was addressed. Residents of this area requested the establishment of no parking zones due to safety concerns caused by the of parking of large commercial trucks on the wrong side of the street. Action on this request will be made during the next council meeting.
- Approval of a bill amending definitions found in city code, Pedestrians' Rights and Duties. The Council adopted this measure, requested by the Department of Public Safety, to further define "person" and "individual" in this section of the city code.
- Approved of bill authorizing agreement with Missouri Department of Transportation for traffic light battery backups at five locations along US 61 (Main Street) and US 62 (Malone Avenue).
- Council appointments for 2016 boards and commissions. Council took action on 37 boards and commissions appointments. All appointees, both new and re-appointees, are required to complete an oath of office. Oath of office ceremonies will be held prior to the 11:30 a.m., Sept. 26 and 5 p.m., Oct. 3 council meetings. Appointees unable to attend one of the two sessions are asked to contact City Clerk Carroll Couch at 471-2511.
The next meeting of the Sikeston City Council will be at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 26.