Sikeston Council approves seeking funding for joint project between Sikeston and New Madrid schools

SIKESTON — The City of Sikeston is seeking funding for a Regional Workforce Development Approach project that would be a cooperative effort between the Sikeston R-6 and New Madrid County R-1 School Districts.

Approval to apply for the Community Development Block Grant funding was approved unanimously by Sikeston City Council at a meeting held by Zoom Tuesday afternoon.

The project between the two school districts would be for the expansion or implementation of their industrial electric and industrial maintenance program. The grant would be for $500,000 and would allow New Madrid County schools to upgrade their technical skills center while allowing the Sikeston schools to purchase equipment to start an industrial maintenance program at the Sikeston Career and Technology Center.

“This would help close the skills gap between high school students and the needs of the area’s work force,” said Sikeston City Manager Jon Douglass.

Along with Council approving the go-ahead to seek funding, they also were required to adopt a residential antidisplacement and relocation plan and an excessive force policy regarding response to non-violent civil rights demonstrations.

The antidisplacement and relocation plan would apply in very limited circumstances when a CDBG or HUD funded program displaces low-income residents from their homes. The plan sets forth assistance that the City would offer displaced residents in those situations.

The excessive force policy was just “checking a box,” according to Douglass as Sikeston Department of Public Safety already has policies regarding the use of excessive force.

Also Tuesday, Council granted two easements for driveways from Malone Avenue across the railroad right of way at the Cargill property recently purchased by Greg Copeland. The easement states the entrances must be concrete and also reserves space for future development of the rail trail.

The next City Council meeting will be at 5 p.m. Monday. The meeting will be held at the Clinton Building to observe social distancing.