Planning and Zoning Commission changes monthly meetings

SIKESTON - The city's Planning and Zoning Commission changed the monthly meetings from every third Tuesday to the first Tuesday of every month.

Tom Bridger, public works director, explained to city council members during their regular meeting Monday that the new date will allow the commission to meet deadlines better.

To accommodate the change, the Board of Adjustments has moved the days for as-needed meetings to the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month instead of the first and third Tuesdays.

In other Sikeston City Council business:

* Council members adopted a redevelopment plan drafted by the city's consulting firm, PGAV of St. Louis, as proposed and recommended by the Sikeston Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority.

* The landowner-initiated annexation of a 500-foot strip of farmland located east of Highway 61 north between the existing city limits and Highway HH owned by the Hayward family was approved.

The required 14-day period for public comment expired with no comments received.

* A bill calling for an April general election, during which the mayor and council members representing Wards 2 and 3 will be elected, was approved.

* A replat request from David and Mary Keenan for their property immediately north of Alan Wire was approved.

"This will allow for the expansion of the Alan Wire Company," explained Tom Bridger, public works director.

* Council members accepted the donation of the house at 613 Dorothy.

Bridger said Opal Elliot, who is making the donation, obtained the property when the home's previous owner, Magnolia Elliot, died in April.

Elliot advised the family does not have the money to continue to maintain the property and pay taxes on it and decided to donate the property for city use.

* Two more bills in an ongoing series to bring city code into compliance with the City Charter were approved.

Linda Lowes, director of governmental services, said these bills establish the powers, duties and responsibilities of the city clerk and city treasurer and set down financial procedures.

The addition of treasurers for the city's boards is the only significant change in these areas.

Harry Sharp, candidate for mayor and former Charter Commissioner, pointed out that while most of these ordinances are being reported as not changing anything, "good existing practices of the city are put into law" with their passage.

* Community Development Block Grant housing rehabilitation bids for 104 Westgate were awarded as recommended by Joe E. Lane, director of community development for the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission at Malden.

Bridger said this will be the last rehab bid awarded under this grant so they can close the books by March 1.

The rehabilitation bid was awarded to Barbara Hartwick for $6,976; the bid for gutters was awarded to the sole bidder, White's Siding and Gutters; and the furnace bid went to Dexter Sales and Service for $2,800.

* A revised animal control ordinance to be considered is on file at city hall for review, according to City Manager Doug Friend. The city encourages public comment, he added.

* Charles Leible, city counselor, updated the council on efforts to collect outstanding taxes on a building owned by Blades and Associates and rented to a state agency.

Leible advised the council that after an agreement for the debt to be paid by the end of the year was not met, a letter of default was issued and the city initiated the first step toward foreclosure.

* Councilman Michael Harris invited candidates for city positions to attend the Martin Luther King Jr. Day event scheduled at noon Jan. 20 at the St. John's Baptist Church.

* A request for an updated leaf collection schedule was voiced by Sharp. Bridger advised his crews have reported running about seven working days behind schedule.