City OKs park work

SIKESTON - City Council members approved capital improvement to the city's parks totaling $48,000 during the special Sikeston City Council meeting this morning.

With $84,000 budgeted this year for capital improvements to the city's parks, the Council approved proceeding on improvements to the soccer field parking at the Sports Complex for $28,000 and installing steps from the parking area to the walking track at Roberta Rowe Park for $20,000.

At the City Council's next regular meeting scheduled for Sept. 7, city staff are slated to request improvements to the VFW ballpark parking lot.

Council members also approved the renewal of workers compensation insurance with Liberty Mutual Insurance Group for both the city and the Board of Municipal Utilities.

The premium for Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2005, will be $413,019, an increase $25,116 over last year's premium. Although the city's loss ratio dropped, the premium still increased, staff members noted.