SIKESTON - Sikeston Department of Public Safety Captain Bill Mygatt addressed the city council in its regular session on Tuesday and obtained council permission to procure a grant for digital data storage of the city's 17 on-officer body cameras.
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is an unmatched grant meaning that it will not require the city to contribute toward the grant's purpose. Of the total amount to be received and apportioned between the Sikeston DPS and the Scott County Sheriff's Department, the city's share of the grant is $14,344.
"The video provided by our on-officer body cameras will protect both suspects and officers by providing downloadable video of citizen contacts," said Mygatt.
"This video provides proof positive of the officers' behavior and demeanor, holding our officers responsible for their actions and protecting the rights of our citizens," added Mygatt.
In other business, the council considered planning and zoning changes in two locations.
Gordon and Nancy Jones had requested a rezone of lots 1 & 2, Block 4 Sikes 1st Addition, which consists of 0.49 acres and is located at 226 N. Kingshighway, from (TZDT) Transitional Downtown to (C-2DT) General Commercial District Downtown in the City of Sikeston, Scott County, Missouri.
The rezone request would allow the owner more flexibility in the types of business that could be conducted on the parcel, placing that section of real estate in the same category as Quik Check II which is immediately adjacent and south of the lot.
The Planning & Zoning Commission met on Aug. 8 and approved the request. Council will make a final decision on the rezoning request at the next council meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Sept. 5.
Cal and Valerie Crader had requested a replat a part of Lots 1 & 15 of Applegate's North Addition which is located at #2 Grove Street in Sikeston. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the request and the council will make a final decision at the next scheduled meeting.
In other business, the city was presented with an emergency bill for establishing property tax rates as required by state law. Tax rates for 2017 remain unchanged from the previous year.
The council approved a request by the Department of Public Works Street Division to purchase a crack sealer for preventative street maintenance. The price for the crack sealer is $55,006.32 and is included in the approved budget using Capital Improvement Funds.
The new crack sealer will extend the life of Sikeston's many concrete streets providing valuable maintenance, according to information presented at the council meeting.