Camera confirms the repaired sewer main is clear

Darren Chitwood winds up an inline camera that he used to inspect a sewer main east of Mark Twain that was repaired this week after it was broken by a conduit boring machine. The boring contractor uncovered the break, which was under a concrete driveway, and will replace the concrete. The city sewer department repaired the line.

The trouble became apparent when the manhole overflowed. Nearby residents are not on the line.

23 streets to be paved starting this spring


Bob Foos

Webb City streets on the list to paved this year may be paved in the spring instead of the fall.

On Monday, the Webb City Council accepted the staff’s recommendation to approve an asphalt bid of $696,391 from Blevins Asphalt.

The year’s paving program is to start with these streets:

  • Madison Street – Stadium Drive north to the Public Works Department, 1060 N. Madison St.
  • Cedar Street – Broadway south to the cul-de-sac
  • Oak Street – Stadium Drive south to Aylor Street
  • Crestwood Drive – East of College Street
  • Rose Lane – Crestwood south to MacArthur Drive
  • Shawn Drive – Powell Drive east to College Street
  • Suzanne Lane – Crestwood south to the cul-de-sac
  • Fifth Street – Ziggler Street east to Frisco Street
  • Sixth Street – Ziggler Street east to Frisco Street
  • Frisco Street – Seventh Street north to Fifth Street
  • College Street – Fountain Road north to 1414 College St.
  • 15th Circle – College Street east to the cul-de-sac
  • Cook Street – Tom Street east to Hall Street
  • Tom Street – Broadway north to Cook Street
  • Wood Street – Tom Street east to Elliot Street
  • Jefferson Circle – Loop south of 16th Street
  • Washington Terrace – 16th Street to the cul-de-sac
  • Fallon Terrace – Oronogo Street east to the cul-de-sac
  • Powell Court – Oronogo Street east to the cul-de-sac
  • Second Street – Main Street east to the end
  • Walker Street – Third Street south to the end
  • City-owned parking lot on the southwest corner of East Street and Daugherty Street
  • Mining Days Community Building parking lot

 

City Administrator Carl Francis told the council that he and Public Works Director Eddie Kreighbaum were not pleased with the prices they received through the bid process – not even from the current contract holder, Blevins.

But he said Blevins agreed to honor the cheaper price it bid for Joplin’s paving program. As a result, he said Webb City will be getting more asphalt per dollar than last year.

Kreighbaum estimated that paving could start in April. He said it’s earlier than usual because Blevins wants to take care of cities before beginning its state jobs in the summer.

Law Enforcement Sales Tax grants

Police Chief Don Melton came to the council for permission to accept two grants, both in the amount of $42,541, that he applied for from the Jasper County Enforcement Sales Tax Fund.

He was allowed to purchase emergency equipment to outfit three of the department’s new patrol SUVs. Omega Emergency Services, of Tontitown, Ark., submitted the low bid of $12,901 each for a total of $38,704.

The second grant will be used to equip three other patrol SUVs. Bids will be sought. (Due to delays, the city is purchasing three new SUVs budgeted for last year as well as this year.)

Two council bills

The council approved second reading of an ordinance that will rezone 201 E. Aylor St. as multi-family residential. According to the owner, Brian Philliber, the existing building (the former Liberty Baptist Chruch) will remain a church as long as it is rented as such.

A council bill was accepted on first reading that is meant to stop the noise produced by the practice of jake braking by large trucks cruising into town, especially in the middle of the night.

Once the ordinance is approved on second reading, Mayor Lynn Ragsdale said the city will be allowed to put up a “no jake braking” sign.

The council approved Ragsdale’s appointment of Amanda Grubb to a 5-year appointment on the Board of Adjustments. She will replace Clyde Thornbrug, who chose not to be reappointed.

Chad Gardner, representing the Ozark Gateway Audobon Chapter, would like to have Webb City be recognized by Bird City USA for the conservation work that has been done in restoring the Cardinal Valley Habitat.

Administrative report

City Administrator Carl Francis’ regular report included:

• Wastewater crews report a main line blockage near the corner of Juanita and Aylor streets. The main that serves Mark Twain is nearly at no flow, and it will require some extensive work to be done to a resident’s driveway to investigate. It has been determined the damage was caused by the process of installing fiber optic cable. The company has accepted responsibility to repair the sewer line.

• The new shed for the girls softball field is in place and ready for air conditioning to be installed to cool off umpires during their breaks.

• The water department is continuing to focus on finding leaks and other sources of water loss. So far, their efforts have resulted in a 100-million gallon reduction in water loss. In 2024, wells produced 610 million gallons of water and in 2025 with no reduction in usage the amount pumped was reduced to 483 million. This also has significantly reduced the need to meet demand by purchasing water through the Missouri American valve.

• Police officers raised $940 for the Missouri Special Olympics as they participated in the recent Polar Bear Plunge event.