Bob Foos
Steve and Cindy Head presented a check representing the $10,000 they have donated to establish a fund for the renovation of downtown Webb City.
The local artists said their purpose is to inspire others to join them in supporting downtown improvement.
The charitable fund will be held by the Joplin Regional Community Foundation, which is an affiliate of the Community Fund for the Ozarks.
Fire Chief Andrew Roughton received approval to purchase a Taylor’d adjustable roof prop for $6,970 to let firefighters practice ventilating a roof. Roughton said it will be good training for new hires and seasoned firefighters, as well as fire academy students.
The accepted bid was the lowest of three received for the budgeted purchase.
The council voted to continue the effort to keep tainted ground water from entering the sewer system through cracks and breaks.
Keeping zinc (that’s carried by the ground water) from polluting Center Creek is the main, long-term objective.
Ace Pipe Cleaning, which has previously done similar work for the city, will charge $286,962 to line 6,095 feet of 8-inch main and 1,444 feet of 12-inch main.
Joplin conducted a bid process for its sewer lining project and awarded the contract to Ace Pipe Cleaning. Francis reached agreement with the company to let Webb City “piggyback” with Joplin in order to obtain the same prices ($32.93 and $47.96) per foot.
The council accepted an annual grant in the amount of $52,021 from the State Emergency Management Agency to pay one-fourth of the salaries and benefits of Police Chief Don Melton, as the emergency management director, and Fire Chief Andrew Roughton, as the deputy director.
In light of a recent rezoning request that failed on second reading without discussion because there was no second motion, Mayor Lynn Ragsdale announced that from now on discussion will precede motions on all council bills.
“We became a victim of protocol,” Ragsdale said. “I would have wanted to hear discussion” of the matter that unexpectedly failed.
However, it’s anticipated that the failed request will return to be heard in a revised version, initially by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
First reading was accepted for a council bill identifying the school zones in the city and setting speed limits on designated streets.
School zones will continue to be in force on school days from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
