City's 'got a lot going on'

Rather than quickly adjourn because there was no action to take on the agenda, the Webb City Council stayed Monday for a thorough discussion of current matters.

As Mayor Lynn Ragsdale summarized , “We have a lot of things going on, but we’re not spending much” at this particular time.

Most recently, Erin Turner, community development director, reported that the annual Cruise-A-Palooza festival in King Jack Park on July 13 was a big success.

A day later, on Sunday, July 14, a 14u softball tournament caught the parks and recreation department off guard with no city employees scheduled. But they “worked it out.”

“Blessed are the flexible for they shall not get bent out of shape,” Ragsdale said.

Debbie Darby (4th Ward) remarked that the softball field and facilities were great for the tournament.

Ragsdale, who lives close to King Jack Park, noted the near-constant use of the parks. “Nobody gets charged to use our parks,” he added.

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Steel for the new athletic center in the park was delivered last week by semi trucks. It will be called the W Club, harking back to an organization of athletes at Webb City High School.

Jim Dawson (4th Ward) and the Dawson Heritage Foundation are donating the facility. Public works is preparing the site.

City Administrator Carl Francis said it will be a first-class facility inside and out. He suggested a full-time employee to manage the W Club and other facilities, including the Route 66 Events Center.

Ragsdale added that Webb City is “steadily being more and more of a destination point.”

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The drainage area where stormwater flows under the streetcar tracks along MacArthur Drive was called two contradictory names: butterfly refuge and mosquito haven.

“The land is not cooperating with us,” said Ragsdale, referring to the assessment that water is settling in the low spot instead of draining.

Francis said steps need to be taken to hasten the drainage beneath the tracks.

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Eddie Kreighbaum, public works director, confirmed that the arrival of Blevins Asphalt to begin repaving streets had been delayed. However, some paving is expected before the end of the week.

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Bryan Waggoner, parks and recreation director, reported the new tennis court LED lights are operating cheaper and brighter.

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There’s still time for residents to return the survey asking them to go to their water meter to determine if the line going to the house is lead.

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There are still problems with automatic operation of the city’s new well, No. 15 below the large water tower. A specialist is expected to arrive soon to determine if his company’s equipment is faulty.

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The city is getting a new texting system to notify water customers that their service is about to be shut off because of non-payment.

City Clerk Kim DeMoss said office staff made 568 courtesy calls this month. While there are normally 80-120 shut-offs, she said there were 208 in June.

Residents can sign up for text alerts on the city’s website, https://webbcitymo.org.