Council votes to demolish downtown building in case agreement with owner can’t be reached

A Thursday morning meeting will decide the fate of the deteriorated building at 208 and 210 N. Main Street.

The rear wall of the building, known by most as the former location of the pet store, Clawpaws, collapsed after a strong wind on Nov. 1. The building has been vacant for years.

During the City Council meeting Monday, Fire Chief Andrew Roughton said he had “pretty much shut it (the building) down” for public safety reasons before it was purchased in 2017 by Jennifer Sexton, of Diamond.

She said at the time that she planned to retain the historical nature of the building as she built three commercial spaces on the ground floor and three apartments on the second floor.

City Attorney Troy Salchow said he has a meeting set for Thursday morning with Sexton and her attorney. At that meeting, he said he will present proof that the city has warned Sexton on multiple occasions that steps needed be taken to protect the building’s structure.

City Administrator Carl Francis reported that when attempts to contact Sexton failed there was a public notice and public hearings.

In case Salchow is not convinced that Sexton will take responsibility for the building, the council passed a motion to demolish the building. B&D Yardbuilders submitted the lowest of two bids,  $47,725.

The building served as the first YMCA building in Webb City for two years. Commercial businesses were on the ground floor and the Rebekahs, a branch of the Odd Fellows, held meetings on the second floor.

Three new police vehicles authorized

The policy of replacing three police vehicles each year is continuing with the council’s authorization.

Police Chief Don Melton recommended the purchase of three all-wheel-drive SUVs that he said will give officers increased mobility during inclement weather. They are 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWDs.

He reported that he solicited bids from 14 dealerships but only received one, which was from Joe Machens Ford, of Columbia, a state-qualified vendor.

Each new vehicle will cost $45,936 ($137,808 total). Subtracting the total trade-in amount of  $9,500 leaves the final cost at $128,308. Melton added that cost could be lower if he can receive more for the used vehicles (with police equipment) than the trade-in offer. He may advertise them on govdeals.com.

There’s no hurry because orders are backlogged. This planned purchase was budgeted at $125,000.

In other action, the council:

• Accepted an annual Emergency Management Performance Grant from the State Emergency Agency in the amout of $47,820 to pay 1/4 of the salaries of the city’s emergency management director, Don Melton, and assistant emergency management director, Andrew Roughton.

• Authorized the budgeted purchase of a Case 590SN Tractor Loader Backhoe, which is immediately available from VLP in Joplin at a bid price of $143,950. It will primarily be used by the water department. Bids were solicited for a backhoe with four stick controls. Case is the only company that still manufactures backhoes with four stick controls.

• Authorized the purchase of a cinder spreader to be mounted on the street department’s dump truck for snow and ice removal. Knapheide Truck Equipment Center will supply the stainless steel cinder spreader for $7,350. $10,000 was budgeted.

• Approved up to $16,000 to pay half the cost of a digital LED sign in front of the Webb City Senior Citizens Center. The center board has already contributed $13,547. WOW Printing, of Webb City, has bid $27,047.

• Voted for the city to accept possession of the mural of Webb City in the former Mid-Missouri Bank building at 100 N. Main St. Assuming the building will have new owners, the mural will still belong to the city. “In my opinion, the mural is extremely valuable to us as a city,” said Mayor Lynn Ragsdale. “I’m glad they (Mid-Missouri Bank) don’t want to get rid of it.”

• Approved an ordinance rezoning 707 and 715 N. Main Street from commercial to single-family residential. The owners, Benjamin and Tiffany Beard, of Carl Junction, say they plan to renovate the existing house and build a new house on both sides of it.