Police Chief Don Melton officially welcomed a new police officer to the force Monday with a badge pinning and swearing-in ceremony during the City Council meeting.

Tabatha Love has recently completed the police department’s training program and has been assigned to the patrol division.

She graduated from the Missouri Southern State University Police Academy in 2018 and has worked since for the Duenweg Police Department.

She has completed crisis intervention training and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration at MSSU.

Love was pinned by her daughter, Lisa McCarty, and her mother, Andrea Humphrey.

Melton said Love’s hiring means he has five patrol positions to fill. Two of the five would bring the department to its normal staffing level. However, a federal grant is available to add three positions above the normal level.

“I have a couple (of applicants) lined up, if they work out,” said Melton.

The rest of the public portion of the council meeting went fast. 

The only new item was approval of Melton’s request to accept a $80,703 grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation for saturation patrols that will be conducted for a year starting Oct. 1. Of the total amount awarded, $26,568 is for saturation patrols and $54,134 is for enforcement of hazardous moving violations.

Two ordinances were approved on second reading:

• A special use permit for Kellen Grantham to operate Tee Time, a TopGolf-style facility with restaurant, pickle ball courts and other recreational activities on East Broadway, stretching southeast to East Street. The ordinance allows Tee Time the option to lease the business. Unlike many special use permits, this one won’t need to be renewed every two years.

• A special use permit for Brian Harris to use the house he renovated at 502 W. Fifth St. for short-term rentals (less than 30 days).

City Administrator Carl Francis reported that the recycling guard shack has been set in place, but it will likely be October or November before the new recycling drop-off site is operational. Until then, it will still be at Tom and First streets.

He also informed the council that public works has been installing water mains to serve Flat Creek Restaurant, under construction on East Street, and to new houses under construction on Oronogo Street between Third and Fourth streets.

Planning & Zoning to consider short-term lease policy, two requests

The Webb City Planning and Zoning Commission’s agenda for its monthly meeting at 5:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, will include two short-team rental requests and a new policy regarding short-term rentals.

Nathan Bemo is requesting a special use permit for renting out a house at 1401 Matthew Circle. He has submitted a letter acknowledging complaints and rules to address those complaints.

Tom and Lori Harter are requesting a special use permit to use the house at 520 S. Ball St. for short-term rentals.

A public hearing will be held for each request. Comments can be made in person or in writing.

One aspect of the proposed policy for short-term rentals is that it would allow city staff to reject requests if 30% of the neighbors object. It is said to be similar to Joplin’s short-term rental permit procedures.