April 22, 2008 11:43 pm
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By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Steps were started Tuesday night toward annexing three pieces of property that Carthage officials hope will be an industrial park for the city.
The City Council approved resolutions that would start work toward the annexation of three tracts totaling more than 300 acres at Highway 71 and Civil War Road.
The resolutions were approved by a new council after members who were elected and re-elected on April 8 were sworn into office. The council elected Bill Fortune as mayor pro tem and honored four council members who did not seek re-election for their service to the city.
Also taking his oath of office was Greg Dagnan, the city’s new police chief. The council also honored Lt. Barry Duncan, who had served as interim chief since October.
Tom Short, city administrator, said the land includes about 78 acres northeast of the intersection. The other two tracts, a combined 240 acres, are south of the interchange and east of Civil War Road. The property is owned by Americold Logistics, and officials with the company are seeking the voluntary annexation. One tract is being eyed for industrial development “in the near term,” Short said.
The city also is looking at a possible half-cent sales tax to develop the area. The proposal may go on the November election ballot.
John Bode, president of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce and economic development director for the city, said before the meeting that a sales tax would give the city a revenue stream to prepare the property for development. The area could be developed without that revenue, “but not as efficiently,” he said.
New and re-elected council members sworn into office by City Clerk Lynn Campbell were Claude Newport, 1st Ward; Timothy Teed, 2nd Ward; John Studebaker, 3rd Ward; Larry Ross, 4th Ward; and Keith Hurlbut, 5th Ward.
Plaques of appreciation were presented by Mayor Jim Woestman to Bill Johnson, who had served 20 years on the council; Mike Harris and Tom Flanigan, nine years each; and Cynthia Curry, two years.
In other business, the new council advanced an agreement under which the county clerk’s office would prepare tax documents for the city; an ordinance authorizing a contract with Polston Construction Co. for drainage projects near 13th Street and Centennial Avenue; and an agreement with Blevins Asphalt Construction Co. for summer paving projects.
Public hearings
Public hearings on proposals to annex land at the north edge of Carthage will come at the council’s next meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13.
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