WEBB CITY, Mo. —
The City Council advanced the East Road and roundabout construction project Monday night with the approval of an agreement to move a railroad crossing.
The agreement with Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad to move the crossing on East Road has been in the works for some time, said City Administrator Carl Francis.
“It is definitely a benefit to the city of Webb City to move the crossing,” he said. “East Road will become a thoroughfare north and south.”
In January, city officials had anticipated seeking bids on the roundabout in March and beginning construction in October, but the project came up against several delays.
“We are pressing and pushing, trying to get everything done this fall,” Francis said. “We hope to receive final revisions from MoD0T (Missouri Department of Transportation) in the next week or two, then go to bid in September.”
The city has $1.85 million set aside for the roundabout, the amount remaining out of a $7.7 million bond issue approved by voters in April 2008 for road construction and repairs.
Additional funding for the project is to come from a transportation development district, approved by the council in 2010, that would involve an additional sales tax of up to 1 percent at retail businesses locating there.
City leaders also have said they hope the entire project will give Webb City a development area that will be a draw for the retail and industry sectors and create jobs. The city will have invested more than $3 million in capital funds before it’s all said and done.
In other business Monday, the council:
• Agreed to offer Metro Emergency Transport System, based in Joplin, a lease-purchase agreement of $200,000 — with the city carrying the financing with no interest for a total of $1,666 per month for 10 years — for the former public works building at 110 E. Church St. Director Jason Smith had requested the opportunity to move from the fire station to the vacant property in order to better serve the community and add an ambulance. The agreement is contingent upon acceptance by the METS board of directors.
• Reduced the time residents have to deal with nuisances to five days from the current 30 days after the receipt of a letter from the city. It has become a “big issue,” Francis said. The city mows from 25 to 30 properties on a regular basis using city mowing equipment; the cost is attached to property owners’ tax bills.
• Approved the purchase of three replacement police vehicles from Carthage Ford at a cost of $72,000.
• Rezoned several properties on North Madison Street near the new public works building from residential to commercial. The area has been commercial for many years, so the rezoning formally reflects that use.
• Approved resurfacing of the tennis courts in King Jack Park.
Local News
Webb City council advances East Road and roundabout construction project
- Local News
-
-
Sheriff’s funds to pay for two building projects
Jasper County’s general fund budget may pay some initial costs for renovating and constructing two county buildings, but the final bill for the projects will come from law enforcement sales tax funds.
-
Pittsburg crews work to repair storm damaged Schlanger Park
City crews using heavy equipment spent Thursday cleaning up Schlanger Park after a storm tracked through Monday night.
-
No charges to be filed in Joplin shooting case
The nonfatal shooting of a 25-year-old man at a Joplin residence on May 13 has been deemed justified by authorities. Jacob B. Boykin, 21, of Joplin, shot Justin S. Johnson, 25, of Carterville, once in the chest with a small-caliber handgun at 5260 E. Sunny Acres Lane.
-
Mike Pound: DVD smells like pizza; how great is that?
Just when I think the rest of the world is passing us by, this great country does something that renews my faith in innovation. It does something that renews my faith in that can-do spirit that led Charles Lindbergh to fly nonstop across the Atlantic, thus leading to the invention of the airplane bathroom.
-
Joplin Board of Education to decide fate of East Middle School teacher
After hearing nearly 10 hours of testimony from more than a dozen witnesses and accepting more than 45 exhibits into evidence, members of the Joplin Board of Education voted to move behind closed doors Thursday night to decide whether Randy Turner, a communication arts teacher at East Middle School, will continue to teach.
-
Memorial Day travelers bemoan high gas prices
Norm Hayward and his wife, Claudia, have a couple of things going for them as they continue their increasingly expensive motor home trip around parts of the United States. For starters, the Phoenix, Ariz., couple are saving on hotel costs.
-
Cunningham Park vandalism estimated at $4,000
Vandals caused an estimated $4,000 worth of damage in Cunningham Park, draining the pool in the aquatic center of about 200,000 gallons of water and throwing some large landscaping rocks into the reflecting pond.
-
Joplin team drove through storm to get to Moore
It was a long drive in the middle of a severe thunderstorm that had earlier produced a massive tornado in Moore, Okla. With the two-year anniversary of Joplin’s deadly twister approaching on Wednesday, a team of 14 Joplin emergency workers was ready to risk the trip in order to get help to a hurting Moore.
-
Cunningham Park vandalism bill estimated at $4,000
The city estimates that vandals caused about $4,000 worth of property damage in Cunningham Park, draining the swimming pool of 200,000 gallons of water and moving some large landscaping rocks into the reflecting pond.
-
Content of book, students' access to it at issue in hearing for suspended teacher
A standing-room only crowd is present at the hearing this morning to decide the fate of suspended Joplin Middle School teacher Randy Turner, who has asked for the hearing before the board of education.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Sheriff’s funds to pay for two building projects
