Hannibal City Council Fills Seat, Hears Closed Meeting Challenge

(Hannibal)--After Jamie Locke was appointed as the interim 6th Ward Councilman Tuesday evening, former mayor John Lyng spoke to the Council on the subject of closed meetings, saying some council business such as discussion of real estate proposals for the former Murphy Motors building should be public information. City Attorney James Lemon disagreed, saying the Sunshine Law allows for bids and proposed uses to be considered in closed session, which is exactly what the council did after the regular session.

Businessman Ken Marks also spoke to the council about the former Murphy Motors building, saying the deadline for bid submission should be extended in order to give interested parties more time to get their finances in order.

In other business, Council approved a pigeon removal contract with Big River Pest Control for $5,500, and also approved a proposal abandoning certain portions of Colfax and Maple streets in the flood area near Printex. A slight revision allowing the City to retain access to an area needed for future park development is part of the deal, which also involves a property transfer from Printex owner Randy Park to the City while allowing Park to maintain the old Hannibal Machine property after demolition. According to City Manager Jeff LaGarce, Park has a vested interest in maintaining the property next to his business, enhancing his curbside appeal. The only cost to the City will be $1309 in survey costs.

The Council also approved three resolutions authorizing demolition of condemned properties located at 1019 Pleasant, 801-803 Union Street, 1105 Sierra, 316-318 Bird, and 1516 Guernsey. The total cost to raze the properties will be just under $33,000.

First readings were given to bills providing for a municipal election to held April 2, 2013, and a voluntary I.R.S. resolution program regarding the Police and Firemen Fund.