$7 Million Street Plan Moves Forward in Hannibal

The wheels have been put in motion toward smoother streets, after Hannibal City Council action.

Tuesday evening, the council approved a Resolution of Intent to invest $7 million in street improvements.  The proposal lays the groundwork for repairing every sub-par street in the city.  The repairs would be fueled by issuing $7 million in revenue bonds by year end.  The plan would rebuild or overlay all deficient streets within a 3-year period.  Work should begin in the spring of 2017.

Mayor James Hark says the plan will rebuild nearly 57% of Hannibal’s 117 miles of streets.  Hark says the bond issue would be backed by capital sales tax revenues.  He emphasized it will not increase taxes nor result in cuts to city services.

In other business, the council approved:

• A 6-year agreement with ACS Enterprise Solutions, LLC, for technology support services, after much discussion. City Attorney James Lemon expressed concern with the contract terms regarding liability limits and city exposure should there be a data breach. City Clerk Angel Vance told the council the data would be much more secure with ACS, a division of Xerox, than it is currently in-house. The company has provided data services to the city since the early 90’s.  The agreement will provide enhanced software and hardware services for payroll, financial, business license and data storage.  The Software as a Service Agreement (Saas) is said to cost just over $23,000 a year.
• A Resolution amending the 2015-16 budget to recognize unanticipated revenues and expenses.

FIRST READINGS were given to the following:

• Two Bills regarding appointed counsel in municipal court cases. City Attorney James Lemon says the bills address concerns from Judge Cruse regarding the appointment and payment of counsel.  One of the bills amends the current ordinance with respect to the right to counsel.  The second provides a method of funding counsel and authorizes contributions to the defender fund.
• An ordinance clarifying minimum accommodations for service animals in public locations.
• A Bill approving the fiscal 2016-17 budget. City Manager Jeff LaGarce says the $23 million budget has an $851,000 operating margin and provides for nearly $1.5 million in reserves, the best financial position in some time.
• A Payroll Bill for fiscal 2016-17. City Clerk Angel Vance says city employees will see raises next year: Police and Fire personnel on the longevity plan will see a 4% raise. Other employees will receive a one step increase along with a 2% cost-of-living raise.
• A Bill regarding potential conflicts of interest for certain city employees and officials.  The ordinance reaffirms procedures as required bi-yearly by the State of Missouri.
• Annexation of property located at 6673 County Road 437 (Shinn Lane and Highway MM), owned by the Hannibal Board of Public Works.
• Annexation of property located in the 4600 Block of Stardust Drive owned by Russell Goodhart. Goodhart proposes to build duplexes on the site.
• An ordinance vacating a portion of an alley near the intersection of Hubbard Street and Central Avenue. The request from Bill Schneider at 602 Central Avenue was denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission on May 19^th.  It was revealed the alley is shared by another neighbor.  Mayor Hark, Councilmen Dobson and Van Hoose voted for a First Reading of the proposal. Councilman Knickerbocker voted against.

A Public Hearing regarding the annexation  of property at 131 Clover Road is set for July 5th at 6:45 p.m.  Proposed zoning of the property owned by Michael Riesenbeck is 1 and 2 Family.

Mayor Hark issued an Official Proclamation honoring retired teachers.  May 8th is designated as Retired Educators Day in Hannibal, acknowledging the valuable contribution of educators to a better quality of life.

Councilmen Lionberger and Locke were absent Tuesday.