Hannibal's Bicentennial Celebration calendar is loaded with events all the way through November, 2019. On Tuesday, Hannibal Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director Gail Bryant gave the city council a sneak preview of upcoming events:.

The celebration kicks off January 2 in city council chambers with the Mayor’s Reunion. Other events  include a Tom and Becky reunion, Big River Comic Convention, time capsule opening, Civil War reenactment along Bear Creek, new Broadway show “Sawyer”, building of a log cabin on Cardiff Hill, keel boat exhibit, vintage baseball, film festival, concerts including Rhonda Vincent, a display of veterans banners along Broadway and Main (Hometown Heroes), and a visit by a descendant of the explorer William Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame.

The Grand Finale, called the Hangar Ball, is Nov. 9 at the Hannibal Regional Airport. Many more events are in the works.  More information is available at https://www.hannibal2019.com/

Director Bryant and her entire Convention and Visitor’s Bureau team also received recognition for receiving a national travel and tourism marketing award. Bryant shared some of the numbers from the 2017-18 fiscal year: A 10.4% increase in tourism spending, a 22% increase in international travelers visiting Hannibal, and an impressive 50% jump in traffic on the visithannibal.com website since 2016.

Bryant and her staff are also looking forward to moving into a brand new facility by late summer 2019. A groundbreaking was recently held for the new $1.4 million Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, next to the Aquatic Center on Pleasant St. near Mark Twain Avenue.

In other business:

New officers sworn in

New HPD Officers Jordan Freiling and Ethan Clark Sworn in by Mayor Hark
New HPD Officers Jordan Freiling and Ethan Clark Sworn in by Mayor Hark
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11 Year Old Commended by Mayor Hark

Robert Wealer recognized for food collection efforts
Robert Wealer recognized for food collection efforts
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11-year-old Robert Wealer received a commendation from Mayor Hark for collecting thousands of food items for the Salvation Army Food Pantry,  since the age of 8.  Mayor Hark said the city was partnering with Robert to help achieve his goal of 7,000 food items by year end;  the city collected about 600 items to add to Wealer’s total. As of last week, Wealer had collected a total of over 4,000 items and more than $900 in cash donations.

Sale of Property on North St Approved

The council also approved the sale of city-owned property adjacent to 210 North Street. Brad Walden will purchase the small lot for $500 plus recording fees, with the Board of Public Works retaining an easement for an electrical pole and line. Walden plans to combine the lot with property he already owns at 210 North Street.

Audit Presentation

Anita Failor of Wade Stables CPA presented the 2017-18 financial audit of the city. City assets total $156 million including the BPW.

Surplus Property Declaration Approved

The council approved declaration of Emergency Operations Center surplus property. The list provided consists primarily of old computers and electrical equipment. Some items may be sold at a future city auction, while old computer towers will actually have a disposal cost.

Sublease of Country Club Tower Property

A sublease was approved regarding city-owned property at the Country Club tower site. The current lessee, TowerCo will sublease the property to Dish Network.

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