December 17, 2009

PERRYVILLE – A Perryville High School student’s plan to observe the 40^th Anniversary Earth Day by planting trees in the city park has received a green light from city officials.

City Administrator Brent Buerck says Peyton Walker approached city officials on behalf of a group of PHS youth, with the idea of celebrating Earth Day 2010 in April by having a clean up day which would include the planting of new trees in the city park.

The board of aldermen, at its meeting this week, gave the plan its endorsement.

The Perry Park Center staff will work with the students to identify locations for the new trees as well as the type of tree and quantity.

In other business at this week’s board meeting:

Buerck says the board discussed grant funds available for developing a biosolids cooperative among several area counties and municipalities. The goal is to develop economies of scale in which needed equipment would purchased and then shared among the participants, thus saving money. The board approved a letter indicating the city’s support for the plan.

Four measures were given final approval:

The rezoning of Lake Pointe Acres Subdivision and adjoining tract from R-1 (Single-Family Residential) and R-4 (Single-Family Residential) to R-2 (Single-Family Residential).

A change in the city’s noise and dust laws to bring them into line with the state statutes.

Am agreement with Prince Hudson and Shirley Hudson regarding encroachment across city utilities.

A contract with Malter & Mickum for legal services regarding gas rate intervention. Buerck explained that the Maryland law firm negotiates with suppliers of natural gas to get the lowest possible prices for Perryville natural gas customers. The city administrator says Perryville has used the firm since 1987 and the relationship has proven to be worthwhile.

Six measures were first read:

A contract with Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation regarding infrastructure improvements,

A request for a voluntary annexation from Nancy L. Breig, Trustee of the Nancy L. Breig Revocable Living Trust dated May 8, 2001, Daniel J. Brown, Mary Ellen Brown, David C. Brown, and Cynthia Brown

A grant agreement from the Missouri Department of Economic Development for a $230,000 Community Development Block Grant regarding Wastewater System Improvements at the Perryville Municipal Airport. The city’s match is $388,000, a bit above the budgeted amount of $375,000, but the work is seen as contributing to the Sabreliner airport plant’s continued growth.

A contract with Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission for the administration of the Community Development Block Grant at the airport.

Accepting Deeds of Dedications from property owners regarding Sidewalk Expansion Program. Buerck said the city staff did an excellent job of acquiring 20 dedications in about two weeks, including some from out of state. All parities accepted the offer and this project will move forward in full. This will accept the property on which the sidewalk will be built.

A contract with the County of Perry regarding Tax Increment Financing

In his report to the aldermen, Buerck said the Public Service Commission’s inspection of the city’s natural gas department went well.

He asked for the aldermen to advise on repairs to the water plant tank. The board decided that it would rather have the tank undergo the more costly permanent repairs than attempt a temporary fix which would have to be dealt with later.

Buerck also reported on airport matters. A reception was held recently for the new ceo at Sabreliner. The city administrator said it went very well, and the new head of the company left with a very favorable impression of the city.

He also asked the aldermen for guidance regarding energy efficiency community development block grants. He said the aldermen agreed that the city should pursue those which make sense and will have a favorable return on the investment, since the grants require a local match.

Buerck also discussed the possible purchasing of new tree and brush removal equipment to continue offering the service to city residents.

The city attorney had been asked to look into a situation where local businesses were being hurt by the importing of out of state materials which are not subject to local sales taxes. The attorney said the practice is not illegal and resolving it would require the city to put some kind of local use tax on the ballot.

There will be no second board of aldermen meeting this month due to the holidays. The next Perryville board of aldermen meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 5^th.