The June St. James City Council meeting got underway with citizen input. One individual was concerned about drainage on F street. Another group of people were concerned by the fact that pit bulls are allowed in the city of St. James, and were particularly concerned with one house on St. Gregory.

Next came railroad closure discussion. Councilperson Margaret Roberts opened discussion by explaining her concern that the proposed new railroad crossing between South Oak and County Road 3390 would create a lot of traffic around the park entrance causing a safety problem.

“That can be addressed at the diagnostic review,” said Bruce Chan, of the BNSF railroad.

“What would the cost be to the city,” asked councilperson Dave Watkins, to which Mayor Dennis Wilson said that most of the funding would come from the railroad and the state.

Due to the concerns presented prior to the City Council meeting by citizens, discussion was short, as the Council voted to move forward with the closure of South Oak and County Road 3390. No decisions were made on the other railroad crossings at this meeting. Progress will be brought up during the July session of City Council.

Candace Connell, Director of Community Development, gave her report early due to a sick child at home.

Connell said that the Tour of Missouri should be finalizing the route this Thursday. Connell emphasized how important it is for the city to have more volunteers. She also said that with volunteering, each person would receive a free Tour of Missouri Shirt.

Connell said that the Garden Tour was very successful, as they sold around 260 tickets.

The Tourist information Center (TIC) is in the process of looking at how to move the murals from McDonalds to the TIC facility.

The Pool Feasibility Study has been sorted. There were almost 400 completed surveys returned. Results are being analyzed now.

The Council gave Connell its ok to continue to move forward with the process for creating an Enhanced Enterprise Zone.

“We have to do this,” said Councilperson Rodney Edwards.

A grant for $43,000 was applied for to get three new tornado warning sirens placed in the city.

City Council approved the bid for asphalting Bourbeuse Street, Aida Street and the ball park. The bid was awarded to Rolla Asphalt.

Wilson announced that the city is beginning to look at alternative energy production. He said that there is a company that will come into the city, build a facility at no cost to the city which would be about the size of a trailer, and could produce energy to sell to the city by using compost, such as gumballs and cow manure.

The city looked at a drainage problem around the middle school. The School District asked the city to partner in construction, totaling $32,000, that would alleviate the problem.

“If it's something we don't do now, we will have to deal with it in the future,” said Wilson.

The Council agreed, specifying that the $16,000 would come out of the maintenance budget.

Larry Wycoff gave his report, stating that building permits were slow last month. He also said that there are four buildings in town that would fall into the category of dangerous buildings, and he will be looking into it.


In Committee reports:

Edwards said that the park department is pleased with attendance. Batting cages will be replaced as soon as the weather allows it.

Roberts reported that the police department has lost another officer and is going to have to hire another.


In the Mayor's comments:

The Tri-County Humane Society is undergoing changes. Mark Macee has taken over as president of the board and says that lots of changes are coming. The first of which is the hours the facility is open. The new hours keeps the facility open 9a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Macee says that volunteers are very much needed and if anyone is interested in volunteering, they should call him at home at 699-4406 or on his cell at 263-1556. He said to leave a message if he does not answer and he will return your call.

The next City Council meeting will be held on Monday, July 7 at 7 p.m. The meetings are open the the public and anyone can sign up to speak during citizen input.