Council approves demo of Public Safety Building despite concerns

Nevada City Manager JD Kehrman told the city council Tuesday night that the Siegfried Reinhardt mural has been removed from the old Public Safety Building, cleaned, rolled up and stored in an office in the City Hall. He said he will recommend the city work with the company that removed the mural on options for displaying it, as well as the L.F. Richardson Foundation and the Vernon County Arts Council.

He told the council there has been some interest from an organization in eastern Missouri in having the mural on loan for display. They are building an art museum and already have some of Reinhardt’s paintings.

In a related matter, the council voted 5-0, to pass on second reading a special ordinance accepting the lowest bid of $19,500 from DWD Construction, Butler, and approving the agreement for the demolition of the old Public Safety Building despite concerns about the amount of the bid.

Kehrman told the council the city has reconfirmed the bid from DWD Construction and will have another meeting with them in the next week for further discussion. He said the city would also talk to the second lowest bidder.

The bid from DWD Construction initially raised questions from the council because it is $8,500 less than the second lowest bid and more than $30,000 less than the third lowest bid.

Kehrman told the council the building may not be ready for demolition until July 1, because there is a gas line that needs to be capped as well as other work which needs to be done by KCP&L.

In other business the council:

• Voted 4-0, to re-appoint Annie Daugherty to a second three-year term on the library board. Her term will expire in June 2020.

• Voted 4-0, to re-appoint Janet Wray to a second three-year term on the library board. Her term will expire in June 2020.

• Voted 4-0, to re-appoint Shirley Rainey to her third and final three-year term on the library board.

• Voted 4-0 and 1 abstention when Carol Clyde-Gallagher arrived late, to accept the low bid of $10,351 from Excelsior Blower System to rebuild one of the positive displacement blowers that provide air flow for the aeration treatment process. This blower failed due to bearing failure and excessive shaft wear. These bearings normally wear out and require the blower to be rebuilt every three to five years.

• Held a public hearing and voted 5-0, to approve the application for $48,851 in federal financial assistance through the Missouri Department of Transportation to partially pay for the operation of the city’s public transportation system. The cost of operating the transportation is $55,744, with the federal portion $28,851 and the city portion $26,893. The cost to replace the 2007 Crown Victoria used in the program is $25,000, with the federal portion $20,000 and the city portion $5,000. The total cost of the program is estimated to be $80,744, with the city paying $31,893 and the federal assisting totaling $48,851.

• Voted 5-0, to pass on first reading a special ordinance approving additional police service for the Nevada Housing Authority to create a drug and crime-free environment for the residents at Fairground Estates and Chapman Estates. The housing authority will reimburse the city for the police officer salaries on a monthly basis, not to exceed $25,000 for the 12-month period between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018.

• Voted 5-0, to pass on first reading a special ordinance accepting the lowest and best bid of $124,450 and approving the agreement with Ozark Applicators LLC for painting and general repairs on the north water tower located on East Highland Avenue. The work includes painting the interior and exterior of the water tower, the application of interior and exterior coatings and some internal welding and repair items.

• Voted 5-0, to adopt Resolution No. 1487 approving an occupation license to operate a taxicab business in the city. Classic Cab LLC is located at 20832 South 1300 Road, Moundville and is owned by Doug Salkil and Wilbur Smith.

• Held a public hearing and voted 5-0, to adopt Resolution No. 1488 approving and ratifying amendments to the Comprehensive City Plan-1984. The amendment adds the Land Use Coordination and Cooperation with Camp Clark National Guard Training Center memorandum of understanding to the comprehensive plan.

• Voted 5-0, to give final approval to a special ordinance approving and authorizing a one-year agreement with the Joplin Regional Partnership for economic development services.

• Nevada Mayor Brian Leonard announced the July 4 council meeting will be moved to July 11 because of the holiday.