Replacing the public safety building tops the city's capital improvement wish list

According to city charter, no one can be annexed unless they ask for it.

Does this question and answer scare anyone else? "Rather than spend $250,000, you are looking at spending $3 million for something else," Jim Erpenbach, planning commissioner, said. "That's what I'd do," Moore said.

Apparently interim City Manager Moore has never heard the term "cost effective"?

and then WHY does the Planning Commission go ahead and pass something that they do not agree with? It's their job to say "No, I don't think so!"

There are grants through the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) for just this sort of situation. The City should look into procuring a grant. This building has had this water leaking problem for many years.

Mr. Erpenbach suggested the City Police could be combined with the County Sheriff's Office. I'm not sure the County residents would be in favor of doing that. Wouldn't it have to be put before the County Commission and the voters of Vernon County?

So Harlan is trying to do a favor for his friend Russ Kemm, annex in Champion Diamonds so Russ can get the road he has been wanting for years at the expense of the tax payers. Something Kemm couldn't get done when he served as a councilperson. Excuse me....when exactly is Mr. Moore going back to stay in Oklahoma for good!!

Has anyone went and looked at the fire station? I was there for their open house. The building was built in the 50's. There's not only water in the basement but mold. The guys are breathing it everyday. The metal walls of the garage that they park the fire trucks in is rusting away. The other day I went by the fire station and one of the firefighters was almost hit by a car when he was stopping traffic to get the firetruck back in the station.

Spending $250,000 to fix the leaking basement, which is not a guarentee, is just $250,000 flushed down the drain because a new fire station needs to be build in the next few years. How long do you pour money into something before you can justify replacing it? I think 50 years of maintaining a building is long enough. It's time to do what's needed, build a new fire station, build a new police station.

$3 million seems a little bit excessive to me. this is what is going to bankrupt the city of nevada. this is just another example of their ridiculous spending. look at the new community center for example. where are the jobs to support this spending.

Interim City Manager Harlan Moore told the commission that they had received an estimate of $250,000 to fix the problem, with no guarantee that it will actually work.

I guess with ALLLLLLLLLLL our smart engineers, computer aided drafting, and years of experience, we have come to this. Pay me $250,000 dollar to FIX something. If my fix doesn't work, to bad. What kind of bidding process is this??? Kinda sounds like the good ol' boy bidding company???

The only way to STOP this kind of reckless spending is to not be duped into voting for ANY taxes to support a 3 million dollar shuck and jive.

My impression from Mr Moores' statement would lead me to think the current 50 year old building is not worth $250,000. But none the less I have to wonder about a committee that talks so unfavorable and still votes in favor. Smells of back room pressure.

Wonder how Mr. Moore reacts if his 5 year old car has a flat tire? Buy a new car is probably the way to go!!

Don't talk about grants or State or Federal money. Guess where these monies come from? Your right, you and me.

Being a County resident I for one will not vote to allow the City of Nevada anywhere near the county jail. It is bad enough that they share a joint dispatch. I wouldn't want the Police to stay in an old building. Neither will I support them moving to the County Jail. Keep seeking the truth.

Good forethought!!!! New heating and cooling remodel in the Public Safety bld., now lets build new!! We are only a town of 8,500 people, so we need a 3 million dollar building. Lets be sure to make it look like a farm equipment storage shed. (Community Building) Only fitting it should be named after a metal manufacturing company owner. We've built a metal tribute!!!! Vote no, it's coming to a pole near you!!

I don't think nevada even has 8500 people anymore. I read that nevada was one of the only towns in missouri actually decreasing in population. wonder why. the people who run the town will not let it grow.

WOW. IT'S DEJA VU. JUST LIKE THE COUNTY JAIL. THEY SAID IT WAS BEYOND REPAIR. BUT,NOW THAT THEY HAVE THEIR NEW ONE, "WE" ARE GOING TO SPEND $100,000 DOLLARS ON THE OLD ONE, AND IT WILL BE "GOOD AS NEW". IT'S A MIRACLE. HALLELUJAH.

I have to agree about the current conditions of our City Fire Department, all they have done since the building was first built is try to remodel their little corner of the building. The Commission should go back and look at the records when the land was originally purchased to build our current City building. The land that is now known as Earp Park was bought by the City of Nevada in the early 60's for the sole purpose of if needed they ( the City of Nevada) would have the land already if needed for expanding the current building - (go back and look at the olf records). The Fire Department is in dire need of a new building in order they can have all of their equipment under one roof. Our Fireman can not even park behind the fire station anymore, as all of the parking spaces (except for the Fire Chief) have been taken over by the Police Department, now does that make since to anyone.

Surely their are funds available either through Homeland Security or the new Stimulus that the City could have a "New" Fire Station. These gentlemen put their lives on the line everytime the bell rings and we the citizens of Nevada should be ashame for the conditions that they live in during the 24 hour shift. They "the firemen" have been just getting by for years and it is time the deserve a better place, just as the young people are getting with the "NEW Community Center". Does anyone that works and/or will use this building, put their lives on the line when working - I don't think so.

"Surely their are funds available either through Homeland Security or the new Stimulus that the City could have a "New" Fire Station. These gentlemen put their lives on the line everytime the bell rings and we the citizens of Nevada should be ashame for the conditions that they live in during the 24 hour shift. They "the firemen" have been just getting by for years and it is time the deserve a better place, just as the young people are getting with the "NEW Community Center". Does anyone that works and/or will use this building, put their lives on the line when working - I don't think so."

As before stated, ANY money comes from us. And in fact by virtue of the fact we work, there are in hazards in all jobs. Might be time to consider more volunteers for the fire service???

A town this size has more on duty full time paid staff than comparable towns, these departments are augmented by qualified, trained volunteers. Maybe 2 buildings are in order. One specific for Fire and one specific for Police. Council keeps old building. Welllllll I've stirred this pot enough!!! Time to move to more important things. All this dribble, and The City will do as it pleases!!!!

I hope the city will look into expanding as they did with the community center. The Community center looks great and I would hope the city would try to do the same with the Public Safety Building. I don't know how exactly they would handle the problem with the basement, maybe just full it in (I really don't know if you can do that or not). I do agree the need for space is there. The firemen parking away from the building, why is this a problem, they work 24 hour shifts why do their cars need to be close.

As far as Champion Diamonds being annexed into the city, do you realize the tax dollars this would bring to the city. Not only are the concession prices taxed so are the gate admissions. He brings alot of out of town people to that facility every year and I don't mind those people adding to the tax revenues of Nevada.

"I think it's a real opportunity to look at how do you serve the community as it grows," Tweten said.

Mr. Tweten, our population is steadily declining, even as you annex more people in!

More political misrepresentation.

Why does it matter if a fireman has close parking to the station? They should be in good enough shape to walk a bit, shouldn't they? Other people in town do it. This isn't even worth discussing in a conversation about spending millions of dollars.

Rumor has it that the sheriff doesn't want to bring in outside prisoners because there is too much paperwork involved. Is this true? I thought one of the justifications for the new jail was that it would bring in revenue from other prisoners. Is the rumor true?