City Moves Ahead On Signal Plan
Published: Wednesday, May 27, 2009, C-T

Chillicothe City Council members approved a plan to place two roadside flashers along Washington Street to enhance public safety in relation to the dispatching of emergency vehicles. The council approved an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation during their regular meeting Tuesday night to place roadside flashers near the intersection of Second and Washington streets. The flashers would be similar to what has been placed on Missouri Route 190 near Chillicothe High School at Hornet Drive. The flashers would be controlled by the Department of Emergency Services and activated when emergency vehicles are dispatched. “This will help provide safety at this intersection,” said Darrell Wright, director of Chillicothe Department of Emergency Services. “It is a blind intersection and is very dangerous in getting out. We’ve had a lot of near crashes and the flashing lights would alert drivers on the highway as we approach.”

It is being planned that the traffic signals at Third Street would also be programmed to turn red for all but the northbound traffic when the flashing light is activated. Buildings block sight lines of highway motorists as well as drivers of emergency vehicles. A study will determine exact placement of the flashing lights. The city has budgeted $20,000 for the project. This will be the third project in about a year that the city has partnered with MoDOT regarding safety issues, according to Mayor Chuck Haney. The flashing light discussion was among several issues addressed during the council’s regular session Tuesday night at City Hall.

The council gave its blessing to a project of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 944 which wants to build and donate a 12-foot by 20-foot shelter house at the airport. The shelter, which would have a roof line to compliment the terminal building, would be located north of the terminal building. The proposed structure would have a concrete floor and would be built in time for the annual EAA Fly-In Aug. 23, according to Airport Manager Bill Kieffer.

Also Tuesday, the council approved the purchase of playground mulch for the parks and recreation department from Phillips Pinewood Mulch - the lowest of two bidders - in the amount of $13.25 per cubic yard. Ron Krammes, director of Parks and Recreation, said that the playground mulch is a specialty product designed specifically for playgrounds to meet the fall zone and ADA accessibility requirements. He said only two companies manufacture this product. The council also approved the purchase of a dump truck from Barnes Baker Motors in the amount of $37,681. Barnes Baker submitted the lowest of three bids for the vehicle, which is a 2009 one-ton dual rear wheel dump truck for the street department.

Council members also approved a tax credit agreement with the Missouri Development Board and the Livingston County Community Development Corp. for Silver Moon Plaza, which is being constructed on the north side of the courthouse square. The project has been approved for a maximum of $242,000 in tax credits. Main Street Chillicothe Director Crystal Narr said that $237,500 in monetary funds have already been raised for the project. In a related issue, the council approved a one-year maintenance agreement for Silver Moon Plaza.

In other business, the council:

• Was introduced to Jill Littrell as the new co-assistant clubhouse manager. Littrell has been a seasonal employee at the golf course for four years.
• Approved the recommendation to reappoint Janice Shaffer to the park board. Shaffer currently serves as the board secretary.
• Passed an ordinance adopting new contribution rates with the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS). The rate will be increased from 1.5 percent to 1.75 percent and will be effective June 1.
• Passed an ordinance adding duties to the mayor regarding the retiring of badge numbers for law enforcement and firefighter/EMS employees. The ordinance states that the mayor will have the power to retire badge numbers if he or she determines that the employee died in the line of duty due in part to the hazardous nature of public service, or if the employee exemplified exceptional service and retired after leaving an impact through his or her leadership in the service of the city.

An executive session, closed to the public, followed the regular council meeting at which time the following personnel matters were acted upon: The hiring of Royce Bryant as a seasonal employee for the parks and recreation department; and Levy Barton as a seasonal employee for the street department; and the promotion of Dusty Jordan to the position of engineer for the Department of Emergency Services. The personnel recommendations came from the department directors and city administrator.

City Opts In With Branding Project
Published: Wednesday, May 27, 2009, C-T

The City of Chillicothe may soon have a new look. And, so may Livingston County. And, the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, and a number of other entities that are contributing financially to a cooperative effort to develop a unified logo, or “brand.”

After hearing discussion regarding the proposal, Chillicothe City Council members agreed to pay $1,000 toward the effort. Other contributors of $1,000 each are Livingston County, the Greater Chillicothe Visitors Region, and the Chillicothe Development Corporation. The Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce is providing $500 for the project and Main Street Chillicothe will pick up the balance, which is expected to be around $2,000.

Crystal Narr, director of Main Street Chillicothe, said that Arnett Muldrow & Associates, of Greenville, S.C., will be in Chillicothe next week to work on the project.