August 12, 2008 - The Chillicothe City Council has accepted a proposal from Peckham, Guyton, Albers & Viets, Inc., for preparation of a building evaluation and assessment survey for the Chillicothe Correctional Center campus. Terry Rumery, Economic Development Director for the city, stated that PGAV will work with the City of Chillicothe’s Planning Committee to assess and document existing building conditions including site and site utility infrastructure and the existing buildings architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire suppression systems conditions as the initial step in determining the feasibility and possibilities for adaptive reuse of the property.

The evaluation study will include a total of 10 existing buildings on the prison’s campus at 1500 West Third Street in Chillicothe. The evaluation study is expected to be completed over a six week time frame. Attorney Robert Cowherd spoke at last (Monday) night’s meeting and stated that he was concerned about liability for the city. “We need to quantify,” stated Cowherd. He also stated that the study would let the city know what the property would be suitable for and that time was running short. Mayor Chuck Haney agreed by stating that the city could not let the prison property sit, decay and become a liability for the city.

Other items on the agenda included a discussion about the feral cats in Simpson Park. “There’s been so much publicity about the cats in the park,” said Dean Brookshier, city administrator. “We (the council) wanted to make everyone aware of what the city is doing.” As of Wednesday, Aug. 6, Lesley Pattek, Chillicothe Animal Shelter guardian, has been trapping and removing cats from Simpson Park. Pattek also stated that of the 15 cats already captured, that 50 percent showed feline leukemia, which is an incurable disease contagious among cats only. Pattek noted she has many good outlets for finding permanent homes for the cats but can't save them all. "I think it would be easier for (those who feed the cats) to stop," said Pattek. She also stated that she understood it would be difficult.

The council approved minutes from the July 28 meeting, and approved invoices to pay salaries. The council also adopted an ordinance presented by Dean Brookshier to accept the August 5, 2008 election results. Further discussion of the Local Use Tax will be addressed at a future meeting with all council members present.

The council also accepted a railroad lease agreement with Ray Carroll Grain Growers, Inc. for 800 feet of existing railroad right of way from the city for the purpose of grain transportation and also transportation of anhydrous ammonia between the bulk plant and the Burlington-Northern railroad right of way.

The council also accepted an ordinance accepting a subordination agreement with Regional Missouri Bank regarding B&B Theatres; and accepted a resolution readopting a policy to disclose conflicts of interest.