City Talk - City unanimously supports Tour of Missouri bid in 2009

It seems like just yesterday that 120 of the most talented professional cyclists in the world, who competed in the 2008 Tour of Missouri, crossed the finish line on 10th Street in front of the Castelman Hall Performing Arts Center.

Being part of the Tour of Missouri Stage 4 Finish on Sept. 11, 2008 in Rolla was not only an exhilarating experience, but also a major milestone for a City of our size in South Central Missouri. The partnerships that were forged before, during and after the international event with Missouri University of Science and Technology, the City of St. James, Medalist Sports, KOM, and the event’s area sponsors such as Brewer Science, Inc., Phelps County Bank, Phelps County Regional Medical Center, to name just a few, demonstrated how collaboration and teamwork is essential when hosting an event of this magnitude.

Many Rolla residents who attended the Tour of Missouri Stage 4 finish in Rolla and Stage 5 Start in St. James on Sept. 12 may be curious to know just how much of an impact the TOM had on the City of Rolla, and fortunately I have been provided with those statistics and figures from Scott Caron, Director of the Recreation Center and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the Tour of Missouri.

Scott recently made a presentation to the Rolla City Council during our last Council meeting that outlines the many benefits and rewards the City received by participating and hosting Stage 4 of the event.

The international exposure and recognition Rolla received on television networks, Websites and newspapers from over 80 countries was staggering. In addition, numerous state-wide television and radio coverage, magazines, and newspapers, including great coverage by the Rolla Daily News, helped put Rolla on the map in a way that has not been done very often in the history of our city. Rolla’s sales tax and motel sales tax both had significant spikes during the month of September when more than 12,000 individuals came out to watch and show their support for the Stage 4 Finish in Rolla and Stage 5 Start in St. James. Most of the motels and hotels in Rolla were booked to capacity on Sept. 11 and many of the area restaurants reported record sales the day and evening the Tour of Missouri was held in Rolla. Other positive benefits the Rolla community receive from the Tour of Missouri include an increased awareness of the importance of health and wellness, a better understanding of the various countries represented in the race, and the overall community pride that comes from the team work and collaboration generated through an event of this stature and size.

My wholehearted support continues to be behind the members of Rolla’s Local Organizing Committee as they once again submit an application bid to be considered as a host city for next year’s Tour of Missouri scheduled for Sept. 7 through Sept. 13, 2009.

In closing I would like to wish everyone a happy, safe and memorable Thanksgiving weekend. Our next City Council meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (located at 901 North Elm Street). If you can’t attend the meeting, be sure to tune into Rolla Channel 6 (RC6) at 6:30 p.m. The Council meeting will be broadcast live and rebroadcasted throughout the week.

City Talk - Growing the economy top priority for City Council

Among the many topics discussed at the 8-hour-long City Council retreat Nov. 13 at City Hall were the financial challenges facing not only the country, but the Rolla community in the months and years ahead.

The City’s 2009 complete budget document can be viewed on the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org/admin.budget.shtm. A hard copy of the budget document is also available at City Hall located at 901 North Elm Street.

To help eliminate some of the misconceptions that sometimes arise regarding the 7.6% sales tax in Rolla, I thought it would be helpful to explain how the City’s sales tax is distributed among the various taxing jurisdictions.

Many individuals think all of Rolla’s 7.6 cent sales tax is received by the City of Rolla, but in reality the City receives 2.5 cents. Of the 2.5 cents received 1 cent goes to the City’s General Fund (about $9.5 million for seven of the City’s departments); 1/2 cent is ear-marked for transportation (street improvements); 1/2 cent for capitol Improvements (city infrastructure), and 1/2 cent for parks and recreation. The remaining 5.1 cents is allocated this way: the State of Missouri receives 4.225 cents, and Phelps County receives .875 cents. The average overall sales tax for Missouri cities comparable to Rolla is 7-8%, with several cities with sales tax rates approaching 9%.

The City’s Solid Waste Department, which includes the Recycling Center and Sanitation (waste collection), and the Sewer Department are considered enterprise funds, which are self-sufficient departments that generate revenues through user fees. The Centre, Rolla’s 63,000-square-foot Health and Recreation complex, is funded by membership, user and program fees, and a 1/2 cent sales tax passed by voters in 1998. The tax funding The Centre sunsets in 2013. The Street fund is also maintained in its own fund to track program expenses and the transportation sales tax and capital improvement sales tax, along with the motor fuel (gas) tax.

Another question many residents may have regarding the City budget is how we plan to generate more revenue or sustain the revenues we have to meet the ongoing expenses generated through inflation and increased city services/manpower (i.e., public safety and public works).

There are many options available to address this dilemma, including cutting services, raising taxes and growing the economy. The strategy the City continues to pursue is to grow the economy so that new businesses, industry and economic development generate employment opportunities and thus fuel the economy in a way that benefits everyone. The tactics that the City employs to grow the economy are to encourage businesses, developers and real estate owners to invest and relocate to the Rolla/Phelps County area. The City regularly partners and works collaboratively with organizations, businesses and institutions such as the Rolla Regional Economic Commission (RREC), Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, Meramec Regional Planning Commission, Rolla Community Development Corporation, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Phelps County, Rolla Public Schools, area health care providers, and many others to achieve this end.

The most recent and visible example of how the City has worked to grow the economy is the new Walgreens store being constructed at the intersection of State Hwy. 63 and Ridgeview Road. This multi-faceted, multi-phase project dramatically improved not only the appearance of this highly visible and key intersection, but also greatly enhanced the safety, slope and access along Ridgeview Road.

The City is also partnering with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) on other transportation projects such as the proposed Ridgeview Road extension to Bridge School Road, a new traffic light and entrance at the corner of Kingshighway and Fairgrounds road that will ease traffic congestion on Kingshigway and provide a entrance to the new Innovation Tech Park being developed by Missouri S&T.

By continually sending out the message that Rolla is a progressive City where the quality of life is high, the education is top-notch and cutting-edge technology, research and high-tech industry is abundant, we also seek to initiate developer-driven projects such as Rolla West. The recently completed master plan for Rolla West by HNTB is the type of tool the City and Rolla Regional Economic Commission can use to attract new businesses and industry that will help diversify and strengthen our City’s retail offerings, provide more jobs, generate more sales tax, and ultimately grow our economy. The development of Rolla West will help enhance and solidify the City’s stature as the regional hub for South Central Missouri.

In closing I would like to wish everyone a happy, safe and memorable Thanksgiving. In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, City Hall will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28. The Centre (1200 North Holloway, Street), will also be closed Thanksgiving Day, and will be open the day after Thanksgiving from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, please call (573) 341-2386.

The Solid Waste Department will be picking up Thursday’s trash on Wednesday. For more information regarding trash pick-up, yard waste, recycling or the City’s new Household Hazardous Waste Facility, please call (573) 364-6693.

City Talk - Bourbon H.S. Ecology class tours Recycling Center

As part of a day-long field trip that included stops at the City of Rolla’s Southwest Treatment Plant, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a group of 23 Ecology students from Bourbon High School recently toured the Rolla Recycling Center located at 2141 Old St. James Road.

The tour of the Recycling Center on Nov. 6 was hosted by Solid Waste Director Brady Wilson, who did a lot more than talk about trash to the group of juniors and seniors who attend Jon Johnson’s Ecology class at Bourbon High School in Bourbon, Missouri.

Wilson’s main message to the students was that “just about anything we use and consume at home, at work and around town can be recycled.” The students were surrounded by mountains of recycled paper and cardboard as Wilson emphasized how important recycling is, not only from an environmental and ecological perspective, but also an economic one.

Hylan Beydler, Public Information Coordinator with the DNR, Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla, said that touring the Rolla Recycling Center helps to broaden the student’s awareness of their career opportunities in Geology and Ecology, and increases their awareness of the impact that recycling has on their environment. Beydler, who coordinated the day-long field trip and environmental education outreach with Jim Lubbers from the DNR in Jefferson City, said the field trip was funded entirely from the State’s Scrap Tire fee, which is coordinated by DNR.

Wilson, who is passionate about recycling, the environment, and educating the public about the positive impact recycling and the Rolla Recycling Center has on our community, conducts student and civic tours of the Recycling Center on a regular basis.

The next big project Brady will be showcasing at the Recycling Center is a new recycled materials exhibit that will demonstrate the use of recycled products and includes a handicapped picnic table and message board totally constructed from recycled materials. The exhibit will also include a composting demonstration display.

To schedule a tour of the facility, or for more information about the Recycling Center and new Household Hazardous Waste Facility, please call the Solid Waste Department at (573) 364-6693. To schedule a tour of the DNR offices in Rolla, please call Hylan Beydler at (573) 368-2100.

Police Chief Chat - Veteran's Day / Friday Backpack Program

Good morning, I hope you had a great week and were able to attend at least one of the many Veteran’s Day programs held in an around Rolla in honor of those who have preserved our freedom by serving our country. The Rolla Junior High School, Mark Twain Elementary and Hickory Pit Barbecue all offered programs, luncheons and services to show appreciation for the sacrifices these great men and women endured in the name of freedom and support of our constitution.

We have several service related organizations in our area that offer support to our veterans in the way of social gatherings, fundraising events and memorial tributes and benefit information. These organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled Association of Veterans and AMVETS provide a wide variety of services to benefit local heroes such as Bill Jenks, Dick Elgin, Bosco Eudaly, Neal Grannemann, Ed Schmidt, Les Burris, Bill Feeler, Michael Flowers, Neal Jocsing, Al Parsons, Jim Greig, Eddie Schwartz, Luke Kearse, John Mittendorf, Butch Fiebelman, Tom Pasley, Jim Fiscus, Bill Stoltz, Stan Spadoni, Ed Lorey, Forrest O’neal, Bill Wright and Fred Kruger. These and many others from our own community stood proud, pledged allegiance and did what they had to do to keep the rest of us safe in conflicts ranging from World War II, the Korean War, Viet Nam War and the War in Iraq! Thank you to all veterans past and present for what you have done and for what you are about to do to keep us safe!

Lieutenant Jason Smith and I had the opportunity to attend the International Police Chiefs Association annual conference held in San Diego, California this past week. The conference is designed to present Police Chief’s from all over the world with the latest in equipment demonstrations, tactics, management styles and philosophies to better serve their agencies. There are also break-out sessions featuring nationally recognized guest speakers who cover preventive measures in turnover rates, public opinion analysis and community policing advantages. . Other management sessions were presented from the nation’s top cops on how to win in situations that require use of force. The training began on Saturday, November 8 and ran through Wednesday November 12, 2008.

I learned from our own Behind the Badge organization that the local founder of the Friday Backpack Program, Faith Barnes with the assistance of the Christian Life Center has secured a $19,000.00 donation to assist in funding the backpack program. The program provides food items to children in need on Friday after school to ascertain that they will be nourished over the weekend to stimulate better study habits. Our Behind the Badge group assists Faith and others in filling the backpacks each week. The program now includes all 3 of the Rolla elementary schools and the Newburg elementary school and serves over 200 students. Way to go Faith and the CLC. Great job! And a special thanks to the donors. This is just one more example of how this community comes together in times of need.

In closing, I would like to congratulate Patrol Officer Josh Campbell and K-9 Ziggy for successfully completing 2 weeks of certification training in tracking, narcotic detection building and article searches and handler protection with the Dogwood Inn and Training Center in Jeffersonville, In. Officer Campbella and Ziggy trained side by side for during the 80 hour certification. Ziggy was partnered with Pto. Campbell after serving Senior Patrol Officer Adam Meyer. Great job Josh and Ziggy!

I hope you have a great week!

City Connection - Shopping local is a wise investment

City Connection (A monthly update from the City of Rolla to the Business Community)

Shopping local is wise investment
By Mayor Bill Jenks, III
I’m sure that all of you have given some thought as to how important in today’s economic climate it is that we consider the benefits of patronizing our local businesses, restaurants and retail establishments in the weeks and months ahead.
Regardless of how the presidential election, and local and state elections turned out, we as citizens, must remember that we can do our part to ensure that our community continues to prosper and grow in the months and years to come. One of the easiest ways to do this, as simple as it may sound, is to remember to do as much of your day to day and holiday shopping right here in Rolla and Phelps County.
So please consider the real and significant benefits shopping local will bring not only to you, but our area businesses, retail outlets, restaurants, grocery stores and banking institutions. Fuel prices are fortunately back below the $2 mark, and will hopefully stay that way throughout the holiday season, but the recent reduction in the cost of fuel doesn’t offset the need for all of us to continue to support and patronize our local shops and stores.
And when you decide to purchase locally, you are not only helping to sustain and grow business in the area, but you are also fueling our economy from both an investment and employment perspective. We have much to be grateful for as we approach the holidays, and one of the best ways to demonstrate our gratitude is to reinvest in our community.

Rolla, British Columbia meets Rolla, Missouri
With a population of 200 people, the Canadian town of Rolla, British Columbia is located about 12 miles from the frontier town of Dawson Creek – better known as Mile Zero on the 2,288-mile-long Alaska Highway.

The elevation is about 2,100 feet (1,000 more than in Rolla, Missouri), and its location 80 miles east of the Rocky Mountains and seven miles from the Alberta, Canada boarder, make it an ideal location for grain farming, and many decades ago, homesteading. Over 98 percent of the town’s industry consists of farming, and the climate is milder than you might imagine for a Canadian Province where 40-below zero is not unheard of.

This is the picture painted of Rolla, British Columbia by Gordon Miller during a visit he and three other Miller family siblings and their spouses, and the spouse of a deceased sister, made to Rolla City Hall (901 North Elm Street), in Rolla, Missouri on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008. Gordon, a third-generation Miller, and his wife, Brenda Miller, who both reside in Rolla, British Columbia, are retracing their roots in Rolla, Missouri where Gordon’s ancestors once lived over 100 years ago.

The 9-member contingency from British Columbia are visiting family cemeteries and the old Miller Homestead located in Camp Creek in Phelps County. Historic records indicate that the Millers were an early pioneer family in Phelps County, and that one of the Millers once served as a county judge.

While visiting Rolla City Hall Gordon was presented with a large Rolla Welcome banner from City Administrator John Butz, who coordinated the visit through Rolla resident Russ Lindenlaub. Gordon said he plans to display the welcome banner in the Rolla, British Columbia community center.

“It’s always a pleasure whenever we have the opportunity to visit at City Hall with such friendly folks like these whose ancestry traces to Rolla, Missouri,” said Butz. “It always amazes me how many connections people from all over the country, including the Canadian Provence of British Columbia, have with Rolla’s history and heritage.”

Bourbon High School Ecology students tour Rolla Recycling Center
As part of a day-long field trip that included stops at the City of Rolla’s Southwest Treatment Plant, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a group of 23 Ecology students from Bourbon High School recently toured the Rolla Recycling Center located at 2141 Old St. James Road.

The tour of the Recycling Center on Thursday, Nov. 6 was hosted by Solid Waste Director Brady Wilson, who did a lot more than ‘talk trash’ to the group of juniors and seniors who attend Jon Johnson’s Ecology class at Bourbon High School in Bourbon, Missouri.

Wilson’s main message to the students was that “just about anything we use and consume at home, at work and around town can be recycled.” The students were surrounded by mountains of recycled paper and cardboard as Wilson emphasized how important recycling is, not only from an environmental and ecological perspective, but also an economic one.

“Touring the Rolla Recycling Center helps to broaden the student’s awareness of their career opportunities in Geology and Ecology, and increases their awareness of the impact that recycling has on their environment,” said Hylan Beydler, Public Information Coordinator with the DNR, Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla. Beydler, who coordinated the day-long field trip and environmental education outreach with Jim Lubbers from the DNR in Jefferson City, said the field trip was funded entirely from the State’s Scrap Tire fee, which is coordinated by DNR.

Wilson, who is passionate about recycling, the environment, and educating the public about the positive impact recycling and the Rolla Recycling Center has on our community, conducts student and civic tours of the Recycling Center on a regular basis. To schedule a tour of the facility, or for more information about the Recycling Center and new Household Hazardous Waste Facility, please call the Solid Waste Department at (573) 364-6693.

To schedule a tour of the DNR offices in Rolla, please call Hylan Beydler at (573) 368-2100.

Buckle up to avoid ticket And arrive alive
Nearly one in four Missourians still fail to regularly wear their safety belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
Among those least likely to buckle up are young males, pickup truck drivers and their passengers, people who live in rural areas, and night time drivers.
The Rolla Police Department recently announced it is joining with law enforcement agencies across the state on Nov. 26 for an aggressive “Click It or Ticket” mobilization to crack down on Missouri’s safety belt law violators and to reduce highway fatalities.
Failure to regularly wear a safety belt can be deadly. In 2007, a driver in a Missouri traffic crash has a 1 in 32 chance of being killed if they were not wearing a seat belt. In cases where the driver wore a seat belt, their chance of being killed was 1 in 1,309.
“Regular safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities and injuries in motor vehicle crashes”, said Corporal Harry Eckman, Rolla Police Traffic Division Supervisor.
For more information on Missouri seat belt usage, please visit www.saveMOlives.com or contact Corporal Harry Eckman at (573) 364-1213.

City offers choices for pick-up of bagged leaves through Dec. 13
For Rolla residents who are deciding how to dispose of their leaves during the fall season, the city offers a couple of alternatives to help make your leaf disposal efforts a little more convenient.

The City of Rolla’s Solid Waste Department will continue to offer pick-up of bagged leaves through Dec. 13, 2008. To receive this service, the leaves must be placed in brown paper biodegradable yard waste bags, which can be purchased at many stores in the area. We also ask that you place your bags to the curb by 6 a.m. so our equipment operators can pick them up on your normal collection day.

This service will be suspended from Dec. 13, 2008 through March 1, 2009. Collection of yard waste (leaves, grass, clippings and small sticks) in brown paper bags will resume on Monday, March 2, 2009. Residents wishing to dispose of these materials during the winter suspension can use the composting facility located at the Phelps County Transfer Station, or arrange for a special pick up for a fee. For more information please call the Solid Waste Department at (573) 364-6693.

Rolla residents can also get their leaves picked up by the Parks and Recreation Department Monday through Friday for a nominal fee through Dec. 15, 2008 (leaves will not be picked up after noon Friday or during weekends and holidays). We just ask that you rake or haul all leaves to the curbside along city streets. No private driveways or private areas will be entered by City vehicles. Per City Ordinance no leaves can be placed in the streets, gutters or ditches. Leaves will be picked up by a large vacuum and deposited into a large dump body and trailer and then taken to the Phelps County Composting Site to be recycled.

New users of this service must pay a $120 refundable deposit or leave a credit card number. The fee is $40 per half hour with the minimum charge of $40, and all fees must be paid within two weeks of the service being completed. Credit card payments (Visa, Master Card & Discover) are preferred. If you wish to use this service, or to get more information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (573) 364-4278.

Residents encouraged to use Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Rolla residents who have household hazardous waste materials such as car batteries, used oil or antifreeze, or other toxic, poisonous or flammable products may dispose of them at the City’s new Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The facility is operated by the City’s Solid Waste Department at the Rolla Recycling Center located off Old St. James Road.

Use of the facility is encouraged by all Rolla residents, however, this is strictly a residential service; business and commercial waste is prohibited. If you are interested in using the facility, we simply ask that you make an appointment by calling the Rolla Recycling Center during normal business hours at (573) 364-6693. Deliveries will be accepted by appointment only. For a complete list of items that will be acceptable to drop off at the facility, please contact the Solid Waste Department at (573) 364-6693 or visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org/waste.

The new Household Hazardous Waste facility is open to residents in the Rolla/Phelps County community as well as the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington counties). There is also a new HHW facility located in the City of St. Robert in Pulaski County.

This service will be more convenient, accessible, and safer for the public and employees alike, and reflects the City of Rolla’s commitment of “going green.”

Rolla Channel 6 airs City Council & Rolla Public Schools board meetings
Rolla Channel 6 (RC6) is airing live Rolla City Council meetings the first and third Monday of the month (6:30 p.m.), as well as several times throughout the week. City Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission meetings are also airing live on RC6 the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

Rolla Public Schools (RPS) board meetings also air live on RC6, and will re-air throughout the week as well. Rolla High School Friday night football games air the Sunday following the game at 6 p.m. RC6 will re-air the games frequently throughout the following week or weeks depending on the home schedule. The schedule for all programs will be posted on the RC6 program guide.

Other pre-produced programs currently airing on RC6 include: Missouri Outdoors, After the Storm, Army Newswatch, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Services (CSREES) Partners Video Magazine, NASA Science Files, World Energy Television, PlaySports TV, Perils for Pedestrians, Road to Recovery and Friends in Discovery.

For more information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Council and Rolla Public Schools board meetings, and RHS sporting events, please contact Gabe Mankin, RC6 Video Production Manager, at (573) 426-3377 or at Gabe.Mankin@fidelitycommunications.com.

RC6 is a jointly funded education and government cable channel provided by the City of Rolla, Rolla Public Schools, and Fidelity Cablevision. The mission of RC6 is to enhance the City of Rolla’s and Rolla Public Schools’ public information and communication systems, involve the community in local government and Rolla Public School decision-making, and provide useful information to the public.

Full-color 2008 Aerial photos of Rolla available at City Hall
The 2008 full-color aerial photo of the City of Rolla is available for purchase at the GIS/Mapping Office located in the Public Works Department at Rolla City Hall (901 North Elm Street) in downtown Rolla.

The aerial was flown in January 2008 and is available on 42- x 52-inch photo quality gloss paper. The price is $20 per print. A limited supply of the 2007 black and white aerial photos are also available for a cost of $5.

For more information, or to place your order for an aerial photo of Rolla, please call (573) 364-8659, ext. 033, or stop by City Hall anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

City Talk - Shopping local is wise investment

I’m sure that all of you have given some thought as to how important in today’s economic climate it is that we consider the benefits of patronizing our local businesses, restaurants and retail establishments in the weeks and months ahead.

Regardless of how the presidential election, and local and state elections turned out, we as citizens, must remember that we can do our part to ensure that our community continues to prosper and grow in the months and years to come. One of the easiest ways to do this, as simple as it may sound, is to remember to do as much of your day to day and holiday shopping right here in Rolla and Phelps County. So please consider the real and significant benefits shopping local will bring not only to you, but our area businesses, retail outlets, restaurants, grocery stores and banking institutions. Fuel prices are fortunately back below the $2 mark, and will hopefully stay that way throughout the holiday season, but the recent reduction in the cost of fuel doesn’t offset the need for all of us to continue to support and patronize our local shops and stores.

And when you decide to purchase locally, you are not only helping to sustain and grow business in the area, but you are also fueling our economy from both an investment and employment perspective. We have much to be grateful for as we approach the holidays, and one of the best ways to demonstrate our gratitude is to reinvest in our community.

In closing I would like to remind residents that Rolla City Hall, located at 901 North Elm Street, will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 11 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday. The Solid Waste Department will be picking up Tuesday’s trash on Wednesday. The CENTRE, Rolla’s Health and Recreation complex, located at 1200 North Holloway Street, will maintain regular operating hours on Veterans Day from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This Veterans Day the Rolla City Council and Rolla City employees express their gratitude and appreciation for all veterans, both home and abroad, who are serving or have served to protect our freedoms. Please remember to keep our veterans in your thoughts, and let them know how much they are appreciated.

City Talk - City offers choices for pick-up of bagged leaves through Dec. 13

Along with all the beauty that comes with autumn in the Ozarks – and we sure are getting our share of it this year - lots of leaves also come with the fall foliage.

Fortunately for Rolla residents who are contemplating how to dispose of their leaves, the city offers a couple of alternatives to help make your leaf disposal efforts a little more convenient.

If you like to get outside, and grab a rake, the City of Rolla’s Solid Waste Department will continue to offer the pick-up of bagged leaves through Dec. 13, 2008. To receive this service, the leaves must be placed in brown paper biodegradable yard waste bags, which can be purchased at many stores in the area. We also ask that you place your bags to the curb by 6 a.m. so our equipment operators can pick them up on your normal collection day.

Please be aware that this service will be suspended from Dec. 13, 2008 through March 1, 2009. Collection of yard waste (leaves, grass, clippings and small sticks) in brown paper bags will resume on Monday, March 2, 2009. Residents wishing to dispose of these materials during the winter suspension can use the composting facility located at the Phelps County Transfer Station, or arrange for a special pick up for a fee. For more information please call the Solid Waste Department at (573) 364-6693.

Rolla residents can also get their leaves picked up by the Parks and Recreation Department Monday through Friday for a nominal fee through Dec. 15, 2008 (leaves will not be picked up after noon Friday or during weekends and holidays). We just ask that you rake or haul all leaves to the curbside along city streets.

No private driveways or private areas will be entered by City vehicles. Per City Ordinance no leaves can be placed in the streets, gutters or ditches. Leaves will be picked up by a large vacuum and deposited into a large dump body and trailer and then taken to the Phelps County Composting Site to be recycled.

New users of this service must pay a $120 refundable deposit or leave a credit card number. The fee is $40 per half hour with the minimum charge of $40, and all fees must be paid within two weeks of the service being completed. Credit card payments (Visa, Master Card & Discover) are preferred. If you wish to use this service, or to get more information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (573) 364-4278.

Rolla residents who have household hazardous waste materials such as car batteries, used oil or antifreeze, or other toxic, poisonous or flammable products may dispose of them at the City’s new Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The facility is operated by the City’s Solid Waste Department at the Rolla Recycling Center located off Old St. James Road.

Use of the facility is encouraged by all Rolla residents, however, this is strictly a residential service; business and commercial waste is prohibited. If you are interested in using the facility, we simply ask that you make an appointment by calling the Rolla Recycling Center during normal business hours at (573) 364-6693.

Beliveries will be accepted by appointment only. For a complete list of items that will be acceptable to drop off at the facility, please contact the Solid Waste Department at (573) 364-6693 or visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org/waste.

The new Household Hazardous Waste facility is open to residents in the Rolla/Phelps County community as well as the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington counties). There is also a new HHW facility located in the City of St. Robert in Pulaski County.

This service will be more convenient, accessible, and safer for the public and employees alike, and reflects the City of Rolla’s commitment of “going green.”