Saturday, July 30, 2011

Construction activity in high gear

If you have done any traveling along the Kingshighway/I-44 overpass (Exit 184) or on State Highway 63 North, you may have noticed that there is quite a bit of construction, excavation, earth moving and site preparation going on these days in Rolla.
The earth moving, grading, and site preparation on Highway 63 North next to Lowe’s is of course, the location of the future 56,000-square-foot Kohl’s Department Store that is scheduled for completion in March 2012. The construction and earth moving at the Kingshighway/I-44 overpass at Martin Springs Drive and Old Wire Road is in preparation for two new round-abouts that are being constructed by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The expansive area of land that is also being cleared just off Interstate 44 at the Kingshighway/Old Wire Road intersection (Exit 184) is being readied for future retail development. Fortunately, much of the excess rock and dirt cleared for that area is being hauled and relocated just yards away across Old Wire Outer Road for the construction of the north round-about. 
While the grading and earth moving activity on State Route 63 north is not impacting traffic flow or posing any traffic delays in that area of town, the construction work currently underway at the site off Old Wire Outer Road and Kingshighway and the dual round-abouts, are posing traffic delays for motorists using the Kingshighway/I-44 overpass and Old Wire Outer Road. While the City understands that this construction work does cause some inconvenience and temporary traffic delays, we ask for your continued patience and cooperation while these important projects are under construction. When completed, the dual round-abouts will help improve not only traffic flow and circulation, but also safety. Much like the round-about located at the University Drive/I-44 Overpass, these new dual round-abouts will allow motorists to move continuously through the intersection, saving both time and gas as the need for stopping for a traffic light is eliminated. A fourth round-about is scheduled to be constructed by the Public Works Department at the intersection of Forum and 18th Street sometime in early August
Other road related work that is also currently being done in Rolla is the micro-surfacing of several city streets. Donelson Construction Company, LLC continues to apply asphalt micro-surfacing to several city streets south of 10th Street to Missouri Highway 72, and east of Forum Drive and Pinetree Road. Micro-surfacing (1/4-inch of asphalt) is an economical alternative to hot asphalt mix overlays, which typically applies a minimum of two inches of pavement resurfacing. This entire project is currently projected to be completed by Monday, Aug. 1, including the last phase, which includes the Johnson/Laird subdivision. The City of Rolla’s Public Works Department, which is overseeing the micro-paving project, asks for the public’s patience, cooperation and caution as this project is completed.  A complete list of streets that were scheduled for micro-surfacing and a detailed map, are posted on the City of Rolla’s Website at www.rollacity.org. For regular updates on road closures and construction schedules, please contact the Public Works Department at 364-8659 or visit www.rollacity.org.
Looking towards next weekend, as we get closer to the start of a new school year, the State “Back to School Sales Tax Holiday” falls between Friday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 7. As stated in the ordinance to ‘opt in’ the sales tax holiday (City tax savings of 2.5% and State tax savings of 4.225%)  is intended to provide tax relief to families with children attending school by exempting the sales tax on clothing, personal computers, certain computer software, and school supplies. The sale officially begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, and ends at midnight on Sunday, Aug. 7. The Back to School Sales Tax Holiday was first established in 2004 by the Missouri State Legislature when the legislature passed Senate Bill 11.
In closing, I’d like to mention how much I appreciate the work being done by all of our City employees who have had to endure the excessive heat and humidity over the past few weeks. The Street crews have worked non-stop outdoors in 110-degree-plus heat indexes installing several yards of new storm drain pipe and storm drain inlets along Forum Drive; the Sanitation Department members have been picking up trash and recyclables every day; the Rolla Police Department and Fire and Rescue have been going to emergency calls outdoors (in heavy, warm uniforms), the Parks and Recreation Department members have been out mowing lawns, landscaping and keeping our parks looking beautiful, and our traffic engineering crews have been striping roads and parking lots. If you happen to see a City employee out in the community working in this oppressive heat, you may want to wave to them, give them a thumbs up, or maybe even stop and tell them how much they are appreciated. We are truly fortunate to have such hard working, dedicated employees who provide an array of valuable services for our residents and community.
On a final note, please be cautious of the extreme heat in the days and weeks to come, stay hydrated, use sun screen, refrain from strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, and feel free to stop by any of the cooling centers in town, including The Centre (1200 N. Holloway), Rolla City Hall (901 N. Elm Street), and Rolla Public Library (900 North Pine Street). Please also be sure to check on your neighbors who are elderly, refrain from leaving your children or pets in cars unattended, and provide plenty of water and shade for outdoor pets. Have a safe week!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Police Chief Chat

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 686 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 20 arrests, 19 alarm calls, 13 accidents, 25 traffic complaints, 10 check the well being requests, 78 traffic stops, 21 disturbance calls (including domestics), 13 suspicious nature calls, 16 assists of other agency requests, 5 narcotics violations, 55 security checks and 9 escorts. This call total is up 7 calls from last week. Yet another busy week.

Well we are now entering into our 3rd week of excessive heat warnings where temperatures have been close to or over 100 degrees on several consecutive days. We did have a somewhat severe thunderstorm right in the middle of the heat wave, and the temperature did drop to a comfortable 72 degrees, but then shot right back up over 100 as soon as the skies cleared. What this means to us is an increase in heat related calls such as to check the well being of the elderly that may live alone, or to check on children or pets left unattended in closed vehicles. The extreme heat and high humidity also taxes our officers who go right on patrolling and handling calls regardless of weather conditions. Wearing dark blue wool blend uniforms, protective vests and about 10 extra pounds of leather bound equipment while performing these duties adds to the discomfort. Fortunately our patrol cars are equipped with air-conditioning, so the time spent in the vehicles is somewhat comfortable. It is a proven fact that when the citizens in the community are uncomfortable and irritable due to weather conditions, our call volume increase, especially domestic dispute calls.

What the extreme heat means to you will vary depending on your situation. It may be as simple as staying home in the air conditioning enjoying a cold beverage and watching Oprah re-runs. For others it may mean that you need to start the car a few minutes before leaving for work or before going home to cool off the car. Still others may need to take special preparation to be able to deal with the severe heat while working outside. Construction workers, landscapers, painters, roofers and road crews will still need to work and perform their duties out in the sun and need to be prepared. Finally we have those that may be unable to leave their homes due to age, medical conditions or desire. Those folks may or may not have air conditioning and may or may not have family or friends to check on them. If you know someone in your neighborhood that lives alone, take just a few minutes to give them a call or stop by and make sure they are not in need of outside assistance.

Another staple of summer besides the heat is of course road repair. This is the time of year the street department takes to the streets and highways and begins repairing all the damage left behind by old man winter. This is the time for pot holes to be filled and curbs and sidewalks to be replaced. It is also a time when the city contracts with various paving companies to come in and pave streets and roadways according to scheduling. These crews are here now and will be moving from job site to job site paving streets. Please pay close attention to warning signs and watch for officers and flag men and women directing traffic. There will be times when changes in traffic flow will create a minor inconvenience but it is much better for all of us in the long run. Please be patient and try to avoid these areas when possible.

This past week, Senior Patrol Officer Josh Campbell of the Street Crimes Unit and Patrol Officer Steve Gray attended Title 19 Cross-Designation Training offered by Homeland Security U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The class is mandatory for officers who wish to become deputized through ICE. These credentials will allow officers who actively work criminal interdiction on the interstate additional assets and intelligence during their investigations. These officers may also be called upon during times of need to assist Homeland Security on additional investigations or emergencies in other geographical areas. The class was a mixture of policies and procedures put on by legal counsel and special agents from Homeland Security.

In closing, school starts in less than 3 weeks and we need to start using caution at school crossings, intersections and in residential areas. We will have a strong presence in those areas for the first few weeks of school. Help us keep the students safe.

Have a great week.

Chief Mark Kearse

City completes asphalt micro-surfacing project ahead of schedule


The asphalt micro-surfacing of over seven miles of Rolla city streets was completed ahead of schedule today, Friday, July 29.  The area included all streets in Rolla south of 10th Street to Missouri Highway 72, and east of Forum Drive and Pinetree Road. It also included the Johnson/Laird subdivision.
Micro-surfacing (1/4 inch of asphalt) is an economical alternative to hot asphalt mix overlays, which typically applies a minimum of two inches of pavement resurfacing.   One of the distinct advantages of the micro-surfacing procedure is that the work proceeds at a much quicker pace than traditional asphalt overlays, which typically apply a minimum one – and one-half-inches of pavement resurfacing. Micro-surfacing is also an economical alternative to hot asphalt mix overlays, saving the City and residents thousands that would otherwise be spent for the more expensive procedure.
The project would not have proceeded as rapidly as it did without the efficient work and collaboration by the City’s Public Works Department, Donelson Construction Company and the Rolla Police Department. Gene Stroup, Project Coordinator in the City’s Engineering Division, also deserves a big thanks for keeping the project ahead of schedule, as well as the members of Donelson Construction Company and the Rolla Police Department who provided traffic control assistance throughout the project. We would also like to thank the residents of Rolla for your patience and understanding during the micro-surfacing of streets. 
The next project to be undertaken by the City’s Street Department will be the construction of a new round about at the intersection of Forum Drive and 18th Street. This project will begin on Monday, Aug. 1 and will take approximately four to six weeks to complete. The City continues to ask residents and motorists to use caution, and reduce speed throughout this construction project.  


Rolla City Council Mtg. set for Aug. 14

The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street. 
Rolla City Council meetings are ordinarily held the first and third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. except when there is a conflict with an observed holiday.  To review a copy of the City Council agendas or the full agenda packet, please visit http://www.rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtml. For more information, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.
City Council meetings are also broadcast live on Rolla Channel 16 (RC16). To check to see when the City Council meetings are rebroadcast, please check the RC16 Program Guide online at http://rollachannel16.pegcentral.com.

Monday, July 25, 2011

City of Rolla Weekly Updates (July 25-Aug. 1, 2011)

Impact of drug
activity can
be far reaching
By Mayor Bill Jenks, III
    The far reaching impact that the illegal use of drugs and drug-related activity can and does have on a community is something the City of Rolla, Rolla Police Department, neighboring law enforcement agencies, judicial agencies and numerous social, religious, mental health and educational entities continue to take very seriously.
   Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse, Lt. Doug James, and the RPD command staff have done a tremendous job forming the Community Action Team (CAT) that meets on a regular basis to network, discuss ideas, and formulate strategies to best address the drug related problems that continue to pose a threat to the quality of life we have come to enjoy as Rolla residents. In addition, SSgt. Rick Williams and Vince Giacolone, VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) Director, continue to strengthen the City’s Neighborhood Watch program that is an integral component of the CAT and the City’s ongoing efforts to address and minimize drug related activity in our community. I have personally attended several of the CAT meetings, and can attest to the positive steps forward that have been made by this concerned, determined and conscientious group of people.
   Through the efforts of Chief Kearse, the City now has a full-time Housing Officer who works closely with the Rolla Housing Authority to ensure that any illegal drug related activity is addressed, monitored and that offenders are identified in a timely manner. In addition, the newly formed Street Narcotics Unit has been very successful in identifying and apprehending several drug users and offenders since it was formed. In plain English, the City of Rolla and Rolla Police Department, together with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies in the region, are clamping down on drug abuse and drug users who are adversely impacting Rolla and Phelps County’s quality of life. With several successful drug apprehensions and arrests over the past two years, Rolla and other law enforcement agencies working in unison, are sending out a message to those individuals who use or distribute illegal drugs, who are considering moving to the area, that not only is Rolla the wrong place to start a life of illegal drug activity and abuse, but that we have the systems, networks and resources in place to counter illegal drug use and distribution. And when you look at the number and frequency of Heroin and Meth related arrests, overdoses, drug seizures, meth lab seizures and drug related criminal activity and arrests made over the past few years in Rolla – you will have to admit that something more serious and drastic needed to be done to address the growing illegal drug problem in the Rolla area.
   By reaching out broadly to many sectors of the community, including mental health experts, community leaders, religious leaders, the law enforcement community and judicial community, a wide net has been cast to help the City better cope with, understand and identify ways to battle the ongoing illegal drug problem that has been compared to a Cancer that can run rampant through a community. It is my hope and the hope of the Rolla City Council, the CAT, and Rolla Police Department, that with the continued support, education and awareness of the greater Rolla community, we can continue to make the necessary steps to help eradicate illegal drug use and distribution in our City. The use of illegal drugs, whether it be through usage, manufacturing, trafficking or distribution, is something that cannot and will not be tolerated in the City of Rolla – and I hope you will join me on the war on drugs that is threatening the very fabric of the Rolla community, our institutions, our way of life, and the neighborhoods where you and your children and children’s friends and neighbors live and work every day.
   Some residents have eagerly volunteered to place educational signs in their yards stating that illegal drug use will not be welcomed or tolerated in Rolla, others have become more active in their Neighborhood Watch groups, and yet others have become a fan of the Rolla Police Department’s Facebook page or taken the time to report suspicious activity or a potential crime in progress. There are many ways to help combat the war on drugs, other than those I have mentioned above, but one of the most effective methods of combating it is to educate our residents, let them know we do have a drug problem in Rolla, we are taking many proactive steps to address it, we are sending a message outside the Rolla community that it will not be tolerated, and most of all, it will take the entire community’s help to prevent illegal drug use and abuse from taking a further toll on Rolla’s health and well being.
   In closing, I’d like to remind the community that the City’s Street Department is in the process of asphalt micro-surfacing several streets in the City. The area will include all streets in Rolla south of 10th Street to Missouri Highway 72, and east of Forum Drive and Pinetree Road. It will also include the Johnson/Laird sub division. Micro-surfacing is an economical alternative to hot asphalt mix overlays, which typically applies a minimum of two inches of pavement resurfacing.
   A complete list of streets scheduled for micro-surfacing and a detailed map are posted on the City of Rolla’s Website at www.rollacity.org. For regular updates on road closures and construction schedules, please contact the Public Works Department at 364-8659 or visit www.rollacity.org.
  Have a safe week!
  
Micro-surfacing of
City streets underway
   The City of Rolla Street Department, in conjunction with Donelson Construction Company, is well underway with the asphalt micro-surfacing of several city streets throughout the Rolla community.
   The area will include all streets in Rolla south of 10th Street to Missouri Highway 72, and east of Forum Drive and Pinetree Road. It will also include the Johnson/Laird sub division. Micro-surfacing is an economical alternative to hot asphalt mix overlays, which typically applies a minimum of two inches of pavement resurfacing.
   A complete list of streets scheduled for micro-surfacing and a detailed map are posted on the City of Rolla’s Website at www.rollacity.org. For regular updates on road closures and construction schedules, please contact the Public Works Department at 364-8659 or visit www.rollacity.org.

Rolla Channel 16
now live streaming
24/7 on the Web
   If you happened to miss the airing of the last Rolla City Council meeting or Planning & Zoning meeting, you can now watch them (free downloading) online on the Rolla Channel 16 Website at http://rollachannel16.com.
   Rolla Channel 16, Rolla’s premiere Education and Government channel, is also now live streaming (24/7) at http://rollachannel16.com. RC16 will live stream all future Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, all future episodes of “City Minutes”, all Rolla Public Schools board meetings, and RHS Review.
   Other syndicated content on RC16 such as Missouri Outdoors, Army Newswatch, and Capitol Dialogue will also live stream on RC16 at http://rollachannel16.com.
   For more information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning meetings, and Rolla Public Schools board meetings, etc., please contact Gabe Mankin, Digital Media Operations Manager, at (573) 426-3377 or at Gabe.Mankin@fidelitycommunications.com.
   Be sure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – Education, Government and Community for you!

Back to School
Sales Tax Holiday
set for Aug. 5-7
   The message to shop local continues to be sent to the Rolla community after the Rolla City Council approved the State “Back to School Sales Tax Holiday” in April 2009 for the first weekend in August, which this year falls between Friday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 7.
  As stated in the ordinance to ‘opt in’ to the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday, the sales tax holiday (City tax savings of 2.5% and State tax savings of 4.225%)  is intended to provide tax relief to families with children attending school by exempting the sales tax on clothing, personal computers, certain computer software, and school supplies. The sale officially begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, and ends at midnight on Sunday, Aug. 7.
   The Back to School Sales Tax Holiday was first established in 2004 by the Missouri State Legislature when the legislature passed Senate Bill 11.

Rolla City Council
Mtg. set for Aug. 1
   The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street. 
   Rolla City Council meetings are ordinarily held the first and third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. except when there is a conflict with an observed holiday.  To review a copy of the City Council agendas or the full agenda packet, please visit http://www.rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtm. For more information, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.
   City Council meetings are also broadcast live on Rolla Channel 16 (RC16). To check to see when the City Council meetings are rebroadcast, please check the RC16 Program Guide online at http://rollachannel16.pegcentral.com.

City urges residents
and businesses
to maintain yards and
properties
   The full force of another hot, humid and wet Missouri summer is upon us and so is the rapid growth of grass, weeds and vegetation. Unsightly weeds, extremely long grass, and overgrown vegetation throughout various areas of the City of Rolla has prompted the City’s Code Enforcement Division and Street Department to enforce City codes that will ensure compliance with proper yard and business maintenance.
   The City’s code “Permitting Growth of High Weeds, etc., Prohibited” (Article II, Section 28-14) states that all weeds, brush, or rank vegetation will be cut and maintained at a height of 12 inches or less. Failure to comply with these codes (Section 28-11 to 28-17) may result in a City abatement or a summons being issued.  
   “We would like to remind home owners and property owners throughout the City to please be vigilant regarding the maintenance and upkeep of your yards, businesses and properties,” said John Butz, City Administrator.   
     For more information regarding this issues, please contact the City’s Community Development Department at  (573) 364-5333.

Summer Reading Program
continues at
Rolla Public Library
   The Rolla Public Library Summer Reading Program continues as children up to age 12 will travel around the world, learning about different people, places and cultures through stories, activities and crafts.
   The Summer Reading Program, which is held in the Leola Millar Children's Addition on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. through July 28, is free of charge.
   For more information, please call 573-364-2604 or stop by the Rolla Public Library at 900 North Pine Street.

Rolla Sesquicentennial T-shirts
and posters available
at City Hall
   Rolla Sesquicentennial commemorative T-shirts and posters are still available to the public for purchase at Rolla City Hall, (901 N. Elm Street).
   The vintage Heather grey T-shirts that showcase the Sesquicentennial logo designed by Angi Yowell, Graphic Design Instructor at Rolla Technical Institute, are selling for $5 a piece in the following sizes: X-large (1 available); Large (several) and Small (several).
   The 4-color, 11x17 glossy Sesquicentennial commemorative posters are selling for $2 each.  In addition to the T-shirts and posters, a limited number of newly designed and printed Rolla City flags are available for purchase as well. City flags may be purchased in the Community Development Department (2nd Floor) at Rolla City Hall for $40 each.
   Proceeds from the sales of Sesquicentennial T-shirts and posters will be used to offset costs and expenses incurred for Rolla’s Sesquicentennial Celebration held on Saturday, June 4, 2011.
   The City of Rolla, which was incorporated 150 years ago on Jan. 25, 1861, continues to celebrate its Sesquicentennial Anniversary, which began on Jan. 25, 2011. For more information, please call Scott Grahl, Communications Officer, at 426-6943 or visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org and click on the Rolla’s 150th tab.
  
2011 Environmental Services Dept.
List of Important Dates:
(Clip & save for easy reference!)
Sept. 5, 2011 - Labor Day:  Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Oct. 1, 2011 - City-wide Fall Clean-Up: Saturday (residential only)
Nov. 24, 2011 – Thanksgiving Day:  Thursday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Dec. 25, 2011 – Christmas Day (Observed Dec. 26):  Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Holidays NOT affecting trash
or recycling collection:
Oct. 10, 2011 Columbus Day
Nov. 11, 2011 Veterans Day
Nov. 25, 2011 – Day after Thanksgiving
Hotline number: 341-1168
Upcoming Events
AUGUST 2011
1 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
14 - Mother’s Day Special at SplashZone (364-8222)
15 - City Council Mtg.
SEPTEMBER 2011
5 - City Hall closed for Labor Day Holiday
5 - Environmental Service closed for Labor Day; Monday’s trash picked up Tues.; Tuesday’s trash picked up Wed.
6 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
10 - Canine Plunge at SplashZone (noon-3 p.m.); early registration required
(364-8222)
19 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
24 - Celebration of Nations (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
OCTOBER 2011
1 - City-wide Fall Clean Up (items to curb by 6 a.m.); residential only
3 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
8 - Downtown Autumn Arts Festival (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
17 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

Scott A. Grahl
Communications Officer
City of Rolla, Missouri
(573) 426-6943
Follow us on Facebook
& Twitter at www.rollacity.org

Friday, July 22, 2011

Rolla Channel 16 now live streaming 24/7 on the Web

If you happened to miss the airing of the last Rolla City Council meeting or Planning & Zoning meeting, you can now watch them (free downloading) online on the Rolla Channel 16 Website at http://rollachannel16.com.
Rolla Channel 16, Rolla’s premiere Education and Government channel, is also now live streaming (24/7) at http://rollachannel16.com. RC16 will live stream all future Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, all future episodes of “City Minutes”, all Rolla Public Schools board meetings, and RHS Review.
Other syndicated content on RC16 such as Missouri Outdoors, Army Newswatch, and Capitol Dialogue will also live stream on RC16 at http://rollachannel16.com.
For more information regarding programming or DVD duplication of Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning meetings, and Rolla Public Schools board meetings, etc., please contact Gabe Mankin, Digital Media Operations Manager, at (573) 426-3377 or at Gabe.Mankin@fidelitycommunications.com.
Be sure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – Education, Government and Community for you!