City of Rolla Mid-Week E-Updates (Aug. 15, 2012)

                                                                                          

Basswood Drive

street improvements

begin Aug. 20

The City of Rolla Public Works Department, in conjunction with Rainey & Son Construction, L.L.C., will begin substantial street improvements on Basswood Drive beginning Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 a.m., weather permitting.

The Basswood Drive and Boxelder Drive Street Improvement project (#296), recently approved by the Rolla City Council, will include excavation, storm sewer installation, new curb and gutter, new driveway aprons, and subsequent 4-inch paving.

The excavation and road improvements on Boxelder Drive will begin immediately after the  street improvements are complete on Basswood sometime in October.

It is anticipated that the entire street improvement project, including Boxelder, should be completed before the end of 2012, weather permitting. Caution signs and safety cones will be posted in the construction area, indicating lane closures, and for motorists to please drive carefully.

“The City of Rolla appreciates the assistance, patience and cooperation of the public throughout the duration of this important street improvement project,” said Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works.

For more information, please contact the Public Works Department at 364-8659 or visit www.rollacity.org.

Parking pain, but

payoffs enormous

By Linda Fulps

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Communications Department

Those looking for a place to park or trying to maneuver the streets around the Missouri S&T campus may be irritated by all the construction created by the geothermal energy project. The university recognizes this construction may be an inconvenience, but the long-term benefits of the project are enormous.

The geothermal project will replace Missouri S&T’s aging coal-fired plant, which was built in 1945. It will cut the campus’s annual energy use by half, its carbon footprint by 25,000 metric tons per year and water usage by 8,000,000 gallons per year.

The project will also eliminate a backlog of about $26 million in postponed maintenance costs for the power plant. Thos costs include the replacement of boilers, steam lines and other outdated infrastructure.

Ground-source wells dug around campus are being fit with pipes and connected to create closed geothermal loops. Water will be circulated through the loops from three geothermal plants that will be built on campus. The system will allow energy to be stored in and reclaimed from about 600 well fields around campus.

The City of Rolla reminds drivers not to block driveways or entrances to businesses or properties in the downtown Rolla area, and to be aware of timed parking hours, which will be enforced.

Updates about parking lot closures are available online at geotherm.mst.edu/parking. Learn more about the project at geothermal.mst.edu.

Drive Sober or

Get Pulled Over

Rolla Police Cracking Down

on Impaired Drivers Aug. 17 – Sept. 3

The sobering fact is that impaired driving contributes to nearly 30 percent of all Missouri traffic fatalities. In 2011, 220 people were killed and 902 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver; that’s why the Rolla Police Department will join other Missouri law enforcement agencies to crack down on drunk driving Aug. 17 – Sept. 3.

The Rolla Police Department will participate in statewide sobriety checkpoints and DWI saturation patrols enforcing Missouri’s DWI laws and keeping impaired drivers off the road.

Consequences of drunk driving include jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.

 Driving drunk is simply not worth all the consequences,” said Sgt. Tim Mayfield. “Our message is simple and unwavering: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

 For more information, please visit www.saveMOlives.com. 

City widens 10th Street

from Hwy. 63 to

Spring Avenue

The City of Rolla Street Department continues a project to widen 10th Street from Hwy. 63 to Spring Avenue. The current phase of the project includes the construction/paving of an additional right turn lane onto Hwy. 63 that will greatly improve traffic flow and safety at this busy intersection.

Caution signs will be posted in the construction area, indicating that this is a work zone, and for motorists to please drive carefully. During this time the City appreciates the assistance and cooperation of the public.

For more information, please call the Public Works Department at 364-8659 or visit www.rollacity.org.

Rolla City Council

Mtg., Aug. 20

The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 20 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://rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtml#agenda. For more information, please contact Rolla City Administration at 426-6948

Budget Workshops

set for Aug. 27 & 29

at Rolla City Hall

The Rolla community is invited to attend a series of City budget workshops scheduled for Monday, Aug. 27 and Wednesday, Aug. 29 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall (901 North Elm St.).

The budget workshops will provide the Rolla City Council, City staff and members of the community an opportunity to review and discuss the City of Rolla’s 2012-2013 fiscal year budget, which officially begins Oct. 1.

Public hearings to discuss and provide input on the 2012-2013 City budget will be held during the Sept. 5 and Sept. 17 Rolla City Council meetings, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall.

For more information regarding the City’s upcoming 2012-2013 budget, please call the City’s Finance Department at (573) 426-6980 or visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org.

International Idol

Talent Competition

auditions, Sept. 6

Do you sing, dance, rap, act, or play a musical instrument? Talented community members (all ages and acts are welcome) are invited to audition for the International Idol competition on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Havener Center, Meramec Room, on the Missouri S&T campus.

The final competition will be held during the 3rd Annual Celebration of Nations event on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Downtown Bandshell (located at the corner of 9^th and Oak Street.) Group and individual prizes will be awarded.

To sign up or for more information, please contact Rebecca Holmes at rmhq57@mst.edu or Barbi Spencer at spencerbar@mst.edu.

Celebration of Nations was created to promote awareness, understanding and the celebration of the vibrant cultural diversity that makes Rolla unique to the Ozarks. ”One Campus. One Community. One World.”

Operation Neighborhood

Clean-up set for Nov. 2

The 5th annual “Operation Neighborhood Clean-up” will be held on Friday, Nov. 2 throughout the Rolla community in designated, high priority areas. The selection of these properties will be determined by the City of Rolla Police Department and the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance.

All volunteers are asked to attend the welcome gathering at 6:30 a.m. at Greentree Christian Church Youth Center located at 801 East 10th Street. A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided. The clean-up will take place from 7 a.m. to 12-noon.

The entire community is invited to participate in this beautification effort, which is once again being coordinated by the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance and the Rolla Police Department.

Operation Neighborhood Clean-up is an opportunity for residents to partner with the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance, community churches, and the Rolla Police Department to enhance a sense of community, well being, pride and property values among the neighborhoods where the clean up is conducted.

The clean-up effort will involve limited tree trimming, hedge trimming, and the removal of brush piles, leaves, household items and trash. Groups or individuals interested in volunteering may contact Chris Foster, Adult Education Minister at Greentree Christian Church, at 364-2649 or cfoster@greentreerolla.org, or Officer Vince Giacolone at the Rolla Police Department at 308-1213 or at vgiacolone@rollacity.org. 

Rolla Downtown

Farmer’s Market

open every Tuesday

The Rolla Downtown Farmer’s Market is open and operating under the new shade structure in the lower parking lot of Rolla City Hall from 7 a.m. until 12-noon each Tuesday throughout the growing season.

The Farmer’s Market is coordinated by Roy Fiscus and Wilma Bingham, and spots are available for vendors to sell their items, but they must be locally grown or made products/produce (Phelps County).

No flea market, yard sale type items will be permitted. All spots are first come, first served. The cost to host a booth is $2 per day, which is given to the organizers the day the vendors are there.

For additional information, please contact Roy Fiscus at 341-8045 or Wilma Bingham at 364-5544.

Environmental Services Important Dates

 (clip & save coupon)

Sept. 3, 2012 - Labor Day:  Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.

Oct. 6, 2012 - Citywide Fall Clean Up: Saturday - Citywide clean up day (residential only).

Nov. 22, 2012 – Thanksgiving Day:  Thursday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.

Dec. 25, 2012 – Christmas Day:  Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.

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Holidays NOT affecting trash or recycling collection:

            Oct. 8, 2012 – Columbus Day

            Nov. 12, 2012 – Veteran’s Day

Nov. 23, 2012 – Day after Thanksgiving

Rolla Channel 16

live streaming

24/7 on the Web

If you happen to miss the airing of a Rolla City Council meeting, Planning & Zoning meeting, Rolla Public School Board meeting or Board of Public Works meeting, you can now watch them live 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 is live streaming all Rolla City Council meetings, Rolla Planning & Zoning Commission meetings, Rolla Public Schools board meetings, Rolla High School Review and “City Minutes” hosted by the City of Rolla’s Communications Office.

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 Kenny Perzan, Senior Video Editor, at (573) 426-3377 or at Kenny.Perzan@fidelitycommunications.com.

Be sure to watch Rolla Channel 16 – “Education, Government and Community for you!”

Upcoming Events

AUGUST 2012

Aug. 18 – Relay for Life (noon-midnight); Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 South

Aug. 20 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

Aug. 24 – 4^th Annual Bulldog Pride Night (5:30 p.m.); Rolla High School – Lions Memorial Stadium

Aug. 27 – City Council Budget Workshop (5:30 p.m.); City Hall – Council Chambers

Aug. 29 – City Council Budget Workshop (5:30 p.m.); City Hall – Council Chambers

Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 – The Centre will be closed for annual Preventative Maintenance

SEPTEMBER 2012

Aug. 31- Sept. 3 – The Centre will be closed for annual Preventative Maintenance

Sept. 3 – City Hall closed for Labor Day holiday

Sept. 5 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

Sept. 6 – International Idol Talent Competition Auditions (6-8 p.m.); Havener Center (to register, contact Rebecca Holmes at rmhq57@mst.edu)

Sept. 8 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.) Fairground Chevrolet; 100 Fairgrounds Rd.

Sept. 17 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

Sept. 26 – Eggs & Issues (7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.); Oak Meadow Country Club; to RSVP, call the Rolla Chamber at 364-3577

Sept. 29 – 3^rd Annual Celebration of Nations (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.); Downtown Festival Park

OCTOBER 2012

Oct. 1 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

Oct. 6 – City-wide Clean Up (items to curb by 6 a.m.); residential only
Oct. 13 – 34^th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

Oct. 15 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

Scott A. Grahl

Communications Director

City of Rolla, Missouri

(573) 426-6943

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