Monday, August 27, 2012

City of Rolla Weekly E-Updates (Aug. 27, 2012)


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.

City launches
Reforest Rolla
program
By Mayor Bill Jenks, III
Protecting. preserving and restoring our environment today, and for generations to come, are all goals of the newly launched Reforest Rolla program that began recently with a mailing of 9,200 Reforest Rolla brochures to all households in the City of Rolla.
Spearheaded by the City’s Engineering Division in the Public Works Department, the program will eventually lead to a comprehensive management plan to preserve and care for our tree resources, and will reduce the amount of storm water runoff and erosion by “recycling” rainfall through absorption and evaporation.
When instituted, the program will consist of the adoption of a tree management ordinance, the development of the “Reforest Rolla Commission,” the planting of, approximately 100 trees per cycle to be purchased utilizing city funds, a citywide tree inventory, and eventual recognition as a Tree City USA. By using funds from a Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) grant program, the city developed the brochure to educate the citizens of Rolla on the Reforest Rolla program as well as the benefits of trees. The TRIM grant is a competitive cost-share program provided and administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation in cooperation with the Missouri Community Forestry Council and the U.S. Forest Service. It provides financial assistance for the management, improvement or conservation of our community forests.
In an age of stricter regulations for storm water pollution prevention, erosion control is of utmost importance. Trees absorb rainwater that would otherwise end up in the storm sewer and have their own system of deterring the erosive action of rain.
One of the best aspects of the Reforest Rolla program is that it will offer trees, free of charge, to homeowners within the corporate limits of Rolla. An individual may request more than one tree, however due to the popularity of the program, only one will be planted per year. Three types of trees are offered with three varieties of each; flowering trees, shade trees and “fall color” trees. The trees must be placed on public right-of-way unless a waiver is provided. The City of Rolla will provide and plant the trees twice a year, in the spring and fall, following an inspection of the desired planting location. The property owner will then agree to adopt the tree for the first two years of its life, providing water, maintenance and required pruning. For those trees located in public right-of-way, should the tree die, the property owner may contact the city for a replacement. There is no limit on the number of trees a property owner may request, however the number planted will be based on space requirements.
To learn more about the Reforest Rolla program, or to review the Reforest Rolla brochure designed and written by Anne McClay, Project Coordinator in the City’s Engineering Division, please visit the City’s newly developed Webpage at www.rollacity.org/reforest or send an e-mail to reforest@rollacity.org. Copies of the brochure area also available in the lobby of Rolla City Hall at 901 N. Elm Street.
Enjoy the great weather we are having in the Ozark Highlands, and have a safe week!

Basswood Drive
street improvements
underway
The City of Rolla Public Works Department, in conjunction with Rainey & Son Construction, L.L.C., have begun substantial street improvements on Basswood Drive.
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.

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.

Rolla City Council Mtg.
set for Wed., Sept. 5
due to Labor Day Holiday
Due to the Labor Day Holiday falling on Monday, Sept. 3 and a Municipal Court session scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 4, the next Rolla City Council meeting - usually held the first Monday of the Month - will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Rolla City Hall – Council Chambers (901 N. Elm Street).
Rolla City Hall will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday, as well as the City’s Environmental Services Department. Due to the Labor Day holiday, Mondays trash (Sept. 3) will be picked up on Tuesday. And Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday, Sept. 5.
For more information, please call City Administration at 426-6948.

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 9th 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.”

Electronics & Appliance
Collection set for
Sept. 22 at Brewer Science
If you have an old, broken or outdated computer, electronic device, appliance, television, or cell phone that you have been wanting to get rid of, plan to recycle, ‘go green’ and attend the Electronics & Appliance Collection on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 8 a.m. to 12-noon at the Brewer Science parking lot located at 2401 Brewer Drive (in the Hypoint Industrial Park at I-44 Exit 189/Hwy. V).  
You may drop off and recycle the following household items for free the day of the collection: stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves and other appliances, computer CPUs, keyboards, printers, VCRs, cell phones and other electronics.
During this collection, there will be no fee for refrigerant appliances. There will be, however, a $5 handling fee to dispose of TVs and computer monitors (no material from businesses, please).
This event is sponsored by the City of Rolla, Phelps County Commission, Brewer Science, Inc., Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC).
For more information, please contact MRPC at 573-265-2993.

P.O.W. – M.I.A. Ceremony
and Cruise In set for
Sept. 22 at VMP
The public is invited to attend a P.O.W. – M.I.A. Ceremony and Cruise In on Saturday, Sept. 22 from noon – 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park (located on Southview Dr. off Hwy. 72 in Rolla).
The event kicks off at noon with a Cruise In organized by the Rolla Cruise In Committee and Cave State Cruisers. The P.O.W.-M.I.A. Ceremony, presented by Chapter #49 of the D.A.V., begins at 1 p.m. Music will be provided by Phelps County Bluegrass for Veterans at 2 p.m. Concessions will be provided by Rolla Road Riders Motorcycle Club.
Other events and activities are also being planned, so bring your chairs or pillows for comfort and enjoy the festivities.
The event is hosted by the South Central Regional Veterans Group. For more information, please contact Russ Hinkle at (573) 68-4436 or Jerry Bumpus at (573) 647-7601.

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.
.
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. 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. 3 – Environmental Services Dept. Closed for Labor Day holiday. Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday, Sept. 4 and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday, Sept. 5 (308-6693)
Sept. 3 – Closing Day at SplashZone (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Sept. 5 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Sept. 6 – Board of Adjustment Mtg. (5:30 p.m.); Rolla City Hall – Council Chambers
Sept. 6 – International Idol Talent Competition Auditions (6-8 p.m.); Havener Center (to register, contact Rebecca Holmes at rmhq57@mst.edu)
Sept. 6-8 – 79th Annual Grape and Fall Festival, St. James, Mo (www.st-jameschamber.net)
Sept. 8 – Canine Plunge at SplashZone (noon-3 p.m.); end of season swim for pets (accompanied by owner) that have been socialized and have had current vaccine updates. Early registration required – limited to 30 canines ($5 per canine); 364-8222
Sept. 8 – Cruise In (5-8 p.m.) Fairground Chevrolet; 100 Fairgrounds Rd.
Sept. 17 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Sept. 22 – Electronics & Appliance Collection (8 a.m. – noon); Brewer Science, Inc. Parking Lot, 2401 Brewer Dr. (in Hypoint Industrial Park at I-44 Exit 189/Hwy. V)
Sept. 22 – Healthy Baby Extravaganza (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.); Fire Station #1 Headquarters and Greentree Christian Church, 10th Street (364-3989); FREE
Sept. 22 – P.O.W. – M.I.A., Cruise In; (noon – 4 p.m.); Veterans Memorial Park, Southview Dr. (contact Jerry Bumpus for info at 573-647-7601)
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 – 3rd 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 – 34th 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
Follow us on Facebook
& Twitter at www.rollacity.org

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