Filing begins Dec. 11 for 2013 Rolla Municipal Election

Filing for the City of Rolla’s 2013 General Municipal Election, which will be held on April 2, 2013, begins on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 at 8 a.m.

The positions open for election this year include: one Council Representative for all six wards (two-year term).

Persons wishing to file their candidacy for any of the above-listed positions may do so between Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 (8 a.m.) and Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013 (5 p.m.) in the Rolla City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (901 North Elm Street). Municipal candidates are not charged a filing fee.

City Council seats must be filled by candidates with the following qualifications; at least 21 years of age prior to taking office, a citizen of the United States, an inhabitant of the city for one year, and a resident of the ward which he/she is elected for six months at the time of his/her election.

For more information, please contact Carol Daniels, City Clerk, at (573) 426-6942 or at cdaniels@rollacity.org.

Wishing you a safe, memorable holiday season

I hope you are enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and this special time of year. If you are visiting from out of town with friends and family, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to you and your family members. Whether you are traveling or staying in town to celebrate the holiday, I hope your travels are safe and memorable.

Fortunately with a wide assortment of great restaurants and retail outlets located in the Rolla area, folks are finding that just about everything they need for shopping and dining are right in our own backyards. Shopping and dining local is one of the best ways to not only save on gas, but also to invest in your community where local merchants and business owners appreciate your patronage.

Judging by the mild weather we have had over the last several weeks, it makes you question what kind of a winter is in store. One upside to the milder weather, however, is that construction is right on schedule for the new building that will house the Environmental Services Department’s Vehicle Maintenance Division and Solid Waste Division at the new Public Works Services Yard (located off McCutchen Dr. next to the Rolla Recycling facility). In addition, the Public Works Department is very involved with the reconstruction and paving of Basswood Drive located off Hwy. 63 South, across from Lions Club Drive. This is a huge infrastructure project that involves the installation of several storm water inlets, reconstruction of the road bed, new curb and gutter, and eventually the paving of this street. We appreciate the continued patience and cooperation of the residents who live in this area. The Public Works Department is also very busy with the paving overlay of several streets in the City such as Vista Drive off Hwy. E and most recently, Sandstone Street and Coventry Lane.

As we head into the holiday season I’d like to remind everyone that the annual Rolla Christmas Parade, which is hosted by the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held next Saturday, Dec. 1 in downtown Rolla. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Pine Street, but you might want to arrive about 30 minutes early to ensure you have a good viewing spot, as the parade is very well attended.

Santa will also be making two special trips to spend time visiting with Rolla area children at The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex, (1200 N. Holloway Street) on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 6 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The visits will take place in the beautiful Castleman Lounge, which will be decorated for the Christmas holidays. Refreshments will be served and children can write Santa a letter during their visit.

Collins Photography will be on hand to take pictures using their special Christmas set. Visit their website at www.CollinsPhotography.com for picture package pricing and to see photos from previous years. You can bring your own camera and take a photo with Santa; however, all personal photos must be taken in front of the Christmas tree and not on the set. The event, which is free, is open to all ages. For more information, please call The Centre at 573-341-2FUN.

Also just around the corner (Dec. 14 through Dec. 22) is the Christmas in the Park and drive through Rolla Lions Club Park (located on State Hwy. 63 South) where beautiful Christmas displays and lights get you in the holiday spirit. This event, hosted by the Rolla Lioness Club, features displays from over 50 organizations, businesses and churches. Santa Claus will be there to greet you as well! The hours will be Sunday through Thursday (6 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday (6 p.m. – 10 p.m.). This event is free to the public, and donations are used to support scholarships for students in the local area.

Have a safe and memorable Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

City of Rolla Mid-Week E-Updates (Nov. 20, 2012)

Gary Hicks to be 

recognized

for service on

Rolla City Council

Councilman Gary Hicks

Rolla City Council member Gary Hicks (Ward 3), who has served on the Rolla City Council since April 18, 2005, will be recognized by Mayor Bill Jenks, III and the Rolla City Council for his service to the City at the Dec. 17, 2012 Rolla City Council meeting.

Councilman Hicks, who was recently elected to the position of District 2 Commissioner for Phelps County, is required to vacate his seat on the Rolla City Council. Councilman Hicks recently sent Mayor Jenks official notification of his resignation as Rolla City Councilman, Ward 3, effective Dec. 31, 2012.

“The opportunity to serve the residents of the City of Rolla has been a wonderful experience that I will forever treasure,” said Hicks. “I wish to express my gratitude to all the members of the Rolla City Council both past and present; Mayor Bill Jenks; City Administrator John Butz; and all the Rolla City employees for their devotion to our community.”

Mayor Jenks will present Councilman Hicks with a certificate of appreciation plaque at the Dec. 17 City Council meeting and thank him for his many years of service and dedication to the Council and Rolla community. Hicks, who is an active member of the community, has served on the Rolla City Council from 2005-2012.

“The City appreciates Councilman Hick’s service on the Rolla City Council and the contributions he has made to the Rolla community,” said Mayor Jenks. “His leadership and commitment to the Rolla community are greatly appreciated. We look forward to working with Gary in his role on the County Commission.”

Mayor Jenks will appoint a new council representative of Ward 3 in the coming weeks to fill the remaining term of Councilman Hicks, whose term officially ends in April 2013.

Boy Scout Troop 434

leads Pledge of Allegiance

at City Council Mtg.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 434 from the Rolla area lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the Nov. 19 Rolla City Council meeting held in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall.

The Troop is comprised of several home-schooled students, some of which are working on their Eagle Scout requirements.

They were greeted and welcomed by Rolla City Administrator John Butz, (far left). Mayor Bill Jenks, III, also publicly thanked the Scouts for leading the pledge, and welcomed them to attend future City Council meetings.

Rolla City Hall

to close Nov. 22-23

for Thanksgiving Holiday

Rolla City Hall, located at 901 N. Elm Street, will be closed Thursday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 23, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

The City’s Environmental Services Department will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Thursday’s trash, recycling, and yard waste will be picked up on Wednesday. There will be no special pick-ups on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Friday’s collection will not be affected. If you have any questions, please call 364-6693.

The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation complex, located at 1200 North Holloway Street, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 22 and will be open the following day on Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.rollacity.org.

Rolla City Council

Mtg. set for

Dec. 3

The next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rolla City Hall - Council Chambers, 901 N. Elm Street. City Council meetings are usually held the first and third Monday of the month unless interrupted by an observed holiday.

To view the agenda and full agenda packet for the Dec. 3 Council meeting, please visit the City's Website at: http://rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtml#agenda. 

Council meetings are also broadcast live on Rolla Channel 16, (Rolla's Public Education & Government channel).

For more information, please call City Administration at 426-6948.

City departments

offer choices

for leaf pick-up

The City of Rolla’s Environmental Services Department will continue to offer the pick-up of bagged leaves through Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. To receive this service, the leaves must be placed in brown paper biodegradable yard waste bags, which can be purchased at a reasonable price 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. 15, 2012 through March 3, 2013. Collection of yard waste (leaves, grass, clippings and small sticks) in brown paper bags will resume on Monday, March 4, 2013. Residents wishing to dispose of these materials during the winter suspension can use the compost site located at the end of McCutchen Drive just north of the Rolla Recycling Center on Old St. James Road. Residents may also arrange for a special pick up for a fee. For more information, please call the Environmental Services Department at (573) 364-6693. 

For a nominal fee, Rolla residents can also get their leaves picked up by the City’s Parks & Recreation Department through November 2012. The fee is $50 per half hour with the minimum charge of $50. All fees must be paid within two weeks of the service being completed. Per City ordinance, we do ask that you please rake all leaves to the curb along city streets, and that you do not place any leaves in the streets, gutters or ditches. And please remember that private driveways or private areas will not be entered by city vehicles. Leaf pick-up will take place Monday through Friday (leaves will not be picked up during weekends and holidays). For more information or to schedule a pickup, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 573-341-2386.

Shop and dine

locally during

holiday season

With the holiday season just around the corner, folks are beginning to make plans for traditional family get-togethers, outings, celebrations and one of the most special times of the year.

The City of Rolla would like to encourage everyone to please try to patronize our local restaurants, shops and businesses that rely heavily on the holiday season for a large portion of their business.

As Rolla continues to grow and develop the number and variety of dining options and retail choices has improved as well. Our economy depends largely on these sectors of society, and we will all benefit from keeping our dollars locally invested.

Environmental Services Important Dates

 (clip & save coupon)

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

NOVEMBER 2012

Nov. 22-23 – City Hall closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov. 27 – Development Review Committee Mtg. (1:30 p.m.); Rolla City Hall – Council Chambers

DECEMBER 2012

Dec. 1 – Rolla Christmas Parade (10 a.m.); Pine Street, downtown Rolla

Dec. 3 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)

Dec. 6 – Board of Adjustment Mtg. (5:30 p.m.); Rolla City Hall - Council Chambers

Dec. 14-22 – Christmas in the Park Light Display; Rolla Lions Club Park, Hwy. 63 S.; FREE, donations accepted

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

Dec. 24-25 – City Hall closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Holidays

Scott A. Grahl

Communications Director

City of Rolla, Missouri

(573) 426-6943

Follow us on Facebook

& Twitter at www.rollacity.org

Boy Scout Troop 434 leads Pledge of Allegiance at City Council Mtg.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 434 from the Rolla area lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the Nov. 19 Rolla City Council meeting held in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall.

The Troop is comprised of several home-schooled students, some of which are working on their Eagle Scout requirements. 

They were greeted and welcomed by Rolla City Administrator John Butz, (far left). Mayor Bill Jenks, III, also publicly thanked the Scouts for leading the pledge, and welcomed them to attend future City Council meetings.