City kicks off
2013 with public
presentations
 |
| Mayor Bill Jenks, III |
I’m sure everyone has been just as
bewildered with the roller-coaster type of weather we have been having in the
Ozark Highlands – and throughout the U.S. for that matter, as I am, but be
assured that Old Man Winter will eventually raise its head before winter’s end,
and we’ll be in the thick of a true Missouri snowstorm before long.
In the meantime, the beginning of a new year
is an opportunity for the City to get out into the community and provide a
comprehensive overview of the many City projects, programs, and plans that are
completed or underway in our community. Our City Administrator, John Butz
recently kicked off the first of such presentations last Friday when he gave an
abbreviated State of the City “Community of Choice” PowerPoint presentation to
members of the Rolla Rotary Club at their weekly meeting luncheon at Benton
Square.
Through a series of graphs, analytics, photos and captions, John provided a snapshot of the significant projects that have recently been completed in the City and other projects that are well underway such as the new Public Works Service Park (located off McCutchen Drive near the Rolla Recycling Center) that includes a new building that will house the Environmental Services Department’s Vehicle Maintenance Division, and Solid Waste Division. Everything from the City’s sales tax revenue projections, construction activity, retail activity, and even industrial activity are discussed, as he provides an overview of the state of the city from a financial, economic, and operational perspective.
In addition to the presentation, John also provides plenty of opportunity for questions and answers, and to discuss issues and concerns that are on the minds of citizens, merchants, and members of our community. The next ‘Community of Choice’ presentation John will make will be on Tuesday, Jan. 22 for the members of the Rolla Kiwanis Club.
Through a series of graphs, analytics, photos and captions, John provided a snapshot of the significant projects that have recently been completed in the City and other projects that are well underway such as the new Public Works Service Park (located off McCutchen Drive near the Rolla Recycling Center) that includes a new building that will house the Environmental Services Department’s Vehicle Maintenance Division, and Solid Waste Division. Everything from the City’s sales tax revenue projections, construction activity, retail activity, and even industrial activity are discussed, as he provides an overview of the state of the city from a financial, economic, and operational perspective.
In addition to the presentation, John also provides plenty of opportunity for questions and answers, and to discuss issues and concerns that are on the minds of citizens, merchants, and members of our community. The next ‘Community of Choice’ presentation John will make will be on Tuesday, Jan. 22 for the members of the Rolla Kiwanis Club.
These mini-State of the City presentations
are also given at other civic club meetings throughout the area, business
luncheons, and Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheons so that as many folks
in the Rolla area have an opportunity to keep informed of ongoing City projects
and operations. The presentations also provide a unique opportunity for folks
to provide valuable input and feedback to the City, and to keep an open line of
communication.
As we begin a new year, I thought it would be appropriate to mention
that filing for the 2013 Rolla Municipal General Election ended on Tuesday,
Jan. 15. The following individuals have filed as City Council candidates for
the election, which will be held on Tuesday, April 2: Rhonda Sue Myers (Ward 1); Gregory M. Sawyer
(Ward 2); Susan J. Eudaly (Ward 3); David B. Nenninger (Ward 3); Louis J.
Magdits (Ward 4); Mike Samaras (Ward 4); Brian Woolley (Ward 5); Carrolyn Bolin
(Ward 5); Mark W. Walburg (Ward 6) and Fran Mazanec (Ward 6).
In
closing I’d like to further clarify a topic I discussed in last week’s column
regarding the importance of following the proper rules and guidelines when
walking or biking in the City’s roadways. Missouri Revised Statues, Section
300.405.1 state that ‘Where sidewalks are provided, it shall be unlawful for
any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.’ The statute further
specifies that ‘where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking along
and upon a highway shall when practicable, walk only on the left side of the
roadway or its shoulder facing traffic, which may approach from the opposite
direction.’
In regards to bicycles, the City’s municipal
code (Chapter 27, Section 27-15) states that ‘Every person riding a bicycle
upon a roadway shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all of
the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of the state.’ The
code further states that ‘Whenever a person is riding a bicycle upon a
sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall
give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.’ This
situation pertains especially to the downtown area where individuals may be
walking out of stores or restaurants onto a sidewalk when someone on a bicycle
is approaching.
Have a nice weekend and a safe week!
RHS ECHO staff
donate time, funds
at Rolla Animal Shelter
Members
of the Rolla High School ECHO newspaper staff, which consists of Rolla High
School students, generously donated
their time and funds Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Rolla Animal Shelter where they
visited and socialized with some of the puppies and dogs. The students also
donated dog shampoo and toys prior to arriving Saturday morning for their
two-hour visit.
“The
Rolla Animal Shelter does so much for the Rolla community,” said Lacey Raper,
Features Editor for the ECHO newspaper. “And there are so many citizens who
don’t realize the needs of the animals at the Shelter.”
(Members of the Rolla
High School ECHO Newspaper staff spends time visiting with a female American
Staffordshire Terrier at the Rolla Animal Shelter, located at Sharp Road.
Pictured front row (l to r) are: Katie Williams, Editor; Lea Ahrens, Feature
Editor; (second row, l to r): Sarah Grahl, Staff Writer; Gage Strulock, Opinion
Editor and Lacey Raper, Copy Editor; (back row, l-r): Wilson Bryan, Sports
Editor and Maggie Duncan, Staff Writer)
One
of the animals they spent a lot of time with was a golden brown female American
Staffordshire Terrier, which has a pink nose, plenty of energy, lots of
affections, and is estimated to be about one to two-years-old. She is also
available for adoption.
“It
doesn’t take that much to just help out the animals – and spending time with
them, playing with them, is beneficial not only to the animals and the
employees at the Rolla Animal Shelter, but it is also very rewarding for all of
us,” said Katie Williams, Editor of the ECHO. Mary Gillis, who is the students’
advisor for ECHO, teaches Journalism and other writing classes at Rolla High
School.
Over
the past month, the Rolla Animal Shelter has seen several youth in the Rolla
community who surprisingly asked for donations at Christmas and on birthdays to
spend their gift money on items for the Rolla Animal Shelter.
“We
are all amazed and proud of the youth of our community for their generous
contributions and concern for the animals at the Rolla Animal Shelter,” said
Roy Taylor, Animal Control Officer. The hours at the shelter are Monday thru
Saturday, from 12-noon to 4 p.m. For more information about adopting a pet,
please call 364-6995.
Rolla City Council
Mtg. set for
Feb. 4
The
next Rolla City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 4 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 Feb. 4 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.
Daddy Daughter
Valentine’s Dance
Feb. 8 at The Centre
A Daddy Daughter Valentine Dance will
be held on Friday, Feb. 8 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Centre - Rolla's
Health & Recreation Complex located in the Fidelity Gymnasium, 1200 N.
Holloway St.
The event is open to all daughters to
attend with their Dads! The cost to attend is $25 for non-members and $20 for
Centre members. Each additional child will be $2.50. This second annual event
at The Centre will be a fun-filled night for Dads and their little ladies.
Dad's - put on your best suits and
daughter's put on your prettiest dresses and join us for a very special evening
to remember. The event will include dancing with a live DJ, refreshment area,
craft table, soft play equipment for the tiny ones and new this year – a Party
Pic Booth!
Do not miss out on this magical
evening and be sure to register early. Pre-registration at The Centre
(341-2386) will be required and the event will be limited in numbers.
Registration deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 5.
PLEASE
NOTE: Only family members may register
together for this special event!
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!”
2013: Environmental Services Department’s List of Important Dates (Clip & Save)
Feb. 18, 2013 - President’s Day: Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday;
Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
April 6, 2013 - Citywide Spring Clean Up: Saturday - Citywide clean up
day
(residential only).
May 27, 2013 - Memorial Day: Monday’s trash will
be picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
July
4, 2013 - Independence Day:
Thursday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Sept. 2, 2013 - Labor Day: Monday’s trash will be picked up Tuesday;
Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
Nov. 28, 2013 – Thanksgiving Day: Thursday’s trash will
be picked up Wednesday.
Dec. 25, 2013 – Christmas
Day: Trash service will not change.
.
Holidays NOT affecting trash or
recycling collection:
Oct. 14, 2013 – Columbus Day
Nov. 11, 2013 – Veteran’s Day
Nov. 29, 2013 – Day after Thanksgiving
Dec. 31,
2013 – New Year’s Eve Day
FEBRUARY 2013
Feb. 4 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Feb. 8 – Daddy Daughter Valentine’s Dance (7-8:30 p.m.); The
Centre, 1200 N. Holloway; call 341-2386 to pre-register by Feb. 5
Feb. 18 – City Hall closed for President’s Day Holiday
Feb. 18 – Environmental Services Dept. closed for President’s
Day; Monday’s trash picked up Tuesday; Tuesday’s trash picked up Wednesday
Feb. 19 – Rolla City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Feb. 26 – Rolla Day at the Capitol (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.); Senate
Rotunda; Hosted by Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce (364-3577)
MARCH 2013
March 4 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
March 13 – St. Pat’s Court arrives at downtown bandshell
(12-noon)
March 16 – St. Pat’s Parade (11 a.m.); Pine Street, downtown
Rolla
March 18 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.
APRIL 2013
April 1 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
April 2 – Rolla General Municipal Election (polls open at 6
a.m.)
April 6 – City-wide Spring Clean-Up (items to curb by 6 a.m.);
residential only (364-6693)
April 15 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
April 28 – Local Government Week Begins (April 28 thru May 4)
MAY 2013
May 6 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
May 18 – Public Works Celebration Day (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.);
Downtown Bandshell and Festival Lot
May 19 - National Public Works Week Begins (May 19-25)
May 20 – City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
Scott A. Grahl
Communications Director
City of Rolla, Missouri
(573) 426-6943
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