Filing begins Dec. 16 for 2015 Rolla Municipal Election

Filing for the City of Rolla’s 2015 General Municipal Election, which will be held on April 7, 2015, begins on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 8 a.m.  The positions open for election this year include:

• City Attorney (City Prosecuting Attorney):  One-year unexpired  term
• Council Representatives: Wards I, II, III, IV, V, and VI.  One to be elected to each ward for two-year terms.

Persons wishing to file their candidacy for any of the above-listed positions may do so between Tuesday, December 16, 2014 (8 a.m.) and Tuesday, January 20, 2015 (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 twenty-one years of age prior to taking office, a citizen of the United States, an inhabitant of the city of Rolla for one year at the time of his/her election, and a resident of the ward from which he/she is elected six months at the time of his/her election.

The City Attorney's office must be filled by a candidate with the following qualifications; a person licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri and a resident of the city of Rolla.

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

City to Delay “Prop P” (Parks) Vote

ROLLA – In April 2014 Rolla voters narrowly rejected a ¼ cent park sales tax initiative (51% to 49%) that would have supported both the traditional park system and to a lesser degree the community’s Health and Rec Center.  Much of the rhetoric before and after the initiative focused on the need to support the City’s traditional park system.  In an attempt to be responsive to citizens concerns and suggestions the City Council and Parks Advisory Committee moved forward to put Prop P, a ¼ cent parks-only sales tax initiative, on the November ballot – 8 months after the April defeat.

It was discovered this week that the authorizing statute, RSMo 644.032, was amended to restrict going back to voters with such a sales tax initiative “sooner than twelve months from the date of the last proposal”.  In order to follow the spirit of RSMo 644 the City of Rolla will be postponing the Prop P Parks vote until 2015.  The City will need to apply for a court order to instruct the County Clerk’s Office not to count the ballots.  City Administration sincerely apologizes to the voters and park users in the oversight and in the delay in providing the opportunity to sufficiently support the park system. 

The condition of the community’s park system has been well publicized as has the significant and impending cuts facing the park system in the recently adopted FY 2014/15 budget.  Not only has the City been unable to maintain the public assets and facilities in the park system over the last several years but funding cuts will substantially affect the routine maintenance of virtually all neighborhood parks.  With the delay in a new park sales tax effort Mayor Magdits and the City Council will be convening a plan to address the current fiscal year operations and a future ballot initiative to sustain and support our parks in the future.

Animal Shelter Needs Assessment - September 2014

Rolla Animal Shelter Needs Assessment - September 2014
(Full Document 43 Pages)

The purpose of this Needs Assessment Study (Study) is for Shelter Planners of America (SPA) to provide information to the City of Rolla, MO (Rolla) that will guide them in regard to their future facilities needs.

The Study was authorized by John Butz, City Administrator, on April 23, 2014 in accordance SPA proposal dated March 25, 2014.

Information in this Study was developed from information provided by Rolla and observed during our on-site visit on May 28 and 29, 2014. The Study provides an evaluation of the existing facility, looks at people and animal levels, provides a proposed Building Space Program, provides site considerations, recommends features, discusses staffing, operating cost, estimated construction cost and operational matters.

It should be understood this Study is the first step in planning a new shelter. The second step will be to develop the Conceptual Site Plan and Building Floor Plan based on the approved Building Program contained in this Study. The third and final step will be development of the working drawings and specifications for constructing your project. There is a strong feeling among the general public and people who support humanely run shelters that new animal shelters need to be designed to address irresponsible animal ownership problems and irresponsible pet breeding. It is felt these problems should be countered with remedial programs of spay and neuter requirements, pet owner and public education, developing progressive ordinances and well promoted adoption programs. This approach is preferable to simply allowing the destruction of animals as a response to the problem of pet over population and irresponsible pet owners.

Proposition P Information

Proposition P Information (Parks Tax)

• Ordinance 4158 - Park Sales Tax
• Park Capital Improvements - Breakdown
• Prop "P" Fact Sheet
• Maintenance Plan

Keeping jobs at Ft. Leonard Wood

On Thursday, September 4, we will hold our Annual Meeting at The Ark Community and Sports Center, 25625 Highway 17, Waynesville, MO (on the north side of I-44).  The meeting is open to all residents in the region and stakeholders throughout the state.  There is no registration fee.  We hope you will participate. 

The meeting will begin at 8:00 with registration, networking, and a light breakfast. The opening presentation will be at 8:30. 

In the morning Tim Ford, CEO of the national Association of Defense Communities, will discuss the importance of regional support for military installations and what other communities are doing to support their installations.  We will then have four breakout sessions, focusing on a Strong Region, to get updates on air transportation, energy, healthcare, and K12 education.

Lunch, like breakfast, will be free.  We have invited US Senator Roy Blunt and US Senator Claire McCaskill to be keynote speakers.  They will discuss the importance of Fort Leonard Wood to national security and the policy environment in which Defense decisions will be made.

In the afternoon we have invited the Honorable Katherine Hammack, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and the Environment (ASA/IE&E) to describe what is happening across the Army with respect to installations.  Dr. Rebecca Johnson from Fort Leonard Wood has been invited to provide an installation update.  Mike Dunbar, the Chairman of the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission, will moderate a panel that will discuss state initiatives that affect Fort Leonard Wood and other military installations in Missouri.  We have also invited our area state legislators to share their perspective on state support for Fort Leonard Wood and the region.   

We will also have three breakout sessions focused on a Strong Fort Leonard Wood.  They are Marketing the Region and Fort Leonard Wood, Community/Military Partnerships, and Focus on Military Families.  The meeting will end at 4:30.

The Ark’s address is 25625, Highway 17, Waynesville.  Exit I-44 at the Buckhorn exit (153).  Take Highway 17 north about 1/2 mile to get to the center.

Reception.  On Wednesday, September 3, there will be an SOP reception at the Hampton Inn in St. Robert.  This pre-meeting event will provide both a networking opportunity and a chance to meet some of the presenters that will speak during the annual meeting.  Reception will begin at 6 pm and last until 7:30 pm.  Appetizers and beverages will be provided.  The event is free and open to the public.  Please sign up for the reception when you pre-register.

To pre-register, please call the University of Missouri Technology Park at 573-329-8500 or by sending an e-mail to:  Erin.Kaberline@sustainableozarks.org by August 28.  More details are available on the SOP website:  www.SustainableOzarks.org.  

The Sustainable Ozarks Partnership (SOP) is building on the Fort Leonard Wood region’s strong past and preparing the region for a sustainable future. We are a nonprofit organization working to bring all of the region’s stakeholders to the table to drive regional development and advocate for new or expanded military and federal missions. Our region offers a high quality of life, excellent education opportunities, and easy transportation access. We are transforming the Fort Leonard Wood region.

Micropaving of City streets to begin

ROLLA – The City of Rolla Public Works Department will begin asphalt micro-surfacing on several City streets beginning Monday, July 21st. The area will include several streets in Wild Horse Run, Country Aire Place, Huntleigh Estates, Lions Club Drive and various streets throughout the city.

This micro surfacing project is being completed by Donelson Construction Company. It is a quick set surfacing system that will provide an approximate one-quarter-inch-thick pavement resurfacing. Micro surfacing is an economical alternative to hot asphalt mix overlays, which typically applies a minimum of two inches of pavement resurfacing.

While this work may take several days to complete, streets that are being sealed may require delays up to thirty minutes. Flagmen will be present to direct traffic, and motorists and pedestrians are urged to remain cautious when traveling through the areas of work and use alternate routes whenever possible.

For more information, please call the Public Works Department at (573) 364-8659.

List of streets to be micropaved:

Name	From/To
BARDSLEY RD	Twelfth Str to Missouri Ave
BRITT LN	Casey Lane to E. curb of Kadison Ct
BRITT LN	W. curb of Kadison to Casey Lane
CARRIAGE LN	Ironhorse  Dr to 1000' E. of Ironhorse
CASEY LN	100' E. of Britt Ln to Hwy O
CHELSEA LN	Dana Renee Dr to Robyn Leann Dr
COUNTRY RIDGE ROAD	Osage Dr to Dead End
DANA RENEE DR	Rolla Str to 625' E. of Rolla Str
DANA RENEE DR	625' E. of Rolla Str to Thomas Dr
EIGHTEENTH STR	Cedar Str to Walnut
EIGHTEENTH INT	RR Tracks to E side of Old St James INT
ELEVENTH STR	Bishop Ave to Rolla Str
ELLA CT	Casey Ln to Britt Ln
ELM STR	Ninth Str to Tenth Str
FOURTH STR	Rolla Str to Olive Str
FOURTH STR	Olive Str to Walnut Str
HUNTLEIGH DR	Hwy O to Inverness Ln
INVERNESS LN	Huntleigh Dr to Overland Dr
KADISON CT	Casey Ln to Britt Ln
LIONS CLUB DR	Hwy 63 to Hwy 72
OAK STR	Fourteenth Str to Sixteenth Str
OAK STR	Sixteenth Str to Bishop Ave
OVERLAND DR	Huntleigh Dr to Inverness Ln
PALMER CT	Country Ridge Rd to 1042' W. of Country Ridge
PINE STR	Twelfth Str to Bishop
RAMSEY PLACE RD	Dead End to Lions Club Dr
ROBYN LEANN DR	Chelsea Ln to Dead End
SEVENTEENTH STR	Oak Str to Walnut Str
SILVERLEAF LN	Ramsey Place Rd to 295' E. of Ramsey Place Rd
SIXTEENTH STR	Oak Str to Walnut Str
SIXTEENTH STR	Pine Str to Oak Str
SOUTHVIEW DR	Lions Club Dr to S. of Oak Knoll
TIMBERLANE CT	Dead End S. of Silverleaf to Dead End N. of Silverleaf
TIMBERLANE CT	Dead End S. of Silverleaf to Dead End N. of Silverleaf
THOMAS DR	Traci Dawn to Dana Renee
TRACI DAWN DR	515' E. of Thomas Dr to Thomas Dr
TRACI DAWN DR	Chelsea Ln to Dead End
TWELFTH STR	Elm Str to RR Tracks
TWELFTH STR	Pine Str to Elm Str
TWELFTH STR	Rolla Str to Pine Str
WALNUT STR	Eighteenth Str to Bishop Ave
WALNUT STR	Seventeenth Str to Eighteenth Str
WALNUT STR	Sixteenth Str to Seventeenth Str
WINCHESTER DR	Newcastle Dr to Rolla Str

Sign Up to Receive Emergency and Non Emergency Alerts

In the very near future the City of Rolla will be using the Everbridge system for Citizen Alerts to communicate with thousands of businesses and residents in minutes in the event of an emergency. Everbridge is an industry-leading interactive communication and mass notification solutions provider that helps organizations save lives, manage critical activities and improve the efficiency of daily operations.

With the Everbridge system, the City of Rolla will be able to alert residents about severe weather, fires, floods, toxic environmental issues and in process violent crimes. Messages can be sent to individuals using a variety of contact mechanisms– cell phone, landline, email, text messaging, fax, pager, and more – ensuring that residents and town/city staff receive life-saving emergency information and important public service announcements in minutes. Citizens listed in the City’s 9-1-1 database will be automatically subscribed to alerts by landline, though any individual may self-register, provide additional contact information or opt out.

"We have a commitment to protect our citizens to from any danger that threatens our community. The ability to reach all residents quickly during an emergency in order to warn them and provide guidance is critical to upholding that commitment, which is why we selected the Everbridge system,” said Chief Mark Kearse. “The Everbridge mass notification and interactive communication system ensures the City will be able to react quickly and efficiently to reach each individual in the case of an emergency.”

Everbridge SmartGIS System can deliver messages to you any way you want—on your home phone, cell phone, email, and more. This way, we can reach you in any emergency. We may also use the system in non-emergency situations to let you know about important City-related events, such as meetings, parade closures, or street cleaning changes.

How does it work?

The process begins when the City issues a message about a potential safety hazard or concern. Messages will be sent to all standard voice and text communication devices, including listed land line phones, cell phones, e-mail, and more. If you don't confirm receipt of the message, the system will try to reach your second contact number or email. The system will continue trying to contact you until it receives a confirmation from you.

The success of this service relies on YOU. Having your latest contact information is the only way to ensure that we can contact you in an emergency. Please update your contact information as soon as possible. Updating is easy and only takes a few minutes, just go to https://member.everbridge.net/index/1332612387831861#/login and sign up for these emergency alerts.

Thank you in advance for you cooperation and participation in this important program.

Rolla Police Department

Edit 4-3-2014: Additional information from PCSO:

Phelps County Sheriff's Department

Sheriff Richard Lisenbe

500 West 2^nd Street Rolla, Missouri 65401

Office (573) 426-3860                Fax (573) 426-3857

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       CONTACT: Richard L. Lisenbe

April 1, 2014                                                                                    Sheriff

 Phelps COunty Keeps Citizens Safe with
Everbridge SySTEM for Citizen Alerts

Citizens and Businesses Can Sign Up to Receive Emergency and Non-Emergency Alerts

Phelps County is now using the Everbridge system for Citizen Alerts to communicate with thousands of businesses and residents in minutes in the event of an emergency.  Everbridge is an industry-leading interactive communication and mass notification solutions provider that helps organizations save lives, manage critical activities and improve the efficiency of daily operations.

With the Everbridge system, Phelps County will be able to alert residents about severe weather, fires, floods, toxic environmental issues and in process violent crimes. Messages can be sent to individuals using a variety of contact mechanisms– cell phone, landline, email, text messaging, fax, pager, and more – ensuring that residents of Phelps County receive life-saving emergency information and important public service announcements in minutes. Citizens listed in the Counties white or yellow pages will be automatically subscribed to alerts by landline, though any individual may self-register, provide additional contact information or opt out. In addition, the County plans to use the Everbridge system to notify residents about other important activities, such as road closure.

"We have a commitment to protect our citizens from any danger that threatens our community. The ability to reach all residents quickly during an emergency in order to warn them and provide guidance is critical to upholding that commitment, which is why we selected the Everbridge system. “The Everbridge mass notification and interactive communication system ensures the County will be able to react quickly and efficiently to reach each individuals in the case of an emergency.”

To sign up for emergency alerts, please go to this website:

https://member.everbridge.net/index/1332612387831861

Parks & Recreation Summer Tournament Schedule

The Rolla Parks and Recreation staff has worked with a number of organizations and individuals to develop a full schedule of tournaments to be played throughout the Rolla park system in 2014.  Ber Juan Sportsplex will host 16 tournaments beginning March 29 through August 10.  Among the highlights for this year are the Mid-America Region Gold tournament for girl’s 18 & under fast-pitch softball and three slow-pitch state tournaments.  The Centre will once again host the Licking Shootouts over the course of the summer with 6 tournaments. 

Sports tourism has a tremendous impact on Rolla’s economy.  Based on surveys from previous years over 75% of participants are from outside of Phelps County and would not visit the area if it were not for these tournaments.  Special events and tournaments hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department generate nearly $1 million through retail shopping, dining and hotel accommodations. 

The Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce works with the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department to attract and accommodate the visitors and participants of these tournaments.  Stevie Kearse, Executive Director of the RACC says “These events bring outside dollars to our community, which in turn helps our community grow and prosper.  Not only do sporting events bring participants, they also bring family and friends.  These groups stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, shop in our retail stores, purchase gas, and so much more.  We appreciate the diligence of the Parks Department on continue to recruit these groups to the area.”

For more information, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 573-341-2386.  

 

2014 Tournaments
USSSA Girls Fast Pitch Tournament ....................... March 29 & 30
Sliders Softball Tournament ............................................... April 12
Pathways Benefit Tournament ........................................... April 26
USSSA Girls Fast Pitch Tournament ..........................May 10 & 11
Larry Wilson Memorial Tourney (Men’s & Women’s) ....... May 17
Larry Wilson Memorial Tourney (Coed) ............................. May 18
Lucas Ballinger Baseball Tourney ....................... May 31 & June 1
ASA Girls Fast Pitch Tournament ................................. June 7 & 8
USSSA Baseball Tournament ..................................... June 14 & 15
ASA Men’s & Women’s Slow Pitch Tourney ..................... June 21
ASA Coed Slow Pitch Tourney ........................................... June 22
Mid-America Region 18 A Regional Tourney ................ July 11-13
Mid-America Region 18 Gold Regional Tourney ........... July 11-13
ASA Women’s State Tournament ................................ July 12 & 13
ASA Coed C & D State Tournament ........................... July 19 & 20
Sliders Softball Tournament ......................................... July 26 & 27
NSA Coed State Tournament .................................... August 9 & 10

Updated March 17, 2014

Proposition 'A' Information

Rolla residents will have an opportunity to vote on a one-quarter (1/4) cent parks sales tax effective October 2014 that is projected to produce approximately $950,000 to maintain and improve the entire parks and recreation system.

FAQ

Council Resolution

What is Prop 'A'?

Sales Tax Comparison

What will the money be used for?

Why Prop 'A'?

Sale of Surplus Parcel at Ridgeview Rd. & Walker St.

Request for Proposals
Sale of Surplus Parcel at Ridgeview Rd. & Walker St.

Purpose
The City of Rolla, Missouri is soliciting proposals for the possible sale of a vacant parcel at the northeast corner of Ridgeview Rd. and Walker St.  The subject property is approximately 4,131 sq. ft. in size.  The objective of this RFP is to identify interest in this small surplus lot for possible development and/or private use in order to determine the best use and value of the surplus property.

Submission
Responses to this RFP must be submitted by 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2014 to:

Carol Daniels, City Clerk

Rolla City Hall

901 N. Elm Street

P.O. Box 979

Rolla, MO   65402

City staff is available to assist interested parties, prior to the submission date, with details on the subject property.  Please contact Mr. Steve Hargis, Public Works Director, for additional information at (575) 426-6950 or by email at shargis@rollacity.org.

Terms and Conditions
The existing parcel is approximately 4,131 sq. ft. which does not meet the standard minimum lot size for development.  The City may consider vacating the adjacent portion of the old Ridgeview Dr. which would add an additional 2,000 sq. ft. or more of property.  The City makes no warranties as to the ultimate use/zoning of this property.  As such a contingency contract for the sale of the lot is anticipated.

The City of Rolla reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted in response to this RFP.  In considering multiple proposals the Rolla City Council will consider price, highest and best use, and community interest and benefit in determining the possible sale.

Proposal Content
Applicants should include at a minimum the following information:

• The name, address and telephone number of the party submitting the proposal;
• The respondent’s proposed price for the property;
• A description of the proposed use of the property with a preliminary site plan.
• Statement as to why and how the public interest in being served by the sale/purchase of subject property.