City Talk - Rolla West Master Plan sets framework for City's Future

Rolla West Master Plan sets framework for City's future

Planning and preparation are known to be key ingredients for the successful outcome of any worthwhile venture, whether it is a short- or long-term endeavor. That said, planning to enhance our City's future, our children's future and the future of Rolla is something our City staff and the City Council continues to embrace as one its highest and most important priorities. So it was encouraging during Monday's City Council meeting (Sept. 2) when the Final Draft of the Rolla West Master Plan was presented by Brian Comer, an architect and consultant with HNTB.

After a great deal of study, research, deliberation, and public input from open public discussions, a three-day series of Rolla West Community Visioning workshops, a public open house, and a Web log on the City of Rolla's Website (www.rollacity.org), the Final Draft of the Rolla West Master Plan was completed.

The purpose of the Rolla West Master Plan, as stated in the Final Draft presented by HNTB, is to "outline a long-term comprehensive vision for land use, transportation and infrastructure within the Rolla West area."

Having a road map or a framework that our City and community can build our future on, is something that the Rolla West Master Plan provides. It is also a document that land owners, real estate companies and developers can refer to when discussing the Rolla West concept to businesses, investors and others who may be interested in starting a business or locating in the Rolla West area.

Among the plan objectives in the Rolla West Master Plan is a stated objective of coordinating planning efforts with Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), including the new E3 Campus and Technology Park. By broadening the scope of the Rolla West area to include the E3 Campus and Technology Park, the plan takes into consideration the considerable and important impact these projects will have on our community in the years to come.

Among the goal statements that were identified during the Community Visioning Workshop and included in the Rolla West Master Plan were the following:

1. Serve as a major catalyst in solidifying the City of Rolla as the center of commerce, education and health care for South Central Missouri.
2. Provide a balanced mix of uses that meets the needs of Rolla and the region.
3. Identify new development that will pay its' share of the costs of City infrastructure, transportation improvements and services that are necessary to serve the area.
4. Promote environmentally sensitive development that harmoniously blends within the natural character and scenic quality of the area.
5. Encourage quality development that will provide a positive first and last impression.

Among the priorities identified as necessary in the development of Rolla West, and as stated in the Master Plan are the following:

1. Highway 72 Ridgeview Road extension to Bridge School Road
2. A fifth interchange
3. Kingshighway interchange improvement

If you haven't had a chance to review the Final Draft of the Rolla West Master Plan, I encourage you to visit http://www.rollacity.org/rollawest and look over the document. It consists of 47 pages of very useful data, diagrams, tables, drawings, and photos. Hard copies of the Rolla West Master Plan also are available in the Public Works Department at Rolla City Hall (901 North Elm Street).

The Rolla West Master Plan will be presented to the Rolla City Council for adoption and inclusion in the City's Comprehensive Plan sometime in the near future.

In closing I invite and encourage the entire community to attend the Tour of Missouri Stage 4 Finish in Rolla on Thursday, Sept. 11 (between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.) and Stage 5 Start in St. James Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. A detailed description of the Tour of Missouri route along with a complete listing of events planned on Sept. 11 in Rolla can be viewed on the City's Website at www.rollacity.org (just click on the orange TOM tab at the top of the homepage). Please also remember that on Thursday, September 11, it would be wonderful if everyone (businesses, civic organizations and residents alike) would make an extra effort to display an American flag.

I'd like to also remind everyone to please not park on any of the streets that are included in the Tour of Missouri route that will be going through Rolla on Sept. 11 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. There will be "No Parking" signs posted along the TOM route the evening of Sept. 10, but I would still like to spread the word that we will need to keep the streets clear of vehicles prior to and during the race. Your cooperation concerning this important safety matter is greatly appreciated. The race will enter Rolla on Martin Springs Drive, continue on Blues Lake Parkway, Bridgeschool Road, Kingshighway, Fairgrounds Road, 10th Street, State Street, 8th Street, along Pine Street to 6th, Olive, Bardsley, 12th, Holloway, 10th and back to State Street for three figure 8 loops. The finish line will be on 10th Street in front of Castelman Hall Performing Arts Center.

See you on September 11 for the Tour of Missouri. I hope you'll be there!

City Talk - Rolla 2020 Fiscal Advisory Committee helps chart Rolla's Future

Planning for the future of our City, and especially our City’s financial future and how it will impact our quality of life for years to come, is something the members of the Rolla 2020 Fiscal Advisory Committee recently accomplished since they began meeting in January of this year.

With the City of Rolla’s annual Budget Workshop meetings scheduled for next Tuesday, Aug. 26 and Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, the final recommendation of the Rolla 2020 Fiscal Advisory Committee given by Rolla City Councilman Lou Magdits recently should be very helpful as the City Council reviews the City’s proposed 2008-2009 annual budget and charts a vision for Rolla’s future.

My sincere thanks and appreciation is extended to all the official and ex-officio members of the Rolla 2020 Fiscal Advisory Committee who spent numerous hours meeting on a regular basis for the past seven months at Rolla City Hall. The members of the committee included: Chairman and City Council member Lou Magdits; Co-Chair Emma Lou Brent; Councilman Don Barklage; Wayne Perry (US Bank); Terry Harris (investments); Jess Cortese (Brewer Science); Doug Cresswell (retail); Rodney Creech (retail); David McKee (Phelps County Bank); Bob McKune; Kate Howell (real estate); Ex Officio members Steffanie Rogers, Finance Director, City of Rolla, and Rolla City Administrator John Butz.

All of the Policy Statements and policy recommendations that were included in the final recommendation by the Rolla 2020 Fiscal Advisory Committee were included in the full agenda packet for the Aug. 18 City Council meeting, and can be reviewed and downloaded on the City of Rolla’s Website at http://www.rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtm. Hard copies of the recommendation are also available in the Administration Department at Rolla City Hall located at 901 North Elm Street. If you haven’t had the opportunity to review these policy statement and recommendations, I encourage you to take a few minutes to do so. The five policy statements included among the recommendations will also be posted and displayed in the Council Chambers in the near future for the members of the City Council and general public to view as well.

In summary, the policy statements emphasize the importance of demonstrating fiscal discipline, sustaining existing City services and infrastructure as a priority over new and expanded programs and services, the active pursuit of creative partnerships, and consolidation of public services. The policy statement also states before funding new and expanded services, the City should first consider the practicality and feasibility of user fees, and that user fees should be considered when the primary beneficiary is a small segment of the population. The final policy statement states that any new or expanded program or service should first identify funding alternatives and secure funding before implementation.

After the City Council reviews and formally endorses the specific policy recommendations made by the Rolla 2020 Fiscal Advisory Committee sometime in September, a Park Sales Task Force will be formed to further explore the options regarding the Park Sales Tax of ½ cent that was approved by Rolla voters in August, 1998 with an effective date of Jan. 1, 1999. The tax is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2013. The dedicated sales tax was approved to retire the debt service payments on an $11.7 million GO Bond issued to construct the SplashZone, Rolla outdoor waterpark and The Centre, Rolla Health and Recreation Complex.

I will continue to keep you updated regarding the recommendations of the Rolla 2020 Fiscal Advisory Committee and the formation of the Parks Sales Task Force. You may review the specific policy recommendations as outlined in the Aug. 18 City Council Meeting agenda packet under VII. B - “Rolla 2020 Fiscal Advisory Committee – Preliminary Report” at www.rollacity.org/admin/agenda.shtm.


Sincerely, William S. Jenks, III, Mayor