Support for Veterans Memorial Park stronger than ever

It was truly an honor last Tuesday to participate in a signing ceremony at Rolla City Hall to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding with the members of the South Central Regional Veterans Group and other veterans in our community for the new Veterans Memorial Park located on Southview Drive in Rolla.

As a strong supporter of all branches of the military, and a retired Colonel in the Army Reserve, it is encouraging to see the ground swell of support throughout South Central Missouri for Veterans Memorial Park. Both monetary and in-kind donations are coming in, and it is more than apparent that the first phase of the park will be completed sometime in November. The first phase of the park will include three flagpoles with a pentagonal base monument, a park master plan sign and large parking lot, all of which is in the works to be completed by Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11, 2009. Funding for future phases of the park, both monetary and in-kind, is still needed, and individuals and organizations interested in making a donation are encouraged to visit the newly designed Veterans Memorial Park Website at www.scrvg.org. They gave for us, so let’s give for them!

Veterans Memorial Park will pay tribute to all branches of the military and Armed Forces, and will memorialize all those who have sacrificed – and sometimes given the ultimate sacrifice - for the freedoms we as a democratic nation enjoy today. As I stood among the many veterans who were representing the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Phelps For the Fort, Missouri University of Science and Technology R.O.T.C., Disabled American Veterans, and Korean War Veterans Association, it was quite apparent that a unified effort is more than underway for the construction of Phase 1 and the ultimate completion of Veterans Memorial Park.

A very special thank you goes out to the members of the South Central Regional Veterans Group who have worked diligently and tirelessly with City staff in the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments to see this park become a reality. From the numerous public meetings and planning workshops that generated input and support from the community, to the creation of the master plan for the park, Veterans Memorial Park has been embraced as a much needed and highly regarded project that is gaining the interest, support and momentum it deserves.

There are very few people in this community who do not have a close relative, friend or neighbor who has served or is currently serving in the U.S. military and fewer still who don’t know personally someone who is a veteran. So I’m confident that Veterans Memorial Park will be a tremendous asset to our community and all of South Central Missouri where veterans and their family members and loved ones can be part of something that fosters unity, pride and respect for the tremendous contributions our veterans and active service members have made and are making to provide us peace, security and freedom.

City completes asphalt sealing project ahead of schedule

Upgrading, maintaining and enhancing the infrastructure of our City continues to be a high priority of the Rolla City Council and many municipalities across the state and nation. So I was pleased to see that the City of Rolla Public Works Department recently completed an asphalt sealing project that included most of the downtown business district, weeks in advance.

The first phase of the project began June 24 and included the microsurfacing of Vichy Road, Vienna Road, Fairburn Road, Williams Road and Houston Road. Recently paved streets include Rolla Street South of Hwy. 72, Main Street, 13th Street, and several streets running east to west in Rolla’s downtown business district, including Oak Street from 7th to 14th Streets, Elm Street from Hwy. 72 to 7th Street and Elm Street from 10th to 14th Streets.

One of the distinct advantages of the microsurfacing procedure that provides an approximate one-quarter-inch-thick pavement resurfacing is that the work can proceed at a much quicker pace than traditional asphalt overlays, which typically apply a minimum one – and one-half-inches of pavement resurfacing. Microsurfacing is also an economical alternative to hot asphalt mix overlays, saving the City and residents thousands that would otherwise be spent for the more expensive procedure.

The project would not have proceeded as rapidly as it did without the efficient work and collaboration by the City’s Public Works Department, Donelson Construction Company and the Rolla Police Department. Gene Stroup, Project Coordinator in the City’s Engineering Division deserves a big thanks for keeping the project ahead of schedule, as well as the members of Donelson Construction Company and the Rolla Police Department who provided traffic control assistance throughout the project. I would also like to thank the residents of Rolla and the Rolla business community, including merchants and business owners, for your patience and understanding during the microsurfacing of the streets. I’m sure you will agree that it was a very worthwhile project that will give a facelift to our downtown district, and some of the outlying streets that needed to be repaved.Another road paving project that is currently underway by the City’s Streets Department is the concrete paving of Ridgeview Road from the intersection of State Highway 63 and Missouri Route 72 to Walker Street. The first section of this project was completed last summer from the intersection to the alley west of Spillman Avenue. The second phase includes the concrete paving from the alley to Walker Street. Crews have been working on this section of Ridgeview Road for the past two weeks, and it should go a long way in enhancing this visible and well traveled corridor of the City.

In closing I’d like to remind the community that the Rolla City Council will be holding a special City Council Workshop this Monday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers (located at 901 N. Elm Street) to discuss various components of the Rolla West plan and the topic of a park sales tax. The meeting is open to the public, and everyone in the community is welcomed and encouraged to attend the workshop.

Rolla recognized again as top outdoor town in U.S.

The July 4th weekend marks the peak of summer fun for many who take advantage of the vast outdoor recreational and sporting opportunities that abound in and around the Mark Twain National Forest and Meramec Valley Region.

So it was encouraging to see that Rolla was included, for the second year running, in Outdoor Life magazine’s list of top 200 outdoor towns to live in the U.S. for hunting and fishing. Outdoor Life magazine used data to score 200 towns on available sporting opportunities and quality-of-life measures like good homes, schools and jobs. The list appears in the June-July issue and online at www.OutdoorLife.com.

With more trout streams than any other county in the state of Missouri, numerous crystal clear rivers and streams, and an array of hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and boating opportunities, Phelps County has more than its share of outdoor treasures and scenic beauty.

But it still doesn’t hurt our City’s or Phelps County’s regional or national image from a tourism, quality of life or economic development perspective when we are recognized by a national outdoor magazine as one of only 200 of the top towns in the U.S. for hunting and fishing.

According to a recent online article by Todd Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Outdoor Life, “The towns on this list offer the best of the outdoors as well as decent homes and schools and good-paying jobs. They are truly dream towns for sportsmen,” Smith said.

What makes this recognition all the more significant is that Rolla is often included among other “Best Of” lists. In 2007 the City of Rolla was showcased and featured as one of the country’s most unspoiled places to visit, live and play in the recently published book “101 Best Outdoor” towns by Sarah Tuff and Greg Melville. That same month Rolla was the number 9 top ranked college town in the nation for communities with a population of 19,999 or less by ePodunk College Towns Index, a private company that provides in-depth community profiles on 46,000 communities around the country. In 2008 Bizjournals.com ranked Rolla No. 2 in the Top 10 Midwest Region and No. 13 among America’s 577 “micropolitan” areas in an “America’s Dreamtown” study. Rolla was also ranked as one of “13 Missouri Boom Towns” by author Jack Schultz. The most well known perhaps, and highly published reference to Rolla as a great place to live is included in Norm Crampton’s “The 100 Best Small Towns in America” – A Nationwide Guide to the Best in Small-Town Living.

Regardless of how you might be spending your Independence Day weekend in Rolla, whether you are enjoying a mouth-watering funnel cake at Lions Club Carnival today, cooling off at SplashZone – Rolla’s outdoor water park (don’t miss Independence Dollar Day today from 12-noon to 4 p.m.), or having a picnic with friends and family members, I hope you have a memorable and safe July 4th weekend. And let’s not forget to keep all of the men and women serving in the Armed Forces throughout the world in our thoughts and prayers as we enjoy our freedoms, family gatherings and celebrations throughout the Fourth!

City's Storm Water Retention system holds during heavy rains

The heavy torrential rains we experienced this week put our City’s stormwater management system to the ultimate test. Fortunately, with all the new stormwater retention ponds, box culverts, and widened stream beds that were constructed over the last five years, the City’s stormwater levels were kept under control.

It was not that long ago that heavy rains, like the ones experienced this week, would have flooded many City streets, parks, yards and even some homes, apartments and businesses. Low lying areas along Forum Drive, 18th Street, Soest Road, and 10th Street used to flood on a regular basis.

The construction of six stormwater retention facilities three years ago by the City’s Public Works Department are helping the City address issues related to stormwater retention, flood control improvements and the growing need for storm sewer system upgrades. Since most of these stormwater detention facilities are located in hard-to-access areas, however, they are not easily seen or easily accessible to the public.

The six stormwater facilities include: Tory Park Detention Facility (located just east of the Forum Cinema off Tory Avenue); the Bray Sports Complex Detention Facility located adjacent to the Rolla High School (the ball field doubles as a dry detention facility – protecting downstream homes from possible flooding); the Taylor Anderson Detention Facility; Vichy Road Stormwater Detention Facility; White Columns Drive Detention Facility and the RCDC Stormwater Detention Facility (located just west of the Rolla Industrial Park).

Other projects associated with these flood control improvements identified in the City’s 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (implemented in June 2005) include the construction of 10 box culverts. The total cost of these improvements was funded by a bond issue of $3 million and an $180,000 Missouri Department of Transportation Grant. The paramount benefit of these stormwater detention improvements will remove nearly 200 homes and businesses from the 100-year flood plain. In addition to these flood control benefits, the City has added 120 acres of open space and conservation area to preserve and enhance Rolla’s sensitive eco-systems.

The City has also identified over 35 neighborhoods that have localized stormwater drainage problems. These projects, which are part of the Public Works’ annual street and storm sewer maintenance activities, are being prioritized in terms of severity, street maintenance schedule and availability of funds. The City appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as we continue to address these very important improvements.

In closing I’d like to wish all the Dads in the community a happy Father’s Day this weekend. And remember on Sunday, June 21, there will be a Father’s Day Special at SplashZone -- Rolla’s outdoor water park (located at the corner of 14th and Holloway next to The Centre). Dads get in free with a child’s admission ($4.50). SpalshZone is open weekends from 12-noon to 6 p.m. and weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 12-noon to 7 p.m.

The July 4th weekend is just around the corner as well, which means the Lions Club Carnival will be coming to town Wednesday, July 1 through Saturday, July 4. Don’t forget that City Hall will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day. Also remember that week that Friday’s trash will be picked up on Thursday and Thursday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday.

Council gives green light to Deible Loop Bike Trail

The City of Rolla’s bike and pedestrian trail system, which connects many of the City’s parks and park amenities with over 9.2 miles of walking and biking trails, just got a little bigger with the approval by the Rolla City Council to award the bid for the construction of the Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path, Phase I and II.

The bid was awarded to Don Maggi, Inc. for $264,538, pending approval from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Funding for the Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path will be available through the MoDOT Enhancement Program. Construction is scheduled to begin later this summer.

The new Deible Loop Pedestrian Bike Path will begin at the end of the existing ACORN Trail head on Hwy. O between Winchester and Sycamore Streets and proceed South to the Deible Branch lying just North of Lions Club Drive and following Lions Club Drive. Rolla residents have been running on the sidewalks along Deible Branch or biking on Lions Club Road since it was opened to motorists in October 2005. So if you like to walk, run, ride a bike, rollerblade, or just enjoy strolling amidst the beauty and peace of the outdoors, you will enjoy this new addition to the City’s bike and pedestrian trail system.

The 31 parks located throughout Rolla, including 85-acre Ber Juan Park, 15-acre Shuman Park, the City’s Downtown Festival Park, and of course Lions Club Park, are all quality of life assets that help make Rolla one of the most livable cities in the country. Don’t forget also the Historic Walking Tour of Rolla in the City’s Downtown Business District, which includes 37 historic signs that spotlight the City’s rich history. Both the ACORN Bike Trail map and Historic Walking Tour of Rolla brochure can be viewed and downloaded on the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org/comdev/plan.shtm#pubmap.

In closing I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in making this year’s Route 66 Summerfest one of the most memorable events ever. Thousands of visitors packed the Downtown Festival Lot for two days of family-fun celebrating Rolla’s historic ties to “The Mother Road” – Historic Route 66.

Be sure to mark your calendars for two more events coming up in July. The Lions Club Carnival will be held July 1-4 in Lions Club Park and the Phelps County Fair will be held July 22 through July 25 at the Phelps County Fair. In addition to Rolla’s Route 66 Summerfest, the Fall Arts and Crafts Festival in October, the Lions Club Carnival and Phelps County Fair are among the largest and best attended events in the Rolla area. We are certainly fortunate to have so many festivals, events and happenings for a City of 18,000 people.

Route 66 heritage celebrated this weekend in Rolla

Some call it “The Will Rogers Highway,” while others call it “The Main Street of America.” American author John Steinbeck referred to it as the “Mother Road” in his classic novel The Grapes of Wrath. We all know it best by the nostalgic brown and white U.S. Route 66 signs that are located along State Highway 63 (Bishop Avenue) and Kingshighway (Business 44) in the City’s business district.

Just as Steinbeck’s classic 1939 novel and 1940 film recreation sought to immortalize the legacy of Historic U.S. Route 66, the organizers of Rolla’s Route 66 Summerfest, held this weekend in downtown Rolla, have also gone a long ways to immortalize Route 66. The Summerfest festivities should be well underway in the City’s Downtown Festival Park and at the Ber Juan Tennis Complex by the time you start reading this morning’s issue of the Rolla Daily News.

You may have missed the Route 66 classic car cruise-in from St. James to Rolla last night while the winner of the Route 66 pageant was being crowned, but you’ll have plenty of time to see all the classic cars, and enjoy all the Summerfest festivities, including great food and family fun today and tonight in the City’s Downtown Festival Park and along Pine Street.

Missouri was the first of the eight states that comprise old Route 66 (a 2,448-mile-long road that stretches from Chicago, Ill. to Los Angeles, Calif.) to have its entire portion of Route 66 completely paved. In fact, the building that was once the home of the Edwin Long Hotel and Rolla National Bank, and is now Phelps County Bank, (located at the corner of 8th and Pine Streets in downtown Rolla), was the location of a memorable celebration on March 15, 1931 where 8,000 people celebrated the completion of Historic U.S. Route 66 in the State of Missouri. Missouri’s Governor at that time, Henry S. Caulfield, was the keynote speaker.

The original U.S. Route 66 in Rolla ran right through the center of downtown on Pine Street, and with the construction of Interstate 44 has been realigned twice. Some of the well-known establishments in Rolla that still promote U.S. Route 66 include the Totem Pole Trading Post located at 1413 Martin Springs Drive, where historic Route 66 markers tell travelers they are traveling along “The Mother Road.” One of the many icons located along Route 66 in Rolla, the Totem Pole Trading Post still has the original 1933 Totem Pole. The Trading Post, with all its history and Route 66 memorabilia is definitely worth a visit, and it’s conveniently located behind the Rolla Visitor Center. The Mule Trading Post, located at 11160 Dillon Outer Road, also is a treasure-trove of Route 66 memorabilia, and can’t be missed with the large motorized sign that is visible from Interstate 44.

Whether you are a life-long resident of Rolla and Phelps County, or a visitor from a neighboring town or state, I think you’ll discover with all the Summerfest festivities planned this weekend that the legendary U.S. Route 66 is very much a part of our heritage in Rolla and Phelps County.

Frisco Caboose is source of great pride in downtown Rolla

In keeping with tradition the Frisco Caboose will once again be open for free tours to the public during the 15th Annual Route 66 Summerfest Celebration on the evening of Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6. If you didn’t have a chance to tour the Frisco Caboose during Public Works Celebration Day on May 16, you may want to take a few minutes to peak inside and take a look at the Route 66 memorabilia that is showcased inside. The new 2009 Tour of Missouri banner is also displayed on the front of the Frisco Caboose and makes a great backdrop for photo opportunities with friends and family.

The relocation, restoration and enhancements to the Frisco Caboose were truly a community-wide effort comprised of Rolla residents, city employees and members of the community. This collaborative effort makes the Frisco one of the more enduring landmarks and focal points in the downtown area. To show the City’s appreciation to those individuals who played an integral role in the restoration of the Frisco Caboose, and those who donated their time and talent in helping preserve the Frisco history, John Butz, City Administrator and myself presented them with a piece of Frisco history. Each of the individuals was presented with a commemorative framed copy of the $1,000 St. Louis – San Francisco Railway Company bonds that were sold to help fund the construction of the Frisco Railroad. The bonds are dated Feb. 24, 1958.

The commemorative bonds were presented to the following individuals for their tireless efforts, which included countless weekends and volunteer hours after work: Steve Hargis, Public Works Director (Frisco history and restoration); Marlin Malone, Equipment Operator II, Environmental Services Department (Frisco history, restoration and wiring on the Frisco Caboose); Jeff Feeler (all electrical work on Frisco Caboose); Richard Allison (repainted the 1501 Frisco Engine and passenger car in Schuman Park); Keith Conway (painted the 1501 Frisco logo on the park building in Schuman Park); and Don Macormic (helped research Frisco memorabilia items).

I truly appreciate all the work and effort that went into the restoration and preservation of the Frisco Caboose and related Frisco heritage at Schuman Park by these individuals, and countless other community volunteers who helped clean, paint and restore the Frisco Caboose.

Well known for its history as a railroad town when the first train rolled into town on Dec. 22, 1860, Rolla’s association with trains has been well preserved through the acquisition of the Frisco Caboose and the restored 1501 Frisco steam engine that is on display at 15-acre Schuman Park in Rolla.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone that the new 2009 full-color aerial photo of the Rolla area is available for purchase at the GIS/Mapping Office located in the Public Works Department at Rolla City Hall (901 N. Elm Street). The aerial was flown on Feb. 10, 2009 and is available on 42- x 52-inch photo quality gloss paper. For more information, or to place your order for an aerial photo of Rolla, please call (573) 364-8659, or stop by City Hall anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Summer Fun just around the bend

The first and official day of summer may still be a little ways off, but summer fun has just begun for many students in the area who have finished the school year.

To many the end of the school year, among other things, is a reminder that SplashZone, Rolla’s outdoor water park, located in beautiful Ber Juan Park, is opening. SplashZone opens today, May 23 from 12-noon to 6 p.m. and will remain open throughout the summer months Monday through Friday (noon-7) and Saturday and Sunday (noon-6 p.m.). SplashZone is one of the great vacation bargain get-aways at $4.50 per person, for folks in the Meramec Valley Region and one of the local summer favorites in Rolla and Phelps County. Closing day at SplashZone will be on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7 (noon-5 p.m.). For more information for special events, private rentals, swimming lessons and other information, please visit call SplashZone at 364-8222 or visit www.org/centre/splash.

The summer hours at The Centre, Rolla’s 63,000-square-foot health and recreation complex, (located at 1200 N. Holloway Street), have also gone into effect. Hours at The Centre are now Monday through Friday (5:30 a.m.–9 p.m.); Saturday (8 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.).

One of Rolla’s most well known and attended events is just a week away as well. The 15th Annual “Route 66 Summerfest” kicks off Thursday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. with the Miss “Route 66” Pageant at Rolla Middle School. On Friday, June 5 at 4 p.m. classic cars, custom cars and motorcycles will gather at the St. James Visitor Center before “cruising” along old Route 66 from St. James to Rolla’s Downtown Festival Park at 7 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. Friday evening the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) BBQ Picnic will be held in the downtown festival area at the corner of 9th and Elm streets. Anyone interested in obtaining tickets ($8 ea.) for the picnic, which includes barbecue, cole slaw and baked beans, can contact Rick Morris at (573) 578-8567.

Also on Friday at 7 p.m. bring your lawn chair for the Miss Route 66 crowning ceremony and plan to stay for a “drive-in” movie and all the popcorn you can eat. Also, the skateboard track will be open for skateboarders young and old.

On Saturday morning, June 5, you’ll find coffee and doughnuts in the food court, the arts and crafts festival on 9th Street, the classic car show on Pine Street and the motorcycle show on 8th Street. Sporting events include the “Friends of Tennis” Tennis Tournament at 8 a.m. at the Ber Juan Tennis Complex, Sand Volleyball Tournament and Tour-de-Phelps leisurely ride to St. James and back, which begins at 8 a.m. There’s face painting, inflatable games, horseback rides, and the giant sandbox for the young kids and skateboarding for the older ones.

Saturday afternoon is the downhill derby (12-noon), kids bicycle and tricycle race (2 p.m.), the Fire Truck Pull (4 p.m.) and the always popular burnout contest at 6 p.m. Saturday evening there’s a FREE street dance at 8 p.m. with the very exciting St. Louis band, Sh-Boom. There are many more events, so come prepared to spend the day.

For more information about Route 66 Summerfest, please visit www.route66summerfest.com.

Sales-tax revenue continues upward

It was less than two weeks ago that I was writing to you about the City’s sales tax revenue being in the black at .88%, which was just a little below the 1% sales tax revenue growth the City Council budgeted for Fiscal Year 2009.

You will be pleased to know that the City’s sales tax revenue figures for the month of April came in at 20.83%, bringing the City’s year-to-date sales revenues to 1.65%. This is not only welcoming news, but I think it is also encouraging and promising news for the Rolla area and Meramec Valley Region.

When the City experiences a 20% spike in sales revenue like we did last month, you might ask yourself what market conditions were at play to make this happen. There are many variables to consider that may have influenced the strong sales revenue the City experienced last month. My guess is that it was a culmination of several factors, including an improved real estate market, the great turn out for the St. Pat’s Celebration, the “Shop Local” message that has been emphasized and promoted by the City, Rolla Chamber of Commerce and area merchants, and general stability of the Rolla economy where employment, wages and purchasing tends to remain consistent throughout various economic cycles.

When other cities and communities across America are experiencing double-digit unemployment, and considerable reductions in their sales tax revenues, it is encouraging to see that the City’s budget projection of 1% growth for 2009 is holding steady, and even being surpassed as of April. That is not to say, of course, that the City might experience some bumps and turns along the way, but with Rolla’s tourism season at our doorsteps, the economic future of Rolla is looking better every month. Let’s hope the upward momentum continues to swing our way.

I’d also like to remind everyone that City Hall will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday. The Rolla Chamber will be hosting two Memorial Day services on Monday, May 25, beginning at 10 a.m. at Rolla Cemetery (Hwy. 72 and Rolla Streets) and at 11 a.m. at Ozark Memorial Gardens on State Route 63 South across from G&D Steakhouse. Please plan to attend one of these Memorial Day services and pay tribute to all the men and women who have served or are now serving our country.

Free family-friendly events galore at Ber Juan Park

If you haven’t already made plans for today, May 9, you may consider attending one of the friendly-family events planned for the “Free Play Day” in beautiful Ber Juan Park. Numerous activities and events are planned throughout the day at the ball fields, tennis courts and other areas throughout the 100-acre park.

The first event begins with the 5th Annual Youth Fishing Fair from 8 a.m. to 12-noon at Ber Juan Lake behind The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex. Every child fishing will receive a free goodie bag and the first 50 kids (ages 6-12) to register will receive a free gift. In addition to free fishing, the day will feature good food, prize drawings and fun contests, including a casting contest which begins at 10 a.m.

A Children’s Art and Wellness Fair will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12-noon at The Centre (1200 N. Holloway Street); along with a Tennis Block Party at the Ber Juan Tennis Complex (corner of 14th and Holloway Streets) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and relays, games, and disc golf all over the park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Rolla Optimist Club will provide free hot dogs and drinks from 10 a.m. to 12-noon.

The ‘Play Day’ is being hosted through a partnership among the City of Rolla’s Parks and Recreation Department, The Centre, Phelps County Community Partnership, Missouri Department of Conservation, Rolla Optimist Club, Key Sport, and PCCAN. For more information, please contact Kristy Rich at 341-2386.

For those of you who like to recycle we encourage you to dispose of your old computers, appliances and tires today, May 9 from 8 a.m. to 12-noon at the Brewer Science, Inc. Parking Lot (2401 Brewer Drive), located in the Hypoint Industrial Park at I-44, Exit 189/Hwy. V.

The fee for tire disposal is $1.50 each (passenger); $5 each (truck) and $10 each (tractor). The fee for TVs is $10 each and $5 each for computer monitors. The disposal of the following items are free: stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwaves, computer CPUs, keyboards, printers, VCRs, cell phones and other electronics and appliances. We only ask that you unload the items yourself to help expedite the deliveries. This event is jointly sponsored by the City of Rolla, Phelps County Commission, Brewer Science, Inc., Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, the Missouri Department of Natural Resource and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC). If you have any questions, please call MRPC at (573) 265-2993.

Another family-fun day, Public Works Celebration Day, is just around the corner next Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the City’s Downtown Festival Park– rain or shine. In addition to free brochures, coloring books, balloons, stickers and comic books, there will also be an inflatable playground for children. Free hotdogs, popcorn and soda will also be provided. For more information, please call the Public Works Department at (573) 364-8659.

Spring is one of the busiest times in the Rolla/St. James area with Rolla’s Route 66 Summerfest just around the bend on June 4, 5 and 6. For a list of all the events planned for Summerfest visit www.route66summerfest.com. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Tour of Missouri international cycling race Sept. 7-13. Rolla will host the Stage 3 Finish on Wednesday, Sept. 9 between 3:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. and St. James will host the Stage 4 Start the next day on Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. For more info, please visit www.tourofmissouri.com.

Mayor Bill Jenks, III

City’s sales tax revenues in black despite national trends

One of the most important topics on everyone’s minds is clearly the state of the economy – especially here in our own community in Rolla. While I certainly cannot speak for every business and industry in the area in terms of sales projections, employment rates or prospects for expansion, I can tell you that after seven months in Fiscal Year 2009 the City of Rolla’s sales tax revenues are up .12%. Considering that the City Council budgeted conservatively for 1% growth in sales tax in 2009, the City is off budget by .88%.

In comparison to some cities throughout Missouri and the nation who are experiencing declines in sales tax revenue, Rolla is holding its head above water, operating as efficiently as possible and providing the services and programs that our citizens have come to expect. We certainly would like to see sales tax revenues in the 4% to 6% range again, like we have in year’s past, but there are some positive signs that construction activity is on the rise with new home and business starts, and that are larger employers such as Phelps County Regional Medical Center, St. John’s Clinic and Missouri University of Science and Technology are continuing to expand their facilities. Seeing growth areas along Martin Springs Drive Outer Road, Bridge School Road and more recently, Hwy. 63 North and Hwy. 63 South, are all positive indicators both from a revenue generating perspective and an image perspective. Some communities are shrinking, and ceasing construction and development, while Rolla is moving forward with some significant projects.

Another important topic on the public’s mind no doubt is the recent Swine flu outbreak that is paralyzing the country of Mexico. Be assured that the Phelps County Health Department is closely monitoring the Swine flu outbreak in Mexico and parts of the U.S. Jodi Waltman, Phelps County Health Dept. Administrator and her staff are in constant communication with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and are doing enhanced surveillance, meeting with community partners, including Phelps County Regional Medical Center, the City of Rolla Fire and Rescue, and first responders. Jodi and the staff at the Health Department “encourages area residents to remain informed and continue to practice common sense disease prevention methods such as good hand washing, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth and keeping a distance of at least six feet from anyone who may have a flu-like illness.”

For further information, please contact the Health Department at 458-6010 or visit their Website at www.phelpscountyhealth.com.

Mayor Bill Jenks, III

U.S. Census Workers now in Rolla area

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is now underway in the Rolla area where U.S. Census Bureau workers are verifying addresses to ensure that every housing unit receives a census questionnaire. Address verification will take approximately six to eight weeks to complete.

It is important to realize that U.S. Census Bureau workers are not in uniforms, but they will have official identification and they are using hand-held computers equipped with GPS to increase geographic accuracy. Census workers may knock on doors to verify addresses and inquire about additional living quarters on certain premises. Workers may also ask people in some neighborhoods a few simple questions about housing units. More than 140,000 U.S. Census Bureau workers are verifying addresses across the nation, as the first major field operation of the 2010 Census is underway.

The actual U.S. Census questionnaires, which will be delivered to residents in March of 2010, will consist of 10 questions asking basic information that gives the Census Bureau the best portrait of America. The form should only take about 10 minutes to fill out. The final step is to simply put the census form back in the mail. Data collected from the 2010 Census is always confidential and safeguarded. Federal law protects all personal information, and policies and safeguards are in place to help ensure the confidentiality of your information. Personal information cannot be shared with any other government agency. The Census questionnaire does not ask for Social Security Numbers.

The City’s Community Development Director, John Petersen represented the City of Rolla at the first meeting of the statewide Complete County Committee in Jefferson City on March 30; one-year before Census questionnaires are sent to homes. The 26-member committee includes community leaders from across the state that will be working together to ensure every Missourian is counted in the 2010 Census. The committee will be working with the Missouri Office of Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau to devise the best ways to reach Missouri’s hard-to-count populations and to educate all Missourians about the 2010 Decennial Census.

According to Dennis Johnson, Director of the Kansas City Regional Office, which includes Missouri and five other states, over $300 billion in federal dollars get distributed every year to state and local government based on census data. That funding includes spending for schools, hospitals, roads and disaster relief In addition, he said the data helps inform the process of reapportioning seats to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone to take advantage of the beautiful weather we are having by taking a walk or a bike ride on the City’s 9.2-mile ACORN Trail that connects to many of our City parks and scenic areas. Ber Juan Park, which includes The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex, the Ber Juan Tennis Complex, and SplashZone, Rolla’s outdoor Water Park, is also an excellent place to take a walk, fly a kite, throw a Frisbee, or enjoy a family gathering at one of the picnic areas.

Council members to be recognized at April 20 Mtg.

Regardless of how you voted during the Rolla Municipal Election on April 7, I think most Rolla residents will agree that serving a two-year term on the Rolla City Council is a significant contribution of time, talent and effort. And while the voter turn-out has been better in year’s past than it was on April 7, I applaud the residents who did take the time and effort to cast their votes or ballots.

At the City Council meeting scheduled for this Monday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m., I will be recognizing two outgoing and much appreciated City Council members in Councilman Terry Ruck (Ward 1) and Councilman Rick Morris (Ward 5). Both of these individuals have given generously of their time and energy by attending, preparing for and participating in City Council meetings, workshops, retreats and Ward meetings. Their input and expertise will be missed.

I will also be joining the City Council in welcoming the returning and newly elected City Council members who will be taking the oath of office in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The Council members who were re-elected to another 2-year term include: Don Barklage (Ward 2); Gary Hicks (Ward 3); Lou Magdits (Ward 4) and Mark Walburg (Ward 6). The two new members elected to the City Council are Don Brown (Ward 1) and Ken Boeker (Ward 5). If you have not yet had the opportunity to meet these City Council members, I encourage you to attend Monday’s meeting or a future City Council meeting so you can get to know the individuals who represent your Ward and the Rolla community.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone about the upcoming Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday (April 19-25). In February the Rolla City Council enacted an ordinance to allow the Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday to apply to its local sales taxes so that they will be exempted from all retail sales of any energy star certified appliance, up to $1,500 per appliance. The seven-day tax holiday on energy star appliances begins at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, April 19 and ends at midnight on Saturday, April 25.

Some of the energy star certified appliances that will be exempt from both state and City sales tax include: clothes washers and dryers, water heaters, trash compactors, dishwashers, conventional ovens, ranges, stoves, air conditioners, furnaces, refrigerators and freezers.

Please also don’t forget to attend the Rolla Earth Day Celebration this Wednesday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Havener Center on the Missouri S&T campus. The events are free and open to the public.

City Council sends message to 'shop local'

Shopping local is a mantra that frequently echoes throughout most cities and towns across the U.S. as communities continue to realize the significance of making purchases locally. There are few better short-range remedies to bolster an economy than a well promoted campaign to “buy-local.”

The message to shop local was sent again to the Rolla community by members of the Rolla City Council when they approved the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday for the first weekend in August. As stated in the recently passed ordinance to ‘opt in’ to the state back to school sales tax holiday, the sales tax holiday (tax savings of 2.5%) is intended to provide tax relief to families with children attending school by exempting the sales tax on clothing, personal computers, certain computer software, and school supplies. The sale officially begins at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August (Aug. 7), and ends at midnight on the Sunday following (Aug. 9).

The Back to School Sales Tax Holiday was first established in 2004 by the Missouri State Legislature when the legislature passed Senate Bill 11. At that time Rolla and more than 135 other cities opted-out of the exemption over a concern for a loss in sales tax revenue. While it is possible that the Sales Tax Holiday could cost the City of Rolla anywhere between $10,000 and $18,000 in lost sales tax revenue, the tax savings of 2.5% on clothing, school supplies and personal computers should be a welcomed relief for families with school-aged children. As the message continues to spread that Rolla is participating in the Back to School Sales Tax, the City, Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and local businesses and restaurants will hopefully see an increase in local purchases all across the board.

In February, the Rolla City Council approved a City Ordinance to “opt in” the Green Sales Tax Holiday enacted by the Missouri State Legislature. By enacting this ordinance, the City elects to allow the Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday to apply to its local sales taxes so that there shall be exempted from all retail sales of any energy star certified appliance, up to $1,500 per appliance, during a seven-day period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on April 19 and ending at midnight on April 25.

Some of the energy star certified appliances that will be exempt from both state and City sales tax during the week of April 19 through April 25 include: clothes washers and dryers, water heaters, trash compactors, dishwashers, conventional ovens, ranges, stoves, air conditioners, furnaces, refrigerators and freezers.

In closing I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy Easter as we enjoy one of the prettiest seasons in the Ozarks!

Employee Wellness program gains momentum as employees shed pounds

Employee wellness isn’t something I often talk about in my weekly column, but with the well documented success of the City’s new employee wellness program, I thought I’d mention what an impact the program is having on our employees, and ultimately our City.

Now in it’s second year, the City’s fully integrated Employee Wellness Program, which is jointly coordinated by Scott Caron, Recreation Director; Steffanie Rogers, Finance Director and April Reynolds, Senior Account Clerk, is producing results that did not exist prior to the program’s launch in December 2007.

Since implementing the program, there has been a significant reduction not only in pounds lost by numerous City employees, but also in the amount of absenteeism and sick days taken. In addition, there were no employee health insurance premium increases over the last year, or the year before – indicating that the City’s employee wellness program is minimizing the rising cost of health insurance seen nationwide. Furthermore, for every $1 the City invests in our new Wellness Program, the City receives $6 back.

So just how is the City of Rolla encouraging City employees to live healthier, more active lives that contribute to their wellness and well-being? Simply put, we are placing wellness as a priority, at the forefront, and not on the back shelf where it will go unheard and unnoticed. You could say the City of Rolla is embracing a new lifestyle change of health and wellness that is based on education, awareness, positive reinforcement and, best of all, teamwork. We have found that without teamwork, and buy-in from employees all across the City’s 9 departments, the City’s wellness program would not be the success that it is.

In addition to an annual health risk assessment made available to all City employees in January, the City has offered several wellness programs such as the Biggest Loser contest, Weight Watchers, and monthly brown-bag wellness seminars that range in topics from stress management to nutrition, and fitness. Each year, the City holds an Employee Wellness Day that provides additional information about how the City’s Wellness Program is doing, benchmark data, and ideas to enhance the City’s Employee Wellness Plan. Testimonials from City employees who have lost significant amounts of weight, and are changing their eating, fitness and lifestyle habits, have been particularly effective.

The proof of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating, and if you take into account the number of City employees who have had significant weight loss, it is clearly evident that the wellness program is doing much more than encouraging City employees to count calories. More employees are discovering the benefits of fitness, better nutrition, portion control, stress management, and life-long habits that can add years to their lives, not to mention, increase energy and productivity, and resistance to sickness and disease.

Regular health and fitness newsletters are e-mailed and made available to all City employees on a regular basis, and the results of the health risk assessments are confidentially mailed to each employee who elects to participate in the assessment. These simple to use materials and tools keep health and wellness at the forefront, and allow City employees to integrate wellness into not only their working environments, but also their overall lifestyles. Wellness is something that is valued, encouraged and now recognized among numerous City employees, and it is only a matter of time before living a healthy, balanced and active life is considered one of the trademarks of every employee in the City of Rolla.

Here’s to a healthier way of living, and to your good health.

Public invited to Candidates Forum April 1

With the Rolla Municipal Election just around the corner on April 7, I’d like to extend an invitation to everyone in the community to attend the Rolla Municipal Candidates Forum on Wednesday, April 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall (901 N. Elm Street).

All seven candidates who are running in the Rolla Municipal Election on April 7 for the six open City Council seats have been invited to attend the forum, which will be moderated by Lee Buhr, Sports/Newscaster for Results Radio.

The forum, which will be hosted by the City and Rolla Channel 6, will include brief introductions by each candidate, followed by questions from the audience, and then an opportunity for closing remarks. Only questions given directly from those attending the forum will be included in the discussions. For more information regarding this event, please visit www.rollacity.org or call City Administration at 426-6948.

I would also like to encourage and remind everyone to vote during the Rolla Municipal Election on Tuesday, April 7. Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. One Council representative from each of the City’s six wards will be elected to serve a two-year term. The City Council positions up for election are Terry Ruck (Ward 1), Don Barklage (Ward 2), Gary Hicks (Ward 3), Louis Magdits (Ward 4), Richard Morris (Ward 5), and Mark Walburg (Ward 6).

For more information regarding polling locations and ward maps, please visit www.rollacity.org/wards/voter. You may also contact Carol Daniels in the City Clerk’s office at Rolla City Hall, 901 North Elm Street, at (573) 426-6942 or online at cdaniels@rollacity.org.

Looking ahead to next weekend, the Environmental Services Department will be hosting the annual City-wide Spring Clean-up on Saturday, April 4. If you wish to participate in this event, be sure to put your items out to the curb by 6 a.m.

Examples of items that will be accepted include: furniture, microwaves, televisions, old clothes, and household trash. Items that will not be accepted include: appliances, water heaters, yard waste, tires, or construction debris such as sheet rock, shingles, concrete or rock. Loose items should be placed in boxes or bags and small pieces of lumber should be bundled.

We ask that you do not place your roll-out container to the curb, because during this special spring clean-up it will not be emptied. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Services Department at (573) 364-6693.

The Environmental Services Department, formerly named the Solid Waste Department, continues to live up to its new billing with an emphasis on “Going Green”. And speaking of the environment, the Environmental Services Department will once again be participating in the annual Rolla Earth Day Celebration on Wednesday, April 22. I’m told that exhibitors are encouraged to participate in this popular and well attended event, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Havener Center on the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus.

For more information or to reserve a spot, please contact Julie Wilson at (573) 341-4262 or at wilsonjulie@mst.edu.Rolla Earth Day is a free event that includes children’s activities, educational exhibits, live music, plenty of give-aways, door prizes, and more.

St. Pat's Parade was "Best Ever"

If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend the highly touted and well attended St. Pat’s Parade last Saturday in Rolla, you may have missed one of the best St. Pat’s parades in recent years.

Every year it seems like the St. Pat’s Board that organizes the event adds something new to improve upon the year before, but this year – the 101st Anniversary - was truly something special. And I echo the remarks made by City Councilman Don Morris at last Monday’s City Council meeting when he expressed his thanks and appreciation for how well the parade was organized, coordinated and celebrated by the entire community.

I’d like to especially thank the St. Pat’s Board, Missouri S&T Professor, Dr. Lance Haynes, Advisor to the St. Pat’s Board, St. Patrick and his Court, and Missouri S&T Chancellor Dr. Jack Carney for working together with the City (Rolla PD, Public Works, Streets, and Environmental Services). This event, which is a combined community effort, reflects not only the Town and Gown relationship between Missouri S&T and the City, but the entire Rolla community. Kudos to all who made this festive celebration as enjoyable and successful as it was.

Speaking of great events, Friday, March 20 marked the first official day of spring. And along with spring, comes many events you will want to also mark on your calendar. In anticipation of the April 7 Rolla Municipal Election (polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.), the City of Rolla and Rolla Channel 6 will host a Candidates Forum on Wednesday, April 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (901 N. Elm Street).

All seven candidates who are running in the Rolla Municipal Election on April 7 for the six open City Council ward seats have been invited to attend the forum, which will be moderated by Lee Buhr, Sports/Newscaster for Results Radio.

The format of the forum will include brief introductions by each candidate, followed by questions from the audience, and then an opportunity for closing remarks. Only questions given directly from those attending the forum will be included in the discussions. For more information, please call City Administration at 426-6948.

For all the sports-minded people in our community, there will be a managers meeting for the Rolla adult softball leagues on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room “B” at The Centre (1200 North Holloway Street). Managers must attend this rules meeting as changes for the 2009 season will be discussed. This is the only managers meeting scheduled prior to the start of the season. For more information, please contact Kristy Bullock at the Rolla Parks and Recreation Department at 341-2386 or via e-mail at parks@rollacity.org.

Another upcoming event you will want to mark on your calendar is the annual city-wide “Spring Clean-up” on Saturday, April 4. If you wish to participate, please place all items near the curb by 6 a.m.

Examples of items that will be accepted include: furniture, microwaves, televisions, old clothes, and household trash. Items that will not be accepted include: appliances, water heaters, yard waste, tires, or construction debris such as sheet rock, shingles, concrete or rock. Loose items should be placed in boxes or bags and small pieces of lumber should be bundled.

We ask that you do not place your roll-out container to the curb, because during this special spring clean-up it will not be emptied. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Services Department at (573) 364-6693.

St. Pat’s celebration culminates with Parade on Pine

If you haven’t already dug out a piece of green clothing, hat, jewelry, or something green there’s still time to find something for today’s St. Pat’s parade at 11 a.m. on Pine Street, (which is already painted green), in downtown Rolla.

During the week-long festivities preceding the St. Pat’s Parade, I had the pleasure of welcoming, together with Dr. Jack Carney, Chancellor of Missouri University of Science and Technology, St. Pat and his court at the bandshell on Wednesday in the City’s Downtown Festival Park. If you didn’t have a chance to attend the arrival of St. Pat that day, don’t despair, as St. Pat and his court, will be making another grand entrance at the St. Pat’s Parade this morning.

Participating in the St. Pat’s festivities is an opportunity for the entire Rolla community to show their support for one of Rolla’s most celebrated events. But actually being at the parade where just about everything that moves is one shade of green or another, is the best way to experience the enthusiasm and Madi Gras type atmosphere that only the Rolla St. Pat’s Parade can evoke. Let’s hope the weather holds out as predicted and that everyone exercises caution along the sidewalks and downtown area while watching and attending this festive event.

If you happen to have missed my column a couple of weeks ago I think it bears repeating that Rolla Municipal Court has been relocated to Rolla City Hall (901 N. Elm Street). The Municipal Court administrative offices are located on the 2nd floor, and the Municipal Court Courtroom is located on the first floor where the City Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers. Rolla Municipal Court was formerly located in the old Phelps County Courthouse located at 305 West 3rd Street. The need to find another location for Rolla Municipal Court was both a cost-saving measure, and an effort to provide ADA accessible facilities that did not exist at the old Phelps County Courthouse. Rolla City Hall, which was completely renovated in March 2006, is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible, and equipped to accommodate Municipal Court and the administrative staff.

Municipal Court Sessions will continue to be held every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and the first Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the Municipal Court Courtroom, first floor, Rolla City Hall, 901 North Elm Street. If you have any questions regarding Municipal Court, please contact Rita Duvall, Municipal Court Clerk, at (573) 364-8590 or (573) 364-7190, or stop by the second floor of Rolla City Hall between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone, as spring approaches, and the weather gets warmer, that the City will be asking everyone in the community to help beautify their yards, businesses and landscaped areas for the upcoming Tour of Missouri International Cycling Race, which will be coming through Rolla (from Farmington) on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Our downtown looked immaculate last year when the City of Rolla hosted the Stage 4 Finish of the Tour of Missouri on Sept. 11. I’m confident, that with everyone pitching in, and doing their part, we will once again shine as one of the most attractive and welcoming Tour of Missouri host cities. You’ll be hearing more from me and I’m sure the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and Tour of Missouri Local Organizing Committee in the weeks and months to come about planned beautification efforts for this international event that will showcase our City to countries around the globe.

Please remember to pencil in your calendars on Wednesday, Sept. 9 for the Tour of Missouri Stage 3 Finish in Rolla and Thursday, Sept. 10 for the Stage 4 Start in the City of St. James, located just 8 miles east of Rolla off Interstate 44.

Tryon’s laid ground work for Rolla’s recycling movement

Going green, recycling and preserving the Rolla environment were all part of the long-range vision that Chuck Tryon and his wife, Sharon had over 30-plus years ago when they established one of the first recycling centers in Rolla.

During the 1970s when the words recycling, preservation and conservation weren’t nearly as popular and in vogue as they are today, they operated a non-profit business called “CURE” (Citizens United to Restore the Environment) in a vacated building that housed the old Kroger grocery store then located on Kingshighway. Mr. Tryon recalls that the founding fathers of CURE were four students who attended the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology). The students were Dave Wright, Al Visintainer, Mike Court and Randy Necessary.

Mr. Tryon recalled with a touch of nostalgia in his voice that CURE was open seven days a week and open to the public. Newspaper, corrugated cardboard, cans, and glass were all accepted free of charge. Over a seven year period 2,800 tons of recycled materials were collected by CURE.

A plaque paying tribute to Chuck and his belated wife, Sharon, who served two terms on the Rolla City Council in the late 1970s, is mounted on the front of the Rolla Recycling Center located at 2141 St. James Road. If you have never seen the plaque, it is located just below the plaque commemorating the completion of the Rolla Recycling Center in April 1993.

The City’s Environmental Services Department, which oversees the operation of the Rolla Recycling Center, got word recently that Mr. Tryon is relocating to Visalia, Calif. so he can spend more time with his daughter, Holly, who grew up in Rolla and now resides in Visalia. During a recent visit to the Recycling Center Mr. Tryon and his daughter dropped off several items at the new Household Hazardous Waste Facility located behind the Recycling Center off McCutchen Drive. They also took a brief tour of the Recycling Center with Brady Wilson, Director of the Environmental Services Department, and had a chance to talk about the history of recycling in Rolla. Mr. Tryon recalled how he was once told by certain members of the community over 30-plus years ago that recycling was a waste of his time. That of course, was just after the first national Earth Day celebration was held in 1970, and a time when preservation, conservation and recycling weren’t the household words they are today.

The Rolla community certainly owes a debt of gratitude to Chuck and Sharon Tryon and the founding members of CURE for their unflagging efforts to bring the recycling movement to the forefront in Rolla Missouri. We wish Mr. Tryon a safe journey to his new home in California and extend our appreciation to him for the contributions he made to the health and welfare of our community.

In closing, I’d like to remind everyone to wear your ‘green’ next Saturday, March 14 (11 a.m.) for the 101st St. Patrick Day’s parade. Considered one of the largest St. Pat’s parade in the state, it is an iconic Rolla experience that thousands look forward to attending. A list of St. Pat’s events planned that week is available on the City’s Website calendar of events at www.rollacity.org/events.

Rolla Municipal Court Relocates to City Hall

After months of debating and discussing where the most feasible and economical location would be for the location of Rolla Municipal Court, Rolla City Council recently voted to approve the relocation of the Municipal Court Courtroom and administrative offices to Rolla City Hall.

The Municipal Court Courtroom and administrative offices were formerly located in the old Phelps County Courthouse located at 305 West 3rd Street. The Court’s administrative offices are now located on the second floor of City Hall, and the Courtroom will be held in the City Council Chambers on the first floor of City Hall.

The need to find another location for Rolla Municipal Court was both a cost-cutting measure, and an effort to provide ADA accessible facilities that did not exist at the old Phelps County Courthouse. Rolla City Hall, which was completely renovated in March 2006, is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible, and equipped to accommodate Municipal Court and the administrative staff.

Prior to being located in the Old Phelps County Courthouse, Municipal Court had previously been located on the fourth floor of City Hall. So the move back to City Hall after the renovations were completed is something the City had explored, discussed and considered for some time.

Municipal Court Sessions will continue to be held every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and the first Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the Municipal Court Courtroom, first floor, Rolla City Hall, 901 North Elm Street.

If you have any questions regarding Municipal Court, please contact Rita Duvall, Municipal Court Clerk, at (573) 364-8590 or (573) 364-7190, or stop by the second floor of Rolla City Hall between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Ample free parking is available in the City’s municipal parking lots next to City Hall off 9th Street in downtown Rolla.

Updated information regarding the relocation of Municipal Court is also available on the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org/muncourt.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone that the City of Rolla Public Works Department is partnering with the Phelps County Master Gardener/Master Naturalist and the Missouri University Extension to bring an environmental education program to the Rolla community.

The Healthy Yards for Clear Streams program is an effort to help landowners and businesses become more environmentally responsible with lawn and landscape practices. The goal is to promote lawn care practices that create beautiful lawns and gardens while reducing unnecessary use of pesticides and fertilizers that may run off and contaminate local streams.

The following workshops are free and will be held at The Centre (1200 North Holloway St.), from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the following days:
Monday, March 2: Why Connect Yards & Healthy Lawn Care
Monday, March 9: Right Plant, Right Place & Using Native Plants and Rain Gardens
Monday, March 16: Soils & Integrated Pest Management and Effective Use of Garden Chemicals

The program is sponsored by MU Extension through the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs with support from the City of Rolla and partial funding from a Missouri Department of Natural Resources Mini Grant.

For more information or to register, please call Phelps County Extension at (573) 458-6260.

Mayor Bill Jenks, III