CAMDENTON, Mo. — The seat for Camdenton’s Alderwoman Gerry Rector, who passed away while in office last November, has been filled.
At Tuesday’s Camdenton’s Board of Alderman (BOA) meeting, the board unanimously approved Mayor McNabb’s recommendation to appoint Bonnie Black to fill Gerry Rector’s seat until the municipal election in April 2017.
Black has also filed for the Ward 1 seat and will stand for election to retain the seat. Her intention to seek the office contributed to Mayor McNabb’s decision. After being sworn in by City Clerk Kingston, Black took her seat on the dais at City Hall.
Camdenton’s Score Card
City Administrator Hancock asked department heads and staff to contribute to an annual report for the City and BOA. On Tuesday, that list of accomplishments and relevant data were given to Aldermen. The information has also been incorporated to draft a City Comprehensive Strategic Plan/Score Card.
The drafted plan identifies the contact person for each goal, objective, and action step planned for 2017. Hancock asked the BOA to examine the draft for the time frames proposed, policy issues related to an item, and priority levels. Once finalized, the plan will be useful to measure progress made by and in behalf of the community as well as the performance of the City Administrator.
In other evidence of accomplishment, City Clerk Kingston noted the City was praised for its financial practices after an independent audit of the 2015-2016 fiscal year. There were no instances of non-compliance, no unauthorized uses of funds, and all funds used were within budgeted limits.
In addition, Hancock noted equipment purchases budgeted for the 2016-2017 year have been made. Planned, budgeted capital improvement projects are on track for bidding.
The BOA furthermore authorized City staff to proceed with two real estate transactions to acquire 6.69 acres from Brian Scott Martin and Louis Scott Martin for the Camdenton Memorial Lake Regional Airport expansion. The City now has 87% of the land needed to complete the project and continues to negotiate for the remainder. The project is possible with 90% of the funds from state and federal sources.
Master Parks Plan
On January 17, Alderwoman Osborn asked for direction in behalf of the Parks Board. On February 7, City Parks Director Larry A. Bennett provided a draft of a master plan for the BOA to review. In it, he cited sources linking community and recreational spaces to a community’s economy and quality of life. Bennett also listed topics for examination during the development of a master plan and steps to be taken before completing it. These include taking stock of existing conditions, identifying needs and priorities, and listing the steps for implementation.
Mulberry Well Project Update
The City continues to comply with the requirements of a Missouri State Operating Permit (MSOP) issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). These requirements include periodic discharges of well water and testing for TCE (trichloroethylene), determined to be hazardous to human health in 2005 and carcinogenic in 2011.
An Administrative Order of Consent (AOC) dating from March 2016 includes the City, Modine, and Hamilton-Sundstrand. The AOC required additional testing completed in October and November 2016. The consulting firm conducting the testing, Golder Associates, has provided the results to MDNR. More testing will take place in early 2017 with results again reported to MDNR. That agency is charged with completing a feasibility study and plans for the future of the well.
Camdenton Art League
On Tuesday, Bill Wood, owner of Bill’s Art Center and Gallery, Camdenton, and Debbie Williams of Lake Studio for the Arts in Sunrise Beach spoke to the BOA about the Camdenton Art League recently founded. They would like to partner with the City in order to foster growth in the arts. They believe Camdenton, as the County hub, is an ideal location for arts events. The League shares a “vision to make Camdenton an art destination.” The arts, Williams said, attract highly skilled residents, visitors, and investors.
Wood and Williams received enthusiastic support from the BOA for the ideas they presented. Those include engaging students to paint dogwood blossoms on storefronts to promote the Dogwood Festival April 21-22 and Christmas-themed displays to promote Christmas on the Square December 2.
Camdenton Art League also offered to provide works of art for display in City Hall and Camdenton Memorial Lake Regional Airport’s terminal. One reason for BOA support is the City’s comprehensive plan that includes capital projects and city-wide goals to enhance the quality of life for present and future residents.
Mayor McNabb invited the Camdenton Art League to provide specific plans so the City can determine how it can best help. City Administrator Hancock offered to coordinate communication between the BOA, City staff, and the League.
