CAMDENTON, Mo. — A development plan that stalled for a decade thanks to the 2008 economic recession is still hanging on to viability in Camdenton.
The city board of aldermen on Sept. 6, 2016 voted to approve a Tax Increment Financing plan for the Oak Ridge development -- about 10 years after the idea got its first vote of approval from the city.
The four-phase Oak Ridge Tax Increment Financing (TIF) project is a commercial retail project planned for the south side of Highway 54, west of the intersection between Highways 5 and 54, roughly across from Wal-Mart.
Camdenton’s Board of Alderman passed the ordinances for the project on a first reading in 2006. According to Mr. Grice, an attorney working on behalf of developers, Missouri statutes allow a 10-year lapse between first and second readings. Once approved on a second reading, the project has 23 years in which to develop.
Oak Ridge Development still has plans to turn the area into a retail and shopping destination. The project stalled as developers tried to secure a well-known anchor store. During that search, the 2008 economic downturn occurred, but Grice suggested that the economic future for the area is now stronger.
Alderwoman Sandy Osborn objected that a single house may remain on the ground with a large retail development surrounding it.
She asked if Oak Ridge Development had purchased a particular house. Mr. Dan Lind, Thomas Construction, and Mr. Grice were not sure about that particular house. Later, they granted that developers have purchased several homes, but one may indeed remain.
On that basis, it appeared, Osborn voted “no” on Bills 2176-06, 2177-06, 2178-06, and 2179-06. The bills, however, passed.
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Alderwoman Sandy Osborn was also the sole “nay” vote for Resolution 16-11, which involved a change in employment status for City Attorney Phil Morgan. He has been under contract with the city since 1999 and asked to become a part-time employee rather than a contracted employee.
As a part-time attorney for the city, Morgan agrees to provide at least 25 hours of service weekly. At that level, Morgan can enroll in the City’s health and retirement benefits programs; he could also add his wife to the health benefits.
City staff supported the change in employment status, and Morgan agreed to a reduction in salary commensurate with the City’s cost for health and retirement benefits. That salary would be $30,086.
While Alderwoman Osborn agreed in principle to the change in status, she objected to the proposal on the basis of office space. Osborn contended that Morgan should provide services to the City from an office in City Hall rather than from his law office. Morgan said he’s “not comfortable” with that arrangement, adding later that he would “pass” on the opportunity if required to move from his law office to City Hall.
City Administrator Hancock defended the proposal, noting Morgan has been a valuable resource for the City. Osborn argued that allowing Morgan to work outside City Hall sets a precedent that could have consequences.
Alderman Hagedorn spoke up in behalf of Resolution 16-11 and moved to vote on it, Alderwoman Sandy Gentry seconded Hagedorn’s motion, and it passed with Osborn’s single “nay” vote.
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Osborn also challenged Bill 2642-16, a request to authorize $10,000 to add rock on a slope that drains toward the tennis courts. Although the money requested is available and was budgeted so there will be no cost overruns, Osborn expressed concerns about the plan, predicting that in three years, the tennis courts will need repair once more. Parks Director Larry Bennett explained that the tennis courts have added drainage but the terrain in the park will still cause rainwater runoff. The rock is to stabilize the slope and deter erosion. That bill passed unanimously.
