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Help is on the way to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home Foundation, which approached the Hannibal City Council two weeks ago seeking financial relief from all the sidewalk project related costs it will be facing in the months ahead.
While on the advice of its legal council the council could not waive the sidewalk assessment fee that all North Main Street property owners face to help pay for the project, it will pay the fee to remove and then re-install special donor bricks.
The decision, on a vote of 4-3, took place during Tuesday night’s meeting of the council at city hall. Supporting the assistance were Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Knickerbocker, plus Councilmen Mike Dobson, Lou Barta and Barry Louderman. Voting against the proposal were Mayor Roy Hark and Councilmen James Hark and Dr. Richard Draper.
The Foundation faces a special assessment charge for sidewalk pending sidewalk work of $13,012, which includes all its properties.
It was also reported that the project’s architect did allocate $10,996 for the removal and replacement of the dedication stones in front of the museum. However, according to preliminary plans that cost was slated to be paid exclusively by the museum, rather than be built into the project’s overall price tag.
Cindy Lovell, executive director of the Mark Twain Museum and Boyhood Home, told the Courier-Post that the estimated cost to take out and put back the donation bricks was $13,600. In a memo to the council, City Manager Jeff LaGarce speculated the cost would range between $11,000 and $13,000.
There was consideration given to city workers removing and re-installing the bricks as a cost-saving measure. However, the idea was dismissed because there are almost 1,200 bricks. There was also a question as to who would pay for any bricks that were damaged.
Bid specifications will now be drawn up as a first step to finding someone to perform the work.
Following the meeting, Lovell expressed her appreciation for the council’s decision, adding she would be looking for someone to “high five.”
In other business:
• A proclamation was read in honor of Michael Gaines, executive director of the Hannibal Arts Council, who was recently honored by the Missouri Arts Council as winner of its 2012 Leadership in the Arts award. In recognition of Gaines’ service to the community, Wednesday, Feb. 29, was declared “Michael Gaines Day” in Hannibal by Mayor Hark.
• A handful of budget amendments were approved. The changes impacted the General Fund (net change of $121,284), Capital Equipment Fund (net change of $17,704), Sales Tax Capital Fund ($125,000, net zero) and Parks and Recreation ($31,281, net zero).
• A contract was OK’d for $34,900 with Klingner & Associates for engineering services on the flood buyout park development.
• The council approved paying Danny Sawyer $26,000 for a used paver, trailer and roller.
• A real estate purchase agreement for $17,135 with Richard and Cindy Gillum for the acquisition of 913 Vermont Ave. was approved.
• A resolution approving a contract with Lewis & Ellis, Inc., for actuarial services for the city, library, parks, tourism and Board of Public Works was passed. The contract is for $10,500.
• A service agreement was approved with the Hannibal Community Promotions Group for $7,500 to provide the National Tom Sawyer Days fireworks show.
• Approval was given a contract amendment with Missouri Property Appraisal, Inc., for $425 to reappraise 2007 Irwin St. and 813 Vermont Ave. Both properties are part of the city’s residential flood buyout program.
• Proposed bid limit changes were given a first reading - personal property purchases increase from $4,145 to $4,280; payment for repairs on buildings and light equipment increases from $11,200 to $11,560; payment for repairs on heavy equipment or for construction will increase from $24,640 to $25,430; service contracts increase from $5,045 to $5,210.
• First reading was given a bill that would keep points from being assessed the driver’s license of any motorist caught running a red light by any of the four camera systems located along U.S. 61.
• A code amendment regarding itinerant or temporary vendors was given first reading.
• Final reading was given a bill amending the city code in regard to sick leave and personal days for fire department personnel.
• Second and final reading was also given a bill pertaining to the requirement that a burning permit be secured in order to burn leaves. Leaves will now be considered as landscape waste. The issuance of fire permits in June, July and August will be based on weather conditions, thus removing the need to have fire department personnel inspect each site.
Help is on the way to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home Foundation, which approached the Hannibal City Council two weeks ago seeking financial relief from all the sidewalk project related costs it will be facing in the months ahead.
While on the advice of its legal council the council could not waive the sidewalk assessment fee that all North Main Street property owners face to help pay for the project, it will pay the fee to remove and then re-install special donor bricks.
The decision, on a vote of 4-3, took place during Tuesday night’s meeting of the council at city hall. Supporting the assistance were Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Knickerbocker, plus Councilmen Mike Dobson, Lou Barta and Barry Louderman. Voting against the proposal were Mayor Roy Hark and Councilmen James Hark and Dr. Richard Draper.
The Foundation faces a special assessment charge for sidewalk pending sidewalk work of $13,012, which includes all its properties.
It was also reported that the project’s architect did allocate $10,996 for the removal and replacement of the dedication stones in front of the museum. However, according to preliminary plans that cost was slated to be paid exclusively by the museum, rather than be built into the project’s overall price tag.
Cindy Lovell, executive director of the Mark Twain Museum and Boyhood Home, told the Courier-Post that the estimated cost to take out and put back the donation bricks was $13,600. In a memo to the council, City Manager Jeff LaGarce speculated the cost would range between $11,000 and $13,000.
There was consideration given to city workers removing and re-installing the bricks as a cost-saving measure. However, the idea was dismissed because there are almost 1,200 bricks. There was also a question as to who would pay for any bricks that were damaged.
Bid specifications will now be drawn up as a first step to finding someone to perform the work.
Following the meeting, Lovell expressed her appreciation for the council’s decision, adding she would be looking for someone to “high five.”
In other business:
• A proclamation was read in honor of Michael Gaines, executive director of the Hannibal Arts Council, who was recently honored by the Missouri Arts Council as winner of its 2012 Leadership in the Arts award. In recognition of Gaines’ service to the community, Wednesday, Feb. 29, was declared “Michael Gaines Day” in Hannibal by Mayor Hark.
• A handful of budget amendments were approved. The changes impacted the General Fund (net change of $121,284), Capital Equipment Fund (net change of $17,704), Sales Tax Capital Fund ($125,000, net zero) and Parks and Recreation ($31,281, net zero).
• A contract was OK’d for $34,900 with Klingner & Associates for engineering services on the flood buyout park development.
• The council approved paying Danny Sawyer $26,000 for a used paver, trailer and roller.
• A real estate purchase agreement for $17,135 with Richard and Cindy Gillum for the acquisition of 913 Vermont Ave. was approved.
• A resolution approving a contract with Lewis & Ellis, Inc., for actuarial services for the city, library, parks, tourism and Board of Public Works was passed. The contract is for $10,500.
• A service agreement was approved with the Hannibal Community Promotions Group for $7,500 to provide the National Tom Sawyer Days fireworks show.
• Approval was given a contract amendment with Missouri Property Appraisal, Inc., for $425 to reappraise 2007 Irwin St. and 813 Vermont Ave. Both properties are part of the city’s residential flood buyout program.
• Proposed bid limit changes were given a first reading - personal property purchases increase from $4,145 to $4,280; payment for repairs on buildings and light equipment increases from $11,200 to $11,560; payment for repairs on heavy equipment or for construction will increase from $24,640 to $25,430; service contracts increase from $5,045 to $5,210.
• First reading was given a bill that would keep points from being assessed the driver’s license of any motorist caught running a red light by any of the four camera systems located along U.S. 61.
• A code amendment regarding itinerant or temporary vendors was given first reading.
• Final reading was given a bill amending the city code in regard to sick leave and personal days for fire department personnel.
• Second and final reading was also given a bill pertaining to the requirement that a burning permit be secured in order to burn leaves. Leaves will now be considered as landscape waste. The issuance of fire permits in June, July and August will be based on weather conditions, thus removing the need to have fire department personnel inspect each site.
