Council gives blessing to hosting film festival

At first glance, it would seem that Hannibal, Mo., and Park City, Utah, have little in common. That could be changing after the Hannibal City Council gave its blessing to organizers hoping to host the American Artists Film Festival in Hannibal this summer.
Peggi Prescotti, director of marketing for the international film festival, envisions the local festival growing in the same way the Sundance Film Festival has in Park City.
“We’re looking for a small community to get behind this and grow with us,” said Prescotti, adding, “We’re looking for support of the local community.”
Prescotti stressed that this would not be a one-year proposal because organizers are looking for a spot to put down roots. The potential outgrowth of the festival is the creation of a local production company and a midwest-based arts academy.
The festival, which will coincide with National Tom Sawyer Days, will feature family-friendly films, according to Prescotti.
“Go for it. We’re behind it,” said Mayor Roy Hark.
“I’m looking forward to it,” added Councilman Jim Behymer.
In other business:
• John Yancey, volunteer interim manager for the Northeast Missouri Sheltered Workshop, told the council that despite the recent defeat at the polls of a recycling proposal, the sheltered workshop will continue to explore options to keep the program afloat. Yancey asked for a meeting in the near future with city administrators regarding recycling.
• Approval was given to the use of city property for the 33rd annual Autumn Historic Folklife Festival on Oct. 17 and 18.
• The Mark Twain Corvette Club was granted permission to stage its annual corvette show on July 31 and Aug. 1.
• A public reminder was made regarding the citywide cleanup that is scheduled Saturday, April 25.
• On a 5-1 vote, first reading was given a bill that would see the salary of the municipal judge raised. The proposed pay rate would be: July 1, 2009, $18,000; July 1, 2010, $19,500; and July 1, 2011, $21,000.
• First reading was given a bill that will see the city’s requirements regarding the issuance of burial permits eliminated.
• Approval was given a resolution approving Ayers Oil Company, Arrow Energy and Naegler Oil Company as airport fuel vendors.
• A supplementary appropriation of $30,000 to the airport fuel account in the city’s budget was approved, along with a $33,000 addition to the revenue account.
It was noted that the airport’s fuel sales are doing better than expected. The city sells aviation fuel with a 10 percent markup.
• The following appointments were approved: Kurt Ebers to the Hannibal Industrial Development Authority for a term to expire in January, 2015; John Hayes and Ryan Rapp to the Hannibal Employer Benefit Trust Board for terms to expire in May, 2012; Pam Warfield to the Hannibal Library Board for a term to expire in June, 2010; Dian Volkmer and Mary Lou Callicott to the Mark Twain Home Board for terms to expire in November, 2011, and November, 2015, respectively; and Dian Volkmer to the Historic District Development Commission for a term to expire in November, 2011.