point of view

The Community Center has over 7200 members, but because losing weight is a common New Year's resolution, membership is anticipated to grow for the next couple of months. So, it would seem to be a good time to remember, a recent study has found women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.

Monday - New Year's Day Holiday - City Offices Closed

Tuesday, 6pm - City Council Meeting

City Council will consider recommendations from Planning & Zoning Commission to approve QT site plan & final plat, to approve text amendment to permit short-term rental outright in tourist district & by special use permit outside of tourist district. Initial permits are limited to 2-years with early termination possible if reported as chronic nuisance in the neighborhood; & to approve a short-term rental @ 812 St. Louis Ave. Public Works requests approval of agreement with Parkson for 5 scrapers to make repairs at WWTP [Funding: Sewer Rates $55,650]; to receive a dump truck [Funding: Road/Bridge $192,571]; Recommendations from Parks & Recreation Board to purchase 4 mowers with trade-in [Funding: Park Fund $15,850] & resolve to designate USBR 51 bike route through ES; to designate Leavenworth Street as Honorary Coach John Shepherd Way & renew lease of old fire station with Christmas Committee.

Celebrating work anniversaries this week - Robert Warner, Police Captain, 15 years; Jeremiah Renne, Police Lieutenant - 13 years; Jae Juarez, 911 Communications Officer & Susan Conyers, Executive Assistant - 7 years; Kody Gaines, WWTP Plant Operator - 5 years; Kristi Schottel, Fitness Attendant & Laura Mize, Neighborhood Specialist - 4 years; Brandon Carty, Code Enforcement Officer - 3 years; Gregory Dull, Police Chief - 2 years; Angel Perez, Group Fitness Instructor, Keeley Minard, Front Desk Clerk, & Keelin Brewer, Fitness Attendant - 1 year.

We accomplished so much together this year! Thank you for your partnership & to build upon the work that started in 2022:

Financial Responsibility (transparent, efficient use of funds through proper planning) - Voters approved 3% local sales tax on recreational marijuana sales for public safety & drug abuse prevention purposes, the tax began on October 1st. Voters also approved a county-wide tax to support 911 with a device fee which will replace the landline fee in April.

• Technology improvements included new camera system & new membership registration software at Community Center, installed fiber to Police Communications Tower from Police Station, & fiber between Police Station & Hall of Waters. License Plate Readers were installed to assist with active crime solving.
• Established an in-house training program at Fire Department, 8 staff members completed Leadership Training
• Equipment purchases included a concession trailer for outdoor pool; grants awarded to purchase 18 sets of fire firefighter bunker gear providing a 2nd set for firefighters & focus on EMS needs; replaced fire pumper truck, police cars, maintenance trucks.
• Leased idle land for harvesting crops near WTP, WWTP, Airport & Cemetery. Established shooting range on city property to enhance ability to keep officers proficient with firearms requirements
• Completed inventory of cross tubes (stormwater pipe under roadways) to create a systematic maintenance & replacement schedule; completed Pavement Condition Assessment report to create database to evaluate and score streets for condition assessment & inventory curbs & sidewalks. Streets that receive regular maintenance will cost less to keep streets in good lifetime condition than to completely rebuild streets that don't receive timely maintenance.

Responsible Growth (balance small town feel with business investments & growth) - Listening sessions were held to solicit input on Entertainment District in downtown, permitting chickens in residential areas, recreational marijuana & chronic nuisance ordinance adopted to address incidents of repetitive code violations negatively impacting neighborhood at large

• Private investment projects approved for development: Flats at Coates Crossing (senior housing project at SE corner US-69 & Tracy); Marocco Estates (24 rental units on Kearney Road); QuikTrip approved for SE corner of US-69 & McCleary Road, sold 22 lots at Golf Hill subdivision & Colonial Hotel at 328 Broadway.
• Accepted petition to form Westside CID to provide matching funds for RAISE grant & assist with development to improve function & appearance of the district, marketing for businesses.
• Revisions to zoning ordinance pertaining to Floodway & Floodway Fringe Overlay District, Short-Term Rentals, & established cottage housing residential district
• Public investments included Traffic study at US 69/MO 92, Best Practice Judgement Study draft proposal for handling lime abatement, a byproduct from water treatment process. MDNR is assessing our current practice to determine if change is required;
• Selected engineer to design Garland Street bridge replacement & storm water improvements planned along Fishing River from N Main low water bridge to N. Marietta Street bridge, requesting pre-award approvals to select engineering firm to complete engineering for RAISE projects
• Opening of outdoor swimming pool at the Community Center also completed was extension of parking lot, installation of winter dome & splash pad. Powell Lake was completed to serve as watershed for community center site; material was brought in to raise dam

Heritage (protect our unique history) - work at the Hall of Waters has continued, columns in basement to provide support for the entire Hall of Springs wing are in place, addressing structural failures under the water bar, shoring of well room underneath the front courtyard of the Hall of Waters to prevent collapse is also complete.

• City receives $250K grant to abate lead-based paint & asbestos at Wyman
• Numerous Certificate of Appropriateness were approved for projects in historic districts & several projects were approved for Chapter 353 in & around downtown to eliminate blight.

Visionary (Support the community, be present) - Fishing River Watershed Study included bathymetric survey at Crystal Lakes to determine possible stormwater storage capacity

• Thrive leadership Academy focused on factors that contribute to long range community planning, understanding different types of data, using data to make informed decisions, benefits of systems thinking approach, understanding the role social determinants of health play in overall life expectancy, fundamentals of strategic & action planning. The Academy hosted 2 sessions

Fairness/Character - Police Officer Payden Thornton received the Medal of Honor by the MO Attorney General

• Public Works Director Chad Birdsong was recognized as the Public Employee Award for Outstanding Contributions to Recycling/Waste Reduction in the KC region by the MARC Solid Waste Management District
• Business Owner, Susan Blaser, accepted the MO Historic Preservation Award honoring her work on Casa di Vite in preserving the historic buildings of our community
• MO Main Street awarded the City of ES Premier Partner of the Year for their work to create a watershed masterplan for downtown & for a number of projects the city provided DEP assistance (Placer. ai, a location analytics app that collects geolocation data from mobile devices used in feasibility studies, prioritization for road improvements, facade grant program assisting 18 businesses with awnings/signage; completion of real estate redevelopment strategy for redevelopment, adding bike racks to the streetscape, adding Christmas displays to the Lane of Lights, souvenir shopping totes, streetscape masterplan, development of lithia landing & to add permanent electricity for downtown festivals)
• Patty & Dr. Shemwell provided the gift of art in parks & McElwee family donated property for playground near Benton/Temple, playground equipment was donated by ESSD from Lewis Elementary
• ES one of 9 small towns in MO ranked among US favorites by World Atlas. ES is the ideal combination of a wellness retreat with a door into the past
• Lyndsey Baxter, DEP Executive Director, was awarded the MML Civic Leadership Award & MO Business Women Leadership Award
• Leavenworth Street was designated as Honorary Coach John Shepherd Way & US-69 between Crownhill & Tracy was designated as Coach Vic Bonuchi Way.

no traffic... at least compared to "the city" small town feel in the local shops & restaurants... being able to be a "regular" where everyone knows your name!! Get involved & make this town your home!! You won't regret it!! Facebook comment