Former Police Chief Jim Simmerman received a token of the city's appreciation from Mayor Connie Latimer at the Marshall City Council meeting Monday, May 5, his final day as chief after a 25-year career with the Marshall Police Department. (Rachel Harper/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

"This is not a brick and mortar expansion," said Mayor Connie Latimer. "It's an in-house expansion."

City Administrator Charles Tryban said the city is hosting a public hearing Monday, May 19, at 5:15 p.m. to hear comments and concerns from residents of Marshall.

The proposal would close Banquet Drive, also known as English Avenue, from North Street north to the old railroad tracks and Marion Street from Banquet Drive east to Ellsworth Avenue.

Latimer said Fire Chief John Rieves, former Police Chief Jim Simmerman and Interim Police Chief Bob King can all attest to the problem of traffic flow through Banquet Drive when trucks are trying to unload and load goods.

She continued that she is "amazed there hasn't been more problems there."

In other business, the council approved an ordinance executing a formal contract with the Missouri Police Chiefs' Association for the acquisition of professional development advice and assistance in testing and assessing potential candidates for the position of police chief and any other department positions and related matters.

Tryban said the MPCA needs a "formal contract to proceed with the hire."

The council also approved an ordinance to accept a settlement agreement with The Cincinnati Insurance Company and C.L. Richardson Construction Company in the amount of $55,152.97 for damages sustained to the roadway on South Odell Avenue.

About June 15, 2007, due to C.L. Richardson Construction Company's failure to follow guidelines for moving track-like equipment to another location, a portion of South Odell Avenue was damaged.

ConAgra Foods is proposing the closure of Banquet Drive to allow for a loading dock to be built, along with its internal expansion. (Contributed map) [Click to enlarge]

When the equipment was driven down the paved roadway, the tracks made indentations in the pavement similar to "rumble strips" on highway shoulders.

Latimer said when the construction company was first approached, they rejected the settlement price as too high, but eventually settled.

"We feel that is a good estimate to what it will cost to fix it," Latimer said.

Municipal Services Director Bill Anderson said they would have to mill off the roadway and replace the asphalt.

In concluding the meeting, Latimer presented Simmerman with a "small token of our appreciation." He received a money clip in the shape of a police badge with Marshall's logo.

"It has been a pleasure working with you," Latimer said.

The next regular meeting will be Monday, May 19, after the public hearing is conducted.

Contact Rachel Harper at marshallcity@socket.net