Sweet Springs aldermen discuss storm water drainage problems

Drainage issues, budgetary changes and wheelchair ramps were discussed during the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, Sept. 14.

Aldermen approved adjustments to the budget. City Clerk Ronda Nienhueser said she had not changed the budget for the swimming pool fund because she knew money was still scheduled to go in and out of that fund.

CPA Randall Fiene was scheduled to appear to discuss the city's audit report, but was unable to attend due to illness. Mayor Ray Kinney gave an overview of the report, saying that besides Fiene's concern about the amount of funds in the water department's ledgers, which he also had in 2008, he reported no "cause for concern or red flags," said Kinney.

Kinney added that there was no noticeable difference from the city's 2008 audit report.

Jennifer Dailey, project engineer with Traube, Hansen & Henshaw Inc., gave a report to aldermen about erosion problems in relation to a storm-drainage route that runs south from Bruns Street, then east across North Miller Street.

One major problem, she said, is located between two residences south of Virginia Street.

Estimates for the total cost to fix all problems identified range from $44,000 to $98,000.

Superintendent of Public Works Douglas Haesemeyer expressed confusion about the usefulness of spending $1,400 to contract with Traube, Hansen & Henshaw Inc., saying that the city already knew about all of the problems the company had identified.

Dr. Ronald Hinton appeared at the Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen meeting Monday, Sept. 14, to discuss the installation of a wheelchair ramp in front of his office. (Geoff Rands/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Kinney replied that the data will be helpful to city administrators in understanding the entire problem. He added that the city will have to apply for grants in order to pay for the correction of these drainage issues, and this report gives administrators more hard data to use in those applications.

Aldermen voted to change the zoning for the property located at 201 S. Walnut St. from R-1, single-family residential, to R-2, two-family residential.

The board voted to allow Dr. Ronald Hinton to install a metal ramp in front of his office and the Sweetwater Restaurant. This ramp will measure 36 inches by 38 feet 10 inches and can be removed. Its installation will cost the city nothing.

This decision followed discussion regarding the construction of a permanent ramp.

The board voted to add a new streetlight, located behind the Rodeway Inn, to the contract with Kansas City Power & Light.

The board heard that the city's application for a grant regarding demolition under Community Development Block Grants had not been accepted because it was out of compliance with regulations. The city will have to find a new individual, who must be on a certain list of qualified historians, to re-do the report. It must be done by February 2010 for eligibility.

The board also heard that the city would have to re-apply for a grant with the US Department of Agriculture regarding the city's lagoon, because the money had run out for the fiscal year. New applications may be made in October 2009. In order to comply with requirements of Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the city must have the funds by December 2009, said Nienhueser.

Lisa Thomas resigned from the Library Board. Carol Zumbehl was appointed in Thomas' place.

The board's next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, in Sweet Springs City Hall at 324 S. Miller St.