City plans for June fests

June plans to be a fun time for Moberly and all who enter in.

In work session, the Moberly City Council heard requests regarding Railroad Days, an MACC art event, the Relay for Life and the first Moberly Fan Fest.

Railroad Days is planned for June 9-12. Debbie Miller, director of the Moberly Area Chamber of commerce, which co-sponsors the event, said a two-day car show had been added to this year’s schedule of events. Councilman Dick Boots asked Fire Chief Robert Creed about possible exit problems for fire trucks in the event of an emergency. Creed said they could go a block around to Rollins for the short period the car show will be there. Miller has asked that the 100 block and part of the 200 block of Reed Street be blocked off for the annual event and a banner be placed on the Rollins Street overpass advertising Railroad Days.

While thought of as a night of remembrance, Relay for Life is also one of celebration and fun is had by the many teams that gather to show their support in the fight against cancer. This event will be held June 4-5. The council heard a request from the American Cancer Society to hang a banner from the Rollins Street overpass advertising this event.

The council heard a request from MACC to block off Rollins Street from college Avenue to Lyons and College Avenue from Burkhart to Reed on June 12 for an Art on the Block event.

A somewhat controversial event, partially due to the amount request from the Tourism Advisory Committee, is Moberly’s first Fan Fest. This event, to be held at the 24 Raceway, will showcase stars from the movie “The Dukes of Hazard” and feature country music and a Daisy Duke look alike contest.

Delina Prather, primary sponsor of the Fan Fest, has requested $10,000 from the Tourism Advisory Committee to defray advertising costs. City Manager Andy Morris said commonly receipts are turned in and the committee reviews them before reimbursing the monies. Morris assured the council that the tourism fund had a “healthy” balance of approximately $200,000. The Tourism committee has approved the request. The council will consider it in regular session at its May 17 meeting.

In regular session, the council authorized the city manager ot apply to the Missouri Department of Social Services for Emergency Shelter Grant Program funds for the Safe Passage domestic Violence Shelter.

The council authorized the city council to execute a quit claim deed to John J. O’Loughlin and Alison O’Loughlin for the purpose of vacating a portion of an existing sewer line easement. . Keith Phipps, director of public utilities, said it was a sewer line that the city would probably never use and an easement would no longer be needed. However, he said an easement had never been established and that was the purpose of this action.

The council is seeking someone to serve on the Historical Preservation Commission and the Park and Recreation Board. The city has received one application for the Historical Preservation Commission so Mayor Bob Riley asked that the issue be placed on hold until more applications had been submitted.

The issue of sidewalk tax bills was discussed in work session. Greg Hodge, finance director, said there had been about 10 property owners who had not paid for the sidewalk work done at their properties but five of these have made payment arrangements. Mayor Riley said perhaps next year they should get a substantial down payment, if not a full payment, up front before work begins.

A resolution has been proposed for the city to buy locally. Morris explained a preference would be given to local businesses, defined as having a physical location and a sales presence in Moberly. Preference would be given to local companies but it would not “trump” price.

Discussion took place regarding city code changes to allow alcohol permits in Rothwell Park. Currently, alcohol can be served with picnic permits only in the park. Mike Bork, director of Parks and Recreation, said the changes would provide the same rules for the Lodge in Rothwell park as now pertain to the Municipal Auditorium with requires a catering permit. The code changes will allow a wider variety of activities to take place in the Lodge.