The Ava Board of Aldermen held a brief meeting at City Hall Tuesday evening, and councilmen approved several of the agenda items without much discussion, as the topics were annual formalities.
A resolution authorizing Mayor Eddie Maggard to renew a lease with Southwest Missouri Office on Aging, for use of the Community Center building located at 108 NE 2nd Street was approved. The renewal contract is for one year, and expires on June 30, 2012.
Council also renewed a one-year lease agreement with the Douglas County Fair Board for property west of town referred to as the “fairgrounds”. The city leases the site to the Fair Board for an annual fee of $150. The lease expires June 30, 2012.
Council also voted to amend city code 110.45 to correct a clerical error that had been recorded in the code book. The code adopted by council Tuesday evening reflected the correct wording associated in requesting a change in zoning regulations. Janice Lorrain, Director of Planning and Development, said information had originally been typed incorrectly and the transposition was an oversight.
Residential property located at 308 NE 5th Street was rezoned from B-2 central business to R-3 multi-family residential. According to Lorrain, the proposed change was recommended through planning and zoning, and property owner Judy Johnson had also been notified.
Council voted to extend the city’s contract with H.D. Archer Consulting, of Springfield, to continue the waste water treatment facility evaluation at a cost of $15,000. The board also approved $7,500 for the overall plan.
Citing a recommendation from the City of Ava Street Department, Mayor Eddie Maggard asked council to approve the installation of a four-way stop at the intersection of 6th Street and West Washington. At present, only east and west-bound traffic stop at the intersection.
Maggard said right-of-way traffic generally travels through the intersection too fast, and cautionary safeguards need to be put in place. It is a dangerous intersection.
Council members concurred in a 4-0 vote. It was also noted the new markings will need to be brought to the attention of the public with signs and warnings.
Council accepted a proposal from Ava Building Supply as the lowest bid for materials to repair the roof at the city water department shed. The Ava Building bid was for $4,206.
Bids had also been received from Cooper Lumber True Value, Ava; and Byler Building Supply, 285 Star Road, in Seymour.
Janice Lorrain reported she was finalizing a Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant application, that if awarded to the City of Ava, would provide an additional section to the city park trail. The proposed grant would help with the cost of this added section which would be 8 ft. wide and start at the City Park. The trail path would follow along the creek to the south edge of Heath & Son Feed & Supply.
One of the goals of the grant is to bring the walking trail to the campus of Ava Schools; however, to make that connection, construction of a new sidewalk costing $28,000 would need to be included in the project. After a brief discussion, council agreed the sidewalk should be listed as an addendum to the proposal, so it could added at a later date.
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant application must be postmarked by June 13, 2011. Through the grant process, the City of Ava is asking for approximately $100,000; if awarded, the match amount would be $45,000.
Council members present were Bill Long, Ric Engelhardt, Burrely Loftin and Judy Lovan. Meetings are held in council chambers at Ava City Hall on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The sessions start at 5 p.m.
