Aldermen
vote against paying for fire district's new sidewalk
by Shana
Haines
Landmark reporter
Very little discussion was heard prior to the Platte
City Board of Alderman unanimously voting against an ordinance
that would have partially funded a new sidewalk in front
of the refurbished headquarters of the Central Platte
Fire District on Main Street.
Mayor Dave Brooks said the agenda item for the city to
enter into a contract with the fire district for the maintenance
of sidewalks was his idea.
"In the last few years we have not had a great relationship
with the fire department. I am trying to mend fences,"
Brooks said.
Brooks said the fire department is wanting to finish
out the sidewalk, but is strapped for funding. Brooks
suggested the city enter into a legal agreement allowing
the city to give $2,000 to the fire district for sidewalk
improvements.
"This would help us a lot with our relationship
with the fire department, which is extremely important,"
Brooks told aldermen.
This issue was opposed by all aldermen present. Alderman
Jim Palmer was absent from the meeting.
"Are we going to get into the position of buying
sidewalks all over town?" Alderman Ron Porter asked.
"I don't think of this as a business, but as a protection
service," Brooks replied.
Alderman Bill Knighton, a former member of the board
of directors for Central Platte Fire Protection District,
thought the district had plenty of funding left over from
its bond issue for sidewalk maintenance.
"I feel they have the money to support their own
remodeling of the sidewalk. I don't think it's fair to
other businesses to support a tax entity that has the
money to support itself," Knighton said.
There was no motion from alderman to have a second reading
of the ordinance.
Brooks said he plans to bring the issue up again to aldermen
in December.
"My feeling is the city needs to reach a contracted
agreement to help with the cost for the fire department.
I am proud of the fire department and the job they do,"
Brooks added.
In other issues, aldermen voted to allow George McClintock
to serve as the city's special event coordinator.
"As we continue to grow we need to market ourselves
as a city. One way to do that is to create a position
for a special programs coordinator," Brooks said.
The newly created spot is not a paid position.
The duties of the coordinator are to plan, coordinate
and administer special events that promote civic and commercial
activity to Platte City.
The coordinator will have no voting authority in actions
taken by aldermen.
An ordinance accepting public improvements in Platte
Valley Plaza and the Estates of Platte Valley was accepted
by alderman.
Final plats were approved and filed in phases one, two
and three of Platte Valley Plaza.
Aldermen also approved appointing Jennifer Snider as
an assistant city attorney.
Amy Hubbard was appointed as deputy city clerk during
the meeting. The appointment was made due to the fact
only persons authorized by the Board of Alderman can accept
election filings. Hubbard was appointed deputy city clerk
in the event City Clerk Tanya Bates is absent and can't
accept the filings.
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