Meta decides to create a gravel driveway at the park

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 9/23/21

Meta aldermen at their Sept. 8 meeting decided to pursue the development of a gravel driveway at the city park. Last month, the board chose to hold off on the project as it was deemed …

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Meta decides to create a gravel driveway at the park

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Meta aldermen at their Sept. 8 meeting decided to pursue the development of a gravel driveway at the city park. Last month, the board chose to hold off on the project as it was deemed unnecessary.

However, since the permit approved by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) allowed for a driveway with or without a culvert, aldermen determined it would be a good investment for the community.

City Clerk Deidra Buechter noted the cost of a culvert is $1,078 with a lead time of two to three weeks.

Wieberg Red-E-Mix provided gravel prices, which aldermen will review in relation to the MoDOT permit.

Alderman Lawrence Hoffman said he believes the area where people entered the park during the Fourth of July celebration could be filled in with gravel without the need for gravel or digging by the city.

“I don’t think it’s that bad to drive off of,” Hoffman added.

“It isn’t,” said Alderman Otto Wankum. “Cars and SUVs may have trouble getting out of there but pickups will be fine.”

“Even if we put a bunch of gravel in there?” Hoffman asked. “Can we just raise it up with gravel?”

“I don’t think you can block that ditch with gravel,” Wankum replied.

“Does any water run through there that would wash the gravel out?” Mayor Emily Sommerer asked.

Loethen said not much water goes through that ditch so it shouldn’t be a problem.

Sommerer reiterated the permit specifies the project can be done with or without a culvert.

Maintenance employee Kenny Loethen added that even with gravel up to the road, the city will have to dig down four inches to comply with the permit.

In response to Sommerer’s question about the need for machinery, Loethen said a small backhoe should be sufficient to complete the project.

There will be no gravel in the parking area. Wankum said it’s unnecessary, and aldermen chose not to rent equipment to complete the project after reviewing rates from three companies.

Hoffman said if it turns out the area is used a lot, the city can revisit the issue and add gravel later.

Sommerer recommended approving the project at this meeting instead of waiting until October, since the permit is good until Nov. 3.

Aldermen agreed that Ruben Wiberg or Matthew Kliethermes could provide the necessary digging.

In other business, following several months of discussion and research, aldermen approved the batting cage project and DJ Schroeder on behalf of the family signed an agreement to pay $3,000 toward the $8,500 cost.

Matthew Kliethermes Excavating won the bid for concrete and dirt work for $5,500. Also solicited for bidding were Sandbothe Construction and Matt Oligschlager but neither provided a bit by the July 29 deadline.

A net/cage kit rounds out the cost at $3,000 through Batting Cages Inc.

A second option would have included the same net and cage equipment but each piece would be sent separately at a cost of $2,756.52 through MP Canopies & Tarps.

Schroeder said his preference was the first option because it appeared the materials would last longer based on his research.

“I’m all for saving money but you’ll have everything you need to put it together,” said Schroeder.

Alderman Ivie Helton agreed, noting there wasn’t a big difference between prices at $243.48.

* Aldermen approved the placement of an ad seeking a part-time maintenance supervisor and a part-time maintenance employee. Applications are available at City Hall and on the city’s website. The action comes after closed session, during which Dale Heislen was terminated by unanimous vote.

* Wankum offered to clean the stairs leading to St. Cecelia on Bertha Street, which officials last month agreed to investigate for safety.

Wankum said he believes there are four sections of steps in need of repair but more will be known after the area is cleaned.

“There could be more,” said Wankum. “I’ll get it power-washed and then everyone can look at it.”

* A floodplain permit application was approved for the inclusion of lights at the new maintenance shed in conjunction with the development of the park.

Buechter said the recommendation came from the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC).

* City Attorney Nathan Nickolaus told aldermen that an election rules change will mean filing will begin earlier, Dec. 7, and end Dec. 28 for the Municipal Election in April.

Nickolaus recommended the city advertise in late November so that residents are aware of the change. Aldermen approved.

* A bid provided by Bartlett & West Engineer Gary Davis on behalf of Municipal Equipment Company was approved by the board for $5,765 for a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system designed to collect, analyze, and visualize data from industrial equipment. Operators can view critical measurements like temperature, vibration, power usage, and levels across industrial equipment.

Helton confirmed that everything Buechter wanted and needed was in the bid.

“They were pretty detailed about what they provided,” said Helton. “If Bartlett & West has worked with (Municipal Equipment Company) before and they helped us get this bid, they obviously have confidence in them if they’re willing to recommend them to us.”

Also bidding were Rugged Telemetry ($6,000), and OmniSite, which had a price tag of $10,000.

* Buechter told the board that a leak may be present at Bertha and Fourth streets but the city’s water usage doesn’t show a big leak so she is keeping an eye on things for now.

“It’s coming from somewhere,” said Wankum, who saw water on the streets. “I walked up and down through the jungle up there on the corner but couldn’t find anything wet.”

* Several culverts are in disrepair and need to be addressed, Loethen told the board. Because these will need to be bid, aldermen asked for a full list for review at the October meeting.

* Aldermen approved a request to haul two truckloads of dirt from the new maintenance area to the South Side Cemetery at no cost. A letter of approval was signed by Sommerer.

Alderman Steve Sherrell, a member of the cemetery board, in making his request said this would help the organization save money. 

“The last few years, donations have been way off,” he said. “We’re trying to find a way to save as much money as possible, so free dirt would save us a few hundred dollars.”

Per Nickolaus, there is no conflict in this situation because Sherrell’s position on the cemetery board is voluntary with no compensation.

Harold Libbert will haul the dirt.

* Aldermen approved an ordinance prohibiting individuals from living in mobile homes, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles.

According to the ordinance, the board finds that “mobile homes are detrimental to the safety and health of the residents of the city due to lower safety standards than manufactured homes.”

Such homes already in place are grandfathered in, with a phasing out of their use moving forward. Any mobile home in place may remain but not be moved to another location in the city.

Manufactured homes will be allowed provided that homes brought into Meta after Aug. 1, 2021, are inspected after placement and meet existing building codes prior to occupancy. In lieu of an inspection, the owner may submit proof that the manufactured home bears the seal of the Public Service Commission of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Recreational vehicles, meanwhile, may not be used for residential occupation for more than seven days in any 90-day period. These units may not be placed within five feet of a street.

* Sheriff Mike Bonham said the department is short-staffed so response time may be slower.

“We’re behind again on wages and we’ll have to address that on the county level,” said Bonham, noting he’s down three deputies. “Just be aware we’re prioritizing calls and a dog bite is pretty low and may not get a response until the next day.”

Bonham added that the jail was full at the time of the meeting.

“Many of them are in jail for failure to appear,” said Bonham. “The Missouri Supreme Court made the decision about bonds. We don’t have a choice.”

At this time, his office is dealing with reckless driving throughout the county but Bonham said overall crime is down 32% from last year.

“But our jail numbers have gone up substantially,” he said. 

Bonham added he is grateful for the community support he’s seen, especially those who have called anonymously to provide tips.

A recent call for suspicious activity stopped a burglary, Bonham noted. “We were pretty sure a vehicle stuck in the creek was involved but we had no proof,” he said. “He was from Independence, not from here. He got a ticket for driving in the creek but that was it.”

The sheriff reminded folks to call his office to report suspicious activity.

“We’re working your area,” said Bonham. “We’re eager to help with anything you need. We’re grateful for this community. There are a lot of good, hardworking folks here.”

* Buechter requested help in completing the grant application for the park project and asked that any business or individual who wants to support the project provide a letter outlining that support.

Helton suggested adding ADA-accessible and Purple Heart parking spots in the plan for the park, which would help in the grant selection process.

Another possible addition to the grant is a pet-dropping disposal system, and a place for smokers to discard their butts.

* Sommerer asked about trees overhanging Hwy. 133, and Wankum suggested contacting MoDOT to handle clearing branches.