Burlington Jct. to have two ballot questions

During its regular meeting February 13, the Burlington Jct. City Council approved two ballot questions to be placed before voters in April.

  The first question will ask citizens to approve a tax levy of 50¢ per $100 of assessed valuation for the purpose of creating a fund to demolish dangerous structures within the city limits. If approved, the tax will sunset in three years. Property owners of dangerous and unsafe structures would be given a 30-day notice from the city. If the structure is not torn down in that time span, the city would be able to condemn it and use the funds from the levy to demolish the building.

The second ballot question will ask voters to approve an additional street tax levy of 60¢ per $100 of assessed valuation. If approved, the tax would sunset in two years and funds would go toward completing the city-wide street resurfacing project.

The city received a donation of $11,000 for its children’s park. Board members of the Missouri Association of Fairs and Festivals took up a collection during their annual conference this year in memory of Brian McPherson. McPherson and his wife, Kathy, had attended the conference for approximately 30 years.

Due to the need of extensive repairs, the council decided to not fix the city’s F250 V10 pickup truck. Board members and city employees will begin looking for a truck to purchase.

The council will be accepting sealed bids for the current city pickup and oiler. All sealed bids are due by the March 13 city council meeting.

David Goff and Rochelle Shimak, Town and Country Days planning board members, informed the council they had chosen the last weekend of July for this year’s event in hopes it would not conflict with other area celebrations. Discussion was had about moving some of the events to the park where there is shade.

The city had a major waterline break resulting in the loss of over 400,000 gallons of water. The issue has been fixed and water pressure is back to normal. Some discussion was had about contacting the rural water employees to help staff locate all of the hidden water shut-off valves and to create an accurate map to help with isolating future water breaks.

Beginning in February, city maintenance staff will be reading all water meters between the 18th and 20th day of each month to ensure consistency.

The lagoon no longer needs to be checked weekly. Instead, it can be tested once every three months, saving the city testing funds.

City staff will be meeting with contractors to plan the next phase of the street re-surfacing project.

There have been several complaints about dogs. One dog that is not confined has been aggressively charging and chasing citizens and city staff. Another resident has been reported to the Nodaway County Sheriff for their dog’s loud and persistent barking. The matter was turned over to the city council members. Mayor Justin Plymell will begin by sending letters to the residents referring to the city’s noise and animal ordinances.

The city clerk requested to be paid once a year instead of monthly. Council approved the change.