Representatives from Fulton Rotary and the Fulton Garden Club spoke to the city council about bringing Missouri native flowers to Fulton's roundabout during the council's Tuesday meeting.
Mary Ann Beahon with Fulton Rotary and Cindy Baker with the Garden Club discussed their plans for how to liven the roundabout. Their proposal is to have volunteers - some from the newly-formed William Woods University garden club called Rooted - plant Missouri native flowers in the grassy area of the roundabout. An unused Brick District sign will be posted, which Beahon said will tie in with downtown signage, and sponsors will be included on the back of the sign.
"The roundabout's been sitting there dormant for years now and we thought it'd be nice to beautify it," Beahon said.
The Fulton Garden Club is donating $1,000 for the project, and Fulton Rotary and Ameren are pitching in $500 each. Baker said the garden club has also set aside funds for unforseen maintenance costs. City Administrator Bill Johnson said the project will cost about $1,000 for the city.
Concerns were raised about flowers hindering driver visibility, but Baker said flowers will stand no higher than three feet to ensure safety of roundabout drivers. The sign will be slightly above the flower line, she added.
The city of Fulton will aid in the start up and help install the sign. The garden club, Rotary, Rooted and Master Gardeners from the University of Missouri extension in Callaway will care for the plants, but Baker said little maintenance will be needed long term. Eventually, she said, the plants will need to be watered once or twice per year.
"Natives require very little care - that's part of the reason we chose them," she said.
Beahon added that selecting Missouri wildflowers is a tribute to the state. Baker said volunteers will first strip the sod and spread about two inches of compost from Bluebird Composting, a Fulton-based company, which will be worked into the soil. The roundabout will stay open as flowers are planted. Ward 1 Councilman Mike West stated a concern for volunteer safety, and Baker responded that it is a priority for those involved with the project.
"I think safety of the volunteers is a concern for all of us as well," she said.
Because the right-of-way is state property, City Engineer Greg Hayes said he will contact proper authorities to ensure the project follows state regulations.
The council gave its blessing, voting to endorse the project and assist in various ways.
In other news, the council approved two events set for April 25. First, the council gave the OK for the annual Morels and Microbrews festival to block off Court Street between Fifth and Sixth streets from 1-5 p.m. during the event. Garry Vaught, one of the Morel and Microbrews organizers, said home brewers have been added to this year's event. Local wineries will also serve drinks.
In order to sample drinks, Vaught said patrons must use an official event glass and wear a wristband after providing identification.
Fulton resident Eric Burks requested to hold the Prison Break Mountain Bike Race at noon the same day. The race will kick off near 251 State Street and Old Disposal Road behind the city water treatment plant. Burks said he has taken care of all insurance and liability fees. Volunteers will charge the trail maintenance, set up and clean up. He added that the trail is in "great shape."
Steve and Jeanenne Wilds, husband and wife living in Fulton, requested to change the name of their street from Ash Street to Wilds Lane to match their last name. The Wilds plan to build their new home there and, according to the couple, they will be the only people living on the road that is less than one block long. It leads to their 20-acre property. The council voted to draft an ordinance for consideration of the street name change.
City Clerk Carolyn Laswell swore in re-elected Mayor LeRoy Benton, City Prosecuting Attorney Casey Clevenger and councilmen Wayne Chailland (Ward 1), Lowe Cannell (Ward 2), Richard Vaughn (Ward 3) and Rick Shiverdecker (Ward 4).