The Board of Aldermen Monday night discussed construction of a new amphitheater as part of an overall plan to upgrade the city's Greenway Park.
Holts Summit City Administrator Brian Crane brought the concept to the board for discussion after consulting with Holts Summit Mayor Lucas Fitzpatrick and the city staff.
"We are confident this project would be a great addition to the park," Crane said, "and it could be completed mostly with labor provided by city employees."
Crane estimated amphitheater construction costs at about $7,500. He said the city already has $5,000 to $6,000 available, including $2,500 donated to the city by Mid-America Bank of Holts Summit.
Alderman Paul Buckley said he believes the city will need to relax its ban on alcohol in parks to make the amphitheater successful for concerts and other events. He said Columbia and Jefferson City have been able to make alcohol available at city-sanctioned events by making sure there is a law enforcement presence to control activities.
Fitzpatrick agreed, saying a law enforcement presence is the key to events where alcohol is available. He added that people attending activities at the amphitheater would not be allowed to bring alcohol with them to the events.
Alderwoman Pamela Murray said she is not sure she wants to relax the city's ban on alcohol in parks but she is willing to discuss the issue to make sure events in the park can be family oriented.
The board agreed to seek the advice of performing groups on how the amphitheater should be configured. Alderman Jason Michael said he hoped it could be constructed of materials that would last and would not have to be replaced a few years later.
Murray said the city also can become more involved with the Callaway Arts Council, which is seeking a place for performances.
In other action, the board approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation for a $395,440 project to build sidewalks along North Summit Drive north to the traffic signal. The federal government will pay $316,352, which is 80 percent of the cost, and Holts Summit's 20 percent share is $79,088. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization had scheduled the money for sidewalks along Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City but the money was shifted by a MoDOT review to Holts Summit because it was near a school and had a higher priority.
The board also approved a proposal authorizing solicitation of bids for 10 tons of recycled tire shreds and containment timbers made from recycled tires to be used for a playground near the Hibernia Station Park. The Fall Zone Safety Project is made available through a safety grant from the Mid-Missouri Solid Waste Management District.
The board also approved two ordinances placing liens on two city properties. One lien was placed on property at 779 Halifax Road because of code violations and property abatements. The violations have been through the hearing process and city bills have been sent since November with no response. The other lien was placed on property at 190 Margaret Street because of an unpaid bill from the city.