HOLTS SUMMIT - The Holts Summit Board of Aldermen discussed potential changes to the City Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday.
The commission has struggled with attendance issues, City Administrator Hanna Lechner said. Currently, the commission, which has six voting members, cannot do business if two or more people aren't in attendance.
Lechner consulted with other nearby towns, including Fulton and Jefferson City, about how they structure their planning and zoning commissions. Jefferson City's board has several members who can serve as substitutes if a voting member is absent, she said.
In March, the board will consider a potential restructuring and expansion of the commission to nine voting members.
Looking out at the handful of Holts Summit residents at the meeting, Mayor Landon Oxley asked the audience to pass on the message to anyone who might be interested in joining the commission.
"Can we get nine, that's the question?" Oxley asked. "Saying and getting - that's two different things."
Also on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting were two sewer-related items. The board approved a resolution authorizing the sewer department to request statements of qualifications from engineering consultants to provide services related to the plan to link Callaway Hills Elementary School to the city's sewer system.
"This is the project that once it starts, we will just be administering the grant, and they will be taking over doing everything," Lechner said.
Work on the Callaway Hills project will likely start after the city begins work to link the Holts Summit sewer system to Jefferson City.
Last month, the board authorized advertising for statements of qualifications from consultants on the massive wastewater management system update. As of Tuesday, six general contractors, four sub-contractors and two suppliers have paid for project plans.
The city has a bid opening meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. March 6 at City Hall.
"It's going to be a big project," Oxley said. "I assume this probably might be done by fall."
"Cross your fingers, pray," Lechner said.
"I've had my fingers crossed for six years," Oxley replied.
To complete the project, Holt Summit has received a $500,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and a $4.82 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In other business, a resolution to surplus the city's recycling receptacles was once again tabled. Holts Summit canceled its recycling services in January, citing misuse of the bins, and has yet to decide upon a solution.
"So we're working with Republic (Services), trying to figure out options that can be available for you all because we've done everything we can to do this," Oxley said. "I feel bad about it, but it was one of those decisions that we just had to make - it was getting costly."
Lechner brought up two potential solutions: introducing mandatory household recycling services or adding fences and an attendant to monitor recycling receptacles.
The aldermen also heard first and second reads of several potential city regulations that will be on the agenda in March. The regulations relate to inoperable vehicles, business licensing fees, the approval of the final plat of Cedars Subdivision and UTV permit fees.