Kirksville Connection

It could be one of the most important things you will ever do for your community.

The Kirksville Fire Department is encouraging you to register for its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program, a series of classes to be held several times during 2004. The first session begins in early January and will be held on Thursday nights through the end of February. “This program is extremely important to our community’s safety,” said Joe Schilling, program coordinator. “In the event of a natural disaster or terrorist incident it is vital to have groups of trained citizens available to help our local emergency services personnel. We simply could not be everywhere we would need to be. These CERT classes will provide citizens with the critical emergency response training they would need to assist us, and the CERT training they receive could mean the difference between life and death.”

Citizens may register for the CERT program by calling the Kirksville Fire Department at 665-3734. Classes will be held at the Kirksville Fire Department, located on the northwest corner of Franklin and Illinois Streets. This training is free and is open to those 18 and older. Each class is limited to 20 participants.

Participants will receive the basic CERT equipment and will be offered Continuing Education Units; they will also be invited to receive extra training throughout the year with the Kirksville Fire Department and Adair County emergency services personnel. Course topics include disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and team organization, introduction to terrorist events, and basic first aid.

An Ode To Water Bill Payments

Are water bills making you blue,
remembering payment when due?
It’s quick and it’s easy
to stop feeling queasy.
Direct debit’s the answer for you.

Direct-debit is an easy way to pay your water bill. To sign up, visit the finance department at City Hall and leave a voided check or deposit slip. You still get a paper statement in the mail but your checking or savings account will be debited for payment on the due date.

From The City Manager

I was hired as City Manager last August. It is my job to make sure that the Council’s direction is shared with all employees and that we do our best to serve you, the citizens of Kirksville.

It is our focus, as City employees, to provide the best services to meet the needs of citizens and businesses.

Kirksville is an established community with the Council-Manager form of government. This means that the voters elect the members of the City Council. It is then the Council’s job to establish policies that meet the needs of the community.

Please don’t hesitate to call our offices at 627-1224, write us at 201 South Franklin Street, or visit us at City Hall, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. You may also e-mail City Hall at pubinfo@kirksvillecity.com

Approximately 200 citizens attended the rental housing open forum on December 3 on the KCOM campus, to hear proposals for a new rental housing ordinance. The council took no action that night, but reviewed proposals from Mayor Bill Murray and from the special rental housing committee, formed last March to develop an ordinance. The committee consists of landlords, property managers, tenants, those involved in public housing, and college students.

“We know that our citizens, particularly landlords and tenants, have very strong feelings about this issue,” said City Manager Mari Macomber, “and they expressed those feelings at that open forum. It is the job of the city council to find the best solution, one that balances the interests of all parties. It is important for the city to receive comments from everyone this would affect. This open forum was another opportunity for the council to receive input on the issue.”

The comments expressed that night were primarily those of the property owners. Mayor Murray said he would like to hear from more renters before the Council considers final action.

You still have time to comment on Kirksville’s 2004 Comprehensive Plan, the City’s ten-year outline of goals. The City Council has delayed final consideration until February, to allow additional public input.

The Comprehensive Plan is intended to cover all aspects of city business, from economic development to utility infrastructure. It also outlines the city’s budget priorities for the next ten years.

The plan may be reviewed at the city manager’s office at city hall, at all local libraries, and on-line at www.kirksvillecity.com. Public comments may be submitted to City Hall by phone at 627-1224 or by Email at pubinfo@kirksvillecity.com.

Corporate Airlines: New Schedule, Lower Fares

Corporate Airlines will offer lower fares and a new schedule for its flights between Kirksville Regional Airport and Lambert Field in St. Louis. Starting January 6 the fare will be $79 one-way and $139 roundtrip. The new schedule includes a Monday through Saturday departure at 6:45am from Kirksville. For the complete schedule and to make reservations, call 627-0100.

Kirksville finished eighth in the state in Governor Holden’s “Shape Up Missouri” program, conducted during September and October, and received the “Best Effort by a City” award. Local program organizer Carol Cox presented the award to Mayor Bill Murray. Get ready for next year when we shoot for first place!

Public Service Award To Marietta Jayne

Marietta Jayne was named this year’s recipient of the Mayor’s Public Service Award during the November 3 City Council meeting, for her outstanding record of community service. She received a plaque from Mayor Bill Murray and her name will be inscribed on the permanent award displayed on the first floor of City Hall. She joins previous winners Keith Lawson (2002), Harriet Beard (2001), Leon Devlin (2000), Gary Cunningham (1999) and Bob Funk (1998).

Did You Know?

· Christmas Trees may be disposed of without charge at the city brush site in the 1400 block of West Burton Street, west of Jaycee Park. There is no curbside collection of Christmas Trees.

· You can be placed on the mailing list to receive the monthly events calendar from the Parks & Rec Department. Call 627-1485.

· The Mayor’s Annual State of the City Address will be held Friday morning January 30 at 8am at the Travelers Hotel.

· The Adair County Meth Coalition continues to receive valuable input on the 627-BUST hotline.

2004 Spring Cleanup Dates Set For March 15th And March 29th

Kirksville’s annual spring cleanup will begin March 15 for addresses west of Baltimore, according to Mark Gaugh, Public Works Director. Those residents need to have items placed by the curb by Sunday, March 14. Cleanup east of Baltimore will begin during the week of March 28; those residents need to have items placed by the curb by Sunday, March 30.

City crews will pick up: scrap metal items, appliances that do not contain Freon, tree limbs & branches, household furniture, and solvents, cleaners, solidified latex paint and hardened oil-based paint

City crews will not remove: commercially generated hazardous wastes, construction debris, regular household trash, automotive tires, motor oil, batteries, and lubricants, or more than one ten cubic yard truck load per address

Items placed at the curb should be separated into the groups; items not sorted properly will not be picked up. Organizations planning major cleanup projects and those who are physically unable to move items to the curb should contact the Public Works Department at 627-1291

City crews will not collect old refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners. This service will be performed by Superior Services, Inc. of Macon, which has the trained personnel and the necessary equipment. Citizens wishing to dispose of these appliances, even if the Freon has already been drained, must purchase special stickers, available at Hy-Vee and City Hall, and affix them to the appliance. These stickers cost $20 each, the amount Superior charges for the special handling. The city does not receive any money from this arrangement. When applied, these stickers identify the appliances that need special handling. Please remove the door before placing refrigerators and freezers by the curb. Appliances that do not contain Freon (such as washers, dryers, water heaters and dishwashers) will be collected by the city and do not require the special sticker.

MIRMA Recognizes City For Loss Control Program

The Missouri Governmental Risk Management Association recently recognized the City for its loss control program. MIRMA’s Kelly Beets presents Mayor Bill Murray with a plaque and a check for $4,057.50. The Public Works Department earned the award for the purchase of a bucket truck proximity alarm.

Community Events Calendar: Jan-Feb-Mar, 2004

Event	Location	Day/Time
	City Events
City Council Meeting	City Hall– First Floor	1st & 3rd Mon- 5:30pm
Council Study Session	City Hall– Second Floor	Every Monday– 4:00pm
Planning & Zoning Mtg	City Hall– First Floor	2nd Wed of Month- 7pm
Yard Waste Recycling	Bagged & placed at curb	Last full week of month
Coffee with the Council	Hy-Vee Restaurant	Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 8am
State of the City Address	Travelers Hotel	Friday, Jan 30 at 8:00am
Business License Renewal Deadline	City Hall First Floor	Deadline is February 27
Spring Clean Up	West of Baltimore East of Baltimore	Starts Mon. March 15 Starts Mon. March 29
	Community Events
PACE- Exercise w/Arthritis	KCOM Thompson Center	Tue-Thur at 9:00am
Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet	Days Inn	Tuesday, January 13 at 6:00pm
	Parks & Rec Events
Free Movie Days	Kirksville Middle School	3rd Sun of month 2pm
Friends Aerobics	Family Aquatic Center	M-W-F 1:30pm—2:30pm
Tiger Sharks Swim Team	Family Aquatic Center	M-W-F 5pm & T-Th 3pm
Red Cross Swim Lessons	Family Aquatic Center	Tue-Thu pm or Sat. am
After School Swim Lessons	Family Aquatic Center	M-W-F 3pm
Parent-Tot Time	Family Aquatic Center	T-Th at 12 noon
Lap Swim/Water Walking	Family Aquatic Center	M-W-F 6am—8am
Moms in Motion	Family Aquatic Center	Thursday at 5:30pm
Water Aerobics	Family Aquatic Center	Weekdays 5:30pm
Water Wellness	Family Aquatic Center	Tue & Thur 6:30pm
Open Swimming	Family Aquatic Center	Weekdays Noon-8pmWeekends 1pm-6pm
Arthritis Class	Family Aquatic Center	M-W-F at 12 Noon