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The Perryville Board of Aldermen on Tuesday hosted a special briefing from the Perry County Health Department during its regular meeting at City Hall.
The special briefing was intended to give the board the opportunity to hear updates from health department officials regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, how it might affect Perry County and what the city could do to help slow the spread of the disease.
“There are 15 positive cases in Missouri,” said PCHD director Sylvia Forester. “Right now, we’re seeing cases in more of the metropolitan and urban areas. There’s one case in Boone County — which is Columbia, Mo. — and then Cole County. St. Louis County currently has four cases. St. Louis City has one. In Perry County, the Health Department is currently tracking zero persons under investigation.”
The briefing came on the heels of a Monday meeting between the health department, Perry County officials and several city officials from across the county. After that meeting, the Perry County Commission issued a statement in support of the health department’s recommendations, which Forester said are based on advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in addition to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
“As a preventative measure in order to protect the most vulnerable members of our community, and in accordance with the CDC’s updated guidance, our local administration strongly urges the cancellation or suspension of public mass gatherings of 50 or more individuals for the next eight weeks,” said Perry County Presiding Commissioner Mike Sauer.
Forester said it’s important for city and county governments to work together with the health department to better protect county residents.
“It was really important for us to have city and county involvement with this to show unity and support,” Forester said. “You all are elected officials and we want to show that this is something that needs to be taken with as much seriousness as possible. Having the support of our local government means a lot.”
After the public portion of the meeting was completed, the board met in a closed session to approve a series of measures for city offices and personnel in response to the pandemic, including closing the Perry Park Center and suspending all in-person meetings through the end of March while city staff explore options for electronic meetings.
In other business, the board held a brief public meeting regarding the creation of the Perry Plaza Community Improvement District. City leaders have worked with the owner of the Perry Plaza to develop a plan to improve the appearance and function of this property by way of a Community Improvement District. There was no discussion from those present.
On the consent agenda, board members approved a number of items, including:
Approving plans and specifications for the 2020 Trenchless Sewer Main Rehabilitation Project, which will use funds from both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 fiscal years;
Approving the sale of T53 turbine engine-related tooling and test equipment, which was left behind when Sabreliner Aviation left the Perryville Regional Airport, to Ozark Aeroworks for $25,000;
Approving a list of surplus material and equipment to be placed for bid on the Purple Wave auction site;
Approving festival applications for several Downtown Revitalization Committee events;
Approving requests from Immanuel Lutheran School and Pedal the Cause to hold fundraising “boot drives” at intersections on the downtown square. The Immanuel Lutheran drive is scheduled for 4-6:30 p.m. on April 17 and from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on April 18. Pedal the Cause will be collecting funds for cancer research on June 27;
Approving a request from Heroes for Kids to waive Perry Park Center fees for the 2nd Annual Heroes for Kids Comic Con scheduled for July 18. By waiving the fees, the city is allowing the group to make a larger donation to charity.
On the regular agenda, the board approved several bills on second reading, including one that will allow the city to suspend city utilities when a business fails to pay its licensing fee.
The board also gave final approval to the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 city budget.
Aldermen approved entering into an agreement with CivicPlus, LLC, to develop a mobile application that will allow city residents to report a concern, sign up for park programs, follow board meetings, and review city ordinances, in addition to providing an access portal for city employees.
They also approved an agreement with iWorQ Systems, which has been contracted to design community development and building permit software for the city. According to city administrator Brent Buerck, the new software will provide detailed reports of building activities on an annual basis and also streamline the inspection process. In addition, customers will have the ability to schedule inspections after hours for the next day.
The board also approved entering into an agreement with The Bank of Missouri for the city’s 2020-2025 Banking Services and another with Fronabarger Concreters, Inc., in relation to Perryville Boulevard Shared Use Path, a 10-foot-wide paved path along Perryville Boulevard that would essentially connect Miget Memorial Park and The Bank of Missouri Soccer Park.
