Meeting in regular session at city hall on the evening of Sept. 3, the Perryville Board of Aldermen accepted the city’s audit report and approved another multi-million-dollar payment to Millstone Weber, LLC, for the Airport Runway Rehabilitation project.
While the audit report for the year ending March 31, 2024, was classified as “clean,” a recommendation was made that the city adopt a policy regarding the receipt of federal funds due to some “particularly large” projects this year, the most notable of which was the airport runway construction project. City Treasurer Paula Terbrak is reportedly working with the auditors to obtain policy samples that will soon be presented to the board for adoption.
The board also approved a payment of $10,603,935.25, in addition to a $4,487,001.74 payment approved at its Aug. 20 meeting for the soon-to-be-completed project.
The runway project began on Aug. 1 and will provide the Perryville Regional Airport with a much-improved runway surface through concrete overlay and a top layer of asphalt. In addition, the runway’s length is being shortened from 7,003 feet to 6,403 feet by stripping away 500 feet on the south end facing Highway H.
According to City Administrator Brent Buerck, Millstone Weber is quickly completing the major project. Concrete has already been poured, and temporary runway markers have been added.
“Going forward, there will be intermittent closures as the rest of the project is buttoned up, including things like runway lights, grading, seeding and strawing” he said.
The board approved a recommendation from the Downtown Revitalization Design Committee to submit façade and structural grant applications for the 2024-25 TIF Downtown Improvement Grants. This year’s grant cycle had a single applicant for the property that was Friendly Furniture's former location. Ward 1 Alderman Deanna Kline recused herself from the conversation, motion and vote.
In the absence of City Administrator Buerck, his report was presented to the board. Subjects covered in his report included:
Warning Siren Activation. The automatic siren equipment has been installed and is functioning properly. The board was provided with a map and memo, which provided details of the activation, as well as documents illustrating the estimated five-mile coverage radius around the city’s center.
Regional CEDS Plan Update. Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director Crystal Jones and Buerck have been involved in local- and state-level planning.
Fall Cleanup Flyer – October 21-25. Providing the board with the dates and process for citizens to request and secure trash pickup.
Planning and Zoning Code Update. The open house will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Perryville Park Center (PPC). The event is being promoted by several means, including an October billing insert for all city residents.
Community Foundation Marshall Faulk Event. The event will be held from 9 to 11 p.m. Nov. 11. Ten years ago, city leaders, along with members of the community, created the Perry County Community Foundation. This year, there will not be a Humanitarian of the Year Dinner. Instead, there will be a reception for a limited number of foundation supporters.
All-American Circus. The event will be held Sept. 12 at the PPC.
Airport Aggregate Base Gravel. As instructed by the board, the airport engineers and contractors were approached about possibly relocating the gravel base currently used for the concrete plant.
CEC Utility Pole Inspection. The CEC contractors will conduct pole inspections throughout the community. Inspectors will walk through yards, right-of-ways, and anywhere there are electric poles.
Missouri National Veterans Memorial. Some exciting things are being planned for this fall event.
County Thank You Note. The Perry County Sheriff’s Department sent a note of appreciation for the city’s support and work on the DHSS grant it applied for and its impacts on the new justice center.
Nations Housing Crisis and Ste. Genevieve County’s $800,000 shortfall articles were shared with the board.
Reports were also given by the city engineer and the police department.
The board approved:
– a payment of $139,545.98 to Jokerst, Inc. for replacing and upsizing the School Street Lift Station.
– specifications and plans for parking lot improvements at the Perry Park Center.
– the city’s fireworks display contract with Premier Pyrotechnics for the July 3, 2025, show, with a rainout date of July 6, 2025. With the board’s approval of the extension, the city will receive an extra 20 percent of fireworks at no additional cost.
– a request to host a Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, Nov. 28, at the Community Center and access to the center the day before for food preparation.
– an agreement with Saline Creek Grading, LLC for the Baseball Field 5 improvements project, including fencing, dura-edge surface, and grading work.
– the amendment of the Code of Ordinances that loosens the restriction for public works on-call employees to a new standard of 35 miles and 45 minutes for employee home-to-work distance and time.
– an easement deed from St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church for sinkhole work recently completed at the corner of Waters and Rosati.
– a preliminary plat for the Montenot Subdivision to develop duplexes. The Planning and Zoning Commission has already approved the plat.
– a final plat of the Sycamore Estates Subdivision, contingent upon receipt of bond for the project's first phase, which includes the construction of five duplex homes.
The next meeting of the board of aldermen will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 in city hall.
