STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen discussed the city’s response to the heavy rains that inundated the community the previous Friday evening.
Alderman Robert Donovan questioned delays in getting the barricades set up for the heavy rain. He said news stations were predicting “historic” rainfall so there was plenty of notice that the rain was coming.
During the public comment portion of the meeting three residents discussed the effects of the heavy rain. Their main points were the lack of barricades keeping traffic off the flooded streets, the absence of a pump to be installed when water rises and a flapper valve closes on the levee there and sewer back ups caused by the high water.
Reports were presented by:
City Administrator Happy Welch:
He reported work on an inspection of the city’s sewer system was begun in an effort to reduce inflow and infiltration in the system and determine how much it will cost each year.
The Pere Marquette playground equipment is installed.
Bids have been opened on the Ninth Street Rehabilitation. He hopes the agreement will be on the agenda for both first round and second round approval at the next meeting because they need to have a pre-construction meeting before school is out. He said he would like the project started by early June, so the work can be done while school is out.
He said the results of a survey on the need for the Ste. Genevieve-Modoc Ferry has been posted on the city’s website under the “I would like to” section.
Welch also said the attorneys from the city and McBride have met to discuss McBride’s proposal to construct the Progress Parkway Subdivision. He said there would probably have to be compromise on both sides.
Community Development Director David Bova
reported an agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office on the city’s 2024 grant for a mobile app walking tour program for the downtown historic district should be ready in the next month.
He announced an “annexation open house” will be held at 5:30 p.m. April 17th at city hall and an annexation web page will be added to the city’s web site.
Tourism Director Aaron Smith
announced a “Liver Dumplings” sign will be erected outside the Old Brick Restaurant on Third Street. He said it will be “real nice heavy cast iron sign” similar to this one:
This is an example of the ‘Hungry for History’ series sign.
This is the text for the sign in Ste. Genevieve.
The sign will be erected in the planted area on the left. (Google Earth Street View Image)
Finally, Smith said he has learned that he will be receiving the Missouri Division of Tourism “Rising Star” award at this year’s Governor’s Tourism Conference in October.
The consent agenda containing the following items was approved:
Resolution 2025-26, authorizing the city administrator to execute an agreement with McDaniels Marketing for the FY 2026 Advertising Plan-MMG Grant for the city.
Resolution 2025-28, authorizing the mayor to execute a property maintenance agreement with Ernie and Lisa Kovac to maintain flood buyout property.
Resolution 2025-29, authorizing the mayor to execute a property maintenance agreement with Mark Trautwein to maintain flood buyout property.
Resolution 2025-30, authorizing the mayor to execute a property maintenance agreement with Scott Beckerman to maintain flood buyout property.
Old Business:
Bill No. 4664, an agreement between the city and the Ste. Genevieve Municipal Band was approved on second reading 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent (Alderman Eric Bennett).
Bill No. 4665, a budget amendment was approved on second reading, 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent.
Bill No. 4666, a construction inspection services contract with Cochran Engineering for the Ninth Street Improvements Project was approved on second reading, 5 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Alderman Robert Donovan and Alderwoman Amie Dobbs abstained. Both are concerned with the quality of the work. Alderman Beckerman said some previous street work has been less than expected.
Bill No. 4667, an $837,853.31 agreement with Superior Industrial Coatings (SIC) for the City Wide Concrete Replacement Project was approved on second reading 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent.
Bill No. 4668, a $3,195,814.99 agreement with Vern Bauman Contracting Company for the city wide Asphalt Replacement Project was approved on second 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent.
New Business:
Bill No. 4669, accepting a proposal from Metro-Ag Inc. for the removal and land utilization of residuals from the waste water treatment plant was given first round approval on a voice vote.
A work session followed the regular session.
It included a discussion of:
Dedicated street parking at 220 Merchant Street.
authorizing the mayor to execute a property maintenance agreement with Mark Trautwein to maintain flood buyout property.
Callout/training stipend for volunteer fire chief.
The meetings were shown live on SteGenTV Channel 991 on the Spectrum Cable TV system and is now available on the SteGenTV You Tube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/live/1jqTHqqFhCw?si=c428z_JbtQlNJsjp