$50,000 for Sidewalk Incentive.

Tuesday afternoon’s Public Works meeting opened with a public hearing on the proposed sidewalk ordinance. Engineering Department Head Joe Butler gave a brief synopsis of the proposed bill before taking questions from citizens.

According to Butler the ordinance includes detailed construction specifications, accessibility requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a financial incentive of $1.50 per square foot for approved sidewalk repair or replacement, a tax assessment program for property owners who do not take advantage of the incentive program, an appeals process for repair orders and the authority to remove trees, roots and stumps in the parkway that are related to sidewalk problems.

The ordinance also includes an annual bid process for sidewalk repair similar to the City’s current asphalt contract. This will allow the City to avoid bidding out individual sidewalk repairs as they occur. A property owner with a repair to be done may use the City’s contractor and pay for the work when it is completed or pay through a tax assessment. Owners are also free to choose their own contractor.

"We don’t plan on inspecting anything unless we get a call," said Butler, "or unless we know that there’s a problem there through a claim on insurance or a lawsuit, then we feel obligated to inspect it and write it up. We won’t single anyone out."

Butler outlined the repair process. The Engineering Department receives a complaint or a property owner requests an inspection. An inspection is performed and a repair order is written if needed. The property owner is notified and given a time limit to complete repairs.

At that time, the financial options are explained to the owner and the option of using the City’s contractor is explained. Once the work is completed to City specifications and approved by the Engineering Department, the incentive is paid to the owner or the tax assessment process is begun.

"Really, this is much easier on the consumer than what’s on the books right now," said Committee Chair Bill Fortune. "Currently the individual is entirely responsible for the cost. Due to the fact that what’s on the books hasn’t been enforced, people have kind of had a free ride, but enforcement is going to start coming, so hopefully this will help with it."

Fortune explained that $50,000 for the incentive program has been placed in the proposed 1999/2000 budget which takes effect July 1. The funding may recur in subsequent years, but that will be determined on an annual basis during budget negotiations. Fortune said the incentive program will end when the money runs out and that hopefully inspections and enforcement will keep pace with the funds.

Mayor Ken Johnson asked whether a limit had been placed on the amount of incentive money any one property owner could receive. The ordinance does not specify a maximum amount, and Butler agreed to propose a reasonable limit for discussion at the next Public Works meeting.

Rod Hendrickson of First Baptist Church said the Church plans extensive sidewalk repairs and asked if only residential repairs were covered by the incentive plan. Butler explained that any necessary repairs would be eligible for the incentive.

Other questions included whether a sidewalk must be put back if it is removed, whether sidewalks must be replaced with the same width sidewalk, whether brick and limestone sidewalks may be replaced with either the same materials or with concrete and whether a concrete sidewalk may be replaced with brick or limestone. According to Butler, the answer to all those questions is yes.

The proposed ordinance does not spell out that the $1.50 reimbursement applies to repairs using brick or limestone, but Butler said it was his opinion that if a sidewalk that does not meet code is repaired so that it does meet code, the owner should be eligible for the incentive, regardless of whether concrete, brick or limestone is used. Language to this effect will be written and discussed at the next Public Works meeting.

Carthage R-9 Resignations and House Sale.

At the regular Carthage R-9 school board meeting held on Monday, May 17, 1999, the board authorized the sale of the house constructed by the carpentry class at the Technical Center. The minimum bid for the house, located at 2244 Alison, was set at $115,000. An Open House will be held the afternoon of May 23 from 2 - 4:30 p.m., and the deadline for bids is noon on June 28, 1999. Bids may be mailed to the superintendent's office and will be opened at the regular June board meeting on June 28, 1999. Contact the office at the Technical Center (359-7026) for additional details concerning the house.

The following professional staff resignations were accepted by the Carthage R-9 Board of Education, effective at the end of the school term:

Lori Beasley - Vocal Music, Senior High School.

Rex Ann Randle - Physical Science, Junior High School.

Karen Pyle - Grade 5, Steadley Elementary.

A special meeting was scheduled for Monday, May 24, 1999, at 7 p.m. at the Carthage School District Administrative Office, 710 Lyon Street, Carthage, Missouri.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

There are some things ya just don’t wanna hear.

Had a gentleman walk in the shop the other day. I heard our little door bell ring as the door opened and came to the front. He was standin’ with the door still open.

"Guess you don’t need a doorbell," he said. The one thing he was hopin’ for when he walked in was silence.

Then there are things some folks wanna hear. The guy in the muffler business hears opportunity in what most look at as an annoying rumble comin’ from an automobile. It’s all in your point of view.

‘Course ever’one has a change a heart ever’ now and then., but most just seem ta hear what they want to no matter what the circumstances.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click And Clack Talk Cars.

Dear Tom and Ray:

Is the "recommended" break-in period for a new car really important? My new Corolla's manual says that for 1,000 miles I can't drive faster than 55 mph, can't drive at steady speeds, etc. It's a bit frustrating to get a new car and be told right off the bat that I can't fully enjoy it for 1,000 miles. What bad things will happen if I ignore these recommendations? - Michael

TOM: Well, you may develop chafing and itching around your lower extremities, Michael. And if it continues after the first 1,000 miles, you should definitely consult your doctor.

RAY: Actually, we can't say for certain what will happen to YOUR car if you don't break it in properly, but I can tell you the widely accepted theory. The piston rings don't fit the cylinders absolutely perfectly when the car comes off the assembly line. Why? Because the spaces in between the two are tens of thousanths of an inch. So break-in period is supposed to be a time in which you drive gently and allow the rings to "seat," or mold themselves perfectly to the exact shape of the cylinder walls.

TOM: If the rings don't "seat" well during break-in, the theory is that your car will burn oil later on, because the poorly seated rings will eventually let oil sneak by and get into the cylinders. Is it true? Yeah, probably. Although it's less truw than it used to be.

RAY: Manufacturing technology has improved so much over the years that the rings (and all other engine parts) come off of the assembly line fitting pretty darned well. And overdrive transmissions further reduce the risk by allowing engines to turn slowly at highway speeds. You make the call, but I'd probably wait the 1,000 miles.

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