City Council to vote on new stock of firefighter gear, Lake Contrary school zone and Rosecrans upgrades

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- More than 20 new sets of firefighter gear and a new school zone for a busy South Side roadway could be approved at tonight's City Council meeting.

City Councilmembers are set to gather this evening for another bi-monthly work session at 4:30 p.m., followed by the regularly scheduled council meeting at 5:30 p.m.

The council agenda includes a $101,954 contract to purchase 23 new sets of firefighter gear for the St. Joseph Fire Department's turnout gear replacement program. The goal for the department is to replace turnout gear every six years.

The department currently consists of 51 firefighters, 33 drivers, 33 captains, three fire Inspectors, three Battalion Chiefs and five Fire Administration positions for a total of 128 personnel that require turnout gear, consisting of helmets, jackets, pants and gloves.

SJSD, MoDOT propose new South End school zone for City Council

Tuesday's council agenda includes a bill to amend the city's code of ordinances to create a school zone with a 25-mile-per-hour speed limit for Lake Contrary Early Learning Center along Route U.

MoDOT has indicated that it has entered into an agreement with the St. Joseph School District to install a set of “School Speed Limit Flashers” and accompanying traffic signing, to provide for a “school zone”.

The new school zone will be 25 mph along Route U west of Collins Street to west of Diagonal Avenue from 7 to 7:45 a.m. and 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. on school days. This is being done to ensure the safety of students.

New elevator in store for Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center

Visitors to a popular St. Joseph senior center will see a new and improved route of transportation in the near future.

Tuesday's agenda includes a $239,955 contract for elevator upgrades at Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center, part of a widespread facility improvement project.

The contract with MEI Total Elevator Solutions -- along with a $35,000 donation from the Senior Citizen Foundation, Inc. -- will be used to either replace or significantly upgrade the aging elevator, a structure that has experienced frequent maintenance issues.

Rosecrans to receive nearly $700,000 in grant funding

St. Joseph's main airport runway will see a complete makeover with the help of grant funds on Tuesday's agenda.

Councilmembers will vote to approve two grant agreements with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the Rosecrans Memorial Airport apron reconstruction project in the total amount of $697,922, with a local match of $34,184.

The project will see the complete reconstruction of Rosecrans’ general aviation apron and terminal apron, covering approximately 75,000 square yards. The project will include the removal of the existing pavement and the installation of new concrete pavement sections to restore the area to current standards.

Other bills up for City Council vote:

• An ordinance authorizing the acceptance of payment from WoodSpring Suites for future professional services costs associated with the development of a new hotel at 3909 S. 40th Terrace for $5,215. 
  
• An ordinance authorizing a real estate sales contract with the Jeffrey Paul & Marie Evans Trust to purchase the property located at 110 S. 8th St. and an amendment to the American Rescue Plan Act fund, State of Missouri River Bluff ARPA funding budget in an amount of $50,000 to provide the necessary funding for the purchase.
  
• An ordinance authorizing the execution and submittal of the Federal Transit Administration federal fiscal year 2025 Section 5307 Grant Application to provide transit operating assistance in the approximate amount of $2,088,082 for federal fiscal year 2025.