Republic Council OK's slate of rezones, introduces parks tax renewals

Republic City Council approved a handful of rezones at its April 5 meeting, as has been the main order of business during years of unprecedented city growth. The council, in the absence of members Shane Grooms and Gerry Pool, voted 6-0 to rezone nearly one acre at 221 East U.S. Highway 60 from local commercial to general commercial.
The same six members OK'd the rezone of 6.30 acres at 6021 West U.S. Highway 60 from agriculture and light industrial to heavy industrial; and 6.02 acres at the 4100 block of South Farm Road 103 from local commercial to general commercial.
Also under old business, the council voted to change codes regarding commercial district regulations and licenses.
Lastly, the council green lighted a cost share economic development agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the expansion of a portion of Route MM, between I-44 and James River Freeway.

Parks tax workshop
Prior to the meeting, a workshop was held in council quarters regarding renewals of two parks sales taxes that will possibly be on the August ballot. One parks tax, which funds the general operations of the parks department; and the other, which funds capital improvement projects both sunset this year. However, if voters agree to a 25-year renewal for each tax, the future of Republic parks will burn brighter than ever. A point that may be paramount to some voters, is that the propositions would be a continuation of the current taxes and not altogether new taxes.
During the official meeting that followed the workshop, a first reading of two ordinances was read which would put the renewals on an upcoming ballot. Council member Eric Franklin moved to table each reading to give his constituents more time to review the renewal plan. Each motion made by Franklin received no support from his fellow council members and died for lack of a second.

In other business
The council agreed to a change order to the original contract with Ross Construction for the new BUILDS building in the amount of $189,085.
The council also passed a resolution to request support from various officials, committees, and subcommittees for earmarked funds from the state of Missouri for necessary wastewater improvements.