Mass notification service, new city park, McClellan Building discussed at recent WS City Council meeting

In a regular meeting of the Willow Springs City Council Thursday, Sept. 17, a quorum was established, with those present including Mayor Brooke Fair, Alderman Danny Bradley, Alderman Kim Rich, Alderman Tyler Morris, Alderman Phill Knott, City Attorney Zane Privette, City Administrator Beverly Hicks, City Clerk Heather Tooley, Police Chief Wes Ellison, and Assistant Police Chief Alan Lewis.

Guests included Dean Aye, Donna Gossard, Casey Hinds, John Hinds, Kim McCormick, Paul McCormick, Wendell Bailey, Emma Roberts, and Linzee Slack.

On the consent agenda, City Clerk Heather Tooley requested amendments to the draft minutes from the August regular meeting to reflect the vote taken then was to move forward with the mass notification service, instead of doing more research. This request was approved, along with the rest of the minutes, financial reports, and reports from city departments.

Willow Springs Police Chief Wes Ellison introduced Officer Paul McCormick, who presented three of the four Willow Springs Police Cadets. They are John Hinds and Emma Roberts, who are high school students, and Linzee Slack, pursuing a criminal justice degree at Drury University. The cadets discussed their experiences in the program thus far and told the Council they will have a booth at Bear Fest, recruiting additional cadets for the program.

Wendell Bailey was called next, and he proposed a new city park on Turner Drive. Wendell stated that the large area left by demolition of all the houses on the right side of the Turner Drive be used for soccer fields, Mighty Mite football fields, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and basketball courts.  He said two grants were available. Bev Hicks, City Administrator, advised Council that a requirement of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding the buyout is for each property to be maintained as a green space in perpetuity. She added that when the floodplain buyout program began, after the 2017 flood, discussions of how this area would be used were conducted with the Willow Springs Rotary Club and the YMCA. Hicks also said the buyout process is not completed with more houses to be purchased. There should be some funding available to turn the green spaces into something functional while complying with the requirements set by CDBG. No action was taken by the Council.

Dean Aye, representing the Willow Springs Community Foundation, gave an update on the McClellan Building at 104 East Main. He advised he has scheduled a meeting this week with the engineers, contractors, and others to define the specifics of the project and the cost. Aye stated he believes the stabilization part of the project can be completed before bad weather, and “that while the City is mainly concerned with the safety aspects of the project, he wants to see the whole project succeed.” 

In New Business, Alderman Kim Rich turned in a list of names for appointment to the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC). She stated the group's goal is to understand future needs, via a study of the budget. None of those recommended have ties to the police or fire departments. Mayor Brooke Fair made a recommendation to appoint Erik Montgomery, Rebecca Klapmeyer, Robert Hollis, Scott Williamson, Susan Rackley, Jeff Lovan, and Nathan Wake, who were approved by the Council. The first PSAC meeting will be in early October.