Owens joins Willow board of aldermen

Jennifer Owens joined the Willow Springs Board of Aldermen Thursday night at an appointment from Mayor Brooke Fair. Owens replaced Tyler Morris as Ward II alderman. As previously reported by Howell County News, Morris moved out of Ward II in the period of time between candidate filing and the April election. His resignation was the first item on this meeting’s agenda. 

 

Owens was sworn in by City Clerk Heather Tooley and took her seat at the dais. 

 

The board tabled a proposed ordinance regarding downtown parking. This is not the first time the city has tackled antiquated ordinances that create specific “no parking zones.” Discussions have been focused on collaborating and communicating with both the business community and the public before taking action.

 

The proposed ordinance seeks to create a broader “no parking where posted” policy while also addressing loading/unloading and parking in downtown alleys. Because the city desires public comment and input on downtown parking, they moved on without taking any action Thursday. If you have a comment, call city hall at 417-469-2107, or consider submitting a letter to the editor by emailing editor@howellcountynews.com. 

 

One action over a traffic concern did pass with a unanimous vote – the streets and drop-off areas around the Willow Springs R-IV School campus will change for the 2024-2025 school year. Citing unsafe conditions and an ever-increasing number of cars swarming the school at pick up and drop off times, the board agreed with the school board’s proposed plan to add gates at the intersection of Ferguson and High Streets. Ferguson will be one-way during school hours. A gate will block northbound traffic from continuing past High Street on Ferguson. 

 

There will also be changes to the elementary school drop-off area – routing traffic off Campell Street around the staff parking lot. Campbell street will be one-way during school hours, allowing only northbound traffic. High Street will be one-way for westbound traffic. 

 

Agreeing that the traffic conditions can be a “gaggle,” Alderwoman Kim Rich made the motion to approve the changes. It was seconded by Phill Knott and passed unanimously. 

 

Several members of the fire service were present at Thursday’s meeting to honor Debbie Simon. The Willow Springs Rural Fire Board surprised Simon with a plaque honoring her twenty years of service on the board. 

 

“It’s monumental,” commented City Administrator Beverly Hicks. 

 

“It went fast, and we’ve had a lot of good board members,” Simon said as she accepted her plaque. 

 

In other actions:

-Mayor Fair appointed Tyler Morris and Elizabeth Lakey to the Public Safety and Advisory Committee. 

-Mayor Fair appointed Mike Tooley to the Planning and Zoning Board. 

-The board passed an ordinance renewing an mutual aid agreement with the Missouri Public Utility Alliance. 

-The board passed an ordinance updating city ordinances to match state law pursuant to an assessment from the Office of State Courts Administration. 

-A closed session regarding legal matters took place after the open session. No action was taken.