West Plains grows

The West Plains City Council met twice last week, once in regular session on Monday and once in special session Wednesday. 

Several resolutions pertaining to a senior housing development known as the Garner Villas passed Monday, including a resolution authorizing the city administrator to sign a contract with South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCOG) regarding the CDBG funding of the project. City Administrator Sam Anselm was also authorized to sign a contract with Horner and Shifrin for engineering services for the project. The council also passed a resolution in support of Phase II of the development, which will add 48 units of attached-patio homes, which will be adjacent to Phase I on County Road 6460.

In the same meeting, two ordinances presented for second reading passed. Ordinance 4740 changes the official zoning map of the city, changing the boundaries of a section of this map, which refers to property owned by the West Plains Country Club. Ordinance 4741 annexes property owned by Seth and Mallory Johnson into the City of West Plains. 

In other actions, the council approved the R-VII school district’s request for the use of fireworks. They also granted permission to Scott McWilliams, Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Damage Biologist, to use pellet gun or rubber buck shot to remove black vultures from the Summit Street area. 

The annual public hearing for the tax levy for the city’s general fund took place prior to Monday’s meeting. No one attended to speak for or against the issue.

In special session on Wednesday, the council passed ordinance 4743 approving the levy as presented. Also on Wednesday, an ordinance establishing a procedure to disclose potential conflicts of interest and substantial interests for city officials was presented for second reading and was duly passed. 

On Monday, council members approved members of various city boards as part of the consent agenda, namely -- Library Board: new members Ray Williams and Emily Edwards. Williams’ term expires August 2026. He replaces Stephanie Zobell. Edwards replaced Jodi Wake, and her term expires in September 2025. Five people were reappointed to service until August 2026 - Sally Watkins, Becky Zellars, Vicki Petkovic, Tammy Yarber, and Jarryd Alsup.

Four members of the Parks Board were reappointed for three-year terms that expire in August 2026 - Michelle Miller, Bruce Vincent, Kevin Smith, and Matt Legler.

Two members of the West Plains Housing Authority were reappointed for four-year terms - reappointments for four-year terms - Newt Brill, and Dennis Von Allmen. 

Several bills were presented Monday for first reading and will be heard for second reading in September: 

-An ordinance that would revise laws pertaining to rockets, missiles, and projectiles in city limits. 

-An ordinance that would add a section regarding the discharge of firearms into the code of ordinances. 

-An ordinance that would authorize the city administrator and the city clerk to approve liquor licenses which meet all state and city guidelines.

Additional resolutions passed at Monday’s meeting included:

-An agreement among the city, MSU-West Plains and the West Plains Chamber of Commerce to establish a new use of the property at the corner of Howell Avenue and Jackie D. Garrett Drive, formerly the Greater Ozarks Center of Advanced Technology.

-A comprehensive land use plan known as “Connect West Plains,” to serve as a guiding document for the future development and growth of the City of West Plains.

-Authorizing the city purchasing agent to participate through membership in the Region VIII Education Service Center for the Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS), a national cooperative purchasing program.