The city of Cassville has awarded a contract for mulching of vegetative debris from the May 26 windstorm piled high west of the municipal airport.
The city sought bids on grinding 17,740 cubic yards of debris — equal to about 5,980 tons of mulch — as well as mobilization costs. Awardee Smithey Environmental Services, based in Sand Springs, Okla., bid $2,500 for mobilization and $1.95 per cubic yard of grinding for a total of $37,093. The only other bid came from Hansens Tree Service of Branson, which bid $1,500 for mobilization and $3.75 per cubic yard of grinding for a total of $68,025.
Richard Asbill, Cassville city administrator, said the bid being awarded triggers an absolute cutoff date of Nov. 22 for anyone in the city still needing to drop off storm debris. Drop-offs must still be made by appointment through city hall.
David Brock, Cassville public works director, said the mountains of mulch left behind will be available for free to anyone interested in it. The city is unable to profit from the mulch, as any income made would be subtracted from the city’s claim with FEMA.
The bid was awarded at the Nov. 12 city council meeting, where multiple other items were discussed.
The Cassville Police Department now has two new Chevrolet Tahoe patrol cars on the road, which cost a combined $132,000. The exact cost was just $12.80 over budget.
Police Chief Donnie Privett said the price was favorable, as the average cost for a new fully equipped Tahoe or Ford Explorer runs about $80,000-$85,000.
Privett’s report further noted an uptick in motor vehicle accidents for the month, with officers working a total of 23 in October. The Department also received a grant for $6,021.40 for three new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and new flashlights. One of the AEDs will be placed in the new public works facility at the industrial park.
A staffing change was also noted. Officer Mike McGuire has turned in a two-week notice and intends to go back to work for the Barry County Sheriff’s Office. Privett said he has a hopeful candidate for McGuire’s replacement.
In other business, the city of Cassville has taken over U.S. flag placement on Main Street from the American Legion Post 118. Asbill said the city’s first placement was for Veterans Day, and the city hopes to buy new brackets and possibly some new flags in the near future.
Finally, the council was given amendments to the city’s sign ordinance for consideration. The changes specifically address feather flags, which are currently not allowed in city limits.
The change would allow businesses to display feather flags from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they must be taken down and stored during non-working hours. The signs are also prohibited around the square, and may not be located within 75 feet of a crosswalk.
Flags also must relate directly to the business and may not be vulgar or inappropriate, and political advertising or services not related to the business are prohibited.
The next meeting of the Cassville city council is set for 4 p.m. on Dec. 10.
