Bloomfield Aldermen mull city planner proposal

The proposal, suggested by Aldermen Tom Bischof at the last meeting, was presented by Ron Yersak of Dexter who specializes in city planning.

Yersak previously worked for the city for about 10-12 years and has worked as a city planner since 1967.

"Ron has many, many years in this type of thing helping cities prepare budgets, plan capital improvements, prepare block grants and many other things," Bischof said.

During Yersak's time working for the city, he worked on a water tower project, two housing rehab projects and street and drainage rehab projects bringing some $800,000 into town.

"I've been here and worked in the city for several years and was able to obtain several grants for the city," Yersak said. "When I came to the Bootheel, I was the first one hired in the state of Missouri with professional experience as a City Planner."

Mayor Raymond McAnally listed some outstanding grants for the City of Bloomfield written by various other people or agencies.

"I am not as qualified as he is, but I work in the city every day and I think I know what we need," McAnally said. "The citizens elected five of us to do what [Bischof is] wanting Yersak to do."

Bischof suggested that Yersak would be able to take over in the areas that the city is not so familiar with.

" He can put [a long-term capital improvements plan] into a form where it is readable and understandable," Bischof said. "He can put it into a plan that will be a usable document for us."

For some time, Bischof has questioned purchasing of pieces of fire equipment and similar items. He said that he would like to see a comprehensive plan that could be used by future boards.

"There are projects that, in my opinion, in the future I may be calling you on," McAnally said.

Alderman Bischof made a motion to employ Yersak to create a Capital Improvements Plan, but no one seconded the motion.

Alderman David Wilson suggested that he might be interested in the possibility, but wanted more time to think it over and consider the possibilities.

In other business Monday night:

* Sharon Geisler voiced concerns over the sidewalks at 401 and 403 Miller St.. Geisler said the sidewalks are a safety concern and she would like them removed. Mayor McAnally took it under advisement and asked Police Chief Jason Curtman to check it out and determine whether it was a safety issue.

* The Aldermen voted to spend $100 to have the garage door repaired on the basement of City Hall.

* Approved a building permit for Tim Pulley at 706 Brown St. to build a garage behind his house.

* Approved an ordinance placing a stop sign at Reed and West Sykes.

* Alderman Donna Deardorff suggested having the intersection at Prairie and Bloomfield Ave. checked out by the Missouri Department of Transportation's engineers and determine a way to make the intersection more safe. The Board voted to let them check it out and report back to the board about possible solutions.

cnoles@dailystatesman.com