Pineville revisits recreation center idea

PINEVILLE — The Pineville Board of Aldermen received a brief update on the city’s proposed recreation center at its meeting on April 9.

Mayor Gregg Sweeten said he met with construction company Veregy, and the company said it could come up with a cost soon. An architect has given the city a plan for a building that is 26,500 square feet, he said. At a work session before the meeting, the board met with the city’s financial advisor, and the city is looking for a way to cover the expense, he said. Since covid, building expenses have increased by two or three times, he added. The city may look at ways to raise funds, he said.

After old business, Alderman Connor Underwood said he wanted to clarify something. He said that between the time he filed for election and the time he was elected, he sold his home and moved from the South Ward to the North Ward. Although he was living in the North Ward, he was subsequently elected to be the South Ward alderman. He said he anticipated selling his home would be a longer process.

“I like to think the decisions I’ve made aren’t affected by whether I live in the North Ward or the South Ward, and I’m just representing Pineville,” he said.

Sweeten said he spoke to the Missouri Municipal League about the situation, and the league said the city could not swear in Underwood as alderman that evening.

Alderman Scott Dennis said the city needs the best representation it can get and wondered if there was a way to change the situation.

Sweeten said the wards are set by ordinance but said he would ask the municipal league what could be done.

Dennis said the population in the wards has been changing, and the lines will have to be redrawn at some point. He could not imagine that the residents of Pineville could not somehow make a decision that made sense for their city.

Sweeten said he did not think the city should get in a hurry to appoint someone else to the position. He said perhaps the city could add an at-large position.

Following this discussion, Underwood joined the audience, and Sweeten and Dennis were sworn into their elected positions.

The board passed ordinances increasing the city’s water and sewer rates by 25 cents each. A public hearing was held last month on the issue.

Also, the board held a discussion about roadside signs for rummage sales, mobile homes for sale, etc. Dennis said people are screwing or nailing them to utility poles, and it is illegal to do so, according to city ordinance.

“It seems it gets out of control, particularly this time of year,” he said.”

City Clerk Melissa Ziemianin recommended a higher water deposit after a customer’s account had been shut off multiple times. The board agreed, and Ziemianin said she would prepare a policy for the next meeting.

Sweeten said a mobile phone deal was available through T-Mobile. The city had been paying about $409 per month for employee mobile phones, including a number of police officers’ phones. He said with the T-Mobile Connecting Heroes program, the police officers’ phones would only be $12 or so, whereas the city had been paying $40 each. The total for all employees would be $340. The board approved this change.

Alderman Becky Davis told the board that a rabies clinic will be held at Pineville Plaza on May 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dates for summer board meetings were set for May 28, June 18, and July 16.