Public Meeting-Comprehensive Plan
August 22, 2017
Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Ron Johnson, Alice Kezar, Keith Kohley and Calvin Wilson. Also present were City Clerk Karla McNorton, City Supervisor David Brodie, Jill Cornett, Harry S. Truman Coordinating Council (HSTCC), Nikki Hill, HSTCC Transportation Planner and Bryan West, HSTCC Community Planner. Guests included Keith Estes, Greg Beckner, Brandy Smith and Sally Carroll from the McDonald County Press.
Mayor Richmond opened the meeting at 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Richmond turned the meeting over to Jill Cornett from HSTCC. Jill gave the results of the surveys received. Some of the results were 76% say we need an increase in retail business, 56% say Goodman needs to change, 39% say to enhance park facilities and 32% say we need to increase tax revenue through economic development. It was discussed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to Goodman.
Some of the strengths were the water and wastewater treatment plant has the capacity for growth, the City passed the transportation tax last year to help with maintaining the streets, the water goes across Hwy. 59, most businesses that were displaced from the tornado have stayed and there are not a lot of citizen complaints.
Some of the weaknesses were lack of industry, affordable/senior housing, lack of sidewalks; challenge to operate the treatment plant with capacity being available and not being utilized and sewer does not extend across Hwy 59.
Some of the opportunities were to explore grant opportunities for infrastructure, opportunity for affordable housing/senior housing, place for a community center and opportunity to revitalize Main Street.
Some of the threats were Department of Natural Resources sewer collections (inflow and infiltration,) weather events in the area can destroy homes and businesses and lack of support for annexation making it difficult for growth.
It was discussed that the transportation tax that was passed last year will allow funds to be used to maintain and repair streets, but it will take several years to do much of anything as the expected amount a year is around $30,000.00 and to do a small area being repaved can run up to $100,000.00.
A community center was also discussed. It was noted that the City had a building that was a shell and had tried on several occasions to get a grant to finish it, but were unsuccessful. It was also noted that the City lost that building during the April 4, 2017 tornado. The Mayor noted he thought maybe putting additional money with the insurance; we could build a smaller building on the 40×60 slab and complete the inside as well.
Jill Cornett then introduced Brandy Smith who works part time for HSTCC and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to discuss Livable Streets. Brandy explained Livable Streets is being mindful of connectivity when feasible. It means to make a policy or ordinance that if construction is being done in the City, the Board and Planning and Zoning Commission have the builders consider putting in sidewalks when feasible. She noted she had brought policies and ordinances that have been passed by Pineville, Southwest City and Anderson to be looked over and considered by the Board. Brandy also noted that by passing a policy or ordinance it can help when you are looking at getting grants for sidewalks, bike and walking paths and will help with other grants too. The Mayor noted will have our City Attorney look at the ordinance and policies passed by those other Cities and we will discuss it at a meeting in September.
It was agreed to discuss a Planning and Zoning Committee at the next meeting to be held on October 24, 2017 at 7:00 P.M.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn meeting at 8:30 P.M. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Johnson, Kezar, Kohley and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.