Hannibal City Council takes care of ‘maintenance’ during 12-minute meeting

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal Mayor Barry Louderman called Tuesday’s Hannibal City Council meeting one of “maintenance.”

During this meeting, which lasted just 12 minutes, the council approved a measure to address traffic issues downtown, set a date for a public meeting to discuss vacating three city streets and approved street closures for an upcoming fundraiser.

Cole Painter of Watlow Electric Manufacturing suggested making the intersection of Broadway and Main a four-way stop. 

“Since the construction of the (Mo. 79) viaduct, that intersection has seen a lot of traffic,” Painter said. “It’s also seen a lot of congestion.”

Louderman liked the idea of modifying this intersection to help with traffic flow.

“I don’t have a problem with that,” he said. “I think if we made it blinking red lights to make it a four-way stop, that would get traffic moving faster.”

Building inspector Mike McHargue requested a public meeting regarding the vacation of Grape, Edwards and Tyrone Streets. The council approved the meeting at 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 6 before the City Council meeting to discuss the matter.

Matthew Halle with Refreshment Services Pepsi is hosting the Grillin’ and Chillin’ for Down Country Fundraiser on Aug. 18 at the Y-Men’s Pavillion. Halle appeared before the council asking for street closures surrounding the pavilion, which the council approved. 

Halle hosted the first Grillin’ and Chillin’ fundraiser last October at Mark Twain Cave.

“We decided to move it to the Y Men’s Pavillion to get a little more foot traffic,” he said.

Palmyra-based Down Country helps parents, teachers, paras and others who help educate people who learn differently from others, many of whom have special needs.

“There are some more challenges there,” Halle said. “They send people to different areas to learn the best practices and best ways to do that.”

Halle said last year’s fundraiser made more than $10,000.

“It’s our way of giving back to them,” he said.

In other news, the council:

• Approved and adopted Bill No. 24-017, which allows the placement of kennels, veterinary clinics and towers transmitting signals in the Zone C business district.
• Approved and adopted Bill No. 24-018, which prohibits the construction of churches and schools in the Zone F industrial district.