Hannibal City Council discusses homeless issue

A recently passed ordinance dealing with camping in Hannibal’s city parks was discussed during Tuesday’s meeting. The ordinance passed in January gives the Parks and Recreation department permission to set aside areas in city parks for overnight camping. The bill came at the request of Central Services Director Andy Dorian who said homeless people often camp in city parks and have caused problems for others wanting to use the parks. Hannibal parks are closed after 10pm and overnight camping is currently illegal. 

During the meeting, local business owner April Azotea spoke out about the new ordinance and asked council members if there were any alternative places for the homeless to go if they are removed from the city parks. As yet there are no specific camping areas set aside. The Embassy Church has recently begun housing homeless people at their building on Hill and Bird Streets and the Salvation Army also helps in housing homeless people. Azotea wanted the city to do more to help homeless people by opening up some of the abandoned buildings or vacant property the city owns, but she was told the city does not have any funding for that. It was suggested that volunteers could get together to raise funds and the city could help with property, but after about 30 minutes of discussion, no action was taken.

Council did take action on two other issues. Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Megan Rapp asked council to approve a Customer Relationship Management agreement between the city and SImpleview, LLC for the development and hosting of software for the HCVB. the software which Rapp says will help the HCVB give groups “the best and most efficient itineraries for their planned trips to Hannibal.” It will also help the bureau keep in contact with groups to “keep Hannibal as a top-of-mind destination.” 

And Hannibal Board of Public Works General Superintendent Darrin Gordon asked the council to approve a master purchase power and sale agreement with Ameren. HBPW has such agreements with 5 other electric providers. Gordon said the addition of this agreement will strengthen HBPW’s purchasing portfolio and provide efficiencies to its purchasing strategy. Gordon could not put a price tag on the issue as the price of power is constantly fluctuating.

Both items were approved. A request by former mayor John Lyng to discuss current and future litigation over what Lyng claims are the “council’s violations of the Missouri Open Meeting/Open records statute,” was tabled as Lyng was not able to attend Tuesday’s meeting.