More murals heading to Hannibal

Another mural is coming to downtown Hannibal.

Muralist Ray Harvey asked for, and received, permission to block off several spots in a city owned parking lot so he can paint another mural.

Earlier this year, Harvey asked for permission to temporarily close several parking spots in the lot on Main Street between Bird and Hill. Tuesday night, Harvey asked to block off spots on the other side of that same lot. Weather permitting, he plans to finish this latest project by the end of October.

Harvey’s most recent mural features the Mark Twain Zephyr. It’s painted on the wall of a building near 3rd and Broadway. Harvey said that mural has already been featured in a national publication, Train Magazine. He told council members that since he started painting in Hannibal, the town has had more than 200,000 views on Facebook, making the murals well known around the country.

Council made two amendments to the payroll ordinance totaling just over $7100. City Court Clerk Alexis Locke is getting a raise and the city’s newly hired Finance Director, Wesley Metz, will see a salary increase for that position. Metz was approved for the position Tuesday night and is now on the job.

Council also approved a $155,546 Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission State Block Grant Agreement for funding to design renovations of the runway lighting at the Hannibal Regional Airport. The total runway lighting project will cost around $690,500.

Council also accepted a bid of $631,820.39 from A&W Communications for radios for the Police, Fire and Building Inspections Departments. The radios are designed to operate with the Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network (MOSWIN). That network includes the Missouri Highway Patrol, Marion County Sheriff’s Department and other area and statewide emergency responders. Funding is coming primarily from a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant.

Council also approved spending $50,000 to purchase land from the Bross Family Limited Partnership as part of the plans for the development of the road network around the Lakeside Technology Park. According to the Hannibal Board of Public Works, the City was selected to receive an 80% grant to complete the construction of the remaining portion of Lakeside Drive through the Governor’s Cost Share program in 2020.

The Hannibal Board of Public Works has agreed to purchase the property for the Lakeside Drive extension and to pay the 20% match as the road extension replaces access to the West Substation through a temporary easement.