Hannibal City Council
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal City Council voted Tuesday night to consider adding a monthly city manager report to its regular meeting agenda. If adopted, the report would be made by Hannibal City Manager Lisa Peck. The city manager report proposal, introduced by Councilmen Stephan Franke and Charlie Phillips, was tabled twice. The proposal then was…
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If you sent a message to a Hannibal City Council member but didn't get a response, this might be why
HANNIBAL, Mo. — If you have sent a message to a member of the Hannibal City Council through their contact form on the City of Hannibal’s website but didn’t get a response, they might not have received it. The city has now updated the councilmen’s contacts with personal email addresses after discovering the previous contact…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — A former Hannibal councilman expressed concerns during Tuesday’s meeting of the Hannibal City Council regarding the council’s behavior, specifically referring to Feb. 21 meeting. Jim Van Hoose watched the meeting on the City of Hannibal’s YouTube channel, where each meeting is live-streamed. He was specifically concerned with the behavior of the several…
Read Full Article I have been present on and off for the last six months or so at Hannibal City Council meetings. I continue to be frustrated and disappointed at the lack of professionalism and what appears to be disgust on your part at anyone and everyone asking for transparency and accountability. I have heard a few of our…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. – The Hannibal City Council meeting became a little heated Tuesday evening as several issues were discussed. The proposal by two councilmen, Charlie Phillips and Stephan Franke, that would require City Manager Lisa Peck to give monthly updates. Councilman Mike Dobson moved to table the proposal. Charlie Phillips told the group he has…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Business owner April Azotea came before Hannibal City Council on Tuesday evening to question the conditions of City Clerk Angel Zerbonia’s administrative leave. Zerbonia has been on paid administrative leave since November because of accusations of a hostile workplace. The council voted in January to hire an outside agency to conduct an…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The proposed tax to fund a permanent stormwater system for the city of Hannibal was temporarily killed at the Hannibal City Council meeting Tuesday evening. The proposed tax, or Proposition S, was withdrawn by Hannibal Board of Public Works Director Darrin Gordon before council members could decide if it would be on…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. – An order signed Monday by Judge John Jackson gives the City of Hannibal until next Wednesday to produce all documents related to the impeachment proceedings of 3rd Ward Councilman Stephan Franke. Jackson, appointed to preside over the impeachment after Judge Donald Bastian recused himself, granted Franke’s motion to compel the city to…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. – A third-party investigation will soon be underway concerning Hannibal City Clerk Angel Zerbonia. City Attorney James Lemon confirmed at the Hannibal City Council meeting on Tuesday that an outside agency will be conducting the investigation. The council members confirmed it was decided by unanimous vote. The announcement comes after the council meeting…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal City Council agreed late Tuesday night that an investigation into the practices of city clerk Angelica “Angel” Zerbonia is needed. Zerbonia has been on paid administrative leave “for about a month,” according to Mayor James Hark. City attorney James Lemon said a “full investigation” will be needed and will be conducted…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Candidate filing for city council seats is under way and closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27 for an election to be held April 4, 2023. The three-year terms for city council seats are in the Fifth Ward, currently held by Colin Welch, and Sixth Ward, currently held by Jeffrey Veach. As…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — A revitalization plan for the city of Hannibal will have to wait a couple of weeks. During Tuesday’s meeting of the Hannibal City Council, Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council Executive Director Corey Mehaffey presented the proposed boundaries for a proposed Community Improvement District. Fourth Ward council member Charles Phillips asked that a…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — After a downtown business owner asked to lease two parking places in a lot near her business, the Hannibal City Council directed City Manager Lisa Peck to survey downtown business owners to get their opinions on the idea. At Tuesday night’s meeting, City Attorney James Lemon suggested the survey out of concern…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Bear Creek Sports Park in Hannibal will soon be under new management. On Tuesday night, the Hannibal City Council approved a resolution which will allow the privately owned facility to become a part of the Hannibal Parks and Recreation Department. As part of the agreement the City will acquire the property, all…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal City Council Tuesday night tabled two items proposed by third ward council member Stephan Franke. Franke’s attempt to present the items earlier this year led to his being suspended from council and facing impeachment. The two proposals deal with personnel issues that Franke says will help council members deal with…
Read Full Article EDITOR’S NOTE: The item proposed below by Stephan Franke was tabled during Tuesday’s meeting of the Hannibal City Council by a 6-1 vote, with Franke the lone “no” vote. As part-time elected representatives with other full-time jobs, there is a restriction on how much we as councilpeople can learn about our own government. Additionally, often…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Tuesday’s meeting was short, but the Hannibal City Council set itself up for a longer meeting in two weeks. Council members hold three public hearings before the August 16 meeting with the first set for 6:15 pm. That meeting was requested by Corey Mehaffy, the Executive Director of Northeast Missouri Economic Development…
Read Full Article Hannibal is one step closer to the replacement of a storm sewer that collapsed several years ago under Union Street. On Tuesday, the city council approved a bid of $705,634 for the replacement of 175 feet of stone archway stormwater conveyance with T&B Trucking and Excavating. The bid was about $45,000 under engineer estimates. The…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Tenth Judicial Circuit Presiding Judge Rachel L. Bringer Shepherd ruled June 27 the City of Hannibal violated the constitutional right of due process for 3rd Ward council member Stephan Franke when it suspended him in January. Mayor James Hark brought impeachment charges against Franke that resulted in his suspension, citing Section 18.08(g)…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal has a new police chief. During Tuesday’s meeting, city council members approved the nomination of Lt. Jacob Nacke to succeed the retiring Lyndell Davis as Chief of Police. In presenting her nomination of Nacke, City Manager Lisa Peck said two internal candidates were interviewed for the job. Peck did not name…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — At Tuesday’s meeting, Hannibal City Council members heard about a program that will bring three sculptures to the city by early summer. While asking the council’s permission to close streets for the annual Historic Folklife Festival, Hannibal Arts Council Executive Director Michael Gaines talked about those plans. Gaines said Hannibal has joined…
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The Hannibal City Council heard first reading to a change in the city’s smoking ordinance that will fully exempt private clubs from the smoking ordinance. City Attorney James Lemon said the ordinance also clarifies that a bar or restaurant cannot claim to be a “private club” and allow temporary members. In other business, there were…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The impeachment hearing for a Hannibal City Council member is now expected to take place next month. Hannibal Mayor James Hark has alleged 3rd Ward council member Stephan Franke violated his oath of office while acting in his capacity as a City Council member by physically assaulting two female city employees. The…
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Tuesday’s meeting of the Hannibal City Council included a visit from former Mayor John Lyng, who has filed several lawsuits against the city related to the open meetings/open records statute of the state of Missouri. Lyng has been on the winning end of at least one of the suits with others still pending. He used…
Read Full Article 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…
Read Full Article Impeachment proceedings have begun against a Hannibal City Council member as Mayor James Hark has drafted articles of impeachment against 3rd Ward Council member Stephan Franke. Hark alleges Franke violated his oath of office while acting in his capacity as a City Council member by physically assaulting both City Clerk Angelica Zerbonia and City Manager…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — State Representative Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal) was honored during Tuesday’s Hannibal City Council meeting by the Missouri Public Utility Alliance. The Republican legislator, who represents all of Marion and Shelby Counties and part of Monroe County, was presented with the Richard E. Malon Public Service Award. According to an MPUA press release, the…
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A long closed Hannibal Motel may soon see new life thanks to action taken Tuesday by the City Council. Council approved the purchase of the former Bestway Hotel at 612 Mark Twain Avenue to Horizon Rentals. The city obtained the hotel at no cost and will sell it to Horizon Rentals for $2870.00. That covers…
Read Full Article The Hannibal City Council has taken steps to change the definition of the term “galleries” as it is used in the city’s zoning ordinances. The issue was broached during a meeting earlier this year after a resident asked to be allowed to place an art gallery in a residence. The owner had asked for a…
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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.…
Read Full Article The question of how to fund Hannibal’s storm water utility returned for a second discussion during Tuesday’s meeting of the Hannibal City Council. The utility is currently unfunded and voters have twice rejected funding proposals. After some discussion between council members, members of the Hannibal Board of Public Works and city staff, council decided to…
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A light agenda with one heavy issue was addressed by the Hannibal City Council Tuesday night. The big issue was a report from City Attorney James Lemon on stormwater funding options. Lemon recently met with the CIty Manager, City Engineer and Director of Central Services to discuss the various options for funding a stormwater sewer…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The city of Hannibal will be donating six properties to the Northeast Community Action Corporation. Carla Potts of NECAC told City Council members during Tuesday’s meeting that the organization plans to build six homes for residents with low to moderate incomes. Potts said the homes will rent for $450 a month. That…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal City Council heard an update on plans to convert the former St. Elizabeth’s Hospital at 109 Virginia into housing for senior citizens during a special public meeting Tuesday night. The meeting was led by Ben Porush, dIrector of operations for 3 Diamond Development in Lincolnwood, Ill. Porush said the plan…
Read Full Article by Jim Dewey HANNIBAL – The Hannibal City Council Tuesday night gave its second and final reading to the city’s two annual budget ordinances. As noted after the June 1 meeting, the General Fund is $13,054,739 and the citywide budget with operating expenses and capital expenses is $25,489,731. Hannibal Director of Finance Karen Burditt said…
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by Jim Dewey HANNIBAL – The Hannibal City Council gave first reading city’s operating budget during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Hannibal City Council. Director of Finance Karen Burditt said the General Fund is $13,054,739 and the citywide budget with operating expenses and capital expenses is $25,489,731. The Covid crisis did not affect Hannibal’s last…
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