The Senath City Council discusses Public Hearing, held on Aug. 25, 2008 regarding the closing of an alley that caused controversy among residents of the community. Staff photo by Amenda Alexander [Click to enlarge]

SENATH, Mo., -- The controversy, over closing the alley between Maple and Olive Streets was settled in a Public Hearing held Aug. 25, 2008.

"It was decided, we (the council) are going to open the alley back up," announced Mayor Bill Anderson, during a meeting on Monday.

"We are going to put speed bumps on the alley and stop signs at both ends."

According to the August Public Hearing minutes, concerned citizens, Doug Bird, Jason and Heather Crawford, and Glen and Beverly Johnson were in agreement with the decision of the council.

On Monday, City Attorney Johnny Dalton was requested by the council to prepare an ordnance for installation of the speed bumps and stop signs to reduce speeding vehicles in the alley.

In regards to the ongoing problem of grossly overdue water bills, Mayor Anderson asked, City Clerk, Kathy Morgan, "Have we pulled any of them yet?"

"We will start probably on Wednesday," replied Morgan.

The Mayor continued the meeting with a request for new stop signs, which are needed for the city.

The council, due to the volume of traffic around the school, requested Attorney Johnny Dalton to write and ordnance for a stop sign to be placed on South Main at the intersection of Hornbeck and South Main, to make this a four-way stop, and a stop sign to be placed on the south end of Market Street at Hornbeck to make the intersection a three-way stop.

Councilman Patsy Davis brought to the attention of the council that flu shots will be given at 9 a.m. till 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2008 at the city hall.

The price for the flu shots will be $20.00.

According to the minutes, from the Public Hearing, other important topics were discussed included:

* Mayor Anderson's recommendation replacing the council vacancy with John Holmes, which the council approved.

* Joe McLain's recall on a previous motion to increase the water rates to $15.00. McLain then made a motion to increase the water rates to $12.50 for the first 4000 and .50 for each 1,000 gallons used.

The next scheduled meeting for the Senath City Council will be at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 13, 2008 at the City Hall.