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City Administration
| Duties of the Mayor | Mission Statement | City Talk | City Connection
Welcome to Rolla, Missouri
On behalf of the Rolla City Council, City staff and residents, welcome to Rolla, Missouri! Whether you are just passing through, relocating from another area, or thinking about making Rolla your home, we're glad you’re here.
If you haven't already noticed, friendliness is something you'll find a lot of in our city, along with abundant recreational, cultural and educational opportunities. We have a saying in Rolla that the quality of life is high, but not the cost of living.
Whether you're looking for great authentic restaurants, affordable lodging, or a beautiful park, we have what you are looking for in Rolla! Couple all this with nationally ranked blue-ribbon schools, a leading technological university (Missouri University of Science and Technology), world-class theatre, year-round community festivals, a historic downtown and an outstanding parks and recreation system, and you'll quickly see why we have been recognized as one of The 100 Best Small Towns in America (Norman Crampton).
Rolla also boasts one of the most state-of-the-art recreation facilities in the MidWest. The Centre – a 63,000-square-foot health and recreation complex, offers everything from a cutting-edge 4,000-square-foot fitness center, to an amazing Aquatic Center, gymnasium, indoor walking track and recreational programs for the entire community to enjoy. During the hot summer months SplashZone, Rolla's water park, located in beautiful Ber Juan Park, offers a refreshing break for families.
While some refer to Rolla as the foothills to the Ozarks – in particular the Mark Twain National Forest – there is much more to Rolla than our scenic rolling hills, world-renown trout streams and highly sought after recreational opportunities on the Gasconade, Little Piney, Big Piney and Meramec Rivers.
Phelps County, of which Rolla is the county seat, includes such diverse industries as Brewer Science, Inc., Missouri Science (Mo-Sci), Missouri Department of Natural Resources, CANTEX Inc. and Royal Canin USA. Missouri University of Science and Technology is actively positioning itself as one of the nation's top technological universities and research parks.
High quality medical facilities at Phelps County Regional Medical Center, the Bond Clinic and St. John's Clinic, together with an abundance of cultural opportunities at the Castleman Hall Performing Arts Center, Ozark Actors Theatre and Arts Rolla, are additional assets that make Rolla such a desirable place to live, work and visit.
Duties & Responsibilities
The Mayor is elected to serve a four-year term. The Mayor is required to be at least thirty (30) years of age, a U.S. Citizen, and a resident of the City for no less than two years preceding the election.
The Mayor acts as the chief executive office in Third Class Cities in Missouri. The Mayor is the president of the City Council but can vote only in the case of a tie. The Mayor does have veto authority over any ordinance passed by the City Council including "line-item" veto, provided a written veto or objection is submitted at the next regular meeting of the Council (subject to Council override).
The Mayor has the authority to appoint all officers or commissions prescribed by law with the consent of the City Council. The Mayor should actively enforce all laws of the City and has the authority to call on every inhabitant of the City, between eighteen and fifty years of age, to aid in enforcing the laws. The Mayor has the power to remit fines and forfeitures, to grant reprieves and pardons, and execute all deeds for the sale of real estate.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the City of Rolla is to promote the enhanced quality of life for citizens of all ages and abilities. We do so by pursuing strong public safety services, a quality infrastructure network based on properly planned growth, and a diverse and vibrant economy. Through effective leadership in cooperation with our citizens, businesses and community organizations we can ensure the desired balance between our urban development with the charm of our rural history through open and participative communication with our customers and citizens.
City Talk
Summer months filled with activity in Rolla area
I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather we have had lately, and taking advantage of the newly expanded ACORN Trail and many parks we are so blessed to have in the Rolla area. Cooler weather, while it lasts, is a welcome invitation to enjoy the great outdoors, and fortunately in Rolla there is an abundance of recreational opportunities to choose from. Beautiful Ber Juan Park, the Ber Juan Tennis Complex, Lions Club Park, Schuman Park, Green Acres Park, Lane Springs, and the 1.3-million-acre Mark Twain National Forest, are just some of the areas you might consider spending some time at outdoors.
This summer, and especially the month of August, has been a very busy one not only from a construction and development standpoint, but also from a planning and meeting perspective. From City Council meetings, and City Council Workshops, to TIF Commission meetings, and a host of other events and happenings, August has been jam-packed with activity and new beginnings that are evident throughout the community.
In case you happened to miss the Annual City Council Budget Workshop held last Wednesday, I’d like to invite the public to attend the upcoming public hearings for the City’s 2010-2011 Annual budget, which will be held during the Sept. 8 and Sept. 20 Rolla City Council meetings at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City. I’d also like to remind everyone a little early that the Rolla City Council meeting normally scheduled for the first Monday in the month, will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Rolla City Hall will be closed on Monday, Sept. 6 in observation of the Labor Day holiday, and Rolla Municipal Traffic Court will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. In addition, The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex, located at 1200 North Holloway Street, will be closed for the Labor Day Weekend for their annual Preventative Maintenance beginning on Friday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 6. The Centre will reopen Tuesday morning, Sept. 7. The Environmental Services Department, which will also be closed on Monday, Sept. 6 in observation of the Labor Day holiday, will be picking up Monday’s trash on Tuesday, Sept. 7 and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday, Sept. 8.
Also just around the corner is the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Public Hearing on Monday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The purpose of the Public hearing is to receive input and feedback from the public regarding the proposed redevelopment plan for a new Kohl’s store in Rolla. The location of the proposed store is near the intersection of State Road 63 and Interstate 44 next to Lowe’s, and behind the inline retail shops on State Road 63. If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact the Community Development Department at City Hall at 426-6970.
In closing, I’d like to remind everyone that the distance required to drop off a load of yard compost or yard waste just got a little closer. The composting operation once operated near the Phelps County Transfer Station north of I-44 has been relocated to an area just north of the Rolla Recycling Center at the end of McCutchen Drive. The City’s Environmental Services Department, which operates the Rolla Recycling Center, erected new signs for the compost site, which is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge to the general public for disposal of yard waste, however, for-profit businesses are charged a nominal fee for disposal to help off-set some of the costs of providing the facility. Contractors are asked to please stop at the office of the Recycling Center to pay to dispose of their loads of yard waste. I hope this new location will be convenient and a little more accessible to the majority of our citizens, as we continue to strive to improve the quality of our services to you.
Have a great weekend, and enjoy the cooler temperatures.
Mayor Bill Jenks, III
City Connection
(A Weekly Update from the City of Rolla to the Business Community)
Compost site relocated
to Rolla Recycling Center
off McCutchen Drive
The distance required traveling to drop off a load of yard compost or waste just got a little closer for a lot of folks who reside in the Rolla area.
Due to an increase in volume of landscape waste being stockpiled prior to processing, the composting operation once operated near the Phelps County Transfer Station north of Interstate 44, was relocated to the an area just north of the Rolla Recycling Center at the end of McCutchen Drive.
The Environmental Services Department, which operates the Rolla Recycling Center, erected new signs for the compost site on Wednesday, Aug. 11 to alert the public that the site has been relocated and is open for use.
According to Brady Wilson, Director of Environmental Services, who coordinates efforts with the Phelps County Landfill Board, regular hours at the newly located compost site will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Since the State of Missouri banned the disposal of landscape waste in landfills in 1992, the Phelps County Landfill Board (PCLB) has provided a location and the necessary equipment for the processing/management of landscape waste for the Rolla/Phelps County area. The PCLB will continue to fund the operation of the facility, although it will be located on City-owned property through a new lease agreement recently endorsed by the Rolla City Council. The City’s Environmental Services Department will operate the facility by way of an agreement with the Landfill Board.
Mulch and wood chips will still be made available to the public periodically. There is no charge to the general public for disposal of yard waste. However, for-profit businesses are charged a nominal fee for disposal to help off-set some of the costs of providing the facility. Contractors must stop at the office of the Recycling Center to pay to dispose of their loads of yard waste.
For more information, or to find out when mulch might be available, please call the Environmental Services Department information hotline at (573) 341-1168, or call the office at 364-6693.
City partners
with Missouri
S&T on Baffled
Bioreactor project
By Mayor Bill Jenks, III
Mayor
Known for its cutting-edge technology and innovative approach to problem solving, Missouri University of Science and Technology is partnering with the City of Rolla on a project involving a newly designed Baffled Bioreactor.
You may be asking yourself what exactly is a Baffled Bioreactor, and what is it used for. The new technology was invented by Missouri S&T Professor Dr. Jianmin Wang, who through his local company Frontier Environmental Technology,LLC, has created and patented a very effective mobile sewer treatment system that uses remarkably little power to operate. The Deployable Baffled Bioreactor (DBBR) transforms wastewater into reusable water at a fraction of the energy and maintenance costs of comparable systems thanks to the elimination of external sludge return systems through an innovative, maintenance-free internal sludge return mechanism. The Baffled Bioreactor (BBR) principle improves the conventional activated sludge process by using baffles to create a unique flow pattern within the reactor to retain biomass. The technology will provide low energy use, minimum maintenance, a small footprint, and advanced effluent quality at wastewater treatment plants.
The City was so impressed with the new technology and its potential use in treating wastewater that a proto-type Baffled Bioreactor was installed several months ago at the City’s Southeast Treatment Plant (located off Hwy. 72 South). The system, which also serves as a hands-on demonstration unit, is working very well pulling a load of the inflow, treating it, and releasing it at standards that exceed current discharge requirements established by Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Much of the development funding (over $1 million) for the Baffle Bioreactor came from the Leonard Wood Institute (LWI) due to its potential for use in the military as a mobile and efficient way of treating wastewater. The BBR can be deployed as a single metal shipping container, which offers exceptional mobility, treatment efficiency, and effectiveness. Dr. Wang’s company, together with Barry White, Program Manager of Missouri S&T’s Small Business Technology Development Center (S.B.T.D.C.), is working with the LWI to assist with the proto-types, which is what helped establish the two pilot programs at the City’s Southeast Treatment Plant.
After working together for months with Dr. Wang and Barry White, the City’s Public Works staff, including Steve Hargis, Director, and Alen McNece, Wastewater Superintendent, the City was asked about the feasibility of putting a another pilot program in the Rolla community. These discussions resulted in City staff partnering again with Dr. Wang, Missouri S&T’s Small Business Technology Development Center and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Climate Showcase Communities” grant application. The grant project focuses on environmental stewardship and energy conservation. Due to the great teamwork by Dr. Wang and Tim Canter of Frontier Environmental Technology; Barry White of SBTDC; and Steve Hargis, Allen McNece and Anne McClay with the City’s Public Works Department, the grant application was completed with less than three weeks notice.
The total estimated cost of the project is $643,244 (possible EPA grant of $429,000). The City’s in-kind contribution would be $124,000, which would primarily be in on-site work and follow-up environmental monitoring of the sewer treatment discharge. A small residential area in the community with a lift station would be the proposed site. Aside from an environmentally friendly sewer treatment pilot program, the real value to the City would be the successful launching of this business venture in Rolla.
In closing I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all the students who will be starting school this fall in Rolla. The first day of school for Rolla Public School students is Tuesday, Aug. 17. The first day of school for Missouri S&T students is Monday, Aug. 23. With the influx of thousands of students who use our streets, sidewalks and crosswalks, please use caution while driving in and around the college and school zones. And don’t forget that second annual Bulldog Pride Night will be held on Friday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at Rolla High School prior to the opening Football game of the season for the Bulldogs. Kick-off for the game is 7 p.m.
Rolla’s Public Works Dept.
continues asphalt sealing on
City Streets
The City of Rolla Public Works Department continued the second phase of an asphalt micro-surfacing project in the Forum Hills Subdivision on Friday, Aug. 13. Streets in that neighborhood that were finished as of Friday were: San Fernando, California, Malibu, Monterey, and Carmel.
Other streets that will be micro-paved beginning Tuesday, Aug. 17 through Thursday, Aug. 19 in the Frisco Subdivision include: Missouri Ave., Arkansas Ave., 14th St., Ozark St., Holloway St., Spencer St., Leroy St., Martin St., and Heller St. Also scheduled for paving on Tuesday, Aug. 17 and 5:30 p.m. is Hauck Drive.
Members of the Rolla Police Department are placing door hangers on the doors of each residence in the Frisco Subdivision prior to the day their street will be paved to give folks ample notice to keep their streets clear of motor vehicles throughout the paving project. The City appreciates your patience and cooperation.
The micro-surfacing procedure is being provided by Donelson Construction Company of Clever, Missouri. It is a quick-set surfacing system that will provide an approximate one-quarter-inch-thick pavement resurfacing. Micro-surfacing is an economical alternative to hot asphalt mix overlays, which typically applies a minimum of one – and one-half-inches of pavement resurfacing.
A complete list of future streets scheduled for micro-surfacing in Rolla is listed on the City of Rolla’s Website at www.rollacity.org. While this work may take several days to complete, streets that are being sealed will remain open with temporary one-lane traffic established. Flagmen will be present to direct traffic, and motorists and pedestrians are urged to remain cautious when traveling through the areas of work. Delays up to 20 minutes should be expected.
For more information, please call the Public Works Department at (573) 364-8659.
Upcoming Events
AUGUST
17 - Rolla Public Schools First Day of School
23 – TIF Commission Mtg. to review proposed Kohl’s development plan (5:30 p.m.); Rolla City Hall – Council Chambers
25 – Annual City Budget Workshop (5:30 p.m.); Rolla City Hall – Council Chambers
27 - RHS Bulldog Pride Nite Kick-off (6 p.m.); game at 7 p.m.
SEPTEMBER
6 - City Hall closed for Labor Day Holiday
7 – Rolla Municipal Traffic Court (5:30 p.m.); Rolla City Hall – Council Chambers
8 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
13 – TIF Public Hearing regarding Kohl’s proposed development (5:30 p.m.); Rolla City Hall – Council Chambers
20 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
OCTOBER
2 - City-wide Fall Clean-up; residential only; please have items to curb by 6 a.m. (364-6693)
2 - 32nd Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival (9 a.m.-4 p.m.); downtown Rolla
4 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
9 - Celebration of Nations (11 a.m.); parade begins at Havener Center on Missouri S&T campus and ends at Downtown Bandshell
18 - City Council Mtg. (6:30 p.m.)
For more events, please visit www.rollacity.org/events.
Scott A. Grahl
Communications Coordinator
City of Rolla
573.426.6943
www.rollacity.org
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