 |
A listing of upcoming public meetings and events of interest involving City government, and the greater Rolla community. For information on items with no contact number, please call City Hall at 364-1384. For an additional community calendar of events, visit the Rolla Chamber of Commerce.
If you don't see the calendar below try one of these - 
The City of Rolla Environmental Services Department will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 in observance of Presidents’ Day. Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up Wednesday.
There will be no special pick-ups on Wednesday. If you have any questions, please call 364-6693.
Rolla City Hall will be closed Monday, Feb. 15 in observance of Presidents’ Day. The Rolla City Council meeting, which is ordinarily held the first and third Monday of the month, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (901 North Elm Street).
The City’s Environmental Services Department will be picking up Monday’s trash on Tuesday and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday. There will be no special pick-ups on Wednesday.
For more information, please visit the City of Rolla Website at www.rollacity.org.
(Pictured left) Rick Morris, Chairman of Phelps for the Fort, presents a $1,000 check to Anne McClay, Chairman of South Central Regional Veterans Group (SCRVG) Thursday, Feb. 4 at Rolla City Hall. The funds will be used for the first phase of Veterans Memorial Park, located off Southview Drive off Hwy. 72. The presentation was made during a fundraising committee meeting with members of the SCRVG, representatives from Missouri University of Science and Technology; Phelps For the Fort; Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce; City of Rolla Public Works and Administration Departments; and area veterans groups. The target area of the SCRVG will encompass a 16-county region in South Central Missouri (Scott Grahl/City of Rolla photo).
(Pictured right) Rick Morris, Chairman of Phelps for the Fort, presents a $1,000 check to Anne McClay, Chairman of South Central Regional Veterans Group (SCRVG) on Thursday, Feb. 4 at Rolla City Hall. The funds will be used for the first phase of Veterans Memorial Park, located off Southview Drive off Hwy. 72. Also pictured (l to r) are: Harrison Meaux, Chairman, Veterans Memorial Park Committee; Amanda Bell, Constituent Service Specialist, Rolla District Office of Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, 8th District; Jerry Bumpus, Retired Enlisted Association; Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works, City of Rolla; Stevie Kearse, Executive Director, Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce; Anne McClay, Jason Co, Engineers Without Boarders, Missouri S&T; Norman Ragan, Treasurer, SCRVG; Rick Morris; Jim Brown, American Legion; Jonathon Hines, Lt. Col., U.S.A.F., Retired; Bill Stoltz, President, Central Federal Savings and Loan; and Forest O’Neal, Korean War Veterans Association. The presentation was made during a fundraising committee meeting where several ideas were discussed to raise awareness, and identify events that will generate interest and support for the new Veterans Memorial Park. It was also decided during the meeting that the SCRVG will encompass a 16-county region in South Central Missouri. (Scott Grahl/City of Rolla photo).
A special Rolla City Council Workshop will be held on Monday, Feb. 8 in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall, (901 N. Elm Street) from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.
Rolla West and New EPA Regs
Meeting Expectations:
Rolla West (5:45 p.m.– 7:15 p.m.)
DNR/EPA Regulations – Peak flow and Sewer Treatment (7:15 – 8:15 p.m.)
Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks, III, pictured center, reviews the D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Revitalization Economic Assistance Missouri) Initiative Scope of Services during a meeting for the City of Rolla at the Office of Missouri Development Finance Board in Jefferson City on Friday, Jan. 29. Also pictured (l to r) are: Bob Donnelly, Business Development Manager, Missouri Department of Economic Development; Lonna Sowers, President, Rolla Downtown Business Association; Andy Papen, Compliance Manager, Missouri Department of Economic Development; Rolla’s Director of Community Development John Petersen; Rolla City Administrator John Butz; Stevie Kearse, Executive Director, Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce; Kimberly Martin, Community Development Program Manager, Missouri Development Finance Board, Bill Marshall, Chief Executive Officer, Phelps County Bank and Russell Volmert, Associate Director of Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets, Inc.
The City of Rolla is one of five Missouri communities who were selected for the D.R.E.A.M. Initiative, which is a program designated to help communities to more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts. Another benefit of being selected as a DREAM Community is that Rolla will become an active member of the DREAM Initiative for three-years and will gain prioritized access to state supported programs through ongoing cooperation among several unique agencies and funding sources.
These programs include technical and financial assistance for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation. (Scott Grahl/City of Rolla photo)
The Rolla Animal Control Division of the Rolla Police Department is pleased to announce the winners of the “Name the Ferret” contest for the two ferrets that serve as the official mascots at the Rolla Animal Shelter located at 1915 Sharp Road in Rolla.
(Roy Taylor, Animal Control Officer, pictured left, visits with the newly named ferret mascots at the Rolla Animal Shelter located at 1915 Sharp Road. The mascot’s names are “Miney” and “Asher”. The winners of the “Name the Ferrets” contest are Sue Hilkemeyer of St. James and Hylan Beydler of Rolla.)
One of the winners is Sue Hilkemeyer of St. James, who came up with the winning name of “Miney” for the female ferret. The name Miney is a knock-off and reference to the Missouri S&T Miners.
The other winner of the contest is Hylan Beydler of Rolla, who came up with the winning name of “Asher” for the male ferret. The origin and meaning of the name Asher refers to someone who is fortunate, blessed and happy.
Both of the winners received free gift certificates from Panera Bread in Rolla for coming up with the best names for the new mascots.
Inge Wilson, Animal Control Manager at the Rolla Animal Shelter, would like to thank again everyone who participated in the “Name the Ferret” contest, including the two winners. Inge would also like to extend a big thank you to Panera Bread for their generous donation of the gift certificates, and Bowles Aquarium for donating the cage for the ferret’s new home.
“The next time you are visiting the Rolla Animal Shelter on Sharp Road be sure to stop by and meet our newly named mascots, Miney and Asher,” said Wilson.
The Phelps County Public meeting will be held:
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 (6-8 p.m.)
Phelps County Courthouse, Community Room
200 N. Main Street, Rolla, MO 65401
Phone: (573) 458-6000
Great River Associates was hired by the Route 66 Association of Missouri to develop a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) for the Missouri Historic Route 66 Corridor. The objective of this project is to prepare a Corridor Management Plan for the Historic Route 66 Road as it travels across the state of Missouri. The Corridor Management Plan (CMP) will set forth guidelines for the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the Missouri Historic Route 66 corridor. In an effort to facilitate the appreciation and promotion of the unique intrinsic qualities of natural and historic resources, archeological and cultural history, and the scenic and recreational amenities of the "Mother Road" as it occurs in the state of Missouri, the CMP will focus on benefiting travelers, tourists and communities located along the roadway.
The next steps in the CMP process are the required Public Meetings in each of the ten Missouri Route 66 Counties. These have been scheduled for January and February 2010. These Public Meetings are a required and vital part of the CMP. All government officials, business owners as well as interested individuals are urged to attend any or all of the meetings which will be presented by Great River.
Ultimately one of the largest goals of the Corridor Management Plan is to focus on the economic development opportunities that may exist in the corridor. The public plays a key role in helping to identify unique opportunities that may not surface in our field observation. Public participation is encouraged in these meetings in an effort to gain more complete knowledge of each county, so that the corridor management plan will ultimately be a useful tool for all. Only a properly informed community can be a positive asset in the process of developing the CMP.
Great River Associates is a locally based multi-disciplinary firm located in Springfield Missouri. The firm offers Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Land Survey and Planning services.
For more information about the Corridor Management Plan please contact Jerany Jackson at: 417-886-7171, jjackson@greatriv.com or visit the website at http://route66.greatriv.com
Please plan to attend this VERY IMPORTANT meeting regarding future funding for transportation improvements.
Missouri Transportation Alliance
http://www.missouritransportation.org/index.html
Community Meeting for MoDOT District 9
DATE: Feb. 11, 2010
TIME: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
PLACE: Rolla City Hall - 901 N. Elm Street (Council Chamber downstairs - City Hall is in the Central Business District facing the Rail tracks. Plenty of free parking in front)
Good attendance and discussion is extremely important. There is no area of Missouri for which this discussion is more important at this point in time.
DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT YOUR FUTURE RIGHT NOW
Other cities have had over 100 attendee for these gatherings and we have only had a small handful of folks. We need to have a great showing. You need to understand what you can do to help.
Please plan to attend. Please pass this along to others who might be interested. Please act to help the economy of South Central Missouri today.
Feel free to call me with any questions at 573-201-3772 (until Feb. 5) and after that at (573)694-5787. Elizabeth Bax, CEcD Executive Director Rolla Regional Economic Commission 300 W. 12 th Centennial Hall Rm 203 Rolla, Missouri 65409-1110 (573) 201-3772 rollaecondev@gmail.com.
The public is invited to attend the Rolla Candidates Forum on Monday, March 8 at the Rolla Public Schools Administration Building – Board Room located at 500A Forum Drive.The Rolla Community Teachers Association (RCTA) Candidates Forum will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the Rolla Municipal Candidates Forum at 6 p.m.
The Rolla Community Teachers Association (RCTA) and Rolla Channel 6 will host a Candidates Forum for candidates running in the Rolla Public School Board Election on April 6. For more information regarding this event, please contact Christopher Wright, President of the Rolla Community Teachers Association, at 458-0190, ext. 19133.
The Rolla Municipal Candidates forum, which will include candidates running for the Rolla Municipal General Election on April 6, will be moderated by Lee Buhr, Sports/Newscaster for Results Radio. This forum is being hosted by Rolla Channel 6 and the City of Rolla.
The Rolla Municipal Candidates Forum will include introductions by each candidate, followed by questions from the audience, and then an opportunity for closing remarks. Only questions given from those attending the forum will be included in the discussions. The City believes that hosting the Candidates Forum is a reflection of open government that provides an opportunity for an exchange of ideas with the citizens and members of the Rolla community.
For more information regarding this event, please call Rolla City Administration at 426-6948.
The Dance Studio has partnered with Rolla Fire & Rescue, and Coldwell Banker The Baker Group to announce “Step Up” – a shoe drive to benefit Soles4Souls, Inc. the Shoe Charity: Project Haiti.
Help us help the victims of the Haitian Earthquake. Rolla residents are invited to “Step Up” and recycle their ‘gently worn’ shoes for those people in need. The shoe drive will be held through Thursday, Feb. 11. Soles4Souls accepts all types of shoes: dance, athletic, running, dress, sandals, pumps, heels, work boots, cleats, flip flops.
Shoes may be dropped off at The Dance Studio, 1100 Hwy. 72 East, Monday thru Thursday, (5-7 p.m.); Coldwell Banker The Baker Group, 1025 Kingshighway, Monday thru Friday, (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and the Rolla Fire & Rescue, 1490 E. 10th Street, Monday thru Friday, (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
“We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time,” said Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, Wayne Elsey. “We need our partners in Rolla to 'STEP UP' and get behind our call for action. It’s one of the most simple yet profound gifts you can make, because it will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times,” he said.
The local contact for this drive is Miss Megan at (573) 364-0696 or you may contact Rolla Fire & Rescue at (573) 364-3989.
The City of Rolla Environmental Services Department reports that during the month of December 2009, the Sanitation Division collected and hauled a total of 1,355 tons of refuse.
This tonnage represents approximately 194 fully loaded garbage trucks. The cost to dispose of this amount of refuse is $52,250. The Recycling Division also shipped 250 tons of recyclables during the month of December. This is approximately equivalent to 36 fully loaded garbage trucks.
The disposal cost avoided by recycling this volume is about $9,600. The revenue received from the sale of these recyclable commodities is $23,700, for a total economic benefit of $33,300 for the month of December.
“Recycling not only helps to preserve and protect our environment, but also provides an opportunity for significant cost savings,” said Brady Wilson, Director of Environmental Services. “I encourage the community to recycle whenever possible.”
The City of Rolla’s Public Works Department and Phelps County Extension will once again hold a series of FREE, public workshops called “Healthy Yards for Clear Streams,” during the first three Mondays in March (March 1, 8 & 15) at 6:30 p.m. at The Centre (located at 1200 N. Holloway Street in Rolla).
The “Healthy Yards for Clear Streams program was developed by the University of Missouri Plant Sciences Division and University Extension to educate the community about non-point source water pollution and effective ways to prevent pollutants from entering waterways.
Water is our most important resource, but also the one most taken for granted. Essential to life, we have now all the water that has ever been on the earth. Yet in the world today more than a billion people do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. Even in the United States, especially in parts of the Southwest and California, water supplies are threatened by extended droughts, pollution, and overuse in irrigation. Our current way of doing things is becoming unsustainable.
In the Ozarks we are blessed with reliable annual rainfall, deep aquifers, and clear streams and rivers. But we can't become complacent. Our water resources are also threatened by multiple sources of pollution. We can take action in our own homes and yards to contain runoff and keep pollutants from reaching streams.
Join us this March, on the first three Mondays, to learn how to have "Healthy Yards for Clear Streams” and attend the following FREE workshops at The Centre:
Session 1, March 1: •The "Why" Connection: Where Is Your Watershed?
•Maintaining Healthy Lawns While Protecting Streams, Best Turf Varieties for Missouri, and What to Do About Pests
Session 2, March 8: •Building Healthy Soils that Hold and Retain Moisture
•Put the Right Plant in the Right Place and Use Chemicals Safely
Session 3, March 15: •Native Plant Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels: Using the Free Water From Your Roof
•Compost, Bokashi, and Worm Farms: How to Improve Soil and
Keep Organic Waste Out of the Landfill
All workshops will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., except the final one, which will last until 9 p.m. For more information or to register, please call Phelps County Extension at 573-458-6260.
Initial reports in the media and on the Internet of the missing 13-year-old Philadelphia girl named Ashley Flores have proven to be nothing more than a very bad hoax, according to numerous law enforcement agencies and credible news outlets.
Despite conclusive evidence that the original missing person report and Amber Alert regarding Ashley Flores was a hoax concocted by a kid's prank, the Rolla Police Department still receives hundreds of calls every day regarding her status.
A variety of searches through law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations, New Jersey State Police and Philadelphia Police, and numerous missing child websites such as The Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), confirms there has never been an official report of a missing girl named Ashley Flores.
The Rolla Police Department is trying to spread the word that although Ashley Flores may exist, reports of her disappearance were an unfortunate internet hoax. Pranks such as these are not only illegal, but also hamper and interfere with communications and law enforcement operations.
For more information, please go here or call Lt. Doug James at 573-308-1213