Sawing logs with butter knives

Having the right tools for the job matters. The City of Sikeston hired me and a new public works director just as the winter of 2013 began. Unfortunately, during my first week on the job we got the worst winter weather since the ice storm of 2009. More unfortunately, during that storm and some subsequent snows, we learned that our snow plowing equipment was badly in need of replacement. We had four dump trucks with plow attachments, all 18-25 years old. They spent more time in the shop than on the road during a big snow storm.

As a result, snow plowing operations did not go very well. So for the next year we budgeted for replacement of the three worst dump trucks. Our three new dump trucks arrived in the middle of the following winter. In fact, they arrived about a week after an 8" snow storm, and a week before another 8" snow storm. The difference between the old trucks and the new ones was astounding. After the first storm, it took us 5 days to plow all of the streets with the old trucks. Under virtually identical conditions, we completed the job in only 36 hours with the new trucks, simply because they are bigger and they stayed on the road instead of in the shop. As the public works director explained, with the old trucks it was like we were "sawing logs with butter knives."

Just this week we took one of new dump trucks to buy some cold mix asphalt for filling potholes. In the old trucks we could haul about 4-6 tons of asphalt. The first load in the new truck was over 14 tons, which means in one trip to the asphalt plant we can now haul as much as we used to in 2-3 trips. The investment in new trucks, though certainly expensive up front, has paid tremendous dividends. We are providing better service to our citizens, and we are doing it faster and cheaper.

New dump trucks in the Public Works yard shortly after they were delivered.

Economic Strengths of the Missouri Bootheel

I serve as a board member at the Missouri Innovation Corporation (MIC) at Southeast Missouri State University. MIC supports business and community development in the region through research, financial assistance, and other efforts to deliver University programs to the business community. MIC recently completed a Regional Entrepreneurship Assessment and Strategy for the Bootheel region of Southeast Missouri. One portion of the assessment identifies the economic strengths of the region, including Sikeston, which I thought I should share with my readers. The image below illustrates some of the employment growth factors in the region, including the concept of "clusters" of certain business sectors. This is something we have observed in Sikeston, particularly in the distribution center cluster. Our Sikeston Business, Education and Technology Park is home to several large distribution centers that take advantage of our strategic location at the crossroads of I-55, I-57, and Highway 60.        

Sikeston vs Ferguson

Like many local government officials, I have watched recent events in Ferguson and tried to learn from them. One of the criticisms leveled against the City of Ferguson is that the municipal court was used primarily as a revenue generator, rather than as a means to administer justice. The US Department of Justice found that in fiscal year 2013, Ferguson collected $2,460,000 in municipal court fines and fees. For comparison, in fiscal year 2013, Sikeston collected only $380,000 in municipal court fines and fees. Ferguson's court fines and fees accounted for approximately 23% of their city revenues. Sikeston's court fines and fees accounted for about 2.6% of our city revenues. And the bottom line is that Sikeston's municipal court in fiscal year 2015 is only projected to bring in $42,000 more than is spent on court operations - meaning that the court is in no way a cash cow for the city. I am glad that our friends in Ferguson seem to be on the road to healing, but it's also worth pointing out that the problems in Ferguson are not endemic to city municipal courts everywhere - especially not in Sikeston.

Thanks for your patience, and your service to neighbors!

A couple Sikeston Cub Scouts shovel a neighbor's driveway. 

We thought we might get through this winter without any major snow/ice events, but instead an entire winter's worth all hit this week! 87% of city employees work in Public Safety or Public Works, so the great majority of our workforce is involved in winter weather response - from Public Safety Officers controlling traffic at accident scenes to Street Maintenance Workers standing ankle deep in ice water shoveling open sewer grates by hand. And it's not just city employees working hard to keep our community running. BMU employees were out in the middle of the night during freezing rain making repairs to downed power lines. I even saw neighbors out in the street shoveling open storm sewer grates to let water drain off the streets.

During big snow events we get a lot of questions and comments about snow removal operations, so here are a few things to know:

• The City of Sikeston has four dump trucks with salt spreaders and snow plow attachments. 
• This year we added a plow to a front end loader, so we have one more piece of equipment on the streets this year that we didn't have last year.
• Snow has to go somewhere, which means that when we plow, it will create windrows in front of driveways. When it's possible to plow the snow to the other side of the street we do it, but many times it's just not possible. 
• We get a lot of requests to plow open the windrows at the ends of driveways to residences and businesses, and we have to politely decline those requests. If we took the time to do that for the thousands of driveways we plow past, we would never be able to get the streets done. We also can't simply lift the blade and not plow in front of driveways, for the same reason. 
• Our street crews work 12 hour shifts, 24 hours/day, until the streets are adequately clear or until they no longer can do it under the law (due to driving hour restrictions for CDL license holders). 
• Sometimes it takes a while to get to the residential streets, because there is no sense plowing residential streets if the main streets aren't passable. Oftentimes the main streets need multiple passes to keep them clear, especially early during a storm when snow is still falling or blowing. 
• Our dump trucks are all 20-25 years old with significant maintenance issues, and it's not always easy to get parts for them. This is something our new Public Works Director identified as a problem last winter and has taken steps to address. Over the summer we put in orders for three brand new dump trucks, which are under construction and should be here soon. We would have loved to have them already, but unfortunately cities all over the country are in the same boat and there is some backlog in production.  

The city appreciates your patience during major winter storms like this week. Thankfully in Southeast Missouri we only have to deal with weather like this a few weeks out of the year. Thanks for looking out for your neighbors, driving carefully, and for the kind words many of you have expressed for our hard working Public Safety and Public Works employees!

Sledding at the Sports Complex. Please park at the Clinton Building and not on N Ingram Rd.

DPS sponsors St Patty's 5K Run for Special Olympics

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a big supporter of Special Olympics. DPS employees are currently organizing the 2nd Annual St Patty's 5K Run for Special Olympics to be held on 03/14/2015. DPS is seeking sponsors, volunteers, and runners for the event. The deadline for preregistration for runners is 02/28/2015. See http://www.sikeston.org/DPS_St_Patty_s_5K_Run_2015.pdf for more information! 

Too cold to work?

No way! But what does a street or park maintenance worker do when it's in the single digits outside? There's usually not much grass to mow, and patching potholes doesn't work as well in extreme cold, so usually they come inside and catch up on some projects in the shop. They are probably happy not to be plowing snow in the middle of the night! Here's a great story about City of Sikeston crews coming in from the cold to complete maintenance projects they will be too busy for once spring arrives.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/27796355/outside-workers-working-indoors-due-to-extreme-cold. 

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Citizens nationwide are celebrating Law Enforcement Appreciation Day today, January 9, 2015. In Sikeston, several local businesses as well as the hospital are sponsoring appreciation events for local law enforcement officers. At City Hall, we wore blue to show appreciation for our law enforcement officers, including the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. Sikeston DPS employs around 80 police, fire, and dispatch professionals who work odd hours, sacrifice holidays with families, deal with unpleasant situations, and face life threatening danger to protect and serve our community. We are proud of the work they do, and grateful for their dedication, professionalism, bravery, and compassion.   

Sikeston City Hall employees wear blue in appreciation of our law enforcement officers. 

Wakefield Bridge Replacement Starts First Week of January

Starting the first week of January, and lasting approximately 3 months, the Wakefield Bridge will close for demolition and reconstruction. The bridge is located on Wakefield Ave near the power plant, and crosses Richland Drainage District Ditch No. 4. Wakefield Ave will be closed to through traffic from Euclid Ave west to State Route BB/Brown Spur Rd. Access to the power plant and residences along Wakefield Ave will be maintained throughout the project.

Throughout Missouri, bridges are inspected every two years by MoDOT. After the most recent inspection of the Wakefield Bridge, the load limit was reduced from 40 tons to 10 tons due to deteriorating conditions caused by wear and tear on the bridge structure. The total replacement of the bridge is projected to cost $407,000, and 80% of that money is coming from MoDOT/FHWA Surface Transportation Program grants. The remaining $81,400 is coming from City of Sikeston funds.

 

Chief Juden named President of Missouri Police Chiefs Association

Sikeston Public Safety Chief Drew Juden was named President of the Missouri Police Chiefs Association last week. Chief Juden has worked for Sikeston DPS for over 35 years, and now oversees all police and fire operations for the city. Congratulations, Chief Juden, we are privileged to have you protecting our community!
http://www.kfvs12.com/story/27634942/veteran-heartland-officer-to-take-over-as-mos-top-chief?autostart=true

Three Rivers College Set to Open in January

I had the pleasure of touring the new Sikeston Campus of Three Rivers College yesterday. Three Rivers staff has been moving from their old building into the new one over the past couple of weeks, and students will begin attending class at the new building on January 12. Enrollment will be around 500 students this semester, and ultimately is hoped to increase to 1,500 - 1,800 students. The state-of-the-art new facility features a library, 4 computer labs, a FEMA certified safe room and more. One of the most exciting elements is the simulator lab for the nursing program, where students will learn in a simulated hospital environment using modern medical equipment and computerized dummies. See below for some pictures of the new facility.  

Front of building, pre-landcaping

Administrative offices

Atrium at front entrance

Simulator lab for the nursing program

Science lab

Science lab

Library

Overlooking the atrium

Computer lab

Conference room (doubles as FEMA certified safe room)