Manila City officials worked through a lengthy agenda on Monday night. Among the topics discussed were variances, fall barbecue festival, potential grants, renovations, apartment construction, paving, pool openings, new rescue truck, a new pocket park, concession stand, clean-up and more.
Manila Mayor Wayne Wagner introduced Robert Tate who had addressed the council about changing a lot behind Subway from commercial to residential. Tate had requested the change to build one house on the lot.
Mayor Wagner said the request had been in the paper last month and city hall had not received any calls about it.
The council then voted to allow the change 5-0. Council members present were Donnie Wagner, Dale Murphy, Wendell Poteet, Jason Baltimore and Steven Milligan. William Barnhart was not present.
Tate then talked to the council asking them to consider a variance of set-back regulations on the older part of town where the lots are only 50’ wide.
Tate has been purchasing and removing older homes and replacing them with moderate priced brick homes.
“You have seen the houses I have been building,” he said. “My house plans are 28’ wide and with the setbacks that only leaves me about 20’ on the sides. The lots are big enough to go back leaving room in the front. These are affordable housing in Manila at about $150,000.”
He went on to say there are lots he could purchase and build nice homes around the school but the lots are narrow.
Mayor Wagner said Mr. Tate is asking for the variance only for the lots in the older part of town that are only 50’ wide, not for the new subdivisions or the larger lots.
“We need to meet with Mr. Tate and other builders and give an answer,” Mayor Wagner said. “We need to have the code enforcement officer look at the lots and talk to the neighbors.”
Councilman Milligan commented it would be a sensible decision. Councilman Baltimore asked the mayor to set up a meeting to discuss it. It could be that 10’ on each side would work on the narrow lots.
Tate said he has privacy fences on the homes he builds and it would not be a problem to add a second gate if it would help access for emergency situations.
Luke Baker then addressed the council about placing a shop on his property located behind the old Post Office. The building would be next to property owned by the city. The council approved the variance.
Ray Benson with the Mississippi County Extension Service, Moving Manila Forward Pilots Association, talked to the council about possible grants for projects including a Pocket Park. The proposed small park would be located behind Jordans on property owned by the city. The Pocket Park creates small spaces for walking, picnic tables, etc.
Benson said the city could coordinate the plans and if they are interested he could have an architect meet with them to discuss ideas. He said the Extension and Moving Manila Forward has been approved for a grant and he was wanting to give the council a heads up.
He went on to say the pilots group has been talking about making this space more available. Plans are to renovate the Airport Community Center. This could be a project the city and pilots association could coordinate. Benson said some small airfields similar to Manila have onsite restaurants.
“The ones I have visited with restaurants are always busy,” Benson said. “This could be a restaurant, a multi purpose building, or a combination. If there is an interest we can put something together. It is a good way to get visitors to Manila.”
Mayor Wagner asked for Benson to put together a presentation and they can meet and discuss a theme and what they would like to see happen.
Mayor Wagner said the rescue truck for the fire department has been ordered and should be delivered on May 20. Fireman Sonny Ray Dill discussed having the barbecue festival in the fall on Sept. 11.
Mayor Wagner asked the firemen to coordinate with the Lions Club on the Chili Cook-off.
Councilman Poteet said the chili cook-off is always held on the first Saturday in October.
Dill said plans to have the barbecue festival in September is just for this year only since it is the 20th anniversary of 9/11. He said they are planning 5K and 10K runs, a mile children’s run; a fighters walk; decorations in red, white and blue with a theme A Run to Remember. All of the activities will focus on Remembering 9/11. Next year it will go back to being held in April.
“We can make it all work if we work together,” Mayor Wagner said.
Mayor Wagner gave an update report on the new concession stand for the pool/park. He said Kerry Baker will install the heat and air conditioning at a cost of $7,000 and Jim Gifford will do the sheetrock at a cost of $1,350. Dr. Oldham is donating insulation for the concession stand. All of the fencing is complete except the food court area.
“It may not be ready for inside serving but it will be ready for window service when the pool opens,” Mayor Wagner said.
Maintenance Supervisor Danny Davis discussed purchasing a trailer and three open top containers to transport items to the landfill. It would save the city money and pay for itself in just a few months.
The council was interested and asked Mayor Wagner and Mr. Davis to do the research and put together a package.
Councilman Baltimore expressed his appreciation to Davis for looking for ways to save the city money even if it means more work.
In other business:
*Plans are to open the pool/water park on Memorial Day Weekend.
*The high school district baseball tournament will be held in Manila starting on Tuesday, April 27 through Friday, April 30.
*Several council members commented on the use of the park saying it is filled with people every night playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, kids at the new playground and baseball, softball and t-ball games and practices on all the fields.
*Mayor Wagner said bids are coming in for a new water well which will be located where the old Girl Scout Hut is located. He asked council members to be thinking of a new location for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts saying the city has a temporary building they can use.
*Several council members commended city residents for their clean up efforts during the two weeks of city clean up. Mayor Wagner said the city workers will pick up what is out after the deadline. They can call city hall with an address. Mayor Wagner said “The community did a good job and the city crew did a good job.”
*Council approved a highway department resolution for a 100 percent grant to pave/widen Olympia Street, Lake Street and part of Boston. Paving will be between $250,000 to $300,000 and should be done in the fall.
*Mayor Wagner said Dr. Oldham is ready to start building the remainder of the apartments off the Highway 18 bypass. They will be like the last ones he built. Mayor Wagner said, “they are nice and they are already filled.” Mayor Wagner said he also has the fence ordered but right now it is hard to get materials.
*Mayor Wagner updated the council on the installation of the new digital water meters. He said they have installed over 1,000 meters and still have about 300 to finish. They hope to be finished by Memorial Day.
*Mayor Wagner asked the council to be thinking about pool prices and rental prices. Training lifeguards was also discussed. Mayor Wagner said they will need more lifeguards with the addition of the new pool.