The California City Council approved a request by the library in the city for utility assistance in the amount of $5,000 for the year at its April 3 council meeting, following discussion of the need of the library services.
The city had made the same arrangement with the library before the city library tax passed about 2004. That tax was recently ruled to have been not legally passed.
Representatives of Missouri American Water's East Central Missouri Operation appeared before the city council to discuss the possibility of working with the city to incorporate the sewer system serving Hickory Hills and Temple Terrace, west of California, into the city's treatment system. The Hickory Hills Water and Sewer System became a part of Missouri American in December 2015.
After discussion, it was approved for the company's representatives to meet to discuss the matter with Bartlett and West, who are engineers for the city's sewer system. It must be determined what improvements would have to be done for the Hickory Hills sewer system to be connected to the California system.
Mayor Norris Gerhart said the burden of the cost of upgrades must not fall on the citizens of California. The discussion on the matter involved City Attorney Ann Perry, and water and wastewater supervisor Kyle Wirts, the council and mayor.
In other new business, Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) requested permission to use the gazebo at Smith Burke Park to participate in the Summer Food Program and distribute lunch to kids. The object is to use the facility Monday through Friday for 30 minutes each day during the summer months. CMCA also cancelled a planned 5k event, which had been planned for May 6.
The council approved a request by California Kids, LLC, for a closure of a portion of Lake Drive on April 28 for a trike-a-thon to benefit St. Jude's It is estimated there will be 25 participants in the event. The street is needed to set up the tracks for the young people to use.
In old business, the council was informed that the 2016 sanitary sewer project has not been started, due to other on-going projects. Work is due to start on April 17, with the project completed by Aug. 6.
The council was also given information on the progress on sewer improvements in the northwest quarter of town. The city is still negotiating with several area land owners.
The next regular monthly meeting is set for May 1 at the California City Hall.