Monett leaders commit $50,000 for economic development

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

The Monett City Council focused primarily on the Main Street program during its regular June meeting.

According to the ordinance discussed, Monett Main Street, Inc. is an organization to encourage development, revitalization, preservation and beautification of the historic downtown district.  

The ordinance then states that the City agrees to commit $50,000, for economic development, with Main Street.

Commissioner Ken Gaspar expressed reservation in passing the resolution and asked if the item could be delayed for the July council meeting to review possible amendments.

“The problem I have with that is that it’s a time-sensitive issue because there’s significant grants where that window closes for Main Street on 1 July,” Mayor Randy Burke said.

Gaspar pointed out that the grant in question also has an October application, however with a total of 13 possible grants awaiting support, Mayor Burke said he would not be comfortable delaying the motion to support the Main Street program and possibly missing any other deadlines. 

Gaspar said he has up to four amendments that would apply “some terms and conditions on the disbursement of the funds.”

“I would pledge to say that my amendments could make it almost a guarantee that Monett Main Street receives funds and proceeding with the existing language we run the risk of receiving no funds,” Gaspar said.

Gaspar said as the motion sat, the council would provide an initial investment of $25,000 to the program and another $25,000 in six months with “no terms and conditions attached.”

Burke explained that the second payment would be contingent upon council review of Main Street expenditures to ensure funds were spent in accordance with the agreement. 

Monett resident Carl Norton began the public comments portion of the council meeting addressing the same point Gaspar presented.

“Most Monett citizens are unfortunately uninformed about Main Street’s existence and the fact that the City of Monett has been providing a $25,000 annual grant to the program for several years,” Norton said.

Norton went on to say that if asked, most residents would say that infrastructure is a higher priority than the Main Street program, as residents do not know what the program provides. 

“Now, Main Street is requesting additional funding and the specifics on the deliverables are no better,” Norton said. “The best that can be said is the details of the Main Street’s request are not sufficiently identified for the council’s adoption at this time. If the best interest of the tax paying public is to be protected therefore further deliberation on the part of the city council prior to making a commitment for additional funds is critical and would provide the opportunity to inform the citizens on the details resulting in a greater level of support from the public.”

Other residents questioned what businesses are benefiting from the program, noting local businesses’ contributions to the betterment of the city that have not been supported by the city or Main Street program. 

Upon the second reading of the item, Burke explained the ordinance in more detail for the public audience. 

“We have a base contract with Main Street,” he said. “We contract Main Street to revitalize downtown, and we do give them $25,000 a year. We haven’t gotten too much out of that, and the Main Street board is very different than it was a year ago.”

Burke added that with new staff, they have also been tied into the Missouri Main Street program. He the grants the Main Street program applies for to aid the city are often reliant on the program having city support. 

He also said he wanted to stress this additional $50,000 is a one-time investment into the program and the annual amount going forward would revert back to $25,000.

He noted that the council recently saw results from the city’s survey on city development, which showed interest in a revitalized downtown.

“To me this is an issue of finances — we are running a $1.9 million dollar shortfall this year,” Gaspar said, noting the expenses of infrastructure projects, technology projects and increasing salaries as more vital expenses that funds already go to.

Monett resident Cassie Branch and other residents addressed that council in support of the motion for additional funding, stating the desire to provide entertainment and space for children and young adults to stay in Monett. 

The motion passed with a two to one vote, with Gaspar holding a “no” vote.  

Ordinances allowing progress on the Lowes Lane Expansion and Chapel Drive Overpass Projects were also passed during the meeting.

Regular City Council Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Monett School District Board Room, with video available on the city’s website the following day.