Kiwanis Club partnership to add playground equipment at South Park

By Jessica Breger Special to Monett Monthly

The Monett City Council met in July to discuss city utility and city business issues. 

Mayor Randy Burke began the meeting by showing gratitude for the successful Independence Day celebrations. 

“I do have to express my thanks for everyone who participated out in the park for the 4th of July,” he said. “I remember growing up here, that was one of the biggest things, that and the festival of lights, and it’s gotten better and better. I think we’ve had something like 3,700 people. That’s teamwork to do big things, good things for the citizens.”

The board held a first discussion on an upgraded utilities metering system for the city. 

“There are a lot of advantages to going into this advanced metering system,” Burke said. 

Burke said this updated metering system would not only be more reliable, but it would also allow for more accurate measurement of what residents actually use, and it can be done remotely.

He said currently, the city is having to replace approximately 100 water meters each month due to meter failure. 

The order being discussed would provide 5,000 water meters and 5,000 electrical meters to give a city wide overhaul. 

No motion was made during the meeting, as the council is seeking bids for the project. 

The city approved the placement of a new municipal judge for the city. Judge Randee Stemmons will be replacing Judge Scott Stifferman as heretires.

The city also approved a resolution to partner with the Kiwanis Club of Monett to make playground improvements in the South Park.

Commissioner Ken Gaspar said this agreement will allow the Kiwanis Club to install new playground equipment, adding to the “kiddie park” already established at Monett’s South Park.

“They’ve raised some money to be able to upgrade that apparatus, so this really just codifies the partnership between Kiwanis Club and the city of Monett,” Gaspar said. 

The next regular city council meeting will be held August 14.

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.