​​Weston • Platte County • Missouri

The Weston Chronicle

Preparing for Winter

MoWest’s Bushman Planetarium shows

--Food Assistance Available

After an hour long, sometimes loud, discussion behind closed doors between the Weston Aldermen and Public Works Director Eric Mosier....no change, at least publicly Monday night.
“They didn’t fire me,” Mr. Mosier said as he left the back room. “And I’m not going to quit.”
Aldermen did not comment on the session with Mr. Mosier as they filed back in to the room.
They did announce they were offering former City Clerk Tammy Weaver a part time job, 3 days a week, five hours a day, to help with the work load at City Hall. That was at 11:45 p.m.
The open session lasted until 9:42, when the Aldermen went in to closed session to discuss legal matters and personnel.
In the open session, they heard reports from Chamber President Erik Olson and Treasurer Mel Beverlin. Mr. Olson reported on the advertising campaign the Chamber is conducting on Facebook, and the cost of boosting posts to areas outside a 50 mile radius of Weston. By doing that, the Chamber qualifies for a 50/50 matching grant from Missouri, leveraging the Chamber’s $1,000 for a $2000 cost of promoting shopping in Weston.
Mayor Kim Kirby quizzed him on the expenditures, then whether the Chamber had approved a new contract. Mr. Olson said he had dropped off a signed copy the same week he got the final form, but no one at the meeting  remembered seeing it “I’ll run another copy and get it down tomorrow,” he said.
Looking at a hand written list of income and expenses presented by Mr. Beverlin, the mayor said the aldermen had an obligation to see that the tax money supplied by the taxpayers was spent on what it was supposed to be spent on.
“We are showing what we spent the tax payyer money on,” Mr. Beverlin said. “We are not a city committee
“Does your Quick Books program show taxes separate from Chamber money?” she replied. “I would like to see what was spent this year.”
“Are you calling my a liar?” Mr. Beverlin replied. 
Mr. Olson stepped in and asked if she wanted last month’s accounts. 
“I asked for August September and October accounting of where the money is spent,” Mayor Kirby responded. “I’m just trying to look out for the money for our citizens.”
The Chamber receives two-thirds of the tourist tax money, generally over $50,000 per year.
Parking Restrictions
Parking on the streets in Citadel Addition will be confined to one side of Citadel Drive and Summerset as soon as signs go up, or at least by December 1. Parking will be allowed on the west side of Citadel Drive, and on the south side of Summerset from Pearl Drive to the upper end of the street.
Citadel has been on the list of one-side parking streets, but it was never enforced. Summerset was added to the list after a 4-0 vote Monday night. There have been numerous complaints about congested parking on Summerset, leading to the move. In addition, the Fire Department is constructing an entry to the addition. The drive will be used for emergencies only.
The Aldermen sent two applications for Bed and Breakfast facilities, and a statement that the city would not regulate seasonal window paintings in downtown, but would expect commercial window paintings to be regulated under the sign ordinance.
The Aldermen voted to pursue deleting the pre-1984 city sticker for vehicles from residents’ property taxes. “It’s too late to do it this year, but we should get rid of it for next year,” Mayor Kirby said. The $5 per vehicle tax shows up as WCFEE on the property taxes. She noted that anyone who had a car licensed in another state did not pay the tax, and that there were a lot of them in the city. 
“It’s not fair to those who license their cars in Missouri,” she said. Alderman Greg Hoffman responded, “It’s not that much, so why don’t we keep it?” In the end, they voted 4-0 to take steps to remove the fee.
Aldermen voted to check on the actions being taken at the Weston Cafe building, where the front wall has bulged out to 4 inches off vertical. At a special meeting recently the building was declared a dangerous building. A hearing on it could be scheduled at a special Budget Meeting 6:00 Tuesday, October 25. 
Alderman Hoffman suggested that bracing for the wall might keep it from coming out further.
City Attorney Jeff Deane told the aldermen they don’t have to wait for it to start falling to step in. “You can take immediate action, like bracing,” he said. “The action is not meant to ake the  building, but to move fast enough that she still has a building to save.”
Sparks flew again, with a review of a Park Board plan for a 2-block trail through the wooded area on an easement connecting Welt Street between Market and Short Streets.
Mr. Hoffman presented a plan for the trial, calling it the missing link to Welt Street.
He said there have been no objections by the adjacent property owners and the Park Board will do a survey to be sure of the boundaries.
He asked for final approval of the plan so the Park Board could pursue grants to help cover the cost.
With a 30 foot drop to the creek area at both ends, dump truck load of dirt will need to be added so it can be ADA accessible. He said it would also be paved with asphalt or concrete. 
He was asked if the city still had an easement between the Inn at Weston Landing and the Spinner House on Short Street.
“That’s on my list of things to verify,” he said.
“I’m not comfortable with trails through people’s back yards” Mayor Kirby said.
“It’s not in anyone’s back yard,” he responded.
“It’s next to their yards,” she replied
“The trail is on the street easement,” he countered. “We could build a road on it.”
“We’re not building a road on it. We have a beautiful connectivity plan called sidewalks,” she said. “Some of them you designed. We made the sidewalks for people to use for exercise and connecting.”
When asked if the trail would be closed after dark, he said it might be lighted, which also drew criticism. In the end, the vote was 3-1 to approve the concept, with Joyce Burch voting against it because the city might not own some of the land involved. “But I want an up date on the project as it goes along,” Mayor Kirby said.
Don Browning was appointed to Planning & Zoning.

Drama, Parking & Tax Relief at City Hall

As the Government Shutdown continues and SNAP assistance is uncertain, food assistance is continuing in the area.
A new Food Pantry is being organized to provide food every second Thursday of the month, depending on the demand. Plans are to have the pantry open 3 to 7 p.m, starting Thursday, November 13.
The assistance is an alliance of the Ministerial Alliance and the Democratic Women’s Club for Northern Platte County. For questions about how to make donations of hygine, paper goods and shelf stable foods, call Melissa Hickman at 816-739-3189.
Missouir WIC benefits will be available for redemption in Missouri into November, according to the MO Dept. of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Women, Infants and Children(WIC) provides quality nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, nutritious foods and referrals to health services to qualifying individuals. Continue to watch for updates at wic.mo.gov.
The Harvesters Food Truck deliveries continue at the Weston City Hall parking lot. The next distribution is Friday, November 21, starting around noon.

State Emergency Management Agency and National Weather Service workers ask you toconsider these additional winter weather preparedness tips:  
• Create a family emergency plan and home emergency kit. Emergency supplies should include bottled water, canned and dry foods, battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, manual can opener and a first-aid kit. When power outages are possible, charge cell phones and other devices in advance so you are able to communicate if power is lost.
• Assemble a vehicle winter emergency kit. Include extra clothes, a blanket, radio/spare batteries, snacks/water, jumper cables, flares and a shovel/sand or shingles for tire traction.
• Avoid driving when conditions could deteriorate. Postpone travel if possible. If driving is absolutely necessary, keep your gas tank more than half full and your cell phone charged. Save emergency numbers for fast dialing. 
• Make sure alternate heat and power sources such as fireplaces, woodstoves, kerosene heaters and generators function properly. These sources can be dangerous and must be regularly maintained and operated. Keep the correct fuel for each source on hand in a safe location. Proper ventilation is essential and only operate generators outdoors. Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home to prevent serious illness or death. 
• Remember space heaters are potentially deadly when misused.  
For more winter weather tips, including safe driving techniques and preparing for power outages, please visit mo.gov/winter-weather-safety/.

The Bushman Planetarium at Missouri Western State University will present a public showing of “Nine Planets and Counting” and “Journey to the Stars”  at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.
 
“Nine Planets and Counting”
Take a tour to explore the variety of objects that populate the solar system. Along the way, examine each planet individually and then step back to look at the big picture: rocky worlds compared to gas giants and more. Learn what a planet is and how many call the solar system home.
 
“Journey to the Stars”
Witness the life and death of stars, including the sun. Extraordinary images captured by telescopes on Earth and in space, combined with stunning never-before-seen images of physics-based simulations, will launch through time and space for an incredible trek through the night sky. Tour stellar formations, explore new celestial mysteries and discover the fascinating story that connects Earth to the stars. Those who come along for the journey may never see the sky in the same way again. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg.
 
The Bushman Planetarium is located in Agenstein Hall, room 147. The planetarium features a Digistar 4 projection system and a dome that is tilted slightly, rather than directly overhead, making viewing easier. The Dolby 5.1 surround sound system enhances your viewing experience.
 
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children age 13 and under, students, employees, military, and senior citizens age 60 and up. Planetarium tickets must be purchased in advance, either online at missouriwestern.edu/planetarium or in person between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call 816-271-4288 or email planetarium@missouriwestern.edu for more information.

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