The City of Parkville is vying for its share of county money to improve English Landing Park facilities.
Last month, the board approved applications to the Platte County Parks and Recreation Outreach Grant, funded through the half-cent sales tax that expires this year.
Three grant projects are planned:
Pickle ball courts: The Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes the design and construction of two pickle ball courts in English Landing Park. Staff has identified an area near the first come/first serve shelters that would be the recommended location. The outreach grant could assist the city with the design and construction of the courts.
Roundabout improvements: In 2019, McAfee and Busch were improved with new asphalt. With the improvements to Busch, staff recommends making modifications to the existing traffic circle at the south end of Busch. Some suggestions include landscaping, sculpture or fountain features. The outreach grant could assist with design and construction of upgrades to the roundabout.
Waddell bridge lighting: The Parks CIP includes the improvements to the existing Waddell bridge, which includes installation of lighting and painting of the existing bridge. The outreach grant could assist with hiring a contractor to install the lighting.
The board also approved a five percent sewer rate increase last month. A public hearing on the increase was held, with no members of the public speaking out.
Alderman Dave Rittman said that due to recent proactive efforts to locate weak spots in the sewer system before they fail the current increase would help head off more costly repairs in the future.
For the past five years, the city has been ramping up sewer fees to pay for previous repairs and the new preventative maintenance program. From 2017 to 2019, 10 percent annual increases were approved. The five percent increase approved for 2020 is a reduction from the previous fee increases and will increase the average sewer bill by $2.52 per month.