Palmyra City Council Reviews Busy Agenda of Parks, Utilities, Safety, and City Projects

By Ella Aguilar

The Palmyra City Council received updates on a wide range of city business this week, including a student conservation project, park improvements, utility work, public safety efforts, and staffing changes across several departments. Council members also approved Bill 1676 during the meeting.
A highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Palmyra Elementary fourth graders, who shared their hands-on bat box project at Flower City Park. The students researched bats, studied their habitat needs, and helped build and install the boxes as part of a classroom conservation effort. Council members praised the project for combining science education with a practical approach to supporting local bat populations and reducing insect pests in the park.
Parks and recreation updates focused on several ongoing projects. The Hutcherson Trail project, supported by a Missouri Trails Grant, is moving forward again after proposed changes were approved and the project was resubmitted for bid. At Foster Field, the Parks and Recreation Board approved bidding on the second phase of improvements, which includes concrete seating, retaining walls, and plaza-style spectator areas. Irrigation work for the outfield is also being bid, and Bleigh Ready Mix has offered
discounted concrete pricing to help with the project.
The Palmyra Community Pool is open for the season following patchwork floor repairs. Lifeguards have been certified and will take part in a full orientation on pool operations and emergency procedures. Summer ball is already underway and will continue through July 2, while a softball tournament is scheduled for June 3. The Flower City Open Disc Golf Tournament also drew more than 120 participants despite weather-related course challenges.
Public works departments reported steady progress on water, wastewater, and street maintenance. Utility easement agreements are still pending for sewer main and raw water line projects, and the city has extended an offer to a candidate for the wastewater plant. Staff is also dealing with a PLC failure in the aeration system and continuing to troubleshoot foaming issues with outside support. Routine work such as mowing, spraying, service installations, and equipment upgrades is ongoing, including an effluent meter on order and a VFD planned for Well #7.
The street department reported that Old Truck 1 has been sold, both summer workers have started, and first-round mowing is complete, with weed-eating nearly finished. Crews are also preparing to patch leftover asphalt utility cuts from winter, and a new skid steer with a milling head arrived on May 20 for future asphalt repairs. The next yard waste pickup is set for June 1.
Electric utility crews also gave an update, including the start of a new BPW employee, Levi Camp, on May 18. Workers are checking poles along the SW feeder and have found several in poor condition. Pole and light replacement was completed at the softball field, and the purchase of a digger derrick was discussed.
Public safety and code enforcement remained active topics. City officials said enforcement of the trailer ordinance is now underway, even though they acknowledged it can be difficult. The police department is preparing for active-threat training at the high
school and is also training a new Canton officer beginning June 1.
Two new officers are expected to be ready for duty around June 25, and dash cameras have been ordered with installation expected by mid-June.
Other municipal business included plans for MECO engineering to review the structural integrity of four city-owned buildings later in May. Safety and code enforcement staff also continue playground and building inspections, while residents who still have cleanup items remaining have been warned that follow-up citations could be issued if the items are not removed.
Overall, the meeting reflected a city keeping pace with summer demands while advancing long-term projects in parks, utilities, public safety, and infrastructure.