Marion County Commission Weighs Road Safety, Bridge Options And Zoning Change

PALMYRA, Mo. — Marion County commissioners spent the first half of April addressing road safety concerns, reviewing a bridge engineering study,
approving a rezoning request and continuing work on courthouse maintenance and records preservation.
During its April 13 meeting, the commission approved the rezoning of 70.5 acres owned by Brad Peters from A-1 agricultural to R-R rural residential, following a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioners Lacey Miller and Larry Welch made and seconded the motion, with Presiding Commissioner J. David Lomax joining in unanimous approval.
Also on April 13, Roderick Bartlett appeared before the commission to raise safety concerns about increased traffic on County Road 422, also known
as Paris Gravel Road. Bartlett told commissioners traffic has grown worse in recent years and said he believes some motorists are using the road as a substitute route following the defeat of the bypass proposal. He asked the
county to consider more signage, lower speed limits, a child safety sign near Bear Creek, a stop sign at County Roads 418 and 422, and increased law enforcement presence during busy periods. Commissioners said they would
discuss possible sign locations and contact MoDOT about additional signage.
Commissioners also heard from Great River Engineering’s Krysta Swartz, who presented the BEAP study for the bridge on County Road 153 over a branch of the South Fabius River. Swartz outlined three options: replacing the bridge with a spread box beam bridge, replacing it with a reinforced concrete box culvert, or repairing and widening the existing structure.
Great River recommended the first option, citing long-term cost effectiveness, safety improvements and reduced maintenance. Commissioner Miller said the county expects to learn more by June about
possible BRO program funding.
Road issues on County Road 365 remained on the commission’s agenda at both April meetings. On April 6, C.B. Keller asked the commission to
address trailers and other items he said were encroaching on the roadway right-of-way and creating visibility and safety concerns. Commissioners said letters had already been sent and directed County Coordinator Teya Stice to issue a final notice while Miller planned to contact the Marion County Prosecutor.
When the matter returned on April 13, Marion County Surveyor Jason Janes discussed whether the county has a right-of-way interest there and whether any special road districts exist that would affect the issue. After discussion, the commission decided to have a letter served by the Sheriff’s
Office to the property owners.
The commission also continued monitoring several county facilities projects. Stice reported April 6 that new carpet was scheduled for the Public
Administrator’s Office, with the Recorder’s Office to follow, and that the county was still working through HVAC issues at the courthouse. She also said the Secretary of State’s office planned to send an archivist to review records for possible digitization, while Iron Mountain was contacted regarding Planning and Zoning files.
At the April 13 meeting, Stice said air conditioning had been turned on at the Palmyra Courthouse and would soon be activated at the Hannibal
Courthouse, but said boiler work still had not been completed and must be finished by October. She also reported continued progress on office carpeting. Marion County Clerk Marla Meyers later reviewed April sales and use tax revenues and fund balances, telling commissioners both remained healthy.
In other business, commissioners on April 13 approved the collector’s March report, additions and releases to the tax book, and monthly fee reports from several county offices, including the sheriff, recorder, public administrator, county clerk, circuit clerk and prosecutor’s office.
Earlier, on April 6, the commission joined Monroe and Ralls county officials in a Teams meeting regarding the HVAC system at the Juvenile Justice Center. After reviewing four bids, the three counties unanimously selected Peters for the project at a cost of $8,019.