Kirksville Connection for February 2024
2024 State of the City Address
Mayor Zac Burden will deliver the 2024 State of the City Address at 5:30 pm on Monday, February 26 at the Rieger Armory. The event is free and open to the public, so stop by if you’re available. It will also be livestreamed on the City’s YouTube page. Come hear about key projects that will happen or begin in Kirksville in 2024.
City receives grant for school crosswalk improvements
The City of Kirksville has received funding from the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for a Transportation Alternatives Grant that will go toward crosswalk safety improvements near the city’s several educational campuses.
This grant award follows a previous grant the City received, which enabled a crosswalk study last year done by Allstate Consultants around the schools. The studied area covered 5.2 miles near A.T. Still University, Truman State University, Moberly Area Community College and Kirksville R-III Schools.
Recommendations from that study will now be implemented to further protect and enable pedestrians and cyclists in important parts of the community.
“These enhancements will bolster the safety of our many students, which can vary from young kids to adult medical students,” said City Manager Mari Macomber. “As Kirksville continues to become more walkable and bikeable, these crosswalks will see greater use among other community members too.”
Potential improvements include:
Repaired pavement at crosswalks
Replacement of current pavement markings or installation of new types
Creation of new crosswalks
Addition or reconstruction of curb ramps
Upgrades to new industry standards for lights or signage, such as crosswalk lights that are only enabled at the presence of a pedestrian
No speed limit issues were found as part of the study, so no changes were recommended with those. Of the surveyed areas, only four crashes with a pedestrian or cyclist have been reported since 2012. However, some crosswalks showed either pedestrians or motorists paid little attention to signage or lighting.
“Reducing the chance for something to go wrong is vital,” said Public Works Director Adam Dorrell. “If a new light gets a driver to make sure they slow down before a crosswalk, or a sign in a better spot can get someone to look both ways before they cross, that reduces those chances.”
The total project cost is estimated to be $425,000. The grant covers 80 percent, or $340,000, with the City paying the remainder.
The City of Kirksville looks forward to working with the schools and stakeholders to address the needs at these various crosswalks.
City gets grant to convert abandoned railway into new trail
The City of Kirksville has been awarded a Transportation Alternatives Program grant by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission that will be used to build a new multi-use trail on abandoned railroad land.
This project is phase one of a multi-phase project that will revitalize the obsolete rail corridor by providing a safe walking, biking and overall activity trail for residents.
The planned trail will start at existing sidewalk at the intersection of North Baltimore Street and East Cottonwood Street, continue northwest with a new crosswalk at Library Lane near the Adair County Public Library, and continue northwest to connect to planned sidewalk at North New Street.
In total, this will be approximately 1,400 feet of paved trail.
“This trail will connect important community centers such as the library, Rotary Park and Kirksville Aquatic Center to surrounding neighborhoods and businesses,” said City Manager Mari Macomber. “Additional phases of this trail project will create a great trail system across the north side of the City.”
Trail construction was a topic selected by the community as part of last year’s Kirk’s Capital Improvement Tournament. Funds designated from that will be used toward this project, as well as planned expansion in the future since this grant will help stretch those dollars.
Mark your calendar for Election Day
Mark your calendar for the upcoming Municipal Election on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Voters will be asked to elect one candidate for one seat on the City Council. It is for a full, three-year term. Following the election, the Council will hold a special meeting to select the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem on April 8.
Are you registered to vote? If not, the last day to register to vote in the upcoming Municipal Election is Wednesday, March 6, 2024. To register to vote, contact the Adair County Clerk’s Office by calling 660.665.3350. The Clerk’s Office can also give you your polling place within the City.
Business license renewals due
If you own or manage a Kirksville business, it’s time to complete your business license renewal for 2024.
Business license renewals were mailed the first week of January on green paper to valid business license holders. Business license renewals are due back to the City on or before February 29, 2024. Return the completed renewal form, along with all required documents and fees, to the Finance Department at City Hall.
If you have not received your renewal notice, please contact the Finance Department at 660.627.1251.
All licenses are delinquent if not renewed by February 29, therefore all delinquent businesses are subject to a late fee.
The failure of any contractor to renew a contractor's license by March 1 requires the contractor to pay a recertification fee of $100. The failure of any contractor to renew a contractor's license by March 31 requires any contractor who does not meet the waiver requirements to retest, regardless of previous waivers issued, and start the application process for a new business license. To receive a contractor, electrician, or plumber's license, the contractor has to pass their respective test, unless they qualify for an exemption to the testing which might be in effect at that time.
Additionally, the City would like to remind businesses of the Student Discount program. More than 20 local businesses are offering discounts or specials to students attending A.T. Still University, Moberly Area Community College’s Kirksville campus and Truman State University. If this is something your business is interested in, visit kirksvillecity.com/p/student-discount for information and to see which businesses are currently participating.
Truman’s 23rd annual BIG Event
As a way of saying thanks to the Kirksville community, Truman State University students, alumni, faculty, and staff are participating in the 23rd annual BIG Event. On Saturday, April 6, 2024, Truman volunteers will provide services to the residents of the community by raking leaves, washing windows, painting, and more. The Big Event gives Truman the opportunity to show appreciation for all of the support the Kirksville community has offered to them.
Are you a Truman student interested in volunteering at the BIG Event? Click here to sign up. Sign-ups for volunteers close on March 31, 2024.
Are you a local Kirksville resident interested in students performing service for them at the BIG Event? Click here to sign up. Sign-ups for local Kirksville residents close on March 30, 2024.
Parks and Recreation Department to begin seasonal hiring
The Parks and Recreation Department will begin hiring seasonal staff members in February and March. Do you have lifeguard experience? Would you like to umpire youth baseball and softball? There are several positions that offer fun and exciting experiences in the department.
Fill out this form to apply.
February events schedule
Professor Griff Lecture for Kohlenberg Lyceum Series, February 1, 7:00 pm @ Student Union Building Georgian Room
Professor Griff, an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and co-founding member of the hip-hop group Public Enemy, will speak at Truman as part of the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series. This event, taking place at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room, is in partnership with the Black History 101 Mobile Museum. Several artifacts will be on display and discussed during the presentation as part of the Music of the Movement Exhibit, an immersive experience that delves into the powerful impact of music on the social, cultural and political movements of the Black experience in America. The exhibit features a range of cultural and historical artifacts that include vinyl records, press photos, flyers, clothing items, contracts and other items from iconic artists who have shaped popular culture around the world.
Tickets are not required for this event. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to view the artifacts on display after the lecture.
NEMO Ag Show, February 3, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm @ NEMO Fairgrounds
James Thompson Guest Flute Recital, February 3, 2:00 pm @ Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall
This event is free and open to the public.
Thousand Hills Rotary Club Game Night, February 10, 5:30 pm @ Kirksville Country Club
This is a membership event for current members of Kirksville Thousand Hills Rotary and those who would like to learn more about this local service club. Thousand Hills Rotary is part of Rotary International, a worldwide service organization with more than 2 million members. Join us for an evening of fun and fellowship. There will be a variety of board games and card games available to play. Light refreshments will be served and beverages can be purchased from the bar. There is no cost to attend, RSVP to 660-343-6435 by Monday, February 5.
Piano Festival Guest Recital, February 16, 7:30 pm @ Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall
This recital is free and open to the public.
Dancing at Lughnasa, February 22 through 25 @ James G. Severns Theatre
Set in 1936 rural Ireland, this poignant play follows five unmarried sisters trying to make ends meet. Set during the festival of Lughnasa, an ancient Celtic harvest celebration, the family’s struggles are interrupted by brief, colorful bursts of music from the radio, their only link to the larger world. Told from the point of view of the seven-year-old son of one of the sisters, this memory play reveals this family’s resilience in the face of change. Widely regarded as Brian Friel’s masterpiece, this haunting play is Friel’s tribute to the spirit and valor of the past. Get tickets at https://trumanstateuniversity.tixtrack.com/tickets/series/DancingatLughnasa.
February meeting schedule
February 5: City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
February 6: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Aquatic Center
February 7: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 pm @ Economic Development Alliance Building
February 12: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
February 14: Planning and Zoning Commission, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
February 19: City offices closed for President’s Day
February 22: Friends of Forest-Llewellyn Cemetery Committee, 4:00 pm @ City Hall