Kirksville Connection for June 2023
City Council announces results of Kirk’s Capital Improvement Tournament
In mid-March, the City announced Kirk’s Capital Improvement Tournament, a single-elimination tournament bracket consisting of 16 community projects, as a way to seek public input on how the City Council should allocate $3,574,148. That public input was to be one factor used to assist the City Council in its effort to determine how to spend one-time funds. The City launched the Tournament in mid-March, giving anyone who wished to complete a tournament bracket input into which projects should be considered. The program ran through the end of April with all bracket submissions sent directly to Polished Productions Consulting.
With more than 500 bracket submissions, the appreciation for and input from the public encouraged the City Council to accept the tournament project rankings. “We were glad that this process got people engaged and will allocate the available funds based on the community’s rankings,” said Mayor Zac Burden.
Based on the rankings, the City will allocate funds to support six projects: North Park Soccer Fields base funding ($1,000,000), Housing Demolition ($200,000), Trail Funding ($450,000), Sidewalk Improvements ($450,000), Purchase and Improvements to the Armory ($750,000), and the remaining funds to Housing Restoration Projects ($724,148).
The City will meet soon to discuss implementation plans. The City will work to share updates with the community as progress is made. Following are the tournament results provided by Polished Productions Consulting.
For more information, please contact the City Manager at 660.627.1225.
Help with a public transit survey
The Northeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission needs your help as it updates its regional public transit plan. Public input is critically needed to properly assess transit options in the area.
Gathering this data is important because it can show a need for federal funds, document increased demand, identify opportunities to expand services, and give a voice to the underserved. To participate, fill out the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ BCZTL9J.
NEMO RPC covers Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Schuyler and Scotland counties, so the survey is available to all residents of those counties.
Summer fun in Kirksville parks
Weekends this summer will be busy with the Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department! Join us for Dollar Swim Nights at the Kirksville Aquatic Center on June 10, June 24, July 8 and July 29. There will be Movies in the Park on June 3, June 17, July 15 and August 5 at the Ray Klinginsmith Amphitheater in Rotary Park.
There are also four neighborhood block parties, which run from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Those are at PC Mills Park on July 9, Jaycee Park on July 16, Memorial Park on July 30, and Brashear Park on August 6.
The Kirksville Aquatic Center’s Outdoor Water Park will be open from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday each week, and 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday.
In addition, the free community wading pools open on May 30. A different wading pool will be open each day from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. That schedule is: Monday — P.C. Mills Park; Tuesday — Brashear and Jaycee parks; Wednesday — P.C. Mills Park; Thursday — Brashear and Jaycee parks; Friday — P.C. Mills Park; Saturday — Brashear Park; Sunday — Jaycee Park. They will be open until August 20, 2023.
Fire hydrant testing this month
The Fire Department will conduct their annual flow testing of City fire hydrants beginning in June. The testing will continue throughout the month and will ensure the hydrants function properly by flushing the hydrants, measuring their water output, and identifying and repairing any defects in the hydrants. This process may produce a temporary reddish-brown color in your tap water. If you notice this change in water color, simply run your tap water until it clears. The water does not pose a safety hazard and a boil order is not necessary.
We also ask that the traveling public exercise caution when encountering Fire Department personnel conducting the tests. Please drive slowly through any standing water.
For more information, contact the Fire Department at 660.665.3734.
Register for the Red, White and Blue Parade
The annual Red, White and Blue Parade will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023, starting at 10:00 am in Downtown Kirksville. Parade registration is now open! Applications can be found here: https://bit.ly/3MUFuA2.
The Parade is an exciting way to promote your business, organization, or group by reaching parade goers, while also making our community a better place this Fourth of July! Organizations and businesses may register to participate in the Parade by filling out the entry form and submitting it to the appropriate contact.
All contestants are encouraged to play patriotic music, and of course, deck your float out in red, white, and blue! The deadline for entry is Friday, June 23, 2023, to be included in the contest. The Kiwanis Club of Kirksville coordinates the float competition and trophies.
For more information, contact Parks and Recreation Director Rodney Sadler at 660.627.1485. You can also check out the full schedule of events for the All American Red, White, and Blue Festival at www.visitkirksville.com/redwhiteandblue.
Summer on the Square is back on the Square
The 2023 Summer on the Square Concert Series returns this month and is back at its usual home on the Adair County Courthouse lawn. Come out and see local musicians nearly each Friday night this summer.
Public Works helps water park open on schedule
Thanks to the dedicated staff in our Public Works Department, the Kirksville Aquatic Center’s Outdoor Water Park opened on time.
Staff from many departments within Public Works worked diligently to first figure out the cause of the water loss, then systematically worked through the underground piping systems to find the location and repair the main. Additional staff worked to bring online the mechanical systems that keep the outdoor pool functioning.
Having qualified and experienced staff members able to jump in when these types of events occur saves resources and time.
It wasn’t easy, and all involved staff felt the time crunch, but we have excellent problem-solvers. It’s just one example of how integral the Public Works Department is for the City of Kirksville.
Keep grass clippings off the streets
Now that the summer mowing season is here, we want to remind residents and landscapers to keep grass clippings off the streets and out of the City’s storm drains. Blowing grass and other yard debris onto the sidewalk, street, or stormwater system is a violation of the Municipal Code, and a danger to others.
Grass clippings, leaves, and other lawn debris can clog stormwater drains, resulting in flooding, and add unnecessary biological matter to our stormwater system. In addition to environmental harm, you may be creating a safety hazard. When blown into the street, clippings can create a slippery and dangerous surface for traveling motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Using a mulching mower puts clippings back into the turf and keeps the grass where it belongs. If you have a side discharge mower, please be sure to point the blower toward your property (away from the street) to prevent clippings from leaving the lawn. You may also choose to bag your clippings, but they may not be disposed of in your regular trash containers. Residents are encouraged to compost clippings on their property or take them to the City Brush Site, located at 22376 State Highway 6.
When you finish mowing, be sure to use a blower, broom, or rake to clean up any grass clippings or debris back into your yard where it will do the most good! For more information, contact Codes & Planning at 660.627.1272.
June event schedule
Kirksville Art Walk, June 2, 4:30 to 7:00 pm, Downtown Kirksville
3rd Annual Tim Vos Memorial Summer Kick-off Party, June 3, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park Pavilion.
A car and bike show with music, food, silent auction and raffle. Proceeds go to the Tim Vos Memorial Scholarship Fund.
KHS Baseball and Boys Basketball Rummage Sale and Pancake Breakfast, June 3, 7:00 to 11:00 am @ Kirksville Primary School.
Proceeds go to the Kirksville High School baseball and boys basketball teams.
Petroglyph Tour, June 9, 7:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park.
Thousand Hills State Park is home to a collection of petroglyphs or rock carvings made by ancestors of today’s American Indians. Explore the petroglyphs with park staff to learn more about this unique piece of history. Meet at the petroglyph shelter located next to the beach. All programs are weather permitting. Check out Thousand Hills State Park on Facebook for cancellations, location changes, and other park information, as well as info on other events this month.
Hope for Heroes 5K, June 10, 7:30 am @ the Adair County Family YMCA.
Hosted by The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, Hope for Heroes benefits veterans programs, including the VIP Veteran Pack Program. VIP Packs provide additional nutrition to food-insecure veterans, including ready-to-eat entrees, soup and fruit and vegetables in easy-to-open cans. They also provide toiletries such as razors, body wash and deodorant. The Food Bank distributes VIP Packs in 13 counties, with ongoing efforts to further expand the program. Register at sharefoodbringhope.org/hope5k.
Lawson Hill Flea Market/Antique & Junk Festival, June 10, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm @ Lawson Hill Antique Mall.
Kirksville City-Wide Garage Sales, June 23 and 24.
United Way Pie Contest and Auction, June 30, 6:00 pm @ the Courthouse Lawn.
The Fourth of July Festivities begin with a night of music and pie in Downtown Kirksville.
Kirksville’s Annual Red, White and Blue Festival, July 1. (Downtown)
Pancake Breakfast from 7:00 am to 10:00 am
7th Annual FLATS Uncle Sam 5K at 8:30 am
All-American Classic Car Show from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Parade at 9:00 am
Kirksville’s Annual Red, White and Blue Festival, July 1. (North Park)
ACAD Bats Up For Bruner Softball Tournament begins at 10:00 am
Block party with kids games and food begins at 5:00 pm
Boot Cut will play from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Fireworks at 9:30 pm
June meeting schedule
June 5: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
June 6: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center.
June 7: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 am @ Economic Development Alliance Building.
June 12: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
June 13: Airport and Transportation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center.
June 14: Planning and Zoning Commission, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
June 19: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.