GARFIELD -- Streets and signs are to be the focus of the Planning Commission.
Four of five Planning Commission members met with Mayor Gary Blackburn to discuss their focus during a regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 27.
Bill McClain, president of the Planning Committee, and Gayla Schuster, Patricia Lee and Ellen King, were at the meeting. Katherine Stroud was absent.
McClain had written Blackburn asking what Blackburn sees as the focus. He asked the mayor if additional training would be required and what resources would be available.
Blackburn told the planners said he hopes the City Council and Planning Commission will be able to focus on similar goals and objectives. He said he believes routine street maintenance is the bailiwick of Mickey Kelley, the city's street and water employee. He said road improvement projects could be recommended by the planners and sent to the council for final approval.
Sign regulations is a priority, especially with the new U.S. Highway 62 corridor, Blackburn told planners. "I expect there to be an influx of large commercial 'bill-board signs' and city officials need to control the issue.
"The number one priority is to get the sign ordinance out and bring it up to date," the mayor said.
When asked if planners need to meet more often, he said: "As long as it's legal, moral and approved by the council, I serve at the will of the council."
Blackburn said the city's budget is reviewed every quarter and if there is a need to meet more often, the budget can be adjusted to accommodate that.
Taking advantage of the expertise of the Ozark Regional Planning Commission was advised, with Blackburn offering to set up training if necessary.
"My experience has taught me, people don't plan to fail, they simply fail to plan," the mayor said. "If Garfield has controlled growth, it will be because the Planning Commission and the City Council have worked together."
General News on 03/04/2015