VIENNA — The Vienna City Council is looking at options for placing a pole with a light near the intersection of US 63 and Independence Lane in Vienna as it is very dark area and Police Chief Shannon Thompson said it has become an urgent safety issue.

The council discussed the matter during the December meeting when Chief Thompson said the intersection that is heavily used by G&W Foods and Checo’s customers, at night is dark and dangerous, especially for older folks who may miss the turn because they can’t see Independence Lane. Already there have been three accidents, he said.

Clerk Sherry James said they talked to Three Rivers Electric and were told the Three Rivers pole there is a transformer pole and a light can’t be put on it. Chief Thompson said then they need “to set another pole.” Clerk James said it is a place where the electric companies’ services meet.

South Ward Alderwoman Brenda Davis said it sounds like this is a “desperate need.” Mayor Tyler James said it may be only a matter of setting a pole. Thompson said it costs $700 to set a pole and the city may have to pay for it. He said at 6 p.m. its dark and the lack of adequate light there has caused accidents. When First Community Bank left Vienna, they took the light off of their sign and that is the reason that area is dark now. Thompson said this is a safety issue. He asked Utilities Superintendent Shon Westart to put reflective paint there to try to help the situation. Clerk James said they will check with MoDOT about this intersection and the city’s concerns.

In other business at the December Vienna City Council meeting:

—The council members discussed using a sewer fund CD to transfer into the operating sewer fund to pay Mid-State Pipeline for the lift station project The bill from Mid-State is $168,420 and Clerk James said she will transfer the amount needed to pay the bill.

—Clerk James reported about half of the taxes charged to her to collect have been paid. She is in conversation with Collector Jayne Williams about paying the county to collect city taxes. No decisions have been made on this.

—Mayor James said everyone is on board and the ball is rolling to dissolve the Vienna Community Development Corporation (VCDC). There will be a public hearing in January before the council’s meeting if the required public notice precedes it. This is the public’s opportunity to comment on the dissolution of the VCDC, which will leave its remaining assets, including the spec building at the Tom Coffey Industrial Development Park, to the City of Vienna.

—Mayor James said MoDOT is paying to bring the sidewalk on the south side of Highway 42 East, from the Lemberger building to the school. It will be brought up to code. Clerk James said they need to look at the deep gully on the north side of Highway 42 at the US 63 intersection.

—Davis asked Clerk James to thank Shon Westart and Dominic Struemph for putting up the Christmas lights in town.

—In the financial report, Clerk James reported cash fund balances: General Fund $47,701.53, Water Fund $101,148.47, Street Fund $7,755.36, and Sewer Fund $67,525.47.

Year-to-date fund revenues and expenditures were reported: General Fund revenues $134,126.90 42 percent of budget) and expenditures $115,750.34 (36 percent of budget); Water Fund revenues $74,695.38 (45 percent) and expenditures $57,453.06 (39 percent); Street Fund revenues $37,789.46 (39 percent) and expenditures $233,870.26 (77 percent); and Sewer Fund revenues $38,268.51 (51 percent) and expenditures $12,422.10 (6 percent).