BELLE — Belle aldermen on Nov. 12 balked at the idea of spending $21,606.46 of the city’s funds as part of its 20 percent match for a $175,194 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) that was awarded around 2020. However, despite concerns they gave Archer-Elgin Engineering approval to move forward with the project.

The original grant applied for $218,992.51 to help develop the city’s portion of the Rock Island Trail through the city limits, as reported in the Feb. 23, 2022, edition of The Advocate. A 20 percent match of $43,798.51 was required, of which the city could apply $22,492.55 of the in-kind match and $21,305.96 in cash. Archer-Elgin provided a document showing the city’s in-kind match has increased to $21,606.45.

Both Aldermen Jeanette Struemph and Steve Vogt were part of the original administration that applied for the grant. However, Struemph spoke the most against funding the completed project, along with Mayor James (Pudd) Mitchell, as she believed the city’s entire portion could be applied in the in-kind match.

Alderman Kevin Guffey said the board discussed splitting the project between two budget years or taking the $21,606 from the capital improvements fund so it wasn’t such a big financial hit to the city.

“Budget it in and make sure we’re not spending too much,” Guffey said.

Vogt said he understands it sounds like a lot of money to some people, but it’s spending $21,000 to receive $174,194 on a $218,000 project.

“It’s cost-effective when you put it that way,” Vogt said.

Guffey asked if they needed vote or a board resolution for Archer-Elgin to move forward with the project or if it was just and update. Travis Hernandez with Archer-Elgin was present to answer any questions for the board. According to his letter, with the board’s consensus the project can begin and expected completion is estimated Oct. 31, 2025.

Hernandez said he didn’t believe he needed a board resolution.

“It is an update for the steps to proceed,” he said. “We are nearly complete with the plan’s specifications so we can go out to bid. If the board is comfortable with the current financial plan, then we will proceed in that direction. Once bids come in, we’ll know exactly what it will cost. We just want to make sure the board is understanding and is comfortable with that plan.”

Vogt said they had a meeting with Jeff Meadows and Hernandez to go through the details in February to iron things out.

A meeting that took place during former mayor Daryl White, Jr.’s administration, the estimate for the trail was around $400,000 because the in-kind match was removed.

“There’s no way that’s gonna happen because we need other things,” Vogt said about the $400,000 price tag without the city’s in-kind match contribution and cash funds.

Hernandez said the engineering firm reviewed the city’s grant application to make sure they were prepared to commit to everything the city originally agreed to.

“We want to make sure we are doing it cost-effectively and we’ve narrowed it down to the minimum requirements like was submitted in the grant application,” Hernandez said. “The current cost estimate that we have meets this budget and the unit price is based on the average bids that we received on the Rock Island Trail that was just bid in Owensville a month or two ago. That’s recent and we used the average cost, not the low.”

Mitchell glanced up and down the table.

“Do you want to proceed with it,” Mitchell asked the board.

Guffey said he was fine with proceeding, but Struemph and Alderman Barb Howarth needed to share their thoughts.

“I think this is a state thing and the state needs to absorb it all,” Struemph said. “If it’s a state thing and the state’s gonna spearhead it. That’s my feeling behind it. Don’t burn the city. It’s burned. It’s already burned. I’m not saying I’m strictly against it, I’m not. I’m just saying we’ve got bigger fish to fry in this town.”

“So you’re saying you’re against it,” Guffey said.

“I’m not saying I’m against it, no,” Struemph countered. “I just have a concern.”

Guffey said he doesn’t want to spend the $21,000 either, but that’s how the program works.

“This started even before I was on here,” he said. “You was on the council and voted to proceed with it.”

Struemph agreed.

“We were told the state would maintain the cost and now we come back and they are throwing money the city’s gotta put out,” Struemph said.

Guffey said there was always a 20 percent match.

“You was on the council and you applied for it,” Guffey said.

Struemph said she was on the board that applied for the money.

“And now they told us the rest could be made up in in-kind. That’s what we were told at the time,” Struemph claimed. “Now we’re gonna shell out money?”

The grant always outlined the cash in-kind match the city would be responsible for.

Hernandez said his company wasn’t involved at that time either.

“As we looked at the actual application, it stated it would be a $21,000 cash match and the rest would be in in-kind,” Hernandez said. “There is a level of commitment the city made at the time in order to be awarded the grant.”

Struemph said it was misleading when the city was told their remainder could be made up in in-kind work.

“There wasn’t no limit set on that or anything and now we’re coming back and they need money,” Struemph said. “Things have changed from when we actually sit down and started talking about it. It’s kinda misleading.”

Hernandez said that is why they wanted to have a review about where they are and the city’s previous commitments before they moved forward.

“If the board was not in favor of that arrangement, then there was not a reason to proceed with the final design,” Hernandez said. “If you are, then we are ready to do so.”

Mitchell asked Howarth for her opinion on the project.

“I think it would be an asset to our city if people use it the way it’s supposed to be used and if it’s feasible for us to do it,” Howarth said. “Then I would be for it.”

Vogt asked if it would come out of capital improvements and Guffey said yes.

“Though for years the capital improvements fund has been used and abused,” Guffey said. “Now that it’s being used the right way, we can get back to doing some sidewalks and curbing. I think the park entrance project we are working on, the bicycle trail will be from the entrance of the park so they will be able to get to the trail on it. I think eventually the state will start connecting some of these cities. I think it’s gonna be a great asset to the city.”

Guffey acknowledged that some people are controversial about the trail. Vogt said Jimmy Zumwalt adding the cowbell, feed mill and caboose will bring people to town.

“I think with the Gasconade Bridge, people will want to start here first,” Vogt said.

The board gave their consensus.

“We can’t approve giving cash until its contracted out,” Guffey said. “I think a board consensus is good.”