BELLE — The provided FEMA update during the Dec. 9 Belle Board of Aldermen meeting left questions unanswered regarding the final cost and state of  planned bridge work on South Alvarado Avenue.

Mayor James (Pudd) Mitchell said FEMA reimbursement discussions regarding the damaged bridge on South Alvarado Avenue continue to move slowly. He said cost estimates remain extremely high, but the city must wait for hazard mitigation review before finalizing any decisions. A local contractor has offered lower cost alternatives that may be considered. Mitchell said the city cannot afford to pay $80,000 out of pocket for bridge repairs.

The board approved the agenda after removing a contract for Warden tire inspections from the discussion and removing Ordinance 669 on backflow prevention from new business. Minutes from the Nov. 12 regular and closed sessions were approved.

During invited guest comments, Mark McClane with the Belle Community Betterment Association (BCBA) provided an update on the front gate project at the city park. He said all work is complete except the electrical connection, which must be installed before the project is fully finished.

Ameren had recommended adding a separate meter at the gate, but BCBA and city officials agreed it was more efficient to tie into the Lions Club pavilion panel. McClane said this would prevent a monthly meter charge and allow the project to be completed using existing BCBA funds. The board reached consensus to use the Lions Club service panel. 

McClane was happy with the success of the partnership between the city and BCBA and said the organization hopes to collaborate again on future projects. He said BCBA is beginning early discussions about improving playground equipment at the park and expects community fundraising and grant opportunities to play a role. Aldermen also discussed settling issues at the trail entrance on the right side of the park, where the walking path appears to be separating. City staff and BCBA members plan to evaluate the area and determine the repairs needed.

During the treasurer’s report, aldermen reviewed and approved the cash summary and bills. A lengthy discussion followed regarding an $881 Brightspeed invoice for repairs to a buried cable that had been struck during street work in 2024 that occurred in May.

Mitchell explained that the employee responsible did not call for utility locations and no longer works for the city. Aldermen agreed the city must pay the bill and expressed hope the error serves as a learning experience. It was decided not to submit an insurance claim because the deductible would exceed the cost of the repair.

Aldermen approved advertising for contractors for the Rock Island Trail project. Notices will run for three weeks in the newspaper with a pre bid meeting set for 1 p.m. on Dec. 30, and the opening of sealed bids scheduled for 1 p.m. on Jan. 14 at the Lonnie Feeler Memorial Building.

The Department of Natural Resources must approve all submissions. City officials expect the project to be completed by August of next year. The city has not yet received reimbursement funds and will proceed on a pay as you go basis.

The board approved donating the remaining balance of the dormant Christmas Festival bank account to Backpack Buddies and closing the account. The money in the account originated from community donations intended for children, and office manager Charro Reasor said the Backpack Buddies program also directs 100 percent of its support to young people.

Aldermen approved the 2026 meeting schedule, noting that dates often need adjustment later in the year. The board also reviewed bids for skid steer tires. After comparing multiple options, aldermen approved a bid from Jost Tire for Titan 14 ply tires for $1,231.57, minus sales tax. Mitchell said other towns have reported getting up to three years of service from the same brand.

Candidate filing for Ward 1 and Ward 2 alderman, mayor and marshal opened Dec. 9 and will close on Dec. 30, packets are available at City Hall and must be completed and returned to office staff.

Public Works Supervisor Jim Goben reported repairing a contractor-caused water line break on Linn Street and a second leak further up the line whose water surfaced near a different location.

A recent Department of Natural Resources review resulted in no formal write ups and two unsatisfactory findings. The city received a score of eight out of ten. Staff will begin filling out new daily meter reading documentation and continue working through procedural improvements.

Marshall Jerry Coborn reported 78 calls for service including alarm calls, traffic complaints, domestic disturbances and one child exploitation case that remains under investigation. Money taken during a theft at City Hall was recovered. Coborn encouraged residents to continue reporting suspicious activity. Aldermen asked for more consistent citation totals each month to help evaluate police department revenue and needs.

Alderman Steve Vogt presented the Meramec Regional Planning Commission update. MoDOT approved the four lane Highway 63 bypass around Westphalia with funding included in the 2027 State Transportation Improvement Program.

Vogt said Maries County’s top transportation priorities remain the same which include a southbound left turn lane at Highway 28 and 63 near the airport, safety changes at Highway 28 North and 63 toward Dixon and straightening the connection at Highway 89 and 133 in Westphalia.

With no need for a closed session the board voted to adjourn.

Update:( Mayor James (Pudd) Mitchell clarified that the money taken during the reported theft at City Hall was not city funds. According to Mitchell, the money belonged to a woman who had come into City Hall to pay her water bill. After completing her transaction, the woman left her envelope containing cash on the counter and exited the building.

The mayor said another woman entered the lobby shortly afterward and was captured on surveillance video picking up the envelope while standing at the counter. When the original owner later realized her money was missing, City Hall staff reviewed the lobby camera footage, which confirmed what had occurred. Mitchell said the money was recovered in full by Marshal Jerry Coborn and returned to its rightful owner.

Mitchell emphasized that no municipal accounts, utility payments or taxpayer funds were affected by the incident.)