Wright City officials are moving forward with a proposal to resolve the ongoing saga over ownership of Stuermann Road. Mayor David Heiliger, at last Thursday’s board of aldermen meeting, indicated the city is in negotiations with the Warren County Commission and acknowledged afterward the city was moving in the direction of taking over ownership of the road. The much-debated issue has angered property owners and builders who have expressed disappointment that the only road that leads into the Falcon Crest and Timber Trails subdivisions continues to fall into further disrepair. Through the years, the road’s condition has worsened as the city and county have both taken the stance the other entity has ownership rights. Frustrated over the lack of progress Heiliger, at the March 10 board of aldermen meeting, set an April 1 deadline to receive proposals on how to provide a permanent solution to fixing Stuermann Road. “We are very happy to say we are in negotiations right now with Warren County to accept the title to the road,” Heiliger said. “Things are moving. There are still a few details to work out, but it’s nothing but positive.” He described the latest round of discussions on the road the “most positive” since he was elected last year. Property owners packed city hall during last week’s meeting to hear Heiliger discuss for the first time since the deadline where the city stood on the matter. Heiliger was hesitant to release many details or set a deadline to finalize the negotiations. It appeared, however, that the situation could be resolved within a month’s time though weather could play a factor. In response to concerns raised about speeding traffic coming over a hill crest south of Stuermann Road, MoDOT officials will be erecting a flashing sign alerting northbound traffic about traffic exiting and entering onto Highway M, Heiliger said. Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson spoke out at last week’s meeting. He stated that it was the hope of both sides to have negotiations completed by the meeting, but a few details still needed to be ironed out. “I am very happy and very proud of these people, they have stepped up to the plate,” Hampson said referring to the city. “They are going to get it done. I thank you for working with us. Just be a little more patient. We’re really close.” Stuermann Road serves as the lone entrance from Highway H into the two subdivisions in the southwest part of the city. The road is only about 12 feet wide for the first three-tenths of a mile and is not aligned with the remainder of the wide portion closer to the subdivisions’ entrances. There are approximately 250 lots in the two subdivisions combined. A title search conducted late last year to determine ownership came up empty. Many believe Stuermann Road to be a county road until the time a quitclaim deed was prepared in 2006. A public hearing was held at which time the county commission voted to deed the road over to the city. Several city officials were in attendance. The quitclaim deed was prepared, but was voted down by Wright City aldermen at that time. In February 2010, aldermen voted to stop issuing building permits over concerns that heavy construction equipment would lead to further deterioration of the road. The county commission stated previously it would make minor improvements to Stuermann Road, but a signed agreement transferring ownership must be finalized before any work begins. PR Development, the company which developed the property, indicated it was going to maintain and relocate the road to the south on top of a hill crest, but did not follow through on that plan. Since then, the company filed for bankruptcy. The city also failed to collect escrow money that could have been used on the road after the company failed to complete the work as promised.