By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorThe city of Warrenton plans to continue extending its western boundary down the Interstate 70 corridor.A public hearing will be held Tuesday, Jan. 5, on the latest proposal.A resolution calling for the hearing, scheduled to be held at the start of the meeting at 7 p.m., was passed by a 5-0 vote. Ward 3 Alderman Jim Dreyer was absent from the meeting.The public hearing is needed so the city can place the annexation proposal on the April 2016 ballot.The city’s current western boundary stops on the eastern side of the Highway A/B overpass.If the new request is approved by voters, the city would be allowed to annex the interstate and surrounding right-of-way between the western half of the Highway A/B overpass and near Budget Inn motel, according to City Clerk Melody Rugh. The proposal does not include any private property.Over the last several years, Warrenton has sought voter approval on a regular basis to keep extending its western boundary.The most recent successful annexation happened last month when 75 of 100 voters who cast a ballot supported the proposal.Officials indicated the city will keep on heading down the I-70 corridor so they don’t limit future development.“You don’t know if this will help us this year, next year or maybe a board 10, 15 years from now will say I’m glad they did that and that is why we have that,” Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch said.In other news• The city will improve a stormwater issue on Lakeview Drive between Highway 47 and Third Street, a project slated to start this winter. The estimated project cost is $11,565.40. The city had budgeted $11,600 for the work.• Economic Development Director Michelle Schlenther received permission for out-of-state travel to attend the International Council of Shopping Centers RECon event, a convention held May 22-25 in Las Vegas featuring retailers, developers and commercial brokers. The travel request was passed by a 5-0 vote.• Approval was given for the city to purchase software to allow utility customers to review and pay their bills online. The installation, annual license and support and software will cost $3,440, much lower than the budgeted amount of $3,700. The anticipated completion date is March 1.• A revised ordinance specifying that the state -assessed sewer fee will be collected annually in July was unanimously adopted. Customers have multiple connections will pay multiple fees. The fee will be stated separately on a customer’s utility bill.• A bid for HDPE pipe was awarded to Water and Sewer Inc. of Columbia, for $8,000, the lowest of four bids. The other bids ranged from $8,099.90 to $8,440. The budgeted amount was $9,315.40.• The cost to update the pavilion electric at Binkley Woods Park will be $1,892.75. The city had budgeted $3,000 for the project. The city also is proceeding with a project to install a gate into the cemetery from the grounds and maintenance building and to fill in the ditch for $2,054.70. The budgeted amount was $2,100.• The city will spend $3,253.85 to install 18 barbecue grills at its parks. The budgeted amount was $3,300.• The board voted unanimously to approve the audit covering the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.• Approved was given to close multiple streets temporarily for Hometown Christmas held Dec. 4.Warrenton