The Warrenton Board of Aldermen moved forward on several issues at its recent meeting.The board unanimously passed an ordinance to enter into a loan agreement and promissory note with Missouri Transportation Finance Corporation, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and the city for the purpose of constructing a new Interstate-70 interchange and extending Route MM to the north across I-70 to the North Outer Road.The Missouri Transportation Finance Corporation previously had approved a $15.4 million loan to the city for the project. The interest is fixed at 2.64 percent. The city is expected to start repaying the loan Oct. 31, 2017.The city plans to name the new bridge over I-70 as the Jerry Dyer Memorial Bridge. Dyer, who has passed away, is a former Warrenton mayor.Dyer’s family has collected the required signatures to be presented to the state transportation committee for state naming approval.Railroad DaysGary McCullough, a member of the local train club that operates out of the former outlet mall, spoke to the board about the economic benefits of expanding the annual Railroad Days event to appeal to travelers.McCullough said the train club wants to work with the city and other organizations to create a bigger event with more attractions and a bigger draw.“People who are into trains travel a long distance,” he said, adding that recent train events in other states brought in 11,000 and 20,000 people.“These events bring big money into a community,” he said. “Truesdale has the (railroad) history but does not have the amenities. Warrenton has the gas, hotels, food. Warrenton has the resources to make it happen.”Alderman Mike Shilharvey, Ward 1, invited McCullough to attend an upcoming tourism meeting to talk more about his plans.McCullough said he wants to be clear of his intentions — he’s interested in approaching the city and working with other events to create something that benefits the region.“We’re open to anything,” he said. “We want to make a tremendous economic impact on the area.”In other city business, Justin Unger was promoted from police officer to detective; Rick Gastorff, Jeff Williams and Sharon Spoede were appointed to two-year terms on the Economic Development Committee; and work continues on a draft bill to allow chicken ownership within the city limits.City of Warrenton