By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorThe city of Warrenton is exploring financing options as it revisits the possibility of constructing a second Interstate 70 interchange.Aldermen, at the Aug. 4 meeting, voted unanimously in support of a resolution to hire two firms to help the city with the project.The city has retained the services of WM Financial Strategies to identify financing options, and Gilmore and Bell, P.C., to provide legal services for the project.Last month, the board decided to pursue the interchange project. Officials stated they were concerned about traffic accidents causing lengthy shutdowns on I-70, including one incident where a leaking anhydrous ammonia tank led to the closure of the Highway 47 overpass for several hours.If the city’s lone overpass was closed for an extended period, city officials fear residents and emergency responder agencies would encounter major travel issues.The closest overpasses are about four miles to the east at Stracks Church Road and five miles to the west at the Pendleton/Truxton interchange.Mayor Eric Schleuter said the city is approaching a new interchange differently compared to a ballot measure that was shot down in 2014.“We need to take it one step at a time,” he told The Record. “We’re not jumping right into it. We’re trying to be more transparent about it, show the public we are trying to make the right steps.”In March 2014, a plan to establish a transportation development district (TDD) along Interstate 70 with a 1-cent sales tax was defeated after citizens in the proposed district unanimously voted against it.The city sought the TDD and the sales tax to help secure funding for a second Warrenton interchange near the 191-mile marker, on the western edge of the city.The total cost of the new interchange was projected to be approximately $15 million. The proposal contemplated a cost-sharing arrangement, with the city responsible for half of that amount and the remaining coming from MoDOT.The special election involved just 13 eligible voters who resided within the proposed TDD district. Only 10 residents actually applied to vote and returned ballots.The proposed TDD and sales tax hike faced strong opposition from the owners of businesses situated within the taxing district, who filed a lawsuit in an unsuccessful attempt to block it.In other news• Don Broering, representing the Isaac Kent Homeowners  Association, spoke to the board about traffic congestion on Dogwood Lane in the Northwoods subdivision. He raised concerns about parked cars and the potential for children playing in the area to run into the street in front of a motorist.• A public hearing was held on an annexation proposal to extend the western city limits down the Interstate 70 corridor. No one spoke during the hearing. The proposal, for just the interstate and surrounding right-of-way, is expected to be decided by voters in November.• The board unanimously approved $3,400 in funding requests from the tourism budget. Approval was given for $2,800 requested by the city to cover expenses related to the circus and $600 to China House Buffet for interstate attraction signs.• An ordinance authorizing a contract between the city and The Graville Law Firm, LLC, was passed by a 6-0 vote. As part of the agreement, the monthly fee will be $5,872.50.• A liquor license was  issued to Splendid Catering Services, LLC, for a fundraiser to support Turning Point on Aug. 29 from 4-11 p.m. at the Warrenton Outlet Center.• The city will have a promotion booth at the Sept. 26 Fall Festival to obtain public input about the comprehensive plan. Visitors who provide feedback will be entered into a drawing for gift certificates and larger prizes. The total projected cost of the promotion is approximately $1,000. The next public meeting will be Sept. 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.• A change order for the painting of the water tank near Agape was approved. Work is scheduled to start Sept. 7 and must be complete within 30 days. In the event the project is not finished by Oct. 7 by Maguire Iron, Inc., the city can assess $2,000 daily in liquidated damages.Warrenton