Cochran Engineering has been selected as the engineer for Wright City’s project to build more sidewalks and install streetlights in the downtown area. Aldermen unanimously passed a motion at their Feb. 24 meeting approving the recommendation made by a three-person committee. In January, MoDOT announced Wright City was the recipient of a $200,000 MoDOT enhancement grant. With the funds, sidewalks and lights will be placed on Veterans Memorial Parkway from city hall to Oak Street, on Locust and Cherry streets, and on South 1st Street from Elm to Cherry. The city will be required to contribute $50,000 toward the project. Alderman Jim Schuchmann, Public Works Director Larry Janish and Harry Harper made up the city’s committee to review the request for qualifications submitted by engineering firms. From there, the top three were interviewed by phone by Janish. The city scored the companies on experience and technical competence, capacity and capability, past record of performance, and firm’s proximity and familiarity with project area. Horner and Shifrin and KDG joined Cochran as the top three firms selected for interviews. “We’re excited to be recommended and excited for another job in Wright City,” said Kurt Daniels, of Cochran. As part of the grant requirements, the design work must be completed by Dec. 31 and construction must be finished by the end of 2012. Two Used Police Cars To Be Acquired Aldermen, at their Feb. 24 meeting, approved a request from Police Chief Douglas Saulters to buy two used cars to replace older models. The combined expense is $15,700. The cars, a 2009 Chevrolet Impala and 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, will be purchased from Fruendly Auto Source Inc. in Moscow Mills. The Impala has 34,790 miles and will cost $8,000, while the Crown Victoria has 55,617 miles and will cost $7,700. The city has budgeted $29,000 in this year’s budget for police cars, including adding a third vehicle. Karen Girondo, economic development director/treasurer, informed the board that she will send a letter to the three banks in the city seeking finance rates as part of the lease purchase for the overall budgeted amount. Full-Time Parks Employee Hired Holly Blair, a part-time employee in the parks department, has been promoted to a newly created full-time position. She will serve as the recreation coordinator and will assist Parks Director Curt Kehoe is planning activities. Blair, who formerly worked for the city of Warrenton, will be paid $10.50 an hour, the same amount she is making in a part-time role. Blair was scheduled to begin her full-time job this month. In Other Action • The city will be sending a letter to 14 businesses reminding them of their need to renew their annual licenses. The board is expected to review the businesses who have failed to respond at the March 10 meeting. • Aldermen approved renewing the annual Neptune maintenance contract, which goes into effect April 1. The contract, which costs the city $2,719, covers water meter readers and computers used by the public works department. • Police Chief Douglas Saulters is working on developing a policy manual for his department and said the proposed policies will be forwarded to the city attorney prior to any board approval. He said policies on conduct and use of form have been completed. • Terry Post was hired as a part-time police officer by a 4-0 vote. Post also is employed by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy in the court security division. • Aldermen approved purchasing a new propane generator for the wastewater treatment plant. The item will cost $21,435 and is expected to take up to 10 weeks to arrive. • A new policy for temporary water services is currently being reviewed by the city attorney and may be reviewed by the board at the next meeting March 10.