Friends & Neighbors,

The Board of Aldermen met last evening for about 15 minutes.  We approved an amendment to the contract for operation of the City Park Concession Stand.  More importantly, however, we did discuss the condition of our City streets and I have some news to share.

Streets to be repaired.

City is considering ways to get more street work done.

We have 151 work orders on the County’s “to do” list, some dating back to 2017.  Ninety-eight work orders were submitted to the County in 2021.  The City has invited contractors to bid on contracts directly with the City for street repairs, pot hole repairs, sidewalk and curb repairs, pavement striping, and other public works jobs.  We hope there is enough interest to generate competitive bids so we can direct our own contractors to take care of problems right away.  The slab work that the County is handling this year was budgeted and mapped out in the summer of 2020.  We need alternatives that will enable the City to address street problems on shorter notice.  In addition to soliciting bids from contractors the City is considering hiring one or two part-time employees to patch potholes.  We know that citizens are not happy about the condition of our streets and we are taking steps to perform more repairs and to do so as soon as we can get it done.

Dardenne Prairie Athletic Complex.

There are 33 teams and 450 kids expecting to play baseball and softball on the new fields currently under construction next to City Hall.  The work is supposed to be done by April 1.  We are pressing the construction contractor to make better progress so that our spring season starts on time.  When the work is complete you will see facilities that are worthy of Dardenne Prairie.  There will be three new or refurbished playing fields; 4 pickleball courts; new restrooms; new LED field lights; a larger, paved parking lot; a concrete walking path around the perimeter of the park; a maintenance building to house city equipment; and a digital sign at the entrance to the Complex.

Easter Egg Hunt has been cancelled.

Out of an abundance of caution we have cancelled the traditional Easter Egg Hunt this year.  We don’t think the fields will be ready by April 3^rd and there are still concerns about spreading Covid 19.

The next meeting of the Board of Aldermen is scheduled for March 17.  The Work Session begins at 6:00 pm and the business meeting begins at 7:00 PM.  You are always welcome to come to City Hall and see your City Government at work.

“Shine a Light on City Government”