The Cuba City Council met on Monday, Dec. 7 for their only meeting in the final month of the calendar year. The following items of business were discussed at that time:

The board approved closing Route 66 for about 30 minutes on Saturday, March 27, 2010 for the Race to the Rocker.

Mardy Leathers of the Cuba Chamber of Commerce approached the board regarding the Missouri Certified Sites Program and his efforts to get the new industrial park state certified. DNR requires a soil contamination test in order to go through with certification, and he asked the board for permission.

The board agreed to move forward with the certification process. The application is nearly complete and will be ready by year’s end.

The board also approved naming the site the Barnett Business and Technology Park.

Nina Snowden, city collector, encouraged business owners to purchase their liquor licenses before Dec. 31, to avoid problems over the New Year’s holiday.

Bob Baldwin has received notification to go forward with the bikeway project at Hood Park. He is now working with the engineering firm and should begin construction on the final phase next spring.

Baldwin reported that the airport grant is awaiting approval from MoDOT. The second set of environmental studies have been sent in. Appraisals can start in January.

Police Chief Bo Dildine stated that the transmission went out on one of the Crown Victoria cruisers. The price for new replacement is $1,530 from the Ford dealership, with a three year warranty. The board authorized the purchase of parts.

Windows were kicked out of one of the police cars by a suspect. Protective window guards have been ordered locally for $140 per set. The issue was turned into the prosecutor’s office for criminal charges.

The police department’s canine officer has been active since May. To date, 24 calls to assist another department have been initiated, and there are 56 cases where the dog “hit” on a vehicle in Cuba and drug arrests were made. Dildine said the dog is working and even tracked a shoplifter at Mace’s.

On the recommendation of the city clerk/comptroller, the board authorized moving $386,958.74 from the FCNB matured CD back into the Waterworks Fund. Bank bids are being sought for a new CD, which will include $203,584.84 and an additional $400,000 in Transportation Trust money. The existing $203,584.84 from the old CD will be put into a 30 day CD until annual CD rate bids are presented.

Alderman Murdock recognized Walmart for their local recycling award. He also mentioned that Wildcat track bricks are being sold.

Alderman Don Conaway mentioned Project Blue Light, which is an effort to show support for police officers nationwide by displaying blue Christmas lights in the windows of your home for the holidays.

Alderman Kevin Copling suggested giving employees New Year’s Eve off with pay, since no raises were given out this year. City employees are already getting Christmas Eve off with pay.

The board approved the measure, with aldermen Murdock and Maurice Grant opposed. Grant said he would okay a half day of work on New Year’s but not a full day off with pay.

The board voted not to add a terrorism rider to their insurance coverage at the airport.