BIDS WILL BE LET ON NASH ROAD PROJECT IN MARCH, MAYBE SOONER

SCOTT CITY -- Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority Executive Director Dan Overbey told his board Monday that bids on the extension of Nash Road will be let on schedule in March, though it could be sooner.

Overbey said staff members of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department are working hard to get planning done so the project can be bid earlier.

An update on Nash Road was one of several reports made at Monday's monthly meeting, where routine items were handled.

The board gave final approval to a port aid agreement with the highway department for an operating subsidy of $33,600. Last year, the agreement was for a $39,000 grant.

The board also finalized an application to the Missouri Department of Economic Development for a Community Development Block Grant, which will be used to provide matching funds for an Economic Development Administration grant the port received recently for flood recovery.

Maj. Paul Bacak, from the Reserve Officers Training Corps unit at Southeast Missouri State University, met with the board to seek permission to use a site owned by the port authority for rappeling.

He explained that the nearest approved site for rappeling is at Giant City State Park, about 60 miles from Cape Girardeau, and a closer site is needed.

He stressed the port site would be used about twice a semester and only by enrolled ROTC cadets under supervision of trained officers. Before the location could be used, Bacak said it would first have to be approved by an inspection team from Ft. Campbell.

Several board members expressed concern about liability and other issues.

Bacak said participants would be covered by insurance and noted, "It's a very safe thing if done properly."

The location has 30-40 foot bluffs, which make it "a perfect site," Bacak stressed.

The board said it would review the request but agreed to allow officials from Ft. Campbell to decide whether the site would be usable.

A decision will probably be made next month.

In other business, Overbey reported that tonnage in June at the port was 6,598, giving a year-to-date total of 168,861 tons at the mid-year point. Last year, 255,338 tons were shipped through the port.

The board approved selling an electric generator it no longer needs to First Missouri Terminals for $8,888, based on bids received recently.

In a final matter, the port commissioners changed the starting time of their regular meetings on the second Monday the month to 1 p.m.