Scott City Council reports better relationship with railroad

SCOTT CITY --Scott City's relationship with Union Pacific Railroad was a testy affair two weeks ago, but Mayor Tim Porch said Monday that relationship may be improving significantly.

Two weeks ago Porch railed against the railroad on a variety of issues at the last meeting of the Scott City Council. At Monday night's regular council meeting, Porch said UP has extended an olive branch. Porch said a railroad representative called him the day an article about the city's rocky relationship with UP was published in the Southeast Missourian.

Porch said the railroad representative has pledged cooperation on a number of issues including fixing aging culverts, mowing high grass and providing the required 72 hours notice before closing down railroad crossings for maintenance.

"Anything we need he said to just call," Porch said.

The council also heard updates on the city's campaign to clean up yard nuisances and remove condemnable structures. Police chief Don Cobb said progress is being made in cleaning up condemnable properties in the K&R Estates mobile home park with the cooperation of owner Jerry Friese.

Friese recently removed a condemned property that had been a concern for many council members without need for city-funded demolition.

"I'll say K&R Estates looks a lot better than it has," said Ward 2 Councilman John Crail, who has made clean-up of the park a priority.

The council voted 8-0 to start condemnation of two other mobile homes in K&R Estates. The council also voted 8-0 to set a public hearing for May 7 to begin condemnation procedures on the old Masonic Lodge at 505 Second St. East.

msanders@semissourian.com

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