SCOTT CITY WORRIES ABOUT NASH ROAD REPAIR COSTS

SCOTT CITY -- Mayor Larry Forhan is worried about how much road repairs to Nash Road are going to cost his city.

At Monday's Scott City Council meeting, Forhan discussed the state conference he attended Aug. 7 of mayors, councilmen and state lawmakers in Jefferson City. The conference focused on relief packages offered by state and federal agencies.

The news from the meeting was good for some, but not for Scott City, Forhan told the council.

"Missouri will have some of the worst damage to highways that they've ever had," Forhan said. "The federal government and state agencies are trying to gather money together to fix some of them.

"We're unfortunate that we're at the tail end of the list for assistance for this devastating flood of '93," he continued. "I just hope the money doesn't dry up before they get to us."

Scott County has been declared a disaster area, but its cities don't yet qualify for public assistance for the rebuilding of roads and city-owned property, he said.

"Nash Road and the (Southeast Missouri Regional) port area sustained considerable damage," Forhan said. "Without state or federal assistance, it will cost us thousands of dollars to repair the damages.

"We need all the help we can get this budget year," Forhan said. "Otherwise, we could be in trouble."

The city is also experiencing problems with the sewer system in the Cloverdale subdivision and hopes to obtain funding for both sewer improvements and road repairs.

If the city is denied disaster-relief funds, Forhan said the city will seek to funnel its request through the city of Cape Girardeau for rehabilitation funds for the Nash Road area.

In other business, Forhan announced that the city has received the 911 emergency equipment.

The city expects representatives from Southwestern Bell to visit the police department today to help plan the space requirements and renovation schedule for the installation of the system. The city hopes to be on-line with the emergency system by November.

The 911 proposal was originally a joint venture between the cities of Kelso, Scott City and Commerce. Monday, council members asked Forhan about Commerce's future with the project.

"Commerce has got plenty of problems right now about 90 percent of the city is under water," Forhan said. "The last thing on their minds is going to be changing their addresses for 911 purposes.

"Chances are they will need our help right now," Forhan said. "All we can do is whatever they ask, and hope that we can put them in the system as soon as possible."