Welcome to the city of St Joseph's weekly digital newsletter. City Link is your source for timely and relevant information from your local government.

Stormwater Basin Inventory

As part of the city’s stormwater permit requirements with Missouri Department of Natural Resources, a plan must be developed to ensure all stormwater facilities receive long-term maintenance and regularly scheduled inspections. Throughout St. Joseph, many of these basins have been built over the past 25 years. The purpose of the basins is to capture large storm events and then slowly release the water. By slowing the release, flooding is reduced downstream. Over time, some of the basins have become overgrown with trees and cattails while others may have worn out or broken pipes which might impact the efficiency of the basins. The first step in a long-term maintenance plan is to find the basins and assess their current condition. This initial assessment was completed this summer with help from Midland GIS and a summer intern from Missouri Western State University. 

The technicians did a quick reconnaissance of a few basins around town. During this recon, the parameters were set for the data to be collected. This included the size of the basins, how the water was getting in (inlet pipes) the outlet control structures and the outfall below the basin. Each pipe circumference was measured as well as the presence of erosion and vegetation. 

Next, working with Midland GIS, tools were developed to complete the mapping portion of the project. Using our data parameters, Midland created an asset layer accessible through a mobile link. The Trimble GPS unit was able to sync with the platform and enable the technicians to collect point features that would become part of the city’s mapped layers. 

After the work was done by Midland GIS, the team was ready to collect the data. Over the summer, 28 basins were evaluated. These basins are located throughout the city, but the greatest concentration is along the Belt Highway. Basins are usually located near parking lots. T he data was analyzed and processed to remove any errors and discrepancies. The final product can be found as a layer on the city’s GIS page .

This project was a collaboration between the city, the university and Midland GIS. As more projects are developed around town, new stormwater basin data will be incorporated into this system. Over time, the data collected this summer will be used to develop the long-term maintenance for these facilities. 

Transit Public Hearing

The city of St. Joseph will be accepting public comments at a public hearing on September 20, in the 1st Floor Conference Room at City Hall from 5-7pm. St. Joseph Transit is recommending a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for applicable professional services, construction and procurement contracts during Fiscal Year 2020 to 2022, beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2022.

Read the full public hearing notification and recommendation

Pony Express Figure Skating Championships

From a basic twizzle to axels and double jumps, skaters will put their skills on display during the 39 ^th annual Pony Express Championships at Bode Ice Arena. The figure skating competition begins Thursday, September 19, and runs through Sunday, September 22. This event is free and open to the public with the events running from 4-7pm on September 19, 8am-7pm on September 20 and 21, and 8:45am-3:15pm on September 22.

The championships feature 230 skaters, including about 40 from the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club, as well as competing clubs from Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha, Wichita and Oklahoma. Some competitors travel from as far as Arizona.

 

As usual, this competition, sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating, features a large contingent of participants from the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club and Bode's Learn to Skate Program. Skaters compete in basic skills events all the way up to higher-level novice and intermediate programs. There are even some events for adult skaters.

 

The Pony Express Championships also represent a significant effort from the Bode staff to get the arena ready for a large contingent of skaters, coaches, vendors, parents and fans. Out-of-town visitors will get their first look at the ceiling and air-handling improvements made at the rink this summer, thanks to the support of the City Council, parks department and the Bode Trust. Figure skating club volunteers also put in long hours getting judges and referees to the arena and serving in capacities ranging from food preparation to announcing, making programs and working as ice monitors.

Focusing on Neighborhoods

Since last fall, the property maintenance division has been utilizing a neighborhood services coordinator to establish relationships with neighborhood organizations and assess their needs. The coordinator works closely with property maintenance... read more

Clean Sweep

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Clean Sweep October 1-7. Clean Sweep occurs the first seven days of April and October each year during normal operating hours, which are weekdays from 7am-4:30pm and Saturdays from 7am-2pm. This is a program to assist St. Joseph residents in maintaining their property, however, it is not a substitute for regular solid waste (trash) collection. All yard waste, trash and appliances will be accepted from St. Joseph residents for two full days a year, free of charge. Some guidelines and restrictions apply.

Restrictions and guidelines

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