HERMANN – The Board of Aldermen Monday night cleared the way to issue $307,000 worth of bonds to pay for design work related to the relocation of a sewer lift station from the flood plain in City Park to higher ground near Washington Street.

The new lift station is part of the overall sewer system improvements that will be financed by the $15-million bond issue approved by city voters.

Bond counsel Joey McLiney was on hand during Monday night’s first regular session of the month to present documents regarding the issuance of bonds.

“This is sort of the beginning of a ridiculously long process,” McLiney said, referring to the bond issue that will be funded through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Revolving Loan Fund.

Although using the Revolving Loan Fund is a painfully slow process for local governments eager to make improvements to their infrastructure the money is available at a much lower interest rate than money obtained through a traditional loan from a bank. As for freeing up the money, the state agency moves at its own pace, McLiney said. “They’ll take it out when they’re ready,” he said.

So city officials need to be patient regarding the project. “We can wait a while,” McLiney said, adding, “the bids might go out for a year or more.”

In other matters, the aldermen gave final approval to a bill that eases the restrictions on who can serve as Hermann’s city clerk. The city’s current code requires the city clerk to have all the qualifications as that of an alderman, which includes living within the city limits. Removing that language from the ordinance allows someone outside the city limits to serve as city clerk.  The measure was adopted unanimously. It received first-round approval at last month’s BOA session.

The board also adopted a resolution authorizing City Hall to file an application with the Missouri DNR’s loan program for funds for the next phase of the mandatory lead water line inspection program that’s been going on for some time. The water line inspection program is something that has taken place nationwide.

The reappointment of two members of the city’s Airport Commission was confirmed by the aldermen. Stephen Parker and David Bishop agreed to serve another term.

Caterer’s Permits were approved for the Copper Mule Distillery for the Sept. 26 Hermann Harvest Festival set for the Amphitheater; Six Mile Ordinary for the Missouri Bourbon Festival at the Copper Mule Distillery on Highway 100 on Aug. 1; Old Ozarkian Distillery LLC, also for the Bourbon Festival at Copper Mule.

A Special Event Application was granted to the city’s Tourism Department for the Monday visit of Big Boy, one of the world’s largest steam locomotives. The engine will be pulling into Riverfront Park that afternoon for a 15-minute stop. Part of Riverfront Park will be closed beginning at 9 that morning, along with Wharf and 1st Street closings. Big Boy is scheduled to be in Hermann about 3 that afternoon.