The following actions were taken during the Sikeston City Council meeting on Jan. 9, 2023.

• Council heard the first reading of a bill that, if approved at the Jan. 30 meeting, would include new definitions for adult retail establishments, such as adult novelty stores.
• Council approved the subdivision of Hilltop Estates. Devin James will subdivide the tract of land containing all 0.81 acres into seven lots to build residential houses.
• Council approved a parcel redeveloping agreement for 60 West TIF. The plans are to construct a 102-room hotel at 1239 Commerce Drive, an area that is close to Malco Theatres, Watami and the Hampton Inn.
• Council authorized Sikeston DPS to accept and proceed with a grant purchase to fund services required on the mobile command truck. The services include an additional 11 months of satellite service for the vehicle as well as the addition of a Dejero Cellular Gateway. Sikeston DPS was approved for the RHSOC grant for $17,300.10 which will cover most of the cost of the purchases. Overage will be covered by funds currently budgeted for items related to the Mobile Command Truck.
• Council approved Sikeston DPS to continue with State Farm Insurance K-9 grant program. As part of the grant program, Sikeston DPS was awarded a K-9 protection dog. The grant pays for 100% of the dog, training for both the handler and K-9, travel expenses, food and lodging. The only annual cost to the City of Sikeston will be the annual vet bills, food and annual recertification.
• Council approved the purchase of a 2023 Tahoe for Sikeston DPS Fire Division in the amount of $49,693 from Don Brown Chevrolet. The vehicle will replace a 2009 Chevy Tahoe with 182,000 miles. This was a budgeted item.
• Council approved a contract with Dille Pollard to begin the process of designing and constructing a new Fire Station on Malone Avenue.
• Council authorized the removal of former employees from city bank accounts.
• Council approved the 2023 Street and Drainage Improvement Plan.
• Council heard the first reading of a bill, that if approved at a future meeting, would change the City’s zoning laws pertaining to medical and recreational marijuana facilities to be compliant with state laws.
• Council approved an ordinance calling for an election to impose a marijuana sales tax. Voters will decide on the April 4, 2023, general election ballot whether to put a 3% sales tax on the sale of adult use marijuana sold within the City of Sikeston.