Stuttgart City Council members listen as Robert Chambers speaks during the public comment portion of the June 3 meeting. Chambers requested a street closure for the upcoming Rock Island Day celebration on July 5.
The Stuttgart City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 3. The main topics included house condemnations, road work, and drainage concerns.
The meeting began with public comments. Robert Chambers spoke about Rock Island Day, scheduled for July 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rock Island is a historic Black community located on the east side of Stuttgart.
Chambers requested a street closure from Cherry Street to 2nd Street. Mayor Norma Strabala said the council would vote on the closure at the next council meeting.
Brenson Osby addressed flooding issues on Maple Street, expressing concern about water accumulation every time it rains. Strabala discussed a bid that could potentially help with drainage in the area.
“We’ve had two different groups look at it. I’m trying to figure out how to fix it, and fix it correctly. One bid is for $1.8 million. The other bid was a little less than that. It’s not guaranteed to fix it,” said Strabala.
Resolution 2025-05 was discussed to declare several condemned properties as a nuisance and have them removed for the safety of the community.
The properties include 801 West 2nd, 420 West 2nd, 1160 South Lowe, the building behind 610 South Grand, 204 West Huron, 2303 South Timber, 1014 East 7th, and 701 North College. The council voted to carry the motion.
Resolution 2025-06, authorizing a lease-purchase agreement for a vehicle totaling over $2,400 with Cadence Equipment Finance, was approved.
Strabala then provided an update on road projects that are underway. Phase four of the project includes six and a half miles from Park Avenue to Buerkle Street, where new asphalt is being laid. A motion to approve an additional $90,000 for asphalt on 13th Street was passed. Strabala noted that upon completion, 123 roads will have been repaired.
Phase five will cover Main and 10th Streets, with bids expected to go out within the next two weeks.
The next city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
