From the Mayor’s Desk

What’s happening in Cole Camp

It has been about 2 weeks since my swearing-in ceremony. What a whirlwind!

Office Hours

My standing office hours will begin May 11, 2026. I will schedule office hours at a rotating community location on Wednesdays from 4PM-6PM. I will be at City Hall to answer questions and listen to concerns on Thursdays from 2PM-4PM. Additionally, standing visits to our senior housing and care facilities will be scheduled and announced to residents.

I often drop by City Hall to address city business, and I continue to be available to meet by appointment. You’ll see our golf cart around town from time to time – just flag me down, and I’d love to visit with you!

City Updates

Over the last week, I requested and received all documents related to the North Maple Street sidewalk project that is funded by the MODOT TAP Grant. This project has been underway for several years now, and construction will occur this year. I’ve been reviewing the contracts and their terms – both sidewalks are to be completed by the end of August 2026, and the winning bidder came in under budget. Bids were reviewed and Double Arch Construction was awarded the bid before I was elected, so there’s been a great deal of research to do because those documents in the bid packet were not available to me until last week.

I specifically reviewed the agreements to ensure Cole Camp has recourse if the project veers off schedule. Our engineering firm, Great River Engineering, can only alter the schedule and budget if the City approves a change order. The agreement with Double Arch Construction has a liquidated damages clause if the project goes beyond its deadline.

There will be a preconstruction meeting at 9AM, May 5, 2026, at City Hall. This will be a public meeting - interested citizens are encouraged to attend.

Next month I’ll begin an informal assessment of Cole Camp streets. There are consultants who perform these studies, but they’re expensive. I’d like to see us save that money for fixing our streets. It is very evident the streets that require our immediate attention. The assessment will review crumbling edges, cracks, potholes and other damage on a scale. It would be immensely helpful to have other citizens join me in this assessment, then score an average of those street ratings. From there, we can develop a schedule of repair and replacement and predict the city’s annual cost for routine maintenance. Right now, we are addressing infrastructure on an emergency basis, and that’s not efficient or cost effective. Please contact me if you’re interested in joining the assessment team.

I’ve been discussing streets with our City staff. Before some streets can be repaired, we know the water project work needs to first be completed. That was promised for the past year or two. I’m learning that our 2026 Adopted Streets Budget is first reserved for the Maple Street sidewalk project, in case of overages. We anticipate the sidewalk to be completed by the end of August, then the City’s staff will be able to turn their attention to Pine Street and Hazlett Drive surfaces. I wish I had an immediate solution to start those repairs, but I am committed to keeping you informed as the year’s projects progress under the current 2026 budget and the sidewalk contracts.

Upcoming Important Dates

TAP Grant Preconstruction Meeting (Maple Street Sidewalk) – May 5, 2026 at 9AM in City Hall

Planning & Zoning Commission – May 5, 2026 at 7PM in City Hall

Regular Meeting of the Cole Camp City Council – May 21, 2026 at 7PM in City Hall

My Contact Information

Email: colecampmayor@outlook.com

Phone: 573-821-2090