The Stuart City Council approved a proposal for maintaining White Pole Road at a special meeting Monday. 

The Council heard a presentation from City Engineer Forrest Aldrich about the condition and options to fix White Pole Road. Aldrich says the street has drainage, shoulder, divot issues. The Council chose the asphalt option that would only repair divots. The estimated cost was $200,000. Additionally, the Council added restricted truck routes, and repaired the drainage and  shoulder issues and will reconvene in August with a price increase. The second option the council denied would cost $1,535,000 and provide milling of pavement, asphalt overlay, drainage improvements and the project would last estimated 15 to 20 years.   

The Council also approved the update on the Downtown Economic Grant Business Succession Proposal 4-1 with Councilmember Micheal Asken voting no. Askren said the reason he voted no was because he wanted the businesses involved to voice their opinions before the City Council. 

Other items that the Council approved included hiring Matt Funk as Economic Development Director, removing a dead tree at 211 North Fremont Street and the Police Department extra pay  for covering this year’s Good Egg Days. 

Finally, during the public forum, Andy Anderson, attorney of Poet Ethanol Plant said that they oppose annexation of the plant and want a good relationship with Stuart and Menlo.