The city of Mexico’s public works department doesn’t just manage wastewater and street departments. The department also oversees the engineering and building code divisions.

Drew Williford, public works director and city engineer for the city of Mexico, gave a 2025 update for the public works department at the Mexico City Council’s May 27 meeting.

Williford said he was “extremely happy” about a certain fact regarding public works as he began his presentation. 

“No vacancies,” he said. “Yes, no vacancies. Public works is fully staffed at this time. I’m thankful to be able to report on that.”

Williford’s presentation on the wastewater department provided information on the wastewater treatment plant collection system and other data, such as the daily flow at the treatment plant, with last year showing the average daily flow of a little more than 2 million gallons. Williford’s report on the wastewater division also provided other data, such as upcoming projects.

Regarding the street department, Williford gave data on the number of centerline miles of street - nearly 80. The street department also manages nearly two miles of alleys and more than 3,300 signs.     The department also oversees the storm sewer system, with more than 900 inlets, 21 linear miles of gravity main and 150 junction boxes. Williford’s report covered the amount of work the department conducted as far as concrete, asphalt, stormwater and winter operations.

As far as upcoming projects for the street department, Williford’s report showed, among other projects, how the department will widen the intersection of Fairground and Adams and what paving operations are on tap around town.

During the presentation on streets, Council Member Larry Webber asked how often street sweepers operate, particularly on downtown streets, and asked about their schedules. Williford said downtown streets are generally swept once a week - sometimes with spring storms, sweepers are operated afterward to pick up debris before it gets into the storm sewer system - and the department tries to sweep each other city street about once a month. 

The building code division handles building code reviews, residential and commercial inspections and city ordinance reviews, among other duties. Total permits issued in 2024: 897. Among those permits were 19 for new houses. The department conducted more than 1,500 inspections. Among the department’s new and upcoming projects will be Presser Arts Center expansion as well as projects going on in Mexico Public Schools.

“We look forward to having Western Smokehouse done here, I hope, in the near future and bringing that online,” Williford said. Western Smokehouse is a new meat snack manufacturing plant opening soon - tentatively in July or August, a company representative said - on East Liberty Street. 

In the engineering division, Williford said there had been a lot of projects occurring, mostly grant work and planning and design work, and he provided a monetary rundown of projects. His presentation also contained information on, for example, capital projects (MoDOT grants) for phases two and three of the Muldrow Sidewalk Improvements project and the Pollock Road Bridge Replacement project. The second phase of the Muldrow project is under construction and nearing completion and the third phase is in design, with preliminary plans complete and a MoDOT review of plans coming. The bridge is under construction, with the presentation noting that piles are in and abutments poured and that it is awaiting beam casting.

The public works department also oversees the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program, and Williford provided information on that program. 

Among other developments, council approved Kathy Hopkins, Benjamin Jeffery and Terry Henage to the Mexico Park Board. Hopkins and Henage were reappointed, while Jeffery submitted an application. Terms are three years. Council also approved, among other items:

• A resolution stating intent to seek funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program and authorizing the city manager to pursue activities in an attempt to secure funding for the demolition of Hardin Gym on the Presser Arts Center campus. Gigi McAreavy, economic development director for the city, told council that the demolition requires financial assistance because Presser Arts Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and revenues are not designated or budgeted for demolition. After the demolition, the space where the gym stood will be used for needed parking space. The total project cost is estimated at $145,000 with $119,000 CDBG funds. The city proposed contributing $200 in-kind labor by city staff and a $26,000 private cash match by Presser Arts Center.
• A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with  Simmons Stables Preservation Fund Inc. for recommended funding of $620 from the Mexico Tourism Tax. The money goes toward advertising for the International Saddlebred Hall of Fame Ceremony.

Webber asked about the topic of golf carts and ATVs on city roads during the council comments portion of the meeting. City Manager Bruce Slagle told the Ledger that the matter will be on the next council agenda under Other Business as a Staff Report and will include a presentation from Mexico Public Safety Department Chief Brice Mesko. Council members can consider, at some point, whether they want to allow those vehicles on roads. At this point, it’s a discussion matter, Slagle said, and he said the issue has been before council a few times before and council did not want to change the ordinance.