The Lebanon City Council Monday night approved an agreement to take ownership of the Munger Moss motel sign.
The motel at 1336 East Route 66 was a longtime stop on Historic Route 66. The sign was restored in 2010 with the help of a National Park Service matching grant.
City Administrator Troy Schulte said renovations for the sign had been included in the city's 2026 budget. He said that in conversations with city officials, Mark Bertel of the Dels Corporation, the motel's new owner, said he would be willing to pay the city for the renovations.
"We'll work that out as part of the process, but the goal is to get the sign fully renovated in time for the anniversary centennial of Route 66, which kicks off on Jan. 1, so it will be a nice addition to the skyline of Lebanon," he said. "We'll start working on that and we'll see some progress on that over the next couple of months."
According to the agreement, the sign will remain on its original premises and will be owned by the city, subject to an easement for access and maintenance from Dels to the city.
The city will maintain the sign at the city’s cost. If the Munger Moss Motel ceases to exist, the city can choose to relocate the sign.
“In the event the sign is damaged beyond repair or destroyed, the City shall remove the damaged or destroyed sign from the Dels premises, and this agreement shall terminate,” according to the agreement.
According to a Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society article online, Schulte said he has already had conversations with the owners of other Route 66 signs with the idea of restoring them, too.
In other business, the Council:
Gave final reading approval to an ordinance setting towing and wrecker service list regulations for the Police Department.
The Council approved an asphalt overlay for West Bland Road. Estimated cost is $36,000. Street Superintendent Mike Moore said the work is part of the West Bland Stormwater Project that is currently in construction.
Approved the purchaser of a Digger Derrick Truck from Altec for $383,970.
Approved the purchase of a bucket truck from Altec for electric department for $295,723.
The Council approved a permit for the Lebanon High School Homecoming Parade at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17. The Council also approved a permit for the Freedom of the Road Riders for 1 p.m. Nov. 2. The event will raise money for Share Your Christmas and starts and ends at American Legion Post 43 on Evergreen.
The Council approved the appointment of Lisa Anthony to the Lebanon-Laclede County Library Board for a term ending in June 2028.
Reappointed to the Lebanon Area Veterans Memorial Board were:
Kathleen Haefner to a term ending May 2026, Donna Mason to a term ending May 2026, Andrew Barnett to a term ending May 2026, Stephen Hull to a term ending May 2027, Simon Westerfield to a term ending May 2027 and Marvin Basnett to a term ending May 2027.
