Chantz Grellner

The meeting commenced with an invocation that mentioned recent events involving law enforcement. Discussions included updates on airport development, specifically focusing on identifying available build spots, addressing the lack of T-hangers, and potential private construction of new hangars. There was an update regarding runway lighting, noting only four lights were working, and plans to apply for a grant to replace all fixtures. The board also discussed the three-year contract renewal with Premier Pyro Technics, including insurance coverage and discounts for early payment, noting that Citizens Bank funds the fireworks cost. Significant time was dedicated to water department updates, which involved fixing leaks, repairing meters, and addressing a high number of malfunctioning meters (over 100 replaced in two weeks) before their warranty expires by the end of the year. Technical issues with the metering system's repeater tower, potentially damaged by a lightning strike, were also reported. Finally, there was a request for the technical staff to provide detailed, hourly usage reports for board members' meters to help monitor consumption and leaks.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the consent agenda, which included payment of bills following a brief discussion concerning costs related to the storm drain sinkhole project, confirming the project remained under budget. Staff updates covered Fire Department testing of the Storm Siren with speaking alerts, Public Works activities including sinkhole remediation and pothole patching, and City Hall presenting two projects for bid consideration: staining the Airpark Pavilion and replacing the pool concession stand roof. The Board approved seeking bids for these projects. A significant discussion ensued regarding the status of S Chestnut Street, which some residents believe should be plowed during snow emergencies, involving debate over its official classification (street vs. drive) and past plowing practices; the Mayor clarified that only the mandated snow district requires plowing during emergencies, and no final vote was taken on changing existing ordinances. New business involved the passage of several ordinances: Bill No. 8-2026 and Bill No. 9-2026 authorizing agreements with B&P Patterson LLC and Dittmer Ditching LLC, respectively; Bill No. 10-2026 revising animal regulations concerning duplicate tags; Bill No. 11-2026 and Bill No. 12-2026 amending personnel practices regarding vacation and leave; and Bill No. 14-2026 revising introductory period regulations. Bill No. 13-2026 concerning sick leave was tabled. Amended Bill No. 15-2026 revising the Aquatic Park fee schedule was also approved. The Board approved the bid for the Police Department Replacement Vehicle. Students presented their research on aging water systems and the pros and cons of privatization, leading to discussions on tracer wire installation, DNR testing requirements, water rate implications for grants, economic impacts, and communication protocols for planned water line work. The Mayor also announced the resignation of the City Attorney and the creation of an airport advisory committee. The session concluded with a Closed Session for legal and personnel matters.

The primary discussion centered on a presentation requesting funding through an equipment grant to replace older public works equipment, including dump trucks, utility trucks, and rollers. The proposal detailed that the grant would cover 55% of the cost, with the city covering the remaining 45%. The presentation emphasized the significant cost savings anticipated from reduced maintenance and wear and tear on outdated machinery, specifically highlighting the poor condition of an existing roller. The discussion also covered the plans to utilize new trucks for multi-use purposes to improve team efficiency, potentially eliminating the need for multiple trucks on site. Furthermore, there was a review of the required documentation for the grant, specifically addressing outdated expiration dates (2005) on assurance agreements, which require updating prior to final submission. The session concluded with a motion to accept the grant proposal.

The meeting commenced with staff updates, where Public Works acknowledged the hard work of road crews following recent snow, confirming no issues with road patches resulted from plowing. The Fire Department provided an update on exploring the Amber Alert system for citizen information dissemination, alongside a discussion about adding a moving text sign near the public safety building. New business involved the approval and passage of three ordinances: Bill No. 5-2026 authorizing a payment application agreement with Dittmer Ditching LLC, Bill No. 6-2026 adopting the amended 2025 budget, and Bill No. 7-2026 adopting the amended 2026 budget. The board also approved Resolution No. 1-2026 to apply for a USDA Rural Development grant to upgrade outdated public works vehicles. Additionally, the board authorized going out for bid to replace a recently damaged police vehicle. Finally, it was noted that the city is still working on the completion of the 2023 and 2024 audits.

The meeting involved discussions and actions regarding financial matters, including the approval of bills where a motion was passed without noted opposition, and a review of a Highway Airport Agreement related to obtaining AAA grants back for the City of Elden, Missouri. Significant time was dedicated to discussing a potential contract with 'I Works' for an animal control and licensing system, focusing heavily on contract terms, pricing structure (one-year vs. three-year options), potential termination penalties, and concerns about future rate increases. The board also considered and advanced an ordinance for a lot split at the intersection of Highway 54 and Highway 87 for future commercial property development.