Joanna Fajardo

The council meeting addressed several key items, including the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the prior meeting. A liquor license application for Crossroads Pub, LLC to sell intoxicating liquor by the drink was conditionally approved. The council also approved a request for a temporary street closure on North Clark Street for the annual Billy Parker's CruzN Car Cruise event, contingent upon fulfilling notification and insurance requirements. In committee reports, the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval for the Bobber Subdivision Plat 2 and the Casey's General Store plat. Purchases approved included a Western Snow Plow for the Street Department and two 3-phase padmount transformers, with the lowest qualifying bid accepted. The Water & Sewer department received approval to purchase a new Kubota lawn mower. The City Attorney requested a closed session to discuss a personnel matter. Ordinances were passed to approve the Bobber Subdivision Plat Two and the Casey's General Store Plat. Following a closed session, the board unanimously approved the hiring of Mr. Darrell Flora as a full-time patrolman, contingent upon pre-employment screening.

Key discussions included the approval of two event requests: a 5K Run/2K Walk fund-raiser scheduled for April 4, 2026, and the annual Marching Band Festival parade on September 19, 2026, both contingent upon insurance requirements and emergency notifications. The Council accepted a bid from J&M Display for the 2026 fireworks display, budgeted at $15,000. A required annual report on customer net-metering generation for 2025 was presented. The Council approved the lowest qualifying bid for a new sewer tapping machine from Schulte Supply. Furthermore, Bill No. 4101 was introduced and later passed as Ordinance No. 4101, authorizing the execution of a General Warranty Deed to transfer a vacated portion of right-of-way at Ira Bland Drive back to the adjacent property owner, correcting a title error while preserving the City's utility easement. Approval was granted to purchase a John Deere mower for the Golf Course using a cooperative purchasing contract, bypassing competitive bidding. The Finance Committee reviewed and approved the monthly bills totaling $3,268,776.06, which included a significant adjustment to account for increased electric costs related to Winter Storm Fern.

The Council meeting included the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the January 6, 2026 meeting. The Board approved a liquor license application for The Vault, contingent upon state and county approval. The Planning & Zoning committee recommended approval for the vacation of a utility easement for Norma Lamb and approved a conditional use permit for Missouri Baptist Hospital to operate an ambulance service. The Board also reviewed and approved a new credit card policy establishing guidelines for issuance, use, and oversight. A discussion covered the proposition to change the City Collector position from elected to appointed, which will be put before voters in the April 7, 2026 election. The Finance Committee approved monthly bills totaling $2,864,161.68. Ordinances were passed to formalize the utility easement vacation and to place the City Collector proposition on the ballot. Aldermen provided input regarding the noise level of the new street sweeper, the design of the School Resource Officers' vehicles, and comments received about the new credit policy and the City Collector position.

Key discussions included the approval of the agenda and the approval of the minutes from the January 20, 2026 meeting. The Council accepted the lowest qualifying bid from Graybar for two 3-phase padmount transformers for the Electric Department. For wooden poles, the lowest qualifying bid from Bridgewell Resources was approved. The bid from J. Oros Environmental was recommended for biosolid hauling services at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was later formalized by Ordinance No. 4100, approving a contract until December 31, 2028. The purchase of a new Well control system for Well #9 from Vandevanter Engineering for $46,720 was approved, waiving the bidding process due to compatibility requirements. Spring Cleanup Week was scheduled for April 20-24, 2026. The City Attorney reported an impasse regarding liability clauses for Route 66 signage efforts. Following a closed session regarding personnel matters, the Board voted to hire Matt Campbell for a semi-skilled laborer position in the Water & Sewer Department and Sarah Wheeler for the Deputy City Clerk/Administrative Assistant position. The Mayor commended city crews for snow storm cleanup efforts.

The council meeting addressed several operational and legislative items. Key discussions included the approval of the purchase of two 2026 Dodge Durango SUVs for the police department and the approval of monthly financial expenditures. The council passed ordinances to authorize agreements with MoDOT for Hazardous Moving Violation and Impaired Driving enforcement campaigns. Additionally, the council approved a voluntary annexation of property located at 412 Edgewood Drive. Aldermen also received updates regarding storm cleanup efforts and discussed traffic safety concerns on North & South Road.