Zach James

The City Council meeting covered several administrative and operational topics. Key discussions included updates on water plant upgrades and the timeline for completion, as well as the implementation of a purchase order system to improve purchasing controls. The mayor proposed placing a public safety tax on the April ballot to address revenue shortfalls. Other business included approval of the Salvation Army's annual bucket blitz, adoption of ordinances related to the appointment of a police chief, and appropriation of funds for the upcoming fiscal year. The council also reviewed the North Park project, approving a bid for concrete work and debating the timing for opening the park to the public.

The meeting included discussions on various municipal matters. The board addressed the required process for the sale of city-owned properties, specifically 209 First Street and a lot associated with the parking lot (potentially 107 First Street), deciding to advertise them for bid without a reserve, but requiring a non-refundable 10% down payment based on the bid amount if the bid is successful. Discussions also covered updates on a new software system implementation, including training for department leads on the Purchase Order process and electronic invoice processing. It was confirmed that payroll and utility billing migration to the new system is scheduled for March, while payroll for the last pay period of December will remain in-house using Tession as the time clock system. The board also approved the renewal of the LOQW contract services effective January 1st, 2026, due to minimum wage increases. Finally, the council approved the nominations for new library board members: Jana Alhorn, Megan Mudd, and Karen Sever. The scheduled meeting for December 4th, 2025, was cancelled.

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the pledge of allegiance. The agenda included reviewing and approving the minutes from the September 18th, 2025 meeting. Key discussions involved municipal finance matters, including the process and proper solicitation for the 2025 audit, which is scheduled for November 24th through 26th. The Board voted to increase the price of cemetery plots from the current amount ($200 or $300, depending on input interpretation) to $500, requiring that this change be recorded in the fee structures. Significant time was spent discussing the engagement letter for the audit firm, Williams Keepers, and ensuring compliance with procurement policies for professional services over $25,000. Under new business, the Parks and Recreation committee reported on obtaining a bid for fixing windows at St. Jude's. A major topic was the inability to open the new playground at North Park due to the requirement for a monitored camera system with reliable connectivity (fiber optic connection preferred over temporary solutions like Wi-Fi hotspots). Finally, the Mayor's request to re-establish the Nuisance Committee was approved, appointing Philip Potterfield, Zach James (Chief of Police), Bob Altiser (Building Inspector), and John Russell (City Attorney) to the committee.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a quorum confirmation. Key discussions included the approval of minutes from the December 18, 2025 meeting. The Mayor reported on the issuance of an RFP for an airport consultant, with responses due February 13, 2026, and an RFQ for electrical engineering services due January 16, 2026. The proclamation of February 2026 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month was presented. A significant portion of the meeting addressed the establishment of formal policy regarding committee responsibilities, defining the scope of the Administration and Operations committees, which were merged to include previous Public Works and Public Safety functions. The Economic Development Tax Board requested consideration for a resolution of support for a Missouri community strategic planning project, involving matching funds. The Police Chief reported on concerns discussed with the Mayor and attorney, specifically requesting administrative access to the police department's payroll and budget systems, and noted that payment to the NEMO task force, approved in October, had been intentionally restricted without notification. Updates were also provided on the upcoming health insurance open enrollment beginning February 1st, and the initiation of communication regarding the CDBG grant process.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call confirming a quorum. Key agenda items included the approval of the minutes from the November 6, 2025 meeting. The Mayor's report covered several administrative updates: the water treatment facility being in compliance with the Missouri State Drinking Water Act, plans to switch to culmination in December, the realization that a proposed half-percent sales tax for public safety could not be enacted due to a statutory cap, and the need to engage an engineering firm for a water and sewer rate study. The clerk requested patience due to the ongoing migration to new enterprise software (BSNA) and upcoming auditor visits. An eighth-grade student presented ideas for economic growth, focusing on engaging major local businesses with city data. Administrative actions included authorizing the expenditure up to $429 for an Apple iPad for field use related to the BSNA implementation and approving the lowest bid of $131 for 16 ceiling tiles to replace those damaged by leaks. New business involved discussing an ordinance to grant a temporary easement to the Missouri Department of Transportation for road work on Highway 24.