Council - Regular Meeting

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Lord, help and guide us to make the best possible decisions we can make for the city of Boomville and its citizens. And uh please bless and keep our troops safe over in the Middle East. Amen. Amen. Young here. Meadow here. Coward here. Harville here. Elbert here. Vinnable. Davis here.

Beal here. Hearing of citizens comments. Do we have anybody that wants to come up and say something? No volunteers. Okay. You want to say something? Anybody come up to come to what I was just hearing? Excuse me, Mr. Mayor. That's okay. I didn't hear station one. I understand what he was saying. I apologize. Um just listening to you and I'm thinking I'm in a meeting cuz y'all doing all that. Ma'am. Ma'am. Ma'am, can you put your name please on the There should be a signin sheet. Nope. No signin sheet.

There was Jeff. Is there a pen? Okay, thank you. Uh, can you say your name too, please? Sorry. First time being Well, it's not my first time, but being able to do this. Uh, Carol Crook Martin. You said Carol Martin. Yeah, you can do that.

Ward four. uh the water. That's what I'm uh just understand who benefits from the increase of the water. I mean, you're doing an increase. So, who who who benefits? Because I'm I'm hearing what um Mr. Elbert is talking about.

Who benefits? Because our bill keeps getting higher and higher. Everybody's not using the same amount of water. So, you can't base it on one person. Um so, typically in the public comments is it's sort of like a one-way comment. So, the council will carry it over to miscellaneous and discussion. So, You can. Yeah. So, I just want you to know you can you can say whatever you want, Carol. So, yeah, you're on record. That's why we had you sign in. So, so you get to say anything and everything that you want to present to the council and we don't really want to eat up the five minutes time you're allotted by going back and forth and then later at the end of the meeting, we can circle back to your comments when we discuss it as a council under miscellaneous. Thank you for explaining that.

Sure. Now, I can go sit down. Thank you, girl. Um, my name is Sharon Hobbs and I'm married to William Hobbs

and we both have concerns about the rising cost of the um, water bill cuz didn't we just have an increase a year ago and now we're getting another increase? And then um, one of the other issues is like the water plant. My husband worked there so he knows how things goes and like our water tower is all rusted up at top. It's like they're not doing any maintenance but everything keeps going higher and higher. So why is that? And then um with the water plant, I know that they um are when they have to fix something when Willie was there he'd fix it. we wouldn't have to the city didn't have to pay a higher cost for another facility to come from Kansas City or or from um Colombia to fix things so we could keep things running at a cheaper cost. But my understanding now is everything is being replaced brand new, brand new, brand new instead of trying to fix older equipment that might even be made better um for the city. And then I had a question cuz um I enjoy the pool. Our pool is very nice. But I also thought at one point the city council said with the pool there was going to come a lazy river and there was money um raised for that but no lazy river was ever done. So my question is what about what happened with the lazy river? Okay. And then I think some of the things that I we've noticed also is we're having a lot of water mane breaks.

And I don't know about water. My husband does who won't come up here and talk cuz he just won't. But he's like, if they were doing the proper when they fix a man, then they're supposed to bleed the air out of the line, so then there wouldn't be increased pressure in the water line and cause the water to bust again. And what we're concerned is they're not following proper um procedures and when they replace the water manes or fix the water manes, they're not getting rid of the air and that kind of thing. So those are my issues.

Thank you. Thank you, Sharon. You uh you actually stayed right in in the time a lot. Good for you. What? Word four.

Ward four. Anybody else? Here we go. Hello everyone. My name is Alicia Po Dexter and I think that I have the same concerns as everyone else is in the increasing of the uh water bill and we just had an increase not too long ago. My main concern is is that this ties a lot into the economy. We've we've had it all pretty rough. The bills are going up, but the paychecks are not moving. Um, I want to know is there anything that can be done? Is there any wiggle room? What kind of plan of action can justify this increase since we just had one? I'm done.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Lisa. Good question. Anybody else? Okay. Any changes or corrections to the minutes of the February 2nd council meeting? Being none, they will stand as submitted. Item five, consent items. Consider payout number 10 final in the amount of $64,164.50 to Hydrovac of Missouri for leadline service inventory. Want to do all three? Yes, please.

Item B, consider pay number five in the amount of $91,36643 cents to CL Richardson Construction for water and sewer improvements. Item C, consider pay number 10 in the amount of $57,379 and 93 cents to GBH Builders for YMCA renovations. I'll make a motion we approve consent items A, B, and C. Thank you. Got a second. There a second.

Got a motion and a second. Questions, comments? Roll call. Young, yes. Meadow, yes. Howard, yes. Harbble, yes. Elbert, yes. David, yes. Yes. All right. Item six, presentation of accounts and claims. A appropriations 2.17.2026. We do both of these. Yeah. I'll read the February one and then I'll read the March. And do we vote on them separately? You can probably just do the one. Okay.

Okay. That's what I was asking. Item B, appropriations 3.02.2026.

Be it ordained by the council of the city of Boomville as follows. Section one, for the purpose of paying salaries in various accounts against the city of Boomville, which have been allowed by the council at the regular meeting thereof on 217 20226, the sum of $378,48657. General fund 1929 9214861 Sanitation $4,63718 CIP tax $25,3749 Waterworks $50,3851 capital projects $0 wastewater $51,44023 3 tourism $10,9876 gaming $34,842.74 Parks and water $8,717.75 Kemper sales tax $0 economic development project $0. Section two, the accountant is hereby authorized and instructed to draw checks on the respective city bank accounts in favor of the persons whose salaries and accounts have been allowed above amounting to 378,48657 being the total amount obtaining above appropriated. Section three. This ordinance shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage first reading 217 2026 read for the second time. this 217 2020 cent since a cop copy was made available prior to the meeting. Okay. And then I'll move on to the this one.

Yep. Be it ordained by the council of the city of Boomville as follows. Section one for the purpose of paying salaries and various accounts against the city of Boomville which have been allowed by the council at the regular meeting thereof on 32206. the sum of $553,158.30. General fund $218,34426. Sanitation $3,869.96. CIP tax $75,122.16. Waterworks $132,5875. Capital projects $2,85961. Wastewater $89,785.82. Tourism $6,282.39. Gaming $9,525. Parks and water $13,775. Keer sales tax $1,480. economic development projects $0. The count is hereby authorized and instructed to draw checks on respective city bank accounts in pay favor of the persons whose salaries and accounts have been allowed as above amounting to $553,158.30 being the total amount of money above appropriated. Section three, this ordinance shall take effect and be enforced from and a after its passage. First reading 322026 read for the second time. this 32 202266 since a copy was made avi available prior to the meeting.

Second reading title only of ordinance uh 0217 and also ordinance 0302 ordinance appropriating money. I hereby make a motion that we approve both ordinances. Thank you. Is there a second? I'll second. Have a motion and second. This is just a reminder for everyone we're having to do both since we had to cancel the meeting. You guys need to approve both both ordinances. Okay. Questions or comments? Roll call. Young, yes. Meadows, yes. Coward, yes. Harville, yes. Elbert, yes. Davis, yes. Beal,

yes. Okay, I don't see any unfinished businesses. New business. Item A. First reading of bill number 2026-00003, ordinance amending the rates for water and wastewater service portions of the schedule of administrative fees. It's on appendage six one at a time. Well, yes.

Take a title. An ordinance of the city of Boomville, Missouri, amending the water service rates and wastewater service rates portion of the schedule of administrative fees appendix G in the code of general ordinances providing an effective date therefore in repealing parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance. Motion n Oh, excuse me. Yes, I should have read first. Item B, first reading, bill number 2026-004, approving the budget for fiscal year 2026 27.

An ordinance accepting and approving the budget for the city of Boomville, Missouri for the period of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. Item C, first and second reading of billing of bill number 2026-005, approving a final site plan for Boone Slick Industries dog grooming facility located at 1624 West Ashley Road. An ordinance of the city of Boomville, Missouri, approving the final site plan for Boomslick Industries dog grooming facility located at 1624 West Ashley Road, Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri, providing an effective date therefore and repealing all ordinances in conflict with this ordinance. Whereas, Boon Boonlick Industries is proposing to build a dog grooming facility at 1624 West Ashley Road. And whereas city staff met and communicated with Boomslick Industries and their engineers and architects to discuss the proposed development plan. And whereas the final site plan was considered at planning and zoning commission meeting on February 10th, 2026. The plan include exhibit A herein incorporated and attached to your two this ordinance. The commission has recommended their approval by the council said site plans are incorporated herein if set forth fully in this ordinance. And whereas the city council has evaluated the site plans for compatibility in the use of abuing sites, the safety and convenience of vehicle and pedestrian traffic and in view of potential economic benefit to the city of Boomville finds them to be appropriate to further economic development of the city of Booneville. Now therefore, be it dame by the city be ordained by the city council of the city of Boomville, Missouri as follows. Section one that the final site plan as shown and indicated in exhibit A attached here to and made a part hereof located at 1624 West Ashley Road, City

of Boomville, Cooper County, Missouri should be and hereby approved. Section two, this ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval granted herein shall be valid for a period not to exceed 12 months thereafter. You can keep going there. Oh, okay. Read for the first time, second day of March 2026. Read for the first and second time and passed this second day, March 2026, after copy of this ordinance and reference plans have been made available prior for public inspection prior to its reading. Is there a motion? Mayor, I'd like to make a motion we approve this bill. Thank you. Got a second? I'll second.

Okay, got a motion. Second. Any discussion? Just I just want to say for clarity, normally we don't do a first and second reading, but because we didn't meet, I did not want to hold the dog grooming facility project up and I didn't feel it was fair to them since we were unable to have the meeting. So that's why we're doing a first and second on this one. No, that's fair. Um, quick question on relative location to the Boonlick Industries facility that's out there now. Southeast corner of their lot. Uh they're going to use the access road between the south side of Savvy and Gabs to get back to where they plan to build. Are they going to do any improvement on that road back to it or just leave it? It's gravel now, right? Y it's being treated as a private drive. Okay. It's a private Yeah.

And is there any net new job creation from that facility because it looks like a pretty large facility, right? Yeah. And I had asked about that the fencing, it's going to be a big area. Uh they do anticipate, you know, probably hiring people. So it's it's new business to Booneville. So that's good. Good. Do we anticipate I don't know how with the proximity to residential buildings or anything out there. Do we have any concern about that? No. If anything, it's it's it's a really large area. Plus, it's already zoned C2, I think. Okay.

And when commencement for construction? I didn't see. took bids last when they were at our planning and zoning meeting. They were taking bids like opening that day and they were going to the board. So I would I think probably in the next several weeks I think they're in spring.

Roll call. Young. Yes. Meadows. Yes. Coward. Yes. Marvel. Yes. Delbert. Yes. Davis. Yes. Beto. Yes.

Motion passes. Item D, first reading of bill number 2026-076, authorizing execution of state block grant agreement amendment number one for JA funds for improvements at the Jesse Fertile Memorial Airport. An ordinance of the city of Vivva, Missouri, authorizing execution of a state block grant agreement amendment with amendment number one with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission in regard to accepting grant amendment number one for additional infrastructure investment and jobs act funding for Missouri Department of Transportation project number 23-039A-1 for the taxi lane reconstruction and rehabilitation at the Jesse Myrtle Jesse Myrtle Memorial Airport.

Easy for you to say, right?

All right. Item E, first reading of bill number 2026-007, authorizing execution state block grant agreement. Amendment number two for NPE funds for improvements at the Jesse Brutal Memorial Airport. An ordinance of the city of Booneville, Missouri, authorizing execution of a state block grant agreement amendment number two with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission in regard to accepting grant amendment number two for additional non-primary entitlement funding for Missouri Department of Transportation project number 23-039A-1 for the taxi lane reconstruction and rehabilitation at Jesse Verle Memorial airport done yet?

Not yet. Oh gosh, I'm getting there.

You You should feel good about being solo. Item F, first reading of bill number 2026-008, approving a final site plan for McDonald's. Page 138. An ordinance to the city of Booneville, Missouri, approving the final site plan for McDonald's located at 490 Americana Drive, Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri, providing an effective date. Therefore, and repealing all ordinances in conflict with this ordinance first reading, excuse me. Consider resolution R 20226-04 approving an amendment to the development agreement with Keer Apartments LLC.

A resolution authorizing an amendment of paragraph C of section C, construction of the housing project of the development agreement between Kim Apartments LLC and the city of Boomville, Missouri. Whereas the city of Boomville, Missouri passed ordinance number 404650 in August 21, 2023 authorizing Booneville to enter into a development agreement with Keer Apartments LLC. And whereas the city of Boomville, Missouri and Kipper Apartments LLC entered into a development agreement on August 21, 2023 relating to the construction of parking abatement of asbestous and the construction of 55 senior housing units at D barracks and A barracks to accommodate development on FT Kemper Park. And whereas pursuant to section one and section two of ordinance number 4650, officials and agents of the city are authorized to approve changes to the agreement that are in substantial conformity with the original agreement and may take such action actions as may be necessary to carry out the intent of the original ordinance. And whereas Keer Apartments LLC wishes to amend paragraph C of section 6, construction of housing project of the original development agreement, changing the initial option term from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 to potentially allow for more advantage advantages historic tax credits. And whereas the city of Booneville, Missouri is agreeable to the amendment. And whereas the amendment to the development agreement will not be pro

prejuditial to either party is in substantial conformity with original agreement and is consistent with the intent of ordinance number 4650. Now therefore, be it resolved by the city council of city of Boomville, Missouri, that the city approves an amendment paragraph C, section six, construction in the housing project of the original development agreement entered into on August 21, 2023 with Keer Apartments LLC as set out in the attached exhibit A passed the second day of March, 2026 by the city council of Booneville, Missouri. I make a motion we approve resolution R2026-04. Thank you. Second.

Second. And we got a motion and a second. Questions or comments?

Okay. Yan, yes. Meadows, yes. Coward, yes. Harville, yes. Elbert, yes. Davis, yes. Beal, yes. Congrats. That's a long time coming.

Congrats. That's a long time coming is what I said. It's for those of us that were there when when the bankruptcy was was claimed and we're sitting in the room. This is a big day. This is a huge big day and I don't make many political announcements but uh this is good. This is really huge. reports of standing committees. Booneville Housing Authority.

Mayor, the information is in your packet. There's a lengthy auditor's report finding no faults or concerns. Uh they about to complete phase one of the HVAC installations and they'll be depending on grant money coming in, they'll be starting on phase two this year. Okay. Item B, board of public works meeting January 29th. Any thoughts or questions on that? Notes are in the packet. We had two or three um bills that were reviewed by the board. Um but again, let me know if you have questions.

Item C, planning zoning meeting, February 10, 2026.

Mayor notes are in the packet. uh two issues came up were was the uh final site plan for McDonald's and the final site plan for the Benlick industrial dog grooming. Industrial dog grooming has already been approved. The McDonald's final site plan will um if you guys have any questions on that, let me know. It's it's essentially staying where it's at, just a little bit closer to the road. Uh it will not be moving back. I think originally they were talking about moving it like to the lot behind it. They they have uh since came back and said no, we're going to keep it where it's at. Just move it a little bit closer to the road. Um no adjustment to parking so to speak of. So

and it will miss. No, you're good. How about it? Will that affect the roundabout as they that McDonald's is going versus that roundabout? Yeah, it they're not changing the parking lot size, but you know, at the same time when McDonald's is de is tearing it down and re and the roundabouts going in. Sorry, I was going to say that the the initial my understanding is that the the McDonald's plans should not adversely affect anything with the roundabout construction of the rideways. They should be done before we even initiate roundabout. These guys are so good at what they do on these changes. It's literally going to come in and and be so quick.

And I think Kate's memo to the council is like 120 days expected turnaround time. So that it's going to be done and brand new before we even break ground with roundabout. I think they won't happen at the same time. That's the goal. I was worried about I I'm I'm pretty excited. I'm just glad they're upgrading stuff in our town. I mean Walmart and now McDonald's upgrading it. It's good. So what's the construction timeline on that? 120 days. I mean, from what in from what date? As soon as it's approved, they're ready to start to pass it. Yeah, they're ready. Well, they they said in the meeting they hope to start like April 1st. Okay. Wow. Okay. So,

I think they're going through and doing like the same company. So, I think Yeah, they bring in their own turn crew. Move to the next. Yeah. Martin, they own several view. Reports of city officials. I have no comments. City administrator. Um I don't have anything in particular, but I'm happy to reopen the conversation on the budget now so that we can make a plan for the next meeting and I'll just turn it over to you guys. Any more comments on the budget? Questions on the budget?

Well, I have one, Mr. Mayor. I still think that we should not be raising up the water the water rates because I was just looking on the public board works and there were several people came in on public public board works asking for a reduction. You know what I mean for and because the bill was so high that we need to stop it, slow down and let the people catch up with what they can afford right now cuz things are getting high. eggs, bread, you know, I mean, people got to go to the doctor. I think the city should not do not raise a wire. So, it's raised up at this time.

Okay. Anybody else? Um, I have to vote for the people, my constituents, and I I agree with Barry on this. So, I do believe that we should wait a year. Um, I know it's $200,000 that uh we are not going to get. Maybe we don't spend $160,000 on two new trucks or $18,000 on key card entry or whatever else we want to say. But I just don't think I don't think we should do this and I have to vote for my constituents.

Anybody else? I would just like to say that by postponing the inevitable, I don't want to see a huge jump in my water bill a year or a couple years down the road. And that is really disconcerting to think about. And it may not be a 30% jump. It may be a 10% jump. That would be kind of shocking for anybody who gets a jump like that in their water bill. And you got to remember People are getting something for their money. We are maintaining an excellent water system, water and sewer system. Think about other small towns that are dealing and grappling with this kind of thing. And we have the capability and the expertise to maintain good quality water and sewer treatment for the people in our town. And I think that's highly important. We're kind of blessed in a way in that regard that we are able to do that and that we are able to add put money in reserve for further down the road. It's not like we're just frivolously spending the money. We're looking ahead and anticipating what we have to do in terms of maintaining the level of quality that this town enjoys for water treatment and sewer management. All I'm asking is for a reduction is not to have the rate increase this year because things are getting so high and that the citizens of Bloom can say that well Bloomville didn't go up on their water rates this year. You know what I mean? And just to show that we do care, you know what I mean? By increasing the the rates, you know what I mean? Because it's it's very hard for somebody to pay a $200 water bill, you know what I mean? when they don't have it. Are they worrying about eating or sleeping or something?

I don't disagree with you, Barry, at all. I understand. I just think that we just need to slow it down. Stop. I go ahead. I'm sorry I'm interrupting you. Go ahead. I have a question. Are there grants or something out there that the city can provide to citizens who are hard hit by the impact of cost increases? I think there's a lot of cities too that do like senior citizens discounts or um like I know Moy has a program going of like it's something we could at least offer grants for businesses on their utility rates. I think a couple years ago you guys had me look at a senior citizen discount and we provided some at that point in time. You guys chose

I I think even a discount you're just pushing the the cost to somebody else. Yes, I do. I mean, I I I'm voting and I and I have to vote. I've had five, maybe six people come to me and have been completely against this in my ward. I I have to vote no. So, I I'm I'm throwing that out there. I totally get where we're coming from and and all of this discussion makes sense to me. Maybe we need trucks, maybe we don't. But the the fact of the matter is every single person in my ward that I've talked to has said, "No, do not do this."

So, I I'll just make a brief comment. Um I already kind of said what I my my take on this, which is the three and a half% increase that we're talking about here. Um I I think we're all trying to help our community. We're all trying to and we all understand the impact that an increase in water rates has. Unfortunately, I my view is by delaying a rate increase, a small one at that could actually hurt the community. If we have large expenses, if we take a if we take a no increase, it sets us behind for a year. If we have a large repair that's needed, if we have pumps that go out, if we have continued water main breaks, it will actually, I think, long-term hurt the community more than a 3% increase this year. If we do a 3% increase this year, yes, next year we may have to do another increase, a reasonable 3% rate increase again next year, but it will avoid us taking a 7, 10, 12 increase next year if we don't do anything this year. So, I think we're all trying to get to the same goal, which is helping the community, helping our citizens. I have a different way of looking at it, and I think by delaying an increase, a small reasonable increase this year, I think you're actually putting our constituency at risk. And that's my main concern. But we have reserves.

Well, Barry, go ahead. We'll just go one at a time. All right, then. Okay. All right. Anybody else? Steve, I think as long as you do things consistently and you have a method to come up with that rate, that's the best way you can go. You have to cover your continuing cost. I mean, if and you're going to have those big rates if you if you're just not consistent. And I think since I've been here, everything seems pretty consistent. Keep rolling along. Yeah. Anybody else? Make it short, Barry.

Okay. Well, I don't know about short or whatever, but you know, the cost of everything going up. Gas is going up right now. You know, price of eggs, food, everything. And then here we are. We telling our citizens that we're going to raise our water rates, raise their sewage rate. You know what I mean? When will it stop? You know what I mean? the word's going to stop that. Everything is going up. Maybe this time we say no, we're not going to raise and bite the bullet. You know what I mean? And if we have to come back with a 30% increase next year or 15% increase next year, explain to your citizens, hey, we had to do this because we had X, Y, and Z, but we couldn't do it this year because things were getting bad. Things are getting hard. It's just we just can't we can't do it to our citizens. We shouldn't do that to our community. We shouldn't do it.

Okay, great. Thank you. Anybody else? City administrator.

Um I guess a few other things. There's some comment for council. The prayer breakfast is scheduled for March 19th. So if any of you guys want to attend, we have a table. Um it's always a good event. So I encourage anyone who's available. We have several park positions available. So people who are interested, please spread the word. Um, I think we have four equipment operator positions open right now and also we are taking applications for the pool. So, if anyone has any kids from 14 to on up, I think we're about the only place you can get a job at 14. So, um, that that's available. Um, and then also, I think I already told you about uh, MDOT, get ready. The I70 expansion is occurring all around us, so please be patient. I don't know what the traffic might look like as that um three-lane expansion occurs. It's happening both from Roachport to Columbia as one project and then Roachport Bridge and then Roachport Bridge to Boonville. So, they're both kind of going to happen simultaneously. Um and I I can't remember if it's a two-year contract for those or just a one-year for each of them off the top of my head. So, um just be on the lookout for that and drive carefully, but it'll be great when it's done. So, it'll be a good addition. Okay. City clerk.

Nothing. City councelor. Nothing, Mr. Mayor. Okay. Economic developer. What's happening out there?

Well, thank you, mayor. Several council. Several things are happening. Um, first of all, you'll see that uh we did receive a uh industrial project referral from the Missouri Partnership. That's project NEVO that I have responded to. Uh that's in the list there. Uh but really what I'd like to take uh our time together tonight on is um I'm expanding our offerings for our uh entrepreneurs in town. So you may recall a couple meetings ago we had an event that was an angel investment education event. I think that was well attended. Um on 39 I'll be hosting event uh for our entrepreneurs to show them the power of Placer. So, I've been helping some businesses in town to understand what their visitors look like, uh, how they can be more effective in marketing to them. Um, so I have several signed up for that. I do have a couple spots left for anyone that would like to attend that. Um, but that's on 39 at 2:00 in city hall in the conference room. Um, and then I haven't made this other widely known largely because of the expense of the services, but I've I've circulated with all of our large employers. There is a company in Colombia that specializes in doing virtual reality uh for use in training and recruitment. Um, and uh we're doing a lunch and learn on 318 and I have several of our large employers who are coming to that. I haven't circulated that with the retail community largely because uh a a custommade VR project starts at around $50,000. So, it's it's not an inexpensive uh process. And then the last thing I'll mention, unless you have questions, is that we are uh uh reactivating the revolving loan fund, which I I told you previously that we're we were doing. And then I recently learned of a different strategy of how we may deploy those funds to make them easier to access for

our small businesses that would apply. So we we stopped, but we're we're going to have a different u deployment strategy that should make it a little easier. Just so you know, that's still coming, I guess, is what I wanted you to know. And then I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Thanks, Jim. Thank you, mayor. Thanks, Jim. You any miscellaneous? You left Brad out. No, she got Sorry. Sorry. Don't leave Brad. You're good. You got him for once. Okay. Well, motion to adjourn.

All right. Vote with vote with your legs.