City Council - Regular Meeting

and call to order and do a roll call. Yep. Allan here. Helenson right here. Job here. Tam here here. Lester here. Michael here. Thomas, he was going to join virtually eventually. Young know we could do that. We have a All right. Item 3A is the consent agenda item. Motion to approve. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? All right.

Thank you. Item four, War Two, nominee Holtz, introduction and opening remarks. Mr. Holt, welcome. You probably need to push the microphone on. There'll be a red light that comes on. Your first test. Can you hear me? Some are still working on this. Me being included. Welcome. Thank you. If you could just identify yourself obviously for folks to know. Of course.

My name is Cody Holtz. I am uh seeking nomination and acceptance as the W 2 city councilman. I appreciate the opportunity to be here. I'm an attorney here in Jefferson City and my practice focuses on a mix of civil, business, and family matters. What that really means in practice is that I spend most of my time working through situations where there are complex competing interests, incomplete information, and no perfect outcome, only better or worse decisions. That has shaped how I approach problems. I tend to focus less on abstract ideas and more on what will actually work in the real world. What are the facts? What are the constraints? What are the long-term consequences? And how does the situation hold up once it is in in practice? I have built both my career and my life here in Jefferson City. This is not just where I work. It is where I've chosen to invest my time and energy and hopefully raise a family. Part of that has included serving on the Jefferson City Homelessness Task Force where our team put together various suggestions that we believe will be working through how to better coordinate services across multiple organizations. That experience has been instructive. It highlighted that many of the challenges the city's the city faces are not due to a lack of effort or even a lack of resources, but a lack of coordination and followthrough at times. There are often multiple groups trying to solve the same problem in parallel and without structure that can lead to inefficiencies or missed opportunities. It also reinforce something I think applies more broadly to city government in general which is good intentions are not always enough. Decisions have to be implementable. They have to be sustainable and they have to be evaluated not just on how they sound but

on how they perform over time. I'm seeking this position because I want to be involved in that decision-making process, not to push a particular agenda or to come in with a predetermined answer, but to bring a practical, measured approach to the issues that come before this council. Jefferson City is in a position where it has opportunities for growth and development, and those opportunities may come with trade-offs. I do not believe growth by itself is the goal. The goal should be to make decisions that strengthen the city. Decisions that improve infrastructure, support the people who already live here, and make the community more stable and functional over time. That requires asking difficult questions and at times slowing things down enough to fully understand the impact of any proposal before moving forward. It also requires being willing to act when the facts support it. I think both of these are important, being deliberate but not stagnant. From my perspective, the role of a city council member is not just to vote on issues as they arise, but to ensure that the process behind those decisions is sound. That consistency and willingness to engage with the public is put at the forefront in a meaningful way. In my legal practice, I am accustomed to working through complex issues, identifying the relevant facts, and making decisions that I know will eventually be scrutinized. I think the I think that experience translates translates well into this role where decisions have real and lasting impacts on the community. Ultimately, I'm interested in this position because I care about how Jefferson City develops over time. I think it is a place that offers a great deal and I would like to contribute to making sure that that continues through decisions that are thoughtful, grounded and built to last. I appreciate your time and I look forward to working with all of you. And if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.

All right, we will close that piece. We the next item is for public questions. So you have you have question for I'd like to address the council if I can. Sure. We are now on public questions and answers item number five and then we'll get back to you. Thank you. Thank you. And then council will have an opportunity to ask questions. Good. If you could just identify yourself. Thanks. Welcome.

Sure. My name is Chris Hillgood. Um, I've been working in Jeff City since the late 1990s and I'm a farm wife in the community and I drive into town almost every day and I'm very grateful to all of you for listening to me. I very much appreciate your time and your energies here on the council. So, if you opened up a phone book and went blindly and pointed your finger at the yellow pages, my family almost certainly would have patronized one of your businesses in your town. My uh fertilizer bill is about $200,000 last December. And uh that's high, but it's not nearly as high as I'm worried it's going to be. And that's really the crux to the reason why I'm here talking to you. So, we've had many uh losses to the farm economy. I was just at the Fapri uh farm economic outlook which they held last Wednesday and I learned a lot and uh I'll get to that in a moment. But you know when we pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership that cost Americans $131 billion when we had a trade war in 2018 that cost the egg economy farm families like mine about$2 billion dollar. when we did the same trade war in 2025 that cost the farm economy about 36 billion dollars and this Iraq war has closed straight of Hormuz. If you're not a farmer, you may not be aware that a third of all our fertilizer comes through Hormuz and 50% of all sulfur and that is a critical component for making fertilizer. So, you're probably wondering why should I care about this woman's fertilizer bill? because it's also our diesel and fuel bill on the farm which is very um it goes up and down a lot and that's because we farm in the Missouri River bottom and you know we irrigate and so

we have a dry year we're going to use a lot of diesel to run all those uh pumps that are are pumping water but um um so you know why would you care about the fertilizer bill because we have a fuel bill you guys all have a big fuel bill. You're running all the contractors heavy equipment paying for road work and all kinds of construction projects here in town. You have parks and recreation equipment that uses all kinds of diesel probably. You have police cruisers that are running around town at all hours of the day, 24/7, 365. And you operate snow plows. So, I expect that your fuel bill will go up just like mine will. In fact, every single person in this town, including people who use oats to get around do use some diesel and some fuel to do that. It's going to matter to all of us. So, what can local officials do? I'm imploring you to consider how you've been voting. I'm imploring you. What I really want you to do is reach out to our congressional leaders and tell them about this problem because it's real. You know, we are currently using the US Navy to blockade the straight of Hormuse to blockade and prevent me from being able to collect, purchase, and buy the fertilizer I'm going to need. That's kind of bonkers, guys. That's backwards. And it's time to realize. In fact, I was talking with a former leader of the Farm Bureau, one of the most conservative organizations in our state, and I asked him, "What would our agricultural world be like if we hadn't made these decisions?" And he said, "It would be like heaven." So, you've lost the Farm Bureau. They're very conservative. And so, um, we need to turn this ship around before it's too late. Um,

you know, we're doing all this the war in Iraq to solve a problem that the pre previous administration had solved. We had a deal and it got scrapped with Iran and now we're having a war. So, I'm voting I'm asking you to vote different. I'm mostly asking you to contact the congressional leaders and the senators who are the only people who can stop this. So the margins for farms are very thin right now. I'm not exaggerating. You might be able to discount my whiny voice, but you can't really discount the FAPRI Institute. That's the farm and egg policy institute on the MU campus. It's the national think tank for farm economic policy. The message on Wednesday was there is a sea of red. And I'd be happy to explain that to you in more detail if you'd like. um we cannot handle any more of these multi-billion dollar losses to the egg industry. Uh you know, hundreds of thousands of people in our state are employed in agriculture and there are counties where 75 to 90% of all the jobs in that county are related to agriculture. Um so it's it's relatively easy to ignore me. It's less easy to ignore fapper and it's going to be really hard for farmers to ignore their actual profit loss statements. All the bankers are getting a little uptight out there because they don't know how farmers are going to afford to pay for the seed they need to plant. And so, um, that's basically what I came here to tell you. I'm just looking for uh a sympathetic ear and a a change in our way of doing business in our country. Thank you. And that's all.

Thank you. I think that's all we had signed up. So, we're going to move to item six, city council questions and answers. If you want to come back up. Are there questions? Councilwoman Y. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, hi Cody, and welcome. Thank you.

Um, my question for I heard you mentioned, uh, growth and development, strengthening of the city, uh, more stable, making it more stable over time. Those were some of the things that struck out to me what you mentioned. And um I was wondering some of the things we've been discussing over the last year or so is like conference center just building um new houses here on all uh levels. Right. And so those are some of the things that I was just wondering are those some of the things you had in mind when you were talking about growth and development and those kind of things. I just want to get your view on that.

Yes, very much so. So, I I think that the new housing that's being developed across the city is fantastic. It's a wonderful project. I think that'll bring in new life to the city. Um, I think it will encourage people to uh move here, individuals who work here, but might not necessarily have a place to live in the area, who drive in will hopefully be enticed by those developments. Additionally, I know uh some of it has been spearheaded towards lower income, which I think would be a breath of fresh air to individuals who unfortunately lost their homes during uh the tornado events that hit us some time ago. Uh a lot of housing was destabilized at that time. So, it's nice to see new development going in that's going to be there for those people. Um with regards to the conference center, I think that is a fantastic project with regards to its aims and its goals. Um, and I think the city has done a a the city council so far has done a good job of thoroughly reviewing it. With all infrastructure projects, I think the key importance is to make sure that it's maintainable. I think, you know, this council is having to deal with a number of problems that prior council didn't address issues that weren't fully thought out. So, when infrastructure begins to fail, uh, it's at that point that you're you're left with a tough decision of well, how do we maintain it? I think there's been efforts on this council to make sure that projects of that nature are going to be able to be maintained in the long run. I that always requires additional attention and a fine tooth comb to make sure that the money is going to be there in the future. Um, so so far with regards to those efforts, I'm in support of those efforts, I would say that I I want to make sure that and having not reviewed any of the financials myself, you know, not having taken that seat, not having been in that role, but I can tell you from what I've been able to glean from what's been reported on it, it looks like the council is doing its due diligence in that respect. Um, obviously that's something that constantly needs to be reviewed throughout the entire process to make sure that it continues to be that way. So that way we don't end up with the you

know um you know issues in the future. Thank you so much for sharing that. Yes.

Council, thank you. Thank you Cody for being here. Appreciate your time. Uh, speaking of the housing thing, we we the city has instituted I think it's been a successful that the there's a we do like a $5,000 credit or whatever you want to call it to that would help spur and it seems taken off and and uh well received by a lot of people that's going ahead with that. Do you have any thoughts on that? if you had time to even, you know, to look into that and I I would greatly appreciate what your opinion is of that uh $5,000 credit or something for the millioners.

Okay. So, if I could just ask you a couple clarifying questions so I might get an idea, if I may, Jeff. Um I believe he's talking about the Oldtown Home Grant, which was used to incentivize folks uh purchasing homes in the older part of the community. I am a participant in that grant myself. So, it's been extremely helpful in clearing out my my closing costs. Part of the deal is for $5,000 towards your purchasing costs, uh you're uh you you agree to live for 5 years in that home, not rented out. It is your primary residence. So, it's one of our uh development tools that we have here in town. Is that what you were talking about, Jeff? No.

All right. Thank you. All right. So, we're we're going to go back to normal council rules. We're not just going to have a dialogue here. Council, would you like to restate? Brian, the $5,000 uh thing that was instituted to spur the development. I don't know what the city name for it is called. That is our developer reimbursement program. Yeah, that's what I was talking about. it it has spurred a great interest that a lot of developers I think is what's really taken off on the housing market cities something like that I don't know if you've had time to know about it dig into it or anything like that but u I didn't I would like to know what your thoughts so far on that

well I have not looked into it thoroughly the concept of it in general sounds good to me if there's any way to encourage individuals to rehab rebuild whe whether that's rehabbing existing infrastructure whether that's developing new infrastructure. Anything that might incentivize developers to do that, um, you know, that's being used in, uh, general funds for the purposes of encouraging development, I think is good. I I think $5,000 is a reasonable amount. um to the extent that individuals obviously apply for this, meet all the pre-existing prerequisites and are sat and satisfy the city's requirements with regards to receiving those funds and that there's obviously followup from the city to make sure that they're maintaining whatever guidelines or restrictions are imposed upon them for doing so. I think that's a good program. I think that's a good idea. Now, you obviously you have to weigh all business, all income expenditures against other projects as the city's focus moves on. You know, you want to look for instances of any abuse. make sure that you tighten all those up so that's not occurring. And then of course as as as things uh as other projects may need that money obviously at that point you can have a discussion about whether or not there needs to be a limitation on that amount or whether that program needs to go away but in the in the current existing structure I would assume that the budget amply provides for it and I think that's a good idea.

Council thank you mayor. Um, not a question, Cody, but thank you for for stepping up and and willing to serve. Uh, the other comment that I'd make is uh you and I had a a wide ranging conversation and I appreciated that exchange of information. So, I don't have any questions for you other than to say that uh enjoyed the visit a lot. Got to know a lot about you and that was important. So, thank you. Thank you. I appreciate the conversation as well. Council Lester.

Yeah. I'd like to also thank you for stepping up and uh volunteering to to serve out and welcome and I also appreciate being with you and having conversation and learning more about you and thank you. Thank you.

I just in a followup to uh since you didn't look my way um I want to say thanks for the meeting we had too. Uh I what I appreciated the most of our conversation is the things we we talked about uh with about Jeff City and what the city looks like down the road in 5 to 10 years where you weren't looking at it what's next year. I appreciate that the big picture outlook that you have and what you and what you envision and what you can see that the potential is here and how we try to get to it. And then of course, you know, there's always problems that pop up and all that, but uh looking at the big picture, I I want to appreciate I really appreciate your view on how you look at things and how you come to your conclusions and all that. So, uh I'm glad that you know I did get sit down and we talked a long uh a long while about what we both saw in Jeff City coming up down the road for long term. So, I appreciate that. Just want to say thanks.

Thank you. All right. Seeing no other questions, we will move to item seven. Thank you,

Mr. Yes. Thank you, mayor. We did include um language if you wanted to suspend that rule to appoint tonight. I don't know if Cody was prepared for that. Um if be better to wait, we we can, but it's been provided in case you want to move forward. Oswaltton. Mr. Holt, are you ready for this? I think so. All right, then. So then I move that section 12-8 of the city code be suspended and the nomination of Cody Holt to fulfill the vacancy of the W 2 be immediately put to a vote. Second. Second.

All right, we got a motion, a second. Any comments or questions? All right, we'll do a roll call vote. Hollers, I. Allen, I Job. Hi. Camper. Hi. Lester. Hi. Ll. Hi. Thomas. No. Young. I. Motion passes.

Was that motion? No one. Okay, good. All right, welcome aboard. I believe we jump to item eight, administration of the oath. So, the clerk will assist us with that process.

So, you can read along in case sometimes repeating back is hard. Somebody videape or take a picture? Sure. You want to take a picture? Okay. If you want to go ahead and raise your right hand. Sure. I state your name. I, Cody Robert Holton, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I possess all the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of city council member of the city of Jefferson. that I possess all the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of city council member of the city of Jefferson. that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the state of Missouri.

that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the state of Missouri. The provisions of the laws of the state of Missouri the provision the provisions of the laws of the state of Missouri. The charter of the city of Jefferson, Missouri the charter of the city of Jefferson, Missouri. and all ordinances of the city and will faithfully devene myself in office. and all ordinances of the city and will faithfully deem myself in office. Congratulations. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Welcome. So, I am sure you will receive a lot of information from city hall over the next week or so. Mark your calendar for next Monday. We'll see you at council meeting April 20th. Thank you all so much. You have any other comments you'd like to make? You're more than welcome to see. I just want to thank everyone for their time and for facilitating this process and I look forward to working with all of you. Thank you very much. I'm sorry. Just keep councilwoman. And I think you're up. Oh, Mr. Mayor, I move that this meeting be adjourned. Six. All in favor? I. Any opposed? We