Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everybody. This is the Kearney Board of Aldermen meeting. Call the meeting to order.

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

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. Any of you had a chance to take roll?

I've taken roll. Everyone is present. You have the quorum.

Great. Thank you. We'll move on to new employee introductions. We'll move it. I'm sorry. We will turn it over to Sheila Ernst.

So tonight I have the pleasure of introducing you all to Sarah Wagner. She is our new economic development specialist, and she has been here a couple of weeks now, and we are very glad to have her.

We'll move on to the next item under the agenda, open public comments. Is there any member of the community that would wish to address their board under open public comments this evening? Yes. Okay, if I could read a quick statement, then I'll be happy to give you guys the floor. During the open public comments section of our meeting agenda, we invite residents of Kearney to step forward and directly address their Board of Aldermen. Each resident is requested to clearly state their name and address for record, and will have three minutes to present their statement. This session is specifically designed for residents to express their views or concerns. It is not intended for dialogue, debate, or question and answer interactions with the Board. All statements made during this time will be formally recorded in the public record. We urge participants to keep their remarks respectful and focused on matters relevant to Kearney, and we thank you for adhering to these guidelines. and helping us maintain the decorum of this process. The timer on the screen will advance from green to red. The timer will be green for the first two minutes, yellow for the last, and then red when your time is completed. You have the floor.

Before my time starts, do I get for this whole situation?

No. You can adjust that however you need to.

I will try to speak loudly and clearly. All right. Good evening, council members. My name is Kathleen Mallett. I also go by Kat. I live at 406 East 20th Terrace here in Kearney. I'm speaking today on behalf of several members of residents who live along the drainage channel and creek corridor behind Meadow Lane and East 20th Terrace. Many of us have lived in this area for decades. Some moved here recently. Although our experiences vary, our message is consistent. We are witnessing significant erosion that continues to worsen, and we believe action is needed before more property is damaged. Over the years, residents have watched this drainage corridor change dramatically. Areas that were once narrow enough to step across have widened substantially due to erosion. Property owners report losing land, trees, vegetation, and stability along the banks. Several homeowners have already invested their own money in retaining walls, concrete channels, river rock, and other erosion control measures. Unfortunately, many of these improvements are now failing because the force and volume of water have continued to increase. Residents have observed stronger flows during storms, particularly over the last few years, and at times this has caused significant flooding into our yards. Many of us believe that additional commercial and residential development has increased the amount of stormwater entering the system, and Missouri's stream management guidance recognizes that urbanization and increased stormwater runoff can accelerate stream bank erosion, channel instability, and property loss. We understand that determining the best solution requires professional and honest engineering analysis. However, we believe the city has a responsibility to evaluate this problem comprehensively. If the drainage system is carrying public stormwater and receiving runoff from ongoing development, then there should be a long-term plan to prevent further erosion and protect the residents whose properties are directly affected. Tonight, we are asking the mayor, city council, and city staff to take three specific actions. First, commission a timely engineering assessment of this drainage corridor to determine the causes and extent of the erosion. Second, provide residents with a timeline for reviewing and addressing the problem. Third, develop and fund a long-term mitigation plan that protects existing homes and properties while accounting for future development and stormwater impacts. We also urge the city to establish baseline measurements of channel width, bank glass, and stormwater volume so future erosion can be quantified and tracked. Doing nothing is not a solution. Each heavy rainfall causes additional damage, increases future repair costs, and puts more private property at risk. We ask that the city treat this as a priority. We want to work collaboratively with the city and protect the affected residents, commit to tangible next steps before further erosion occurs. We don't want to just simply raise concerns. We're here asking for action, accountability, and a commitment to protect the homes, the property, and the quality of life of those of us who have been affected by this issue for years. We thank you for your time and consideration.

Is there anybody else that would wish to address the board this evening under open public comments?

Seeing none, I will close the floor.

We'll move on to the consent agenda. Does anybody on the board have any items of discussion or questions on the consent agenda this evening? Seeing none, if we can entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. So moved.

I'll second.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Consent agenda is approved. We'll move on to ordinances. The first item this evening under ordinances is a motion approving bill number 41-2026, presented by Sheila Ernzen, our city administrator, an ordinance of the city of Kearney, Missouri, imposing a sales tax for the purpose of improving public safety. Sheila?

Good evening. This ordinance, if approved, would put a question to the voters at the November 3rd. election asking them if they would like to impose a half cent public safety sales tax that would be dedicated and only be used for public safety thank you are there any questions from the board on the staff report or the proposed ordinance i see none if we could read the proposed ordinance on the first reading by title only please An ordinance of the city of Kearney, Missouri, imposing a sales tax for the purpose of improving public safety at the rate of one half of 1%, pursuant to section 94.903 of the revised statutes of the state of Missouri, providing for submission of the proposal to the qualified voters of the city of Kearney, Missouri, for their approval at the November 3rd, 2026 general municipal election, designating the form of ballot directing the city clerk to provide notice of said election second all in favor opposed second reading by title only please an ordinance of the city of Kearney Missouri imposing a sales tax for the purpose of improving public safety at the rate of one-half of one percent pursuant to section ninety four point nine zero three of the revised statutes of the state of Missouri, providing for submission of the proposal to the qualified voters of the city of Kearney, Missouri for their approval at the November 3rd, 2026 general municipal election, designating the form of ballot and directing the city clerk to provide notice of said election. Motion. Motion on a second read. I'll second that.

Call the board, please.

Alderman Lehman. Aye. Alderman Spencer. Aye. Alderman Holt. Aye. Alderman King.

The vote is unanimous, and the ordinance is approved on the second reading. We'll move on to resolutions this evening. The first item this evening, a resolution I'm really excited for the board to consider, is a motion approving resolution 60-2026 that will be presented by Sheila Ernst and our city administrator, a resolution appointing Captain Brian Allen to the position of chief of police effective September 3, 2026. Sheila?

So the mayor has made his selection of Captain Brian Allen to serve as our next police chief. And if the board approves this, that would happen effective September 3 after Chief Thomas's retirement on September 7.

Unfortunately, neither Chief Thomas nor Captain Allen can be here this evening, but we do have Captain McIntyre stepping in representing the Police Department this evening, so thank you for being here. Does anybody have any questions on the proposed resolution? Seeing no questions, if we could entertain a motion approving a resolution appointing Brian Allen to the position of Police of Chief effective September 3, 2026. So moved.

I'll second that.

We got a first and a second. All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Resolution is approved unanimously and congratulations Captain Allen. Next item is a motion approving Resolution 61-2026 presented by David Pavlich, a resolution of support for affordable senior housing in Kearney. David?

Yes, this is just a general resolution to support senior housing, MAKO Development, who is They run two different properties in Kearney, Eastwood Apartments and Oak Ridge Estates, which is next to the Dollar General. They continue to look for opportunities to serve the Kearney area and are asking for support in just general effort to provide affordable housing for seniors.

I think our current properties have a waiting list of over three or four dozen. There continues to be a need of affordable housing for our seniors in our community. So I think this is a good thing for the board to consider. Does anybody on the board have any questions on the proposed resolution? Do they have a place in mind?

They're working on properties.

they do then you know of course we'll have them come through they do have one they're looking at on west 92 highway so that that'll be one that will be coming before the commission any other questions from the board if we can entertain a motion to approve resolution 61 2026 resolution of support for affordable center housing in carney so moved i'll second All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Resolution is approved. Next item is a motion approving resolution 62-2026 presented by Police Captain Ron McIntyre, a resolution authorizing the acceptance of funding for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over officer enforcement campaign in execution of the sub ward agreement.

Yes, this resolution authorizes the city to accept reimbursement a reimbursement grant up to $1,500 to the Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. The funding reimburses eligible officers overtime and fringe benefits associated with the targeting of impaired driving enforcement so there's no additional cost to the city beyond the eligible expenses. Approval also authorizes the chief of police to execute the sub-award agreement and any necessary documents after the recommendation.

Great. Appreciate that report. Does anybody on the board have any questions on the proposed resolution on the report? Seeing none, if we can entertain a motion approving resolution 62-2026, a resolution authorizing acceptance of funding for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. and execution of the sub award agreement.

I make a motion to approve.

All in favor?

Aye.

Opposed? Resolution is approved. Thank you. We have no items for review and presentation. Under mayor's communication this evening, I just want to thank Ms. Mallet and her neighbors for being here this evening and sharing your concern. As I stated at the beginning of the meeting, I feel like I owe you an explanation. it not being noticed up you know we can't have a dialogue question and answer but we will be in contact with you and thank you once again for for being here this evening uh that concludes my mayor's communications and we will move on to city administrator report

I just want to remind everyone that our next regular board meeting will be Monday, August 17th, right before our board meeting from 5 to 6. We're hosting an open house for the public to come in and wish Captain Allen good luck as he takes on the role of police chief and then also to thank Chief Thomas for his service and leadership over the last few years.

Thanks for covering, because I forgot to mention that earlier. So thanks for having my back there. So I appreciate that. Does that conclude your report? Yes. We'll move on to alderman discussion. Alderman Spencer?

I have nothing.

Alderman Lehman? I have nothing. Alderman Holt?

I just want to thank our parks department. When it gets hot, that's flash pad down there. You guys keep it so clean. You keep it so well maintained that it's great for our kids to go have a place to cool off and a place for parties and different things. And that doesn't happen by accident. That happens by you getting up early in the morning, going out, taking trash out, cleaning bathrooms, make sure it's all nice. And I just want to recognize you and your air department because everybody can see that park when they drive by. And it's a pristine thing and shows our city cares about its community. And that only happens to people who actually go and clean up after everybody and make it look nice. And I want to say thank you for that.

Thank you.

I will pass on the information to the staff as well. That's all I have. Thank you for sharing that, Dan. We had a conversation at our strategic planning session Saturday about hundreds of acres of park ground that we have and three full-time employees that maintain it also.

Alderman King. I'd like to give a shout out to Janet and Daniel Desnoyer.

Okay. She reached out regarding our sign on 535 and 92.

Just wondering about the upkeep and the tall weeds and just trying to make it look better. On the monument sign? Yeah. Okay. Right in front of McDonald's. And we gave her a direction of who to contact and she's been in contact with the enrichment council or the chamber of commerce and

I hope to see the sign looking better. That's great. It's always exciting when residents want to step up and help with the solution too. So that's exciting.

Yeah.

Good deal. All right. That concludes Alderman discussion. We do have an executive session notice up this evening, a closed session per RSMO 610.021. subsection 1 for legal actions or litigation involving a public governmental body and any confidential or privileged communication between a public governmental body or its representatives and its attorneys in RSMO 61021 subsection 12 to discuss matters pertaining to negotiated contracts. And the reminder, the meeting will be adjourned from there. So this does conclude our open public session of the meeting. If the board can consider a motion to enter into executive session. So moved.

Second.

Roll call vote, please.

Alderman Spencer.

Aye.

Alderman Holt. Aye. Alderman King.

Aye.

Alderman Lehman.

Aye. The vote is unanimous. Everybody have a nice evening. Thank you for being here.