City Council - Regular Meeting

Sorry. Going to call this meeting to order. For all that care to please stand for an opening prayer and pledge of allegiance. Let us pray. We come before you today with grateful hearts, thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Republic. We ask for your guidance and wisdom as we make decisions that affect our community. Please grant us clarity, unity, and integrity in all that we do. Help us to lead with compassion, humility, and a spirit of cooperation. In your name we pray. Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, good evening everyone. Um, to start off our meeting for tonight, we are going to open with citizens participation. Uh, this is an opportunity for citizens to speak directly to council on matters that are not listed on agenda. Do we have anyone tonight to speak on and during citizens participation?

Seeing that there is none at this time we will close citizens participation. Moving on to our consent agenda. I welcome the council to ask any questions or comments about items number one two on the agenda. If there are none I need a motion and a second for approval of the consent agend. I've got a motion and a second. All of those in favor.

All of those opposed. Are there any abstensions? Motion carries 700. Moving on to board, commission, and committee schedule. Our next city council work session will be May the 5th, 2026 at 5:15 p.m. And our city council meeting will be following May the 5th, 2026 after our work session. We have a board of adjustment meeting on May the 7th, 2026. We have a planning and zoning meeting on May the 11th, 2026. We have a city council meeting on May the 19th, 2026. Moving on to old business and tabled items. I now need a motion and a second for the second reading of bill 26-12 by title only. Please.

Motion. Second. I've got a motion and a second. All of those in favor. All of those opposed. Are there any abstensions? Motion carries. 700. Laura will read the ordinance by title, please. An ordinance of the city council amending title 4, land use, chapter 410, subdivision regulations, section 410.400, access management of the municipal code of the city of Republic, Missouri.

Thank you, Laura. Does the city council have any questions or discussion before moving forward? Seeing that there is none, I now need a motion and a second for final passage of bill 26-12. Please

I've got a motion and a second. And we will now take a roll call vote on our computers. Motion carries 70. Moving on to item number four. I need a motion and a second for the second reading of bill 26-14 by title only, please. I've got a motion and a second. All of those in favor. All of those opposed. Are there any abstensions? Motion carries 700. Laurel, read the ordinance by title, please.

An ordinance of the city council approving amendment to the zoning classification of approximately 18.49 49 acres located near the 900 block of Colorado Avenue from amended Frisco Square Plan Development District PDD 25001 to Frisco Commons Plan Development District PDD 260001 and approving a development plan.

Thank you, Laura. And due to the cancellation of our April the 7th city council meeting, bill 26-14 needs to be a to reflect the correct date of our second reading. And so I will need a motion to amend bill 26-14 by revising the final whereas clause to replace April the 7th with April the 21st to reflect the correct date of the second reading and consistent with the red line version provided. Do I have a motion? Motion from Mr. Campbell. Do I have a second?

Second from Mr. Updike. All of those in favor. All of those opposed. Are there any abstensions? Motion carries. 700. So on to our amended version. Does council have any questions or discussions before moving on to final passage. Seeing that there is none, we will move on to final passage. I now need a motion and a second for the final passage of bill 26-14. Please.

I've got a motion and a second. And we're now going to take a roll call vote on our computers. We have motion carries 61 to zero. Moving on to other business and resolutions. Item number five, R 26-R9, a resolution of the city council declaring the results of the April 7th, 2026 municipal election. I now need a motion and a second to take up resolution 26-R9. I've got a motion and a second. Uh Laura, will you please give us an overview?

Yes. Uh we have received the certified results from both counties. Um and the uh candidates that are now being elected will be Justin Shaw for W, Darren Campbell from W Two, Brian Fields from W three, and Daniel Harter from W four. Staff recommends approval. Thank you, Laura. Do we have any questions from the city council? Okay, seeing that there is none and as this is a resolution, we can call this immediately to a vote. All of those in favor.

All of those opposed. Are there any abstensions? Motion carries. 700. At this time, we will move on to swearing in of our elected officials. So, everyone that's being sworn in, uh, we've got four of us. If you would come up to the front and we've got an oath to give or you've got an oath to give today, I guess this whole one side,

that is neat. Yeah, yeah. No, I I can ruin a picture in a heartbeat. There's a better view behind us. Thank you, mayor. You take your job serious. I appreciate it. Well, in between each shoulder is somebody's head. So, all right. All right, if you'll raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. Ider do solemnly swear domly swear that I possess all the qualifications that I possess all the qualifications prescribed for my office by law

prescribed by my office by law that I will support the Constitution I Constitution of the United States of the United States and of the state of Missouri and of the state of Missouri the provisions of all laws provisions of all laws of this state of this state affecting cities of this class affecting cities of this class and the ordinances the ordinances of the city of republic of the city of republic and that I will faithfully demean myself in office. So help me God.

Congratulations. Just a minute longer and we'll sign these and make everything official. I can sign these.

Make sure everyone gets with me before you leave so that we have a other copy. Oh, okay. Just one minute longer. All right, there we go. Okay, congratulations everyone and thank you again for your continued dedication to the citizens of Republic. Very much appreciated. And now for our next topic, we'll move on to the election of our mayor pro Tim. So at this time, um, what I'm we're I'm going to open the floor for nominations for mayor pro Tim. And so if we have more than one nomination, um, we can have more than one nomination. But before moving on for a second, I ask that we have time for discussion. uh before moving on. So at this time I will open the floor. Um do we have any nominations for Mayor Pro Tim?

I'd like to nominate Eric Gerky. We have a nomination for Mr. Eric Gerky. Do we have any additional nominations? Okay, seeing that we have one nomination, um Mr. Mr. Harter has made a nomination for Mr. Eric Gerky. Do we have a second for that nomination? Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second to appoint Mr. Gerky as mayor promp. And at this time we can move on to voting. All of those in favor.

All of those opposed. Are there any abstensions? Motion carries. 700. Congratulations, Mr. Gerky. Making it easy again because it's just Eric. So, yeah, nice and easy. Congratulations and thank you, council. Moving on to new business and first reading of ordinances, item number six. I need a motion and a second for the first reading of bill 2-15 by title only, please. I've got a motion and a second. All of those in favor.

All of those opposed. Are there any abstensions? Motion carries. 700. Laura, read the ordinance by title, please. An ordinance of the city council approving amendment of the zoning classification of approximately 5.08 08 acres located at the 900 block of Colorado Avenue from Frisco Square Plan Development District Phase 2, PDD25002 to Frisco Commons Plan Development District First Edition PDD260002. Thank you, Laura. And we've got Mr. Taber here this evening to give us an overview.

Good evening. Chris Taber, principal planner. An application has been made requesting a change to a previously to the previously approved amended Frisco Square Plan Development District phase 2 PDD. The original approval of this PDD occurred uh at the end of last year. The new proposed plan is different in one way. They are requesting that the density on lot one and lot 22 um be increased from eight per lot to 10 per lot for a total of 20 across the two lots. No other substantive changes have been made from the previously approved PDD. At the public hearing last week, staff had no speakers in opposition participate. Staff is recommending approval of this application.

Thank you, Mr. Taber. Uh, do we have any questions from city council? Mr. Harter, those lots are for multif family. Is that correct? They are currently zoned for multif family. They're uh currently limited to eight dwelling units per lot and they're making a request that that be amended to 10 per lot. Any additional questions from city council? Mr. Abdike. Uh, this is for Chief Cells. Does he have does he see any issues with the the housing being so close behind the property? No, we've talked with the build department issues.

Thank you, Chief. Thank you, Mr. Abdikeke. Do we have any additional questions from city council? Seeing that there is none, I do have a speaker card for this evening. Uh, Mr. Chris Wyn, uh, speaking in favor of item number six.

Good evening. My name is Chris Wyn, civil engineer with CJW Transportation Consultants, located at 5051 South National, Sweet 7A. Um, as Chris mentioned, um, really the only request here tonight is if we can increase the density on these two lots from eight units to 10 units. That's the difference between a fourplex two forplexes and two fiveplexes. Um based on the home layout that the builder wants to use, he wants to do fiveplexes. Um we did meet with staff and got comments from the fire department to make sure that they could serve um these accordingly and that the fire protection could be provided. Um the city staff was receptive and had no issues. um to speak a little bit about the since the question to the police about the police department being there came up. We do have an additional buffer yard that was put into the original PDD for that um just to provide a little extra protection, some more trees, more bushes. Um nothing nothing too out of the ordinary, but that is in there. So, um just a reminder of what's already been approved, but any questions you guys have for me, I'd be happy to answer them.

Thank you, Mr. Win. Do we have any questions from city council for Mr. Win? Thank you. Seeing that there's none, thank you. So, seeing that we have no additional questions at this time, please remember to get with staff before our next meeting if you have any questions. Moving on to item number seven. I need a motion and a second for the first reading of bill 26-16 by title only, please. Got a motion and a second. All those in favor. All of those opposed. Are there any abstensions? Motion carries. 700. Laura will read the ordinance by title, please.

An ordinance of the city council approving an amendment to the zoning classification of approximately 78.42 acres located at 1605 South Farm Road 97 from a plan development district PDD 1201 to agricultural AG. Thank you, Laura. And we've got Mr. Taber here to give us an overview.

Good evening again. Staff has received an application from RJR16005 LLC to change the zoning classification of approximately 78.42 acres of property located at 1605 South Farm Road 97 from Planned Development District PDD to agricultural AD AG. The property is currently zoned as part of a PDD called the Eclipse event center, which was a planned ecquin show space uh that spanned over 900 acres of the Brooklyn area. Um this project was never completed, but it did result in the reszoning of several properties. This is one of those properties looking to bring it zoning back into conformance with the use um being currently practiced on the land. Staff's recommending approval. Thank you, Mr. Taber. Do we have any questions from city council? Okay, seeing how there is none, please remember to get with staff before our next meeting if you moving on to other business and resolutions. Item number 8, 26-R10, a resolution of a city council approving a preliminary plat for Walker Heights, a residential subdivision consisting of approximately 40.45 456 acres located at 7217 West Farm Road 182. I now need a motion and a second to take up resolution 26-R10, please.

Got a motion and a second. And we've got Mr. Taber to give us an overview. Thank you again. Um, Oak Hills LLC is requesting approval of a preliminary plat for Walker Heights, consisting of 101 lots across 40 acres zoned medium density single family. A preliminary plat for this subdivision was previously approved on January 11th of 2024. That plat has since expired in January of this year. The developer is coming back to seek approval for the plat in order to continue on with the project. The preliminary plat is proposing five new roads as well as two continuations of existing roads. One from Iron Gate to the west and the other from Highland Meadows to the north. One new connection will be made to the south at Farm Road 182. A looped water system will be provided and will utilize connections to the north and to the west. Wastewater will gravity to the Schuler Creek lift station and then be pumped to the wastewater treatment plant. The water system named lift station and wastewater treatment facility have capacity to serve the intended use. There are no sinkholes or flood plane present on the site. Two storm water detention basins have been proposed, one in the southwest and one in the southeast of the property. Storm water would exit the basins south across Farm Road 182. The next step in development would be the issuance of an infrastructure permit for the physical construction of the subdivision. Staff is recommending recommending approval of this preliminary plat.

Thank you, Mr. Mr. Taber, do we have any questions, comments from city council? Mr. Gerky, Mr. Taber, so the expired are those I'm just kind of curious. Do we have a consistent uh term that the approval needs to be, you know, construction need to get started on? Does it vary from project to project? Um, so all preliminary plats expire after two years. That's standard within the language of the platting. Um in this particular case we have been working with the developer in that period on infrastructure review and we just happened to pass that time uh during that process. Any Dan?

So looking at the at the map here on areas uh so they'll be funneled to the street and across the street. Is that correct? Or will it be Yes. And into the county. They'll go across uh to the property to the south end of the county where they which is where they currently go now off the land. That's where currently storm water leaves the land now. Okay. We also uh did include the county in this review and got their comments um to ensure that there are you know understandings and no issues going into Green County with the storm water. Thanks very much. Thank you Mr. Harter. Do we have any additional questions from city council? Mr. update

with all the excess water being across the road has that owner complaint.

So um there is when when you when we require the detention and storm water work um on these subdivisions they are not allowed to um discharge water at a rate that is increased from the existing um storm water today. So that has to come through at the same rate um which is the purpose of the detention to slow that water as it comes from those impervious surfaces um to go over to that area. Um no we have not um had any contact from that uh property owner. Again we did work with the county. It's entering their rightway um and going into their you know to their rightway of their street. So that's who we did contact with.

Thank you Mr. Taber. Thank you Mr. Updike. We have any additional questions from city council? Okay, seeing that there is none, uh, thank you, Mr. Taber. Wonderful work this evening to kind of set up camp this evening. So, thank you very much. No additional questions from city council. Um, as this is a resolution, we can call this immediately for a vote. All those in favor? All of those opposed. Are there any abstensions? Motion carries. 700. Moving on to reports from staff. Miss Addington.

Good evening. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Well, first and foremost, I want to congratulate all of our council members for your another term. Um, we're we're extremely blessed to have our council members, all of you, and we're very grateful for your dedication, staff, and the community. So, thank you for continued service. Council member Gerky, congratulations on Mayor Prom. And just to give an update, uh, Colton is currently on his way back from Ohio. Uh, he and two of the members of the wastewater treatment plant actually attended an MBR conference the last two days. I know he really did not want to miss tonight's meeting. Yet, his dedication is to ensuring that the new wastewater treatment plant has a smooth opening later this year. Given this new plant is our largest and most essential investment, his priority has been the plant and we greatly appreciate his commitment to finalizing this project. With that, I wanted to give a few updates regarding the construction. Construction is 85% complete yet the final 15% is the most critical. Next month we will start the commissioning process which includes testing processes and actually transitioning treatment. We do still sus um expect substantial completion in October. And Jacob Berger, he is our new utility director. So he started with us last week and Jacob will be instrumental in continuing to focus on infrastructure priorities uh for the entire city. wanted to give you an AMI update. As Eric promised in the last workshop when he presented this information that he would continually give updates, there is more information in your admin report, but want to hit a couple of high. As of April 12th, there was a total of 1,216

meters that have been successfully installed as well as 3,252 lines surveyed um completed so far. He will continue to have updates on Facebook as far as what the scheduled routes are. And as of this week, they have ramped up the following three stages of installation, which is line meet line surveying, meter in meter installations, and hole cutting for the antenna mounts. So, he is actually I spent the day with him a couple of weeks ago, and he's actually projecting an early completion um but still within the planned 12-month timeline. Some additional updates. Uh we were saddened to hear about the passing of Mark Low on a he served as our police chief from April of 2002 until January of 2015. I know he had an impact on many of the staff members in the community. Some other updates to long range uh transportation planning survey is a we ask for anyone that is interested in completing the survey. It is available on our website. The UB software transition kicked off last week. That as well, there's access on our website. And Laura showed me before the meeting. Both of these uh links are readily available as soon as you pull up our website. The budget amendment workshop will be on May 5th as the mayor stated earlier and the employee appreciation picnic will be May 8th at 11:30. The final update I want to give is regarding the MM realignment project and the Stonefalls Stonefalls road closure. Stonefalls Road will be fully closed from May 26 through August 21st at North Stone Stone Creek Drive which

is West US Highway 60 and the private drive at Stone Creek Falls for the MM realignment project involving removal, widening and replacement. This work is being managed by MDOT as well as ESS. There is an alternative route map that is available on our website for detour information. If there are any updates available, um we will make sure everyone is aware of those on social media. And that concludes my report. Thank you, Miss Addington. Do we have any reports from city council?

Seeing there is none, we'll move on to the mayor. Um, just kind of echoing what Lisa had said. Congratulations to our four council members. I now understand I can just look to my left and see all of you. So, I'll stop looking over here. Congratulations to you all and I can look over here. Congratulations to our mayor, pro Tim, Eric Gerky. So, thank you again for reaffirming your commitment to serving the citizens and and thank you to your families, all eight of all of our families that allow us to be here and take this opportunity. U, thank you for their continued support as well. Um, additionally, I want to thank Laura and utility billing staff for all their patience and their hard work u during all of these billing transitions. I know I've been getting feedback from the community as well. Um, I can't imagine being in that office and dealing with it, but um at the same time um just a reminder to the community, uh we've got eight council members up here. Um so if you ever need to reach out, that is a great way to reach out to all of us and we are available through there. Um, and so thank you to the public for patience as we navigate these changes. Local events around here coming up. Um, I know this weekend we have Main Street events. Um, the Off-Road Jam is going on. Uh, it's this Saturday from 11 to 6:00 p.m. Um, I know Care toLearn lunchon is coming up and I know Colton is going to be in attendance with me to that as well. Uh so that's another great opportunity that we're going to spend uh getting to with our partners in the Republic school district. Uh getting to a little bit more about care to learn and spending some time out in the community getting to know everyone. Um I'm pretty sure everyone else got the invite to the Green County Patriotic Celebration. Um our presiding commissioner, Bob Dixon, wanted to make sure that everyone got that invitation uh this Friday, April the 24th, 1:30 in the historic courthouse in Springfield. uh if anyone would like to attend and I have more information if anyone would like some more information. Other than that, one major important one that uh I

wanted to mention as well is have a blast. U make sure that you mark your calendars. June 26th, that's the 30th, have a blast. So that's a that's a giant milestone for all of us. And so I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out possibly attend. Other than that, um I just really would uh one more thing I would like to mention uh kind of on that regional front, the Green County Mayors Association is meeting Thursday, April the 30th. So, please let me know if if you would like to attend that or if you as council members. Um, other than that, the only thing I wanted to say was just thank you to staff for follow up all all the information we had after our last meeting with Miss uh we appreciate that commitment to keeping us informed um and keeping us uh committed here on city council. But I also wanted to remind uh the public as well that we have uh recorded workshops. All of our workshops are recorded. city council meetings are our website updates, our admin report, a community development newsletter, and more ways that we are working. So, thank you to staff for keeping up on that. Uh, thank you for staff for all the work that went into tonight's meeting. That is all I had for tonight. So, have a wonderful evening and this meeting is adjourned.