The Warsaw Board of Alderman convened with a full quorum on June 17 at 6:00 PM in the Community Building's lower level for a regular meeting, Mayor Eddie Simons called the meeting to order and opened with a moment of silence for esteemed reporter of the Benton County Enterprise, Homer May, who passed away in the past week and had been a dedicated chronicler of council activities since 1999.
City Clerk Jessica Kendall recorded the evening's session.
After approval of previous meeting's minutes, a consent agenda and bills presented, new Warsaw Area Chamber of Commerce President Tracy Amos introduced herself, sharing her vision for the entity and contact information.
City Administrator Randy Pogue updated the group on recent Playground FUNdraising efforts with an upcoming golf tournament on July 13 as the next event.
Ordinances were presented and all approved for 1) Design-Build project delivery method, a key piece in the progressive advancement of the $25M RAISE Grant, 2) A reimbursement policy for those city employees who become Medicare eligible, and 3) An agreement by and between the City of Warsaw and Missouri DNR for mandatory water system lead testing, a project that must be completed by October 2024.
Mayor Simons appointed council members to the following positions:
Mayor Pro-Tem: Flores
Finance: Simons, Breshears, White
Public Works: Flores, Breshears
Parks and Recreation: Coskey, Slavens
Planning and Zoning: White, Slavens
Police Commission: Coskey, Howe, Flores
Golf Liaison: Howe
Chamber of Commerce Liaison: White
City Administrator Pogue then notified the council of a $25,000 KBRPC Recycle Grant that has been approved and will be applied to the new playground expansion. He also provided a 2024 sales tax report exhibiting a 10.97% increase in the city's revenue over this same time last year.
Pogue followed with many project updates around the city, including 1) Apron expansion at the Warsaw Municipal Airport, 2) TAP project on the east end of Main Street, particularly on the north side, 3) Polk and Commercial Streets and easements at Walmart and Hawthorn Bank, 4) Parking and a new, relocated restroom located on Drake Harbor, 5) RAISE Grant, which is "moving right along" according to Pogue, 6) a Lay Park Master Plan with RFQ's due by July 1, 7) a wastewater treatment study update, 8) lead inventory update, which was covered earlier in the meeting, and 9) an update from the USACE with notification to the council that Jim Sandberg will be retiring and will be replaced as the Project Manager by Rich Chiles, with an introductory meeting set for July 10.
The meeting covered a broad range of topics, from infrastructure projects and financial health to community development initiatives. The council's dedication to improving Warsaw's public services and facilities was evident throughout many discussions.
The session was completed within 30 minutes, followed by a closed executive session.
Open sessions are regularly held on the first and third Monday evenings of each month at 6:00 PM. Visitors are always welcome.
