During Monday night's City Council meeting, the City of Warrensburg entered into a lease-purchase agreement with U.S. Bancorp Government Leasing and Finance Incorporated for the purchase of a 2018 Johnston street sweeper through a state-bid contract for the price of $234,580, with the trade-in of the currently-owned sweeper, a 2009 Challenger.

The trade-in was worth $30,000. The new sweeper is expected to be delivered in March or April.

The City received quotes from Balboa Capital at 6.5%, Central Bank at 3.39%, and US Bank at 3.35%. The Lease will be structured as a tax-exempt municipal lease. All Council members present approved the purchase. Councilman Bob Watts was absent from Monday night's meeting.

Council also issued a temporary construction easement to Keystone Hospitality, LLC, after hearing from Marvin Coleman (City staff).

Keystone development, located northeast of Maguire Street and Russell Street, is preparing to make improvements to the site, located west of the lake. Staff has met with the developer and their contractor to coordinate the necessary grading plan and installation of the required stormwater improvements associated with the site.

City staff has reviewed and approved the developer's stormwater plans and will have the contractor obtain the necessary permits for the work.

Because a portion of the grading and stormwater improvements are located within City property right of way, it is necessary for the City to provide the developer a Temporary Construction Easement to make the necessary improvements.

It is hoped that improvements to the site will support expansion of future development and help increase tax revenue.

Councilman Casey Lund talked about KCP&L's renewable energy rebate program. It was decided that the City would submit an application to KCP&L on Oct. 15 to take advantage of the program to explore the options of the program.

A total of $16 million is available statewide, with $8 million of that on Warrensburg's side of Missouri, he noted.

Two members of an energy and sustainability task force attended the meeting, and noted that the available money will go quickly, with next year's rebate offerings to reportedly be cut in half. Taking part in the rebate program involves submitting electric bills. Warrensburg currently has 40 City meters in use, it was noted. Only a small portion of the bills need be submitted, Lund said.

School District Fire Code Enforcement was addressed at Monday night's meeting as well. Fire Chief Jim Kushner said that the Warrensburg School District has expressed concerns about the interpretation of the new fire code adopted by Council at the last meeting.

“We don't have jurisdiction in the school district, as verified by the State Fire Marshal and the Secretary of State's office,” Kushner told the Council. “We just enforce the code. They have asked for leniency, but I have one code to enforce,” he said.

Previously, code violations have involved how much combustible material is stored near exit corridors and hallways. Some exit doors were difficult or impossible to open, some exit lights were burned out and some emergency lights did not work, Kushner pointed out.

A learning session is planned with 23 of the district's teachers during the fall break to educate them on what is expected with the fire code, he added.

In addition, Gary Grigsby, who serves as school board president, said he would talk with his board about the problem.

Also, Mayor Danielle Johnston recommended Marcy Brant to serve on the Warrensburg Parks & Rec Board. Council approved the appointment.

A $1,000 Nancy Anderson scholarship was presented to Shane Carroll, a UCM student studying Engineering. According to City Clerk Cindy Gabel, a total of nine applications were received, and the competition was tough.

The Council heard from Gary Grigsby, representing the Warrensburg Arts Commission (WAC). He updated members on the Art in the Park project, which loans sculptures to the City for a one-year period.

Eight concrete pads were prepared by Warrensburg Parks & Rec to accommodate the artwork. Two of them were unoccupied this year, as one artist was not ready for installation for his two pieces.

The one on display in front of City Hall is available for purchase for $1,650, Grigsby noted. “We have ample funds in our budget” he said, adding that a little shifting of funds will take place to make the purchase.

Future plans for the WAC include three or four pieces with an interactive musical instrument to be installed in the parks. Up to $9,000 will be spent on that project, Grigsby noted.

Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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