Board Discusses Plan For City Owned Property

     The Board of Aldermen met Monday, July 20th at City Hall for a workshop session to discuss strategic planning, City owned properties, plans to address crowding and facility issues at City Hall and the Police Department, and to discuss food truck fees.      
     City Administrator Ken Murphy provided a list of city-owned properties to facilitate a discussion of what is owned and plans for each piece of land.
     Mayor Chuck Johnston said he would like to see properties that do not have a use to be sold, allowing the City to recoup some of the investment.
     Johnston questioned if the land on Main Street currently used as a community garden could be sold.
     “Do we even see if those people have their own properties where they could be putting their own garden rather than using our facilities,” Johnston asked.
     “I’m sure they do. It’s just the idea of a community garden that is common,” Murphy said, pointing to similar gardens in the area, including Blue Springs.
     Murphy explained the property used as a community garden lies in a flood plain, making it difficult for development.
The Board discussed other smaller pieces of land along Main Street that may be suitable for sale. The sale of the Sni-A-Bar Farms property was also discussed, with Murphy cautioning the board to carefully consider future land needs before selling larger pieces of property.
     The Board discussed current facility needs at City Hall and Police Department, and the next steps forward following the defeat of a bond issue in June which would have created a municipal campus at the old Sni-A-Bar farm property. The Board must decide on a plan in the near future due to the upcoming debt levy decision. Baker Tilly will present options at the next board meeting to address City facility needs.
     The board also reviewed comparable fees for food trucks in surrounding cities and debated what fees would be appropriate. Murphy will review options discussed with the City’s legal counsel.
      The next regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen is set for 7:00pm on Monday, July 27th at City Hall.