Board of Aldermen meeting recap

by Cole Arndorfer
 
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, December 9 for its December meeting. The packed meeting included approval of a liquor license, new business addressing police coverage concerns raised by the Grain Valley Santa Bus, seven new resolutions, and three ordinances.
 
Following the opening of the meeting, the board approved an amended liquor license for El Tequilazo Y Cantina. This will allow the restaurant to serve alcohol on Sundays once its paperwork and payment is completed.
 
The board then moved into new business, discussing the Grain Valley Santa Bus. Chuck Johnston, former mayor and volunteer for the Santa Bus, noted during public comment that he is not requesting that the city provide an off-duty police officer for the bus’s route, rather just the use of the VIPs vehicle that the bus is used to having with them in order to use the lights and siren for the safety of the children.
 
Alderman Ryan Skinner noted he was not aware of the issue until a social media post by Johnston resulted in online debate.
 
“A simple email to elected officials could have resolved the issue, but I’ll leave it at that,” Skinner said.
 
After discussing some options for the rest of this year and for next year, the board directed Johnston to hold a meeting with Chief Turner to make a plan to possibly add an off-duty officer for the rest of the year.
 
Following this, the board moved into resolutions. First, the board approved a resolution allowing the city to amend the 2024 budget.
 
The board then approved a series of resolutions to approve grant applications from downtown businesses applying for the Façade Improvement Grant Program funded by ARPA funds.
 
The next resolution the board approved allows the city to enter into an agreement with Bank of Grain Valley for the Façade Improvement Grant Program.
 
Next the board approved a resolution allowing the city to enter an agreement with GV Main Street Investment for the Façade Improvement Grant Program as well. This grant addresses the buildings on the east side of Main.
 
The board then approved a resolution allowing the city to enter an agreement with the Grain Valley Historical Society for the Façade Improvement Grant Program. The grant would be used for new signage on the building.
 
The next resolution the board approved was to approve an inter-agency agreement between the administration department and the parks and recreation department. This will allocate funding for parks and recreation department’s projects utilizing ARPA funds.
 
The board then approved a resolution allowing the city to adopt a labor agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police for sworn police officers.
 
The final resolution the board approved allows the city to adopt a labor agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police for police sergeants.
 
Following resolutions, the board moved into ordinances.
 
The board approved the second reading of an ordinance calling an election in the city on April 8, 2025.
 
Next, the board approved the second read of an ordinance approving the 2025 fiscal year budget and comprehensive fee schedule for the city.
 
Lastly, the board approved the first and second readings of an ordinance that amends the city’s budget for the fiscal year of 2024. This is to accurately reflect the amount of money the city spent this fiscal year.
 
Under city staff reports, Chief Ed Turner noted that Shop with a Cop will take place on December 19. The department currently has 24 children signed up and is working with other local departments to put on the event.
 
Parks and Recreation director, Shannon Davies, said that the city’s annual Christmas tree drop-off will open on December 26 and run through January 13.
 
The board then moved into executive session. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held on Monday, January 13 at 6:30pm inside City Hall.