Board of Aldermen meeting recap

by ​Cole Arndorfer
 
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, April 22nd for their second regular meeting in the month of April. This meeting included acknowledging the certified results of the previous election, a recognition for Alderman Ward, oaths of office for elected officials, and six new resolutions.
 
The board discussed the ordinance regarding peace disturbance related to construction projects. Alderman Skinner made a motion to include verbiage in the code to make it clear that this ordinance is for permitted work. The motion was passed and the verbiage will be added.
 
The board then passed an ordinance acknowledging the results of the election held on April 2, 2024. Following the ordinance, the board recognized Alderman Arnold for his service as Ward I Alderman.
 
The board then moved into oaths of office for elected officials. Four elected officials, Mayor Mike Todd, Ward I Alderman Kyle Sole, Ward II Alderman Rick Knox, and Ward III Alderman Ryan Skinner, took the oath of office at the meeting.
 
The board then moved to resolutions. Six resolutions were passed by the board at this meeting.
 
The first resolution allows the city to make a payment to Vance Brothers Inc. for work done on Argo Road. Vance Brothers provided surface treatment and pavement markings on Argo Road under the Jackson County 2024 pavement maintenance program.
 
The second resolution allows the city to execute an agreement with Valbridge Property Advisors for easement appraisals and acquisition on the Front Street project. The Front Street project is a continuation of the downtown improvement effort. This agreement allows Valbridge to go out and negotiate on the city’s behalf to acquire easements for this project.
 
The third resolution allows the city to enter into a contract with Midwest Pool Management for lifeguard services at the Grain Valley Aquatic Center. The city has been using Midwest Pool Management since 2009 to get the Aquatic Center up and running for the year as well as for lifeguard services.
 
The next resolution allows the city to enter into an agreement with Utility Service Company Inc. to provide maintenance for city owned water tanks and towers. This maintenance allows the city to continue providing safe and clean water.
 
The fifth resolution allows the city to purchase four 2024 Dodge Durangos for use by the police department. This adds to the two that were purchased a couple months ago.
 
The last resolution allows the city to sign an agreement with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office to provide detention service for people arrested by the police department. This allows the city to send prisoners to the Johnson County Missouri Sheriff’s Detention Unit. Previously, Grain Valley sent prisoners to Ray County.
 
Police Chief Ed Turner announced the ribbon cutting for the new police department will be held on May 8, at 4 pm.
 
For the mayor’s report, Mayor Todd discussed a proposition brought forth by Blue Springs with the board. Todd said that Blue Springs is looking to relieve some of the truck traffic off Adams Dairy, and they were looking at putting an interchange at Tyer Road. Todd said that he was discussing it with the board to see if they were at all interested in this project. Todd indicated he did not have interest in the project. The board was not interested in the project at this time.
 
The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place at City Hall on May 13th at 6:30pm.