Board of Aldermen meeting recap

by Cole Arndorfer
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The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, January 8, for their first meeting of 2024. In the meeting, the board passed eight new resolutions and heard first readings of two ordinances.
 
With no proclamations, previous or new business, presentations, or public hearings, the board jumped straight into resolutions.
 
 First, the board approved a resolution allowing the city to enter into an agreement with the Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste District. This agreement provides residents the ability to dispose of household hazardous waste properly.
 
Second, the board approved a resolution allowing the city to purchase new water meters, in accordance with the 2024 Meter Replacement Program. The city has replaced a number of meters yearly since 2010. This year, the city will replace 400 old water meters.
 
The next resolution the board approved allows the city to make an agreement with ClearSpan. This agreement will cover the materials and labor to repair the canopy on the salt storage building.
 
Next, the board approved a resolution that allows the city to purchase computer equipment. Funds from the Computer Equipment Replacement Program will be used to purchase new desktops, laptops, monitors, and other equipment as needed.
 
The fifth resolution the board approved allows the city to purchase new access control card readers for city buildings. These new readers will replace the existing readers at City Hall, Public Works Maintenance, and the Community Center.
 
Next, after a brief discussion, the board approved a resolution that allows the city to purchase a new dump truck and accessories for the public works division. This will be the replacement for the first dump truck the city purchased a number of years ago.
 
The board approved the next resolution that allows the city to sign an agreement with the Blue Springs Police Department for the confinement of prisoners in their detention unit. This is an extension to an agreement that the departments have had for several years.
 
The final resolution the board approved a resolution allowing the city to execute an agreement with the Grain Valley School District for school resource officer services. Alderman Arnold discussed some concerns to be looked at in the future such as the district being responsible for more of the officer’s salaries and the viability of the district’s own security force.
 
Following this, the board moved into ordinances.
The board approved the first read of a bill that would allow the city to amend a section of the city code relating to court costs. This will be done in order to stay up to date with the latest case law. This bill will be brought back for its second read at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
 
The board approved the first read of the final ordinance that would allow the city to amend the section of the city code that spells out the Community Center rental rates and Community Pool fees. This bill will also be brought back for its second read at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
 
In her staff report, City Clerk, Jamie Logan, provided an update on candidate filing for April’s upcoming election. Six residents have filed for candidacy. Aldermen Knox and Skinner will run unopposed for Wards II and III. Former mayor Chuck Johnston and Kyle Sole have filed to run for Alderman Arnold’s Ward I seat. Arnold has filed to run for mayor against current mayor Mike Todd.
 
For his report, Alderman Skinner discussed the Woodbury Estates Homeowner’s Association situation and the need to have an executive session meeting to discuss options the city may have. Skinner expressed his desire to get advice from the city attorney and find facts in the matter.
 
The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place at City Hall on January 22, at 7:00pm.