Board of Aldermen meeting recap

by Cole Arndorfer​

The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met briefly Monday, August 14th for their regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall. reviewing a liquor license request, two items for public hearing, three resolutions, and the first readings of five ordinances.

Valley Moments, a business taking over the current Iron Courtyard space downtown is seeking a liquor license. The business is looking to use the space as an event venue for graduations, baby showers, birthday parties, wedding receptions, and other events. The business applied for a by the drink and a Sunday sales license. The board had no questions for the business and the item will be brought back to the next meeting for review.

Next, the board held public hearings on two items. The first was the vacations of the Northwest Jefferson Court cul-de-sac right of way. The second item was over amending chapter 415 of the Flood Hazard Prevention code and to adopt a new countywide flood insurance study. No members of the public stepped forward to comment on either of these items and the public hearing was closed.

After closing the public hearing, the board moved onto the resolutions portion of the meeting.

The board discussed a resolution introduced by Alderman Mills to install six new street lights on South Outer Road. The resolution was unanimously passed.

The second resolution discussed was brought by Alderman Skinner to allow the city to enter an agreement with Heartland Traffic Services, Inc. to complete pavement markings. Heartland would be responsible for the pavement markings on Ryan Road from Buckner Tarsney to Minter. This would also include two cross walk markings at the entrance to South Middle School and another at Duncan Road and Nicholas. After confirming that the repavement project on Ryan Road was complete, the board unanimously approved the resolution.

The final resolution discussed was to allow for the purchase of a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab truck to be used by the police department. City Administrator Ken Murphy said the city was contacted by a dealership that had a customer back out of a deal for the truck and that this truck would be used as a replacement for one of the department’s older vehicles. The city has budgeted money in place to purchase replacements for two Explorers being used as patrol vehicles; however, those vehicles are extremely hard to purchase right now, and it would not be until next budget year that the city could purchase those. After discussion, the board unanimously approved this resolution.

Under ordinances, the Board first approved the first reading of an ordinance to allow the city to enter an agreement for streetlights with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for the six streetlights along South Outer Road. This passed 6-0.

The second bill related to the first item on public hearing, creating an ordinance vacating the cul-de-sac on the East and West side of Northwest Jefferson Court. This item will be brought back for the next meeting by title only.

The third bill related to the other public hearing item, amending chapter 415 of the Code of Ordinances relating to Flood Hazard Prevention. This item will be brought back by title only at the next meeting.

Fourth, the board discussed a bill to create an ordinance that outlines the procedure for disclosing potential conflicts of interest and substantial interests for certain officials.  Murphy said that this is something the board has to do to stay in compliance with the Missouri Ethics Commission and he does not believe that anything has changed since the last time it was discussed. This will be brought back by title only at the next meeting.

The final bill would add Chapter 255, Article I, Section 255.010 to the City Code in order to allow bow hunting for deer within city limits. This was an item that the board started looking at about a month and a half ago, Murphy said. It would allow residents to bow hunt for deer on ten acres of property or more. He also said that the city utilized a legal team and looked at what some other cities in the area have done related to this in order to put together this bill.

​Alderman Arnold brought up concerns over the higher-powered crossbows being used, hunters shooting at deer along their property boundaries that may cause problems, as well as that the city has not done a study on the deer population in the area to see if that is a problem. The first read of this bill passed 5-1 and will be brought back to the next meeting.

Following ordinances was City Staff reports. Police Chief Ed Turner noted that the department will be having their Cakes, Cops, and Conversations event at Armstrong Park from 8 am to 11 am on August 26.

“This will be a great opportunity for us to engage the community,” Turner said.

All are welcome to come out for all-you-can-eat pancakes provided by Chris Cakes.

Parks & Recreation Director Shannon Davies provided updates for the fall baseball and softball program put on by the department. The late registration period ends this week, and games will start the week after the fair running through mid-late October depending on the weather. Davies also noted that this is the last week the pool is open weekdays and after this week it will be open on the weekends through Labor Day.

In Mayor Todd’s report, he acknowledged the end of First Fridays for the year and noted how successful the events were this year. He said that they are looking at some possible changes that they could make for next year in order to get some more businesses involved.

The next Board of Aldermen Meeting will be held at City Hall on August 28 at 7:00pm.