Board of Aldermen meeting recap

The Board of Aldermen met Monday, July 24th for their regularly scheduled meeting. 

During patron comments, Planning and Zoning Commission member Scott Shafer raised concerns regarding what he states are personal attacks from Alderman Dale Arnold during discussion regarding his reappointment to the Commission in January. Arnold made no comments during the meeting regarding these statements. 

As previously reported, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution encouraging the Jackson County Executive and Legislature to maintain the 2022 real property tax assessments for the 2023 calendar year. The resolution states inconsistent and extraordinary increases experienced by residents, called the appeals process "convoluted and inefficient", and raised concerns that the appeals process may impact the City's ability to meet the October 1st deadline to set its tax rate. 

A similar resolution was passed in Blue Springs on Friday, July 21st. 

Alderman Skinner made an additional motion to direct staff to explore joining the class action lawsuit filed against Jackson County and any other revenues to provide relief to citizens and address any impacts to the City. The motion was approved unanimously. 

In other business, the Board approved a resolution appointing Mike McCurdy to the Grain Valley Parks and Recreation Board for a three-year term. 

Under resolutions, the Board approved a resolution for a task agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. for design update of the Downtown Improvements Phase II-B Front Street as budgeted in 2023. The original design was completed in 2011, but the project was never completed. This task order will update the plans to current conditions. 

The Board also approved an agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. to provide preliminary design and engineering services for intersection improvements at Buckner Tarsney Road and Duncan Road.

MoDOT currently owns and controls the intersection and has made staff aware that they have a 50/50 grant program for improvements to their facilities. The result of the design work will provide a conceptual design and assistance with a grant application for funding this project. This project was identified in the 5-year CIP and excess ARPA funds appropriated in the 2023 budget are available for design of the project. 

Director of Community Development Mark Trosen said two options are being considered. The first option under consideration is to leave the existing traffic light but add turn lanes at the intersection. The second option is to look at a roundabout design. 

Under Mayor comments, Mayor Todd suggested a fireworks display to coincide with the Downtown Spooktacular event near Halloween. A motion was approved directing staff to investigate options with an estimated cost of $7,000 to be paid from the City's tourism fund. 

The Board will meet for its next regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00pm on August 14th at City Hall.