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by Cole Arndorfer
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, July 22nd for their second monthly meeting of the month. Two citizens spoke during the public comment section of the meeting. The first, resident Mike Walker, shared his complaints and concerns regarding All Pro Asphalt for curb and asphalt overlay work. Walker additionally noted a concern regarding a storm drain repair. The second was Andrea Elliott who owns Elliott Glass with her husband, a business along Jefferson, who spoke seeking the support of the board to lobby MoDOT for safety improvements on the road to prevent future tragedies. The family of Christian Lanear, a Grain Valley resident who died recently as a result of an accident on Jefferson ST, also expressed their desire for the city to support efforts to lobby MODOT to address safety concerns on the road. Next, the board discussed a liquor license for the new Dollar General store in the city. The store owners are the same as the existing store in Grain Valley and they are seeking the same license for their new location. This will be brought back as an action item at the next meeting. The next item discussed by the board under new business was a downtown beautification project in the form of a façade grant program. The city would take applications from businesses on how they would make improvements to their appearance along the road and how much they would spend. After receiving the application, the city would review them and use grant dollars to match the amount spent by the business, up to $5,000. Funding comes from ARPA funding received by the city. With no resolutions or ordinances, the board moved onto city staff reports, in which the board was reminded about the next workshop, which is to be held on Monday, July 29, at 6:00pm inside City Hall. Mayor Mike Todd gave his report by noting the annual State of the City address will be on August 6th at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The board then adjourned into executive session. The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on August 12 at 6:30pm at City Hall.
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GVPD officers will be on site for a Neighborhood Vehicle Registration Event this Saturday, July 13th from 8:00am - Noon at Grain Valley South Middle School and Prairie Branch Elementary to assist residents in proper registration of golf carts and UTVs.
In order to pass an inspection, the following must be observed: - Headlamps and Taillights - Brake Lights - Mechanical Turn Signals - Working Brakes - Adequate Muffler - Seat Belts - Slow-Moving Emblem or Bicycle Safety Flag Registration is $30 and will be CASH only for this event. A copy of the documents listed below will need to be brought: 1) proof of ownership (bill of sale/title) 2) proof of insurance (listing vehicle) 3) proof of driver's license 4) completed registration form and fee ($30 cash only) For a complete list of laws surrounding neighborhood vehicles, please visit here: https://bit.ly/3zBQiOW by Cole Arndorfer
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen heard a presentation over the past years audit from Troutt Beeman & Co. on Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting. Managing partner of Troutt Beeman & Co., Butch Beeman said that the city of Grain Valley had a very good year financially. “I believe the city does an excellent job with its finances,” said Beeman after finishing his presentation over the findings of the audit with the board. Beeman’s report was overwhelmingly positive, marking a year of growth and financial stability for the city. Following the report, the board took action on two resolutions. The first resolution was to adopt the 2025-2029 city Capital Improvements Plan and it included a presentation from City Engineer, Dick Tuttle. The purpose of the plan is to provide the city with a flexible planning tool, identify needed projects and possible funding sources, and project timing. The plan includes parks and recreation projects, water and sewer projects, storm water projects, as well as vehicle and equipment replacement. The plan was approved unanimously. The second resolution approved by the board appointed Jeff Craney to a five-year term on the Board of Zoning Adjustment. The board then heard the second reading of an ordinance from the previous meeting in June. This bill dedicates the road right of way and trail easement along South Buckner Tarsney Road. This was approved unanimously. To close the meeting, Mayor Todd presented his monthly report. Todd’s main point was a thank you to Police Chief Ed Turner. Todd said that the department has been doing well at enforcing the speed limits throughout town over the summer and it has been good to see. Following this, the board adjourned into executive session. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place on July 22nd at 6:30pm at City Hall. by Cole Arndorfer
Mayor Michael Todd was absent for Monday’s exceptionally brief Board of Aldermen meeting. Alderman Brian Bray filled in for Todd as Mayor Pro-Tem for the meeting. The meeting began with the installation of new police officer Isaiah Cox. With no public comments, previous business, new business, presentations, public hearings, or resolutions, the board jumped right into ordinances. The first ordinance was the second reading of a bill authorizing the sale of property owned by the city. This ordinance was passed unanimously. The second and final ordinance was the first read of a bill to approve the dedication for road right of way and a trail easement along South Buckner Tarsney Road. This bill deals with the grant funded trail project through the Federal Highway Administration. Since this is funded through the Federal Highway Administration one of the requirements is that the right of way is dedicated. The first read was approved and the bill will be brought back by title only at the next regular meeting. For the Mayor Pro-Tem report, Bray took the time to remind everyone that fireworks will be permissible within city limits July third and fourth as well as the first Saturday in July from 9 am to 11 pm. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place on Monday, July 8 at 6:30 pm at City Hall. To say Grain Valley enjoys its fireworks might be quite an understatement.
Grain Valley Bands will once again set up their tent in the parking lot of Grain Valley Price Chopper from June 27th - July 4th. The tent is open daily from 8:00am - 10:00pm. The Boy Scouts and Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce will also host their tent at the corner of Buckner Tarsney Road and SW Eagles Parkway from June 27th - July 4th. The tent is open daily from 8:00am - 10:00pm. The City of Grain Valley permits the discharge of fireworks between the hours of 9:00am - 11:00pm on the first Saturday of July each year as well as the third and fourth of July. In years which the third or fourth of July falls on a Saturday, July 2nd is also allowed. In 2024, July 4th falls on a Thursday. In a June 20th press release, Brian Bray, Alderman of Grain Valley Ward III, shared he is sponsoring a bill to create a new city ordinance aimed at tackling bullying of minors. The proposed ordinance seeks to hold both the bully and the parent or guardian of the bully accountable for bullying behavior, whether it occurs within the school environment or outside of it.
In the release, Bray explains that as part of the proposed ordinance, parents and guardians will be encouraged to take an active role in understanding and mitigating their child's behavior. Bray says this approach aims to foster a collaborative effort between the city, schools, and families to create a safer and more supportive environment for all children. "Bullying has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the immediate impact on the victim. It affects the entire community and can have lasting effects on a child's mental and emotional well-being. This ordinance is designed to address the root causes of bullying and to ensure that we are all working together to protect our children and promote a culture of respect and kindness," Bray said in the release. The proposed ordinance includes measures such as mandatory counseling for bullies, educational programs for parents, and potential fines for repeated offenses. Bray states the goal is not only to punish but to educate and rehabilitate, providing the necessary tools and resources to prevent future incidents of bullying. For more information on the proposed ordinance and how to get involved, please contact Aldermen Bray via email at [email protected]. by Cole Arndorfer
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, June 10 for their first regular meeting in the month of June. To start the meeting, two new police officers, Jason Eyerly and David Harrison, took their oath of office. During public comments, the board heard from a citizen concerned about traffic in the Rosewood Hills subdivision. This prompted a conversation about unlicensed golf carts and underaged drivers around the city and what can be done in regard to this issue. Possible solutions include reeducating parents and the public on the ordinances surrounding these golf carts, having overtime officers stop by neighborhood pools to make sure everyone is following the rules, and better documenting interactions and outcomes between the officers and violators of these rules. Next, the board moved into new business starting with mayor pro-tem and board liaison appointments. Alderman Brian Bray was appointed mayor pro-tem. The board then looked at liquor license renewals for 2024-2025. The police department reviewed licenses from Agaves, B&B Theatres, Captain’s, Caseys, Price Chopper, Dollar General, El Tequilazo, Valley Speedway, Iron Kettle, El Maguey, Nicotra Vineyards, MO Country, QuikTrip, Temp-Stop, Discount Liquor and Smokes, and Valley Moments. All of these businesses are in good standing with their current licenses and were all approved for renewals, pending the receipt of their outstanding requirements. The board then considered and approved a series of resolutions. The first resolution allows the city to execute an agreement with Jackson County anti-crime tax (COMBAT). This allows the city to recoup costs for anti-drug and anti-violence programs. The next resolution allows the city to execute an agreement with Burrell Inc. Comprehensive Mental Health Services. This will improve services and outcomes when individuals with mental health disorders and/or substance use disorders come in contact with law enforcement. The third resolution allows the city to enter into an agreement with MoDOT for grant funded overtime with DWI enforcement and hazardous moving violation enforcement. This secures grant money to provide overtime pay for law enforcement officers to enforce these laws. The final resolution allows the city to enter into a cooperative agreement to provide continued support to the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce. Moving to ordinance, the board first considered the second read of a bill amending chapter 215, section 215.200 Sexual Misconduct, and repealing section 215.216 of the city code. This bill was approved unanimously. The next ordinance was also a second read of a bill adding Community Development’s long-standing policy of approved construction hours and the need of after-hours work permits. This bill was approved unanimously. The final ordinance was the first read of a bill authorizing the sale of city owned property and allowing the city administrator to execute all documents associated with said sale. This sale would include the two vacant lots on the east side of Main Street between the auto repair shop and strip mall at 203 Main. The developer, Dr. Cathy Dowd, intends to build a retail office space on the site. Dowd's current business, Grain Valley Chiropractic, would be the main tenant in the space, with additional space available for office/retail use. The first read of this bill was approved and will be brought back for its second reading by title only at the next meeting. In staff reports, Community Development Director Mark Trosen invited community and board members to the annual public works event on June 13th from 5-7 pm. This will be held at Armstrong Park and will include a bouncy house, drawings, live equipment demonstrations, and an appearance from KC Wolf. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held on Monday, June 24 at 6:30pm at City Hall. The Grain Valley Public Works Department will host its annual community event Thursday, June 13th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Armstrong Park.
This free community event includes live equipment demos, free pizza from Papa Murphy's, snow cones, face painting, a bouncing house, and raffle drawings. Grain Valley Mayor Mike Todd has selected Eddie Saffell as the 2024 Grain Valley Citizen of the Year. Saffell will be honored along with citizens recognized by other eastern Jackson County mayors at the Truman Heartland Community Foundation's 29th annual Toast to Our Towns Gala on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at the Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center. In a social media post announcing the selection, Todd explained why Saffell was selected for the honor. "One of the biggest honors I have each year is choosing our Truman Heartland Citizen of the Year. This year I have picked an individual who has been involved in about every aspect of Grain Valley. From protecting all of us during his time with the Central Jackson County Fire District to being the President of the Chamber of Commerce to also organizing the Grain Valley Community Parade. He also served on the Grain Valley School Board looking out for all of our kids and even though he retired from CJC he is still working part time with the City of Grain Valley as a building inspector. It is with great honor that I recognize Eddie Saffell as Grain Valley's 2024 Truman Heartland Citizen of the Year." For more information on the Toast to our Towns Gala, visit Gala | Truman Heartland Community Foundation (thcf.org). Prior reporting (Community Profile: Eddie Saffell): Quick News - Grain Valley News Grain Valley Mayor Mike Todd has selected Eddie Saffell as the 2024 Grain Valley Citizen of the Year. File photo
As previously reported (Quick News - Grain Valley News) Valley Wagon, a local produce stand located at 1451 S. Buckner Tarsney Road, announced May 27th that they would be closing immediately citing pressure from the city to bring the site up to city codes. The post predictably created a firestorm of comments on social media, resulting in a meeting with city officials on May 30th to discuss options for the Valley Wagon to address issues of concern.
City staff and officials met with Valley Wagon owners Vince and Melissa Moehle on May 30th, and the Moehles reported they left the meeting with the following understanding: The Valley Wagon can continue to operate as planned for the season provided they move forward and with the hydraulic study, keep in contact with the city on progress, and pursue a variance once the floodway lines have been re-mapped. Concerns regarding ADA compliance at the site were also raised, and Valley Wagon stated they would be working to address these issues as well. The Moehles quickly posted a video to social media following the meeting featuring Vince Moehle in boxing gloves and celebrating their perceived victory over city hall with the Rocky theme in the background, announcing they would reopen on Saturday. Mayor Mike Todd took to Facebook as well to reiterate that the business had been granted permits and occupational licenses and were not forced to close, summarizing the city's concerns and expectations of issues to be addressed. |
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