The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen held a brief meeting on Monday, March 10th, approving two resolutions and the first reading of one ordinance.

The first resolution approved by the Board authorized the City Administrator to purchase a 2026 Freightliner 1085SD Dump Truck for the Public Works Division. 

The second resolution approved authorized the purchase of updated in-car and body cameras for police officers. 

The Board also approved the first reading of an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 135 to add disposition of seized, unclaimed, or abandoned property in the custody of the City of Grain Valley.  

The next meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held at 6:30pm on Monday, March 24th. 

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As previously reported, (Municipal Facilities Focus Group hosts open house to debut city hall, community center plans), voters will be asked to approve a $24.6 million bond issue on the April 2025 ballot to fund construction of a new city hall and community center building on the site of the old Sni-A-Bar Farm on south Buckner Tarsney Road, just south of the new Mid-Continent Public Library.

Ballot Language:
Shall the City of Grain Valley, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $24,600,000 for the purpose of site development and the acquiring, constructing, improving, furnishing, and equipping of a new municipal complex, to include a city hall and a community center?

The new facilities would replace existing facilities built in the early 2000s and located just south of I-70. City officials indicated that the former Sni-A-Bar Farm is the only city-owned property in Grain Valley that could accommodate the scope of these facilities. While the plan up for approval includes a new city hall and community center facility, the Municipal Facilities Focus Group emphasized the need for the city to plan for a new aquatics facility on the site within 3-5 years. 

The bond proposal would fund the construction of the facilities, and if approved it would not cause an increase to the current tax levy. In a dedicated webpage on the City website promoting the plan, the city points out the tax levy has decreased by 30% since 2020. For more information on the proposed project, visit Valley Vision-Municipal Facilities | Our City, Our Future. 

If approved, final design and construction documents will begin immediately, with completion of the project taking approximately 18 months. 

by Cole Arndorfer, Grain Valley News
 
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, February 24 for its second meeting of the month. The brief meeting consisted of just two new resolutions.
             
With no public comments, previous business, new business, presentations, or public hearings, the board jumped right into resolutions.

The first resolution the board approved designates city property as a permissible location for 2025 Food Truck Friday events.

The second resolution approved by the board allows the city to enter into an agreement with Midwest Pool Management for lifeguards at the Grain Valley Aquatic Center for the 2025 season. This is the extension of the existing three-year contract with Midwest Pool Management and the city has had an agreement with the company since 2009.

The meeting was adjourned into executive session. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held on Monday, March 10 at 6:30 pm inside City Hall. 
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A former Grain Valley police officer pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child.

August Price Gildehaus, 28, of Blue Springs, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and one count of producing child pornography.
Gildehaus, a Grain Valley police officer at the time of the offenses, was originally charged by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

In pleading guilty, Gildehaus admitted that he engaged in illegal sexual activity with a 15-year-old female victim. Gildehaus and the victim met on an online social media platform. Gildehaus met with the victim on five separate occasions between Aug. 5, 2022, and Jan. 5, 2023, to engage in illicit sexual activity at different locations, including a middle school parking lot.

Gildehaus admitted that the child victim took photographs of herself when she was home, and he took photographs of himself that he sent to her. Gildehaus also admitted that he recorded videos of their sexual encounters.

Under federal statutes, Gildehaus is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Brackett and was investigated by the Grain Valley Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

by Cole Arndorfer

The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, February 10th for its first meeting of the month. The brief meeting consisted of one item of new business and two new resolutions.

After opening the meeting, the board granted permission for the Grain Valley Fair to host a beer garden during the fair scheduled for September 5-6.

The board then moved into resolutions. The first resolution the board approved allows the city to purchase a new Bobcat compact track loader for the parks division. This will replace the current Bobcat that is on the list for vehicle replacement this year.

The last resolution the board approved allows the city to enter into a contract with ATHCO to install three new park shelters at Armstrong Park.

 The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at City Hall on February 24 at 6:30pm.
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 The citizen-led focus group charged with creating priorities and plans for the city's municipal facilities had the opportunity to debut renderings and plans to the public at an open house on February 4th at the Grain Valley Police Department. 

Voters will be asked to approve a $24.6 million bond issue on the April 2025 ballot to fund construction of a new city hall and community center building on the site of the old Sni-A-Bar Farm on south Buckner Tarsney Road, just south of the new Mid-Continent Public Library. The new facilities would replace existing facilities built in the early 2000s and located just south of I-70. As explained in a frequently asked questions flyer provided at the open house, the focus group was very interested in the viability of building at other possible locations or staying at the current location. City officials indicated that the former Sni-A-Bar Farm is the only city-owned property in Grain Valley that could accommodate the scope of these facilities.

The facilities are planned to accommodate future population growth and are designed for expansion as needed. Based on current growth rates, the city anticipates the population to grow to 36,000 in the next 20 years. 160 parking spaces are initially planned for the campus, with additional areas that could be paved to add additional permanent parking as needed. The $24.6 million bond would not raise taxes and would be serviced by existing revenue streams. 

The citizen focus group has recommended the city prioritize the community center and city hall first, and seek to complete a new aquatic center in 3-5 years. The proposed bond issue would allow for the completion of the city hall and community center. If funding if approved in April, each facility will take approximately two years to complete. 

The City of Grain Valley invites residents to an Open House meeting on Tuesday, February 4th from 5:30 to 7:30pm located at the Grain Valley Police Department, 719 R.D. Mize Road. This community-driven event, led by a citizen study group, will provide an in-depth look at the proposed Community Center and City Hall project. Community members are encouraged to drop in at any time during the event. ​
 
The Open House aims to engage the public by sharing project details and gathering community feedback. Attendees will have the opportunity to review plans, ask questions, and voice their thoughts on this significant initiative designed to meet the growing needs of the Grain Valley community.
 
“As Grain Valley continues to grow, so does the need to invest in spaces that support our community's business growth and recreational needs,” City Administrator Ken Murphy said.

“This citizen-led study group has worked diligently to assess those needs, and the open house is an opportunity for residents to review their findings, ask questions, and provide input. We encourage everyone to attend and be part of the conversation about our city’s future.”

by Cole Arndorfer

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​The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, January 27 for its second meeting of the month. This meeting included the second presentation regarding a liquor license for The Local, a recognition for officer Nicholas Jeffries, two resolutions, and one ordinance.
 
Following the opening of the meeting, the board heard the second presentation over a new liquor license for The Local. The city is still waiting on state and county licenses for the business but the board approved the liquor license on the condition that the business receives those with no problem.
 
Grain Valley police officer Nicholas Jeffries was recognized by the board and Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his service protecting the community against intoxicated drivers.
 
The board then moved into resolutions. The first resolution the board approved is to lend support to the enforcement and prosecution efforts in cases of harassment and stalking as well as recognize and reduce the impact of bullying and cyberbullying on children in the community.
 
The second and final resolution the board approved allows the city to execute a task agreement with Lamp Rynearson for construction administration services on the South Buckner Tarsney Trail extension.
 
The board then passed the second read of an ordinance calling for an election on April 8, 2025. This confirms the addition of a ballot question over the use of general obligation bonds in order to fund a new city hall and community center.
 
The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place at 6:30pm on February 10th at City Hall. 

by Cole Arndorfer
 
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, January 13th for their first meeting in the month of January.
 
Under New Business, the Board discussed the liquor license application from a new business, The Local, to be located downtown at 511 Main. The business completed their application, and the item will be brought back for approval at the next meeting.
 
The Board then moved into resolutions. The first resolution the board approved allows the city to enter into an agreement with the Mid-America Regional Council in order to participate in the household hazardous waste collection program.
 
The next resolution approved by the Board allows the City to enter into an agreement with JM Fahey Construction for roadway, storm and water improvements on Front Street. This project will be a full reconstruction on Front Street including curb, gutter, underground drainage, sidewalks, a new water main, and new roadway from Main Steet to Kirby to Front Street.
 
The third resolution the Board approved authorizes the purchase of new computer equipment to replace old computers around city facilities according to the computer equipment replacement program.
 
The Board approved a resolution to purchase new water meters as part of the 2025 meter replacement program and approved a resolution allocating funds for the 2025 emergency management contribution to the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District.
 
The Board then approved a resolution to spend funds in order to renew the annual software maintenance and support agreement with Brightly Software. This helps make sure the software that helps the city keep track of work orders and asset management is in order.
 
The final resolution approved authorized the installation of ten new streetlights along Dillingham Road from Duncan Road to Crestview Drive.
 
Following resolutions, the board moved onto one item under ordinances.
 
The ordinance calls for an election within the city on April 8, 2025. This ordinance adds a ballot question requesting approval of general obligation bonds to fund new municipal facilities, including a new community center and city hall. After some discussion, the board approved the first reading of the ordinance, and it will be brought back for its second read at the next meeting.
 
Mayor Mike Todd closed out the meeting by thanking all the public works staff and first responders for their time and effort during the snowstorm.

Following Todd’s comments, the meeting was adjourned. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at City Hall on January 27th at 6:30 pm. 

The Municipal Facility Focus Group, consisting of seven local residents tasked with evaluating needs and developing a plan for a facility needs including a new city hall, community center, and pool, met for a final time on January 7th to finalize recommendations for the Board of Aldermen to consider.

After lengthy review of potential plans and amenities to be included in a proposed new city hall, community center, and pool to be located at the former Sni-A-Bar Farms site in south Grain Valley, the focus group winnowed down their recommendations to fit within bonding capacity of $25-27 million. With an average cost of $23.5 million for the community center, $8.2 million for city hall, and $8.2 million for a pool, the group had difficult decisions to make.

Recommendations sent to the Board of Aldermen from the Focus Group:

The current aquatic center, community center, and city hall are outdated, well-worn, and undersized and lacking key features to meet the current and future needs of a rapidly growing Grain Valley population.

The design concepts created by Hoefer Welker architects address all of our goals and priorities, which we believe the majority of the community will share in, and we encourage our city government to adopt and act upon as many of our goals, priorities, and recommendations as practicable.

The former Sni-A-Bar Farms is an ideal location for a new municipal facility complex, and it allows for future expansion to meet growing community needs.

Efforts should be made to recognize and celebrate historical significance and heritage of Sni-A-Bar Farms with any development of the property by the city government.

The city government should move deliberatively forward to develop the new municipal facilities as quickly as possible as city finances permit and avoid raising property taxes in doing so.

The city government should sell or lease the current municipal complex property for commercial development to help offset the cost of the new municipal facilities and grow the city’s tax base.

The priority for developing new facilities are the Community Center and City Hall.

The city should develop the new aquatic center within 3-5 years, acknowledging that the existing pool will remain open until the new aquatic center is built.

The city should use their bonding and other budgetary resources to complete the buildings to the recommended design expectations. 

The Board of Aldermen will meet at City Hall Thursday evening at 6:00pm for a Facilities workshop to consider recommendations. 

An open house for residents to review proposed plans is scheduled for February 4th at 6:30pm at the Grain Valley Police Department. 

​The City of Grain Valley announced Thursday the retirement of Community Development Director Mark Trosen, whose career in public service has spanned decades. Trosen's last day is Friday, January 3, 2025.

“I can’t thank Mark enough for the last five years he has given to the City of Grain Valley. His wealth of knowledge and experience has been invaluable as we’ve grown. I’m thankful for the time we’ve worked together and am excited for him and Rhonda and all the adventures they’ll go on in retirement.” City Administrator Ken Murphy said.

Before joining the City of Grain Valley, Trosen served in various public service roles with Jackson County, where he gained extensive experience in parks, public works and administration. During his time with Grain Valley, Trosen played a critical role in the pavement management program, leading efforts to update the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan, CERP (Computer Equipment Replacement Program) improvements, securing multiple grants, and planning the new water tower.

“I want to thank Ken for hiring me and entrusting me to lead the Community Development Department. Working for the City has been a wonderful experience for me. The city staff is so friendly, professional, and driven to make the city a better place to live and work. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my working career," Trosen said in a release. 

Filing has closed for candidates intending to run for open seats on the Grain Valley Board of Aldermen and Grain Valley School Board. 

Those filing to run for open alderman seats:
Brian Bray; Alderman Ward III
Jim Myers; Alderman Ward I
Lisa Limberg, Alderman Ward II

There is one open seat in each of the city's three wards. 

The following candidates have filed for the April 2025 Grain Valley School Board election:
​Jeffrey Porter
Michael Cassidy
Jason Williams 

by Cole Arndorfer
 
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, December 9 for its December meeting. The packed meeting included approval of a liquor license, new business addressing police coverage concerns raised by the Grain Valley Santa Bus, seven new resolutions, and three ordinances.
 
Following the opening of the meeting, the board approved an amended liquor license for El Tequilazo Y Cantina. This will allow the restaurant to serve alcohol on Sundays once its paperwork and payment is completed.
 
The board then moved into new business, discussing the Grain Valley Santa Bus. Chuck Johnston, former mayor and volunteer for the Santa Bus, noted during public comment that he is not requesting that the city provide an off-duty police officer for the bus’s route, rather just the use of the VIPs vehicle that the bus is used to having with them in order to use the lights and siren for the safety of the children.
 
Alderman Ryan Skinner noted he was not aware of the issue until a social media post by Johnston resulted in online debate.
 
“A simple email to elected officials could have resolved the issue, but I’ll leave it at that,” Skinner said.
 
After discussing some options for the rest of this year and for next year, the board directed Johnston to hold a meeting with Chief Turner to make a plan to possibly add an off-duty officer for the rest of the year.
 
Following this, the board moved into resolutions. First, the board approved a resolution allowing the city to amend the 2024 budget.
 
The board then approved a series of resolutions to approve grant applications from downtown businesses applying for the Façade Improvement Grant Program funded by ARPA funds.
 
The next resolution the board approved allows the city to enter into an agreement with Bank of Grain Valley for the Façade Improvement Grant Program.
 
Next the board approved a resolution allowing the city to enter an agreement with GV Main Street Investment for the Façade Improvement Grant Program as well. This grant addresses the buildings on the east side of Main.
 
The board then approved a resolution allowing the city to enter an agreement with the Grain Valley Historical Society for the Façade Improvement Grant Program. The grant would be used for new signage on the building.
 
The next resolution the board approved was to approve an inter-agency agreement between the administration department and the parks and recreation department. This will allocate funding for parks and recreation department’s projects utilizing ARPA funds.
 
The board then approved a resolution allowing the city to adopt a labor agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police for sworn police officers.
 
The final resolution the board approved allows the city to adopt a labor agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police for police sergeants.
 
Following resolutions, the board moved into ordinances.
 
The board approved the second reading of an ordinance calling an election in the city on April 8, 2025.
 
Next, the board approved the second read of an ordinance approving the 2025 fiscal year budget and comprehensive fee schedule for the city.
 
Lastly, the board approved the first and second readings of an ordinance that amends the city’s budget for the fiscal year of 2024. This is to accurately reflect the amount of money the city spent this fiscal year.
 
Under city staff reports, Chief Ed Turner noted that Shop with a Cop will take place on December 19. The department currently has 24 children signed up and is working with other local departments to put on the event.
 
Parks and Recreation director, Shannon Davies, said that the city’s annual Christmas tree drop-off will open on December 26 and run through January 13.
 
The board then moved into executive session. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held on Monday, January 13 at 6:30pm inside City Hall. 

The Grain Valley Mayor's Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival will begin at 6:00pm on Thursday, December 5th at Armstrong Park. 

Activities include:
- Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Christmas carols by GVR5’s Fifth-Grade Choirs
- Visit with Santa and a live reindeer
- Free holiday movie in the park
- Complimentary cookies, hot cocoa, and more.
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Nominations are also being accepted for a Grain Valley child to assist the mayor in flipping the switch to light up the tree on December 5th. To nominate a child for the task, email [email protected] with the following information:

• The child's full name
• Parents/guardian's contact information
• A short paragraph (3-5 sentences) telling who the child is and why they would love to help flip the switch in Armstrong Park. 

A nominee will be selected Monday, December 2nd.

For more information on the event, visit Holiday Festival | Grain Valley

by Addie Rainbolt

The Grain Valley Municipal Facilities Focus Group held their second meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 5:30pm in the Burgess Room in the Grain Valley Community Center. This meeting focused on design consideration and priorities concerning the rebuilding or renovation of the Grain Valley City Hall, Community Center and Aquatics Center.

This meeting was intended to give the architects at Hoefer Welker a starting point so they may begin designing the facilities.

The Focus Group took a tour of the current municipal facilities at their last meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and began this meeting by discussing their perceptions of the facilities’ needs, and if a renovation or rebuild would be more appropriate.

Lisa Limberg, Ward 2 representative, said the Community Center and City Hall have significant wear and tear, as well as poor infrastructure and organization. 

To renovate the facilities would be “like putting lipstick on a pig,” Limberg said, and would not resolve the current and long term operational issues.

Ryan Schinstock, at-large representative, said building all “new [facilities] would be good… but we have to be responsible.”

Schinstock said the biggest obstacles the city will face to get residents on board with rebuilding the facilities will be cost and location.

The focus group must consider the needs of all residents, Schinstock said, from all areas of Grain Valley.

Moreover, Schinstock said, relocating the municipal facilities to the south side of Grain Valley, and the train tracks, may upset north-side residents.

Bruce Neer, Ward 1 representative, said the facilities are not viable for expansion. So, even putting the wear and tear aside, Neer said, the facilities will not be able to support Grain Valley as it grows.

Mike Cassidy, Ward 1 representative, said the current facilities, specifically the Community Center and pool, lack identity and enticingness. The facilities should reflect the community, Cassidy said, not simply serve their purpose.

Shannon Davies, Grain Valley Parks and Recreation Director, said the facilities need to be larger considering the expected community growth, but larger facilities require more land for expansion and parking, which the current municipal facilities’ campus does not have.

Limberg asked Davies if these larger facilities would also require more city staff.

According to Davies, the amount of city staff would increase, so the cost of admission to some of these facilities, such as the Aquatics Center and exercise room in the Community Center, would need to be reconsidered to accommodate for these increases.

Ken Henton, Hoefer Welker partner, said the amenities these facilities offer will be longer-lasting, more versatile, and designed for residents of all types.

Nick Lawler, Hoefer Welker partner, listed some versatile amenity options for the Aquatics Center.

Some options the focus group discussed prioritizing were shaded and turfed deck space, slides, diving boards, a lazy river, a wet deck and a zero-entry area.

The focus group also discussed some Community Center needs including gathering rooms available for party rentals, a regulation-size basketball court with sidelines and bleachers, an elevated track, furnished exercise room, and indoor child play area. 

The focus group discussed City Hall needs, including adequate staff offices and cubical space, a lobby and reception area, a court and aldermen chamber, and private, large meeting rooms.

The focus group was concerned with the expandability of the new facilities and being prepared for future growth in Grain Valley. 

Steve Wolf, meeting facilitator, said when building for the future, it is important to “give yourself enough room to grow in the capability to host a larger community.” 

However, Wolf said, these larger spaces do not need to be filled until necessary.

Ken Murphy, city administrator, said the new facilities should not be created to be “just a rec[recreation] center, but a community center” with the community’s needs at the forefront, including those of the future community.

The Hoefer Welker partners will hold a design charrette in the community room at the Grain Valley Police Department Dec. 10-13 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Grain Valley Municipal Facilities Focus Group will meet next on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m.

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