Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes

LOWRY CITY BOARD OF ALDERMEN

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 6:00 pm

Draft Minutes

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance:

Mayor Patricia Landes called the regular session of the Lowry City Board of Aldermen to order at 6 p.m. in the council room at city hall. Board members attending included East Ward Aldermen Charles Cone and Jackie Cutler, West Ward Aldermen Sean Langston and Shirley Edmunds. City Clerk John Farrell, Fire Chief Justin Norris and Sean Langston Jr. were also in attendance. Notice of the meeting was given pursuant to RSMo. 610.020. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Landes.

Approval of Minutes:

The board reviewed the tax levy hearing minutes from August 19, 2025. Langston moved and Cutler seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

The board reviewed the regular session minutes from August 19, 2025. Langston moved and Cone seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

The board reviewed the closed session minutes from August 19, 2025.  Langston moved and Edmunds seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Bills:

A list of bills was presented for approval. The board briefly discussed a $2,312 invoice from Wommack Monument for damage to a stone at the cemetery. Cone moved and Cutler seconded the motion to approve the bills presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Financial reports:

Financial reports for the month ending August 31, 2025 were presented and reviewed. Cone questioned why Certificates of Deposits from a donation from Clyde Keith does not show on the list of accounts. Farrell noted he did not know, but understood the interest is deposited every three months into another account. He stated he would look into the matter. Langston moved and Edmunds seconded to accept the financial reports. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Old or unfinished business: None
New business: None
Citizen input: None

Department and group reports/updates:
     

City Clerk Update: Farrell reported contact from the U.S. Government in reference to unused or undocumented ARPA funds issued to the city. Farrell explained it appears there were two ARPA payments that were made and not entered into the city’s bank book that was kept manually for that account. The total was $1,191.93 and was caught while completing an annual report of the funds to the government. The funds were paid back immediately by electronic payment and will be noted on the bills for September.

Farrell said the West Central Missouri Community Action Agency (WCCAC) mobile action center will be here in the parking lot at Lowry City Hall on October 7, 2025 from 8:30am to noon. October is the beginning month for enrollment into the energy assistance program also known as LIHEAP. A representative will be available to hand out and take applications, make copies and answer questions. WCCAC also has a skill up program that helps pay for schooling, gets people connected with job opportunities and resume building.

Lowry City Community Betterment Update: A report was received from Lowry City Community Betterment (LCCB) President Heather Knight. She reported the Music on Main Street event went well and said they could've had a better turnout with how hot it was during the day of the event.

Knight reported several upcoming events in Lowry City. Citywide yard sale day is set for Oct. 4th with fall cleanup day set for Oct. 11^th. Trunk or Treat will be held on Halloween Oct. 31. The public is welcome to set up and give out candy. Last year there were over 300 trick or treaters. The group’s annual community Christmas event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6th.

Knight noted planning has also started for the Spring Fair 2026. She said the group voted to extend the event to Friday night and all-day Saturday with musical entertainment both nights and throughout the day Saturday.

Farrell discussed another opportunity for used playground equipment from the Corps of Engineers. He noted after the board discussed the matter last year, he was under the impression there is no interest in used equipment.

He said the information was passed to Knight to see if LCCB would be interested. Knight contacted the COE and wanted to verify the city’s insurance policy that is in place would cover the putting this in the tire park. She also asked if there were costs associated with the installation if the city was willing to apply funds toward the project. Knight stated outside of those matters, the group would take care of taking the used equipment down, moving it and setting it up.

Farrell explained he sent an email to check on insurance if the board was interested. He noted a response mentioning adding worker’s compensation for volunteers and there would be a cost associated if the equipment itself wanted to be insured. After a brief discussion on the matter, the board mutually agreed they were not interested in taking part in the project.

Police Department: Police Chief Charles Chief Hodges attended training last week and was absent from the meeting. No report was submitted.

Fire Department: Fire Chief Norris requested approval to place a bid for a brush truck on Purplewave.com, an auction website for used equipment. After discussion, Edmunds moved and Langston seconded the motion to approve Norris placing a bid up to $15,000 for a truck. The motion passed unanimously.

Norris asked for approval to have the cascade air system serviced and tested. On a motion from Langston and a second from Edmunds the board unanimously agreed to spend up to $1,300 to have the machine serviced.

The chief noted mechanical issues with the fleet and reported the department will participate in Fire Awareness Week with students at Lakeland on Oct. 10. There was a brief discussion concerning creating a tax-based fire district or increasing fire dues. No decision was made. Norris reported seven to eight members have joined the department in the last eight months.

He requested the city spraying weeds on Main Street on a regular basis noting issues with an abundance of debris when the department sprayed the area for the recent event.   

Public Works: Wastewater Superintendent Josh Muller was absent from the meeting, but left a report for the board. His report stated City Worker Kenneth Walker has been keeping up with mowing the city properties.

He noted the damage discovered to the stone at the cemetery addressed in the bills. Muller estimated the damage was done in a previous year. His report stated the new mini excavator was picked up from the dealer and is ready for operation. Muller stated check valves on both pumps at the south lift station have been installed and are currently operating. Muller noted he has been busy working with contractors installing the lines for fiber. He reported the white city truck was recently in the shop for new ball joints and tires.

Mayor’s notes:

Mayor Landes had nothing to add.

Adjournment of regular open session:
Cutler moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Langston seconded and the motion passed unanimously.