Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes

LOWRY CITY BOARD OF ALDERMEN

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 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 employees attending the meeting included Police Chief Charles Hodges, Water and Wastewater Superintendent Josh Muller and City Clerk John Farrell. Fire Chief Justin Norris and several others from the community 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 regular session minutes from July 15, 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.

Langston moved and Cone seconded the motion to approve the bills presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Financial Reports:

Financial reports for the month ending July 30, 2025 were presented and reviewed. Langston moved and Edmunds seconded to accept the financial reports. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Old or Unfinished business:

Langston noted the board was to carry-over a discussion regarding damage from mowers at the cemetery at this month’s meeting. Muller noted he will address the matter in closed session.

New business:

Bill 2025 – 05-Setting Tax Levy was presented for approval. On a motion from Cone an a second by Cutler the board unanimously agreed to have the first reading of the bill fixing the annual rate of levy for the 2025 real estate and personal property within the city limits of Lowry City.

The current taxing authority’s proposed rate is $0.8246 per $100 of assessed valuation ($0.6293-general operating and $0.1953-street light). Landes read the bill in its entirety. Langston moved and Edmunds seconded to accept the first reading of the bill. The vote was unanimous. Langston moved and Cutler seconded to have the second reading by title only. The vote was unanimous. Landes read the bill by title only. Langston moved and Cone seconded to accept the second reading of the bill by title only. The vote was unanimous. Cone moved to adopt the bill as resolution 2025-05. Cutler seconded and the vote was unanimous by a roll call vote.

Fiber internet connection through Conexon Connect was discussed. Farrell noted the internet service is available at city hall. He noted several issues with Brightspeed service recently and also in the past. Farrell presented a price comparison showing an estimated $150 savings each month by switching to Conexon Connect. On a motion from Edmunds and a second from Cone the board unanimously agreed to allow Farrell to set up service with Conexon Connect.

Schaelyn Blevins was in the audience and asked if Conexon Connect was available to all residents in Lowry City. It was noted if residents are on Sac Osage Electric the service should be available. The service is not yet available to those on Evergy.

There was discussion regarding representatives from Brightspeed recently visiting the city and noted construction for fiber service through their company should begin in the next month.

Citizen input:

There was no input.

Department Reports:

Police Department: Chief Hodges reported 111 tickets have been issued for various offenses since February 2025. He explained 18 of those were issued from June 17 through July 14 and 18 were issued from July 18 until present. Hodges stated officers have arrested three individuals on warrants, taken an informational report, a stealing report and a private property accident report. He noted the records management system should be ready to use by the end of August. It is currently being tested and he is practicing to teach the officers how to use it.

Cutler asked Hodges about traffic signs in the city noting several are not pointing in the correct position. Hodges noted a list will be made and turned over to Muller to make repairs if need be.

Fire Department: Fire Chief Norris noted the department has been busy with calls, especially motor vehicle accidents. He reported a vehicle firefighting class was held July 26 and firefighters from Roscoe, Sac-Osage, Deepwater and Iconium attended. MU hosted the class and several were certified. Norris reported on the condition of the department’s fleet noting some mechanical issues. He noted grant opportunities are opening up and spoke of a Missouri Department of Conservation grant that if the department spends $20,000 they can be reimbursed $10,000. Norris said there are upcoming training opportunities for the general public noting a CPR class in Deepwater and also a Narcan training class in November.

Norris mentioned a discussion with St. Clair County Clerk Holly Fletcher in reference to making Lowry City Fire Department a tax-based entity. He explained the fire districts are already separated in the county and it would take a vote of the people to determine a tax levy rate. Norris briefly explained the process to get it on an upcoming ballot and said he will keep working to see how soon the matter could be put on a ballot, but hopes for maybe April.

Lowry City Fire Women's Auxiliary- Blevins announced the Lowry City Fire Women's Auxiliary obtained its 501 (C)(3) tax status. She noted a Christmas event is being planned for December 13 at the firehouse.

Public Works:

Muller reported on the mowing progress throughout the city. He noted several parts that haves been replaced on the city lawnmowers. Muller stated he is waiting on parts to make repairs at the city’s lift stations.

He asked for approval to purchase two backpack blowers to keep headstones clear of grass at the cemetery. Muller noted one is brand new at a cost of $489 and the other is used from a private party, but is in very good condition. On a motion from Langston and a second from Edmunds the board unanimously agreed to allow up to $800 for the purchase.

Muller presented bids for mini excavators. A bid from Sievers JCB, Saint Peter, Mo, for a 2018 model with attachments was presented for $59,500. A bid for a 2019 Case with attachments from Luby Equipment, Fenton, Mo. was presented for $58,595. A $70,050 bid from Hayden Machinery, Springfield, Mo, was presented for a 2023 Hyundai Robex 55-9A with four buckets a 24” digging bucket, a 36” ditching bucket smooth edge, a 36” bucket with teeth and a 12” digging bucket. Muller stated he would prefer this piece of equipment due to it only having 14 hours and it comes with a three-year or 3,000-hour warranty. On a motion from Langston and a second from Edmunds the board authorized the purchase from Hayden Machinery. The vote was tied with Langston and Edmunds voting in favor and Cutler and Cone voting against. Landes broke the tie and voted in favor of the purchase.

Discussion was held in reference to a trailer to haul the new piece of equipment. Muller noted a 2025 trailer for sale for $8,500. It was noted Jordan Stinnett has a trailer for sale for $4,800 on Facebook Marketplace. Farrell called Stinnett during the meeting and asked if he would take $4,500 for the trailer and it was agreed on. On a motion from Langston and a second from Edmunds the board authorized the purchase from Stinnett.  The vote was tied with Langston and Edmunds voting in favor and Cutler and Cone voting against. Landes broke the tie and voted in favor of the purchase.

Mayor’s notes:

Mayor Landes had nothing to add.

Adjourn to closed session:

            Langston moved and Edmunds seconded to adjourn to closed session pursuant to 610.021. Hiring, firing, promoting or discipline of a specific employee (3). The motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
Adjournment of regular open session:

            Following the closed session, Langston moved to adjourn the regular meeting. With no quorum present the motion died for lack of a second and the board members who remained left.

{Seal}                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                   _________________________

                                                                                                     Patricia Landes, Mayor

Attest:

______________________________

John Farrell, City Clerk