Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes

LOWRY CITY BOARD OF ALDERMEN

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 6:00 pm

Draft Minutes

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance:

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Mayor Patricia Landes called the regular session of the Lowry City Board of Aldermen meeting to order at 6 p.m. in the council room at city hall. Board members attending included West Ward Aldermen Sean Langston and Shirley Edmunds and East Ward Aldermen Charles Cone and Jackie Cutler. City employees attending the meeting included Water and Wastewater Superintendent Josh Muller, City Maintenance Worker Kenneth Walker and City Clerk John Farrell. A few people from the community also attended. 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 and closed session minutes from April 15, 2025. Langston moved and Cutler seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Bills:

A list of bills was presented for approval. After review, Cone moved and Langston seconded the motion to approve the bills presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Financial Reports:

Financial reports for the month ending April 31, 2025 were presented and reviewed. Langston moved and Cone seconded to accept the financial reports. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Old or Unfinished business:

There was no old business to address.
New Business:

MOPERM Insurance renewal-Chad Mullins with Mike Keith Insurance, Clinton, presented the board with an insurance proposal from MOPERM for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Information received stated the premium for coverage increased from $31,880 to $37,112. While reviewing Langston noted a Cushman cart on the list that needed to be removed and possibly put up for bids at a later date. On a motion from Langston and a second from Cutler the board unanimously agreed to accept the MOPERM proposal without a proposal from Cowbell for cyber insurance.

Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission membership renewal-The board discussed renewing the membership and the possible benefits of being a member. On a motion from Langston and a second from Edmunds the board unanimously decided to waive renewing the membership until a need is present.

Bids to cut down and remove tree on 2nd and Blaine- The board reviewed seven bids received for removal the tree. On a motion from Langston and a second from Edmunds, the job was unanimously awarded to Gary Eaton from Gary’s All Around Tree Trimming, Appleton City, with the low bid of $2,000.

Other bids included Klinksick Tree Solutions, $2,300; Ott’s Tree Service, $2,800; Truman Lake Tree and Lawn Care, $3,500; David Arduser, $3,800; A-1 Tree, $3,800; Rural Arbor LLC, $3.975 and Missouri Tree, Lawn and Landscaping, $4,000.

Vera Lucille Clayton Trust-It was noted the city received $5,000 for the unrestricted use in the cemetery. The funds were deposited into cemetery checking fund. On a suggestion from Cone, the board mutually agreed to send the family a thank-you note for the donation.

Globe Life Insurance presentation- Farrell noted a representative from Globe Life Insurance to speak to employees regarding life insurance coverage. He noted this will be at no cost to city but if employees want to take advantage of the insurance it can be taken out with a payroll deduction prior to taxes. It was mutually agreed to allow the representative to speak to employees.

Date for June budget meeting-The board mutually agreed to meet Monday, June 16, 2025 to discuss and prepare the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget.

Lowry City Community Betterment update:

No representatives attended but the board discussed the successful 2025 Spring Craft Fair on May 10. Members of the board mentioned a huge turnout for the car show hosted by the fire department’s woman’s auxiliary.

Citizen input:

During citizen input, Langston and other members of the board discussed how thankful the city is for all the volunteer help following the storm on May 19. They mentioned several individuals who worked tirelessly through the night helping clear roads and debris. The board also praised fire department members and city workers Muller and Walker for their efforts after hours.

Landes reported city hall received a call from the company that used to be Champion Brands, Clinton, offering support with chains, bars and oil for chainsaws used for storm clean-up. The board noted appreciation for the donation.

Department Reports:
Police Department:

Police Chief Charles Hodges was unable to attend due to storm damage at his personal residence. There was no report for the month.

Fire Department:

Fire Chief Justin Norris discussed the storms that occurred on May 19. He noted the National Weather Service accessed damage and determined there were three EF1 tornadoes with winds at 105 miles-per-hour in the area that originated southwest of Lowry City. Norris thanked firefighters, MoDOT, sheriff’s office, city crews and other volunteers from the area for their efforts during the emergency.  

Norris discussed the need for public education on calling in for emergencies. He mentioned a recent instance when reports had the fire by C Highway and the fire was down near Osceola. Norris said another report of a structure fire came in and it was a neighbor with a smoker. He asked that the public be certain there is an emergency prior to calling dispatch.

He explained the process of sounding the siren for emergencies. He noted it does time-out after five minutes of run time and if the electricity is out, the siren will not sound.

The chief said several medical calls for service were received during the month. He gave an update on the fire department fleet noting a need for a newer brush truck. He mentioned an older 1984 or 1985 brush truck in the fleet with several mechanical issues. The chief said there is a 2011 Ford F-250 4x4 priced at $13,500 he is looking into. He stated a possibility of using funds in the fire department’s savings.

 Norris requested purchasing 10 pairs of new gloves that are used during structure fires. The cost was estimated at $1,300. On a motion from Langston and a second from Edmunds the board unanimously agreed to the expenditure with a limit of $1,300.

The chief noted his appreciation for the Lowry City Fire Department Woman’s Auxiliary efforts with the car show and also with the remodel of the training room. He reported construction is nearing completion.

Public Works:

During the public works report Muller said there was damage to a bronze flower vase at cemetery. He said Wommack Monument Co. is scheduled to remove the vase after Memorial Day and get price quote to make the necessary repairs.

Muller said the city had a request for sign that reads “autistic child at play” to be placed at a residence on E 4^th. After discussion the board mutually agreed that placing a sign on the resident’s property would be the property owner’s decision. It was noted the individual know the sign will have to be located on the resident’s own property and not the city’s property. Langston abstained from any decision on the matter noting he is related to the residents.

Muller noted his appreciation for several for assistance with storm clean up. He said he was impressed by how many people showed up offering to help.  Pettibone Tree Service, Bolivar, and Gary Eaton, from Gary’s All Around Tree Trimming, Appleton City was praised for volunteering after the event and again the next day.

Muller said it’s very busy but, he will do his best to get the cemetery mowed and weeded prior to Memorial Day on May 26.

Mayor’s notes:

Mayor Landes had nothing to add.

Adjournment:

Edmunds moved and Langston seconded to adjourn. The vote was unanimous and the meeting adjourned.