Brief Agenda, Big Discussions at Excelsior Springs City Council Meeting

The Excelsior Springs City Council meeting covered a concise agenda of only three items, yet it sparked significant community engagement and discussion. Highlights included the presentation of the annual community development report, consideration of the city’s insurance coverage renewal, and a proposal for the adoption of “Freedom Month” from a passionate resident.

Community Development Annual Report

Melinda Mehaffy, Director of Community Development, presented the annual report for fiscal year 2023, showcasing their achievements and ongoing efforts to enhance the city’s infrastructure and community engagement.

The department processed 551 permits with a combined value of $49,570,419, demonstrating a high level of development throughout the community. There were 17 new home permits issued since the start of the fiscal year on October 1, surpassing Kansas City’s 12 permits for the same period. The department handled 1,217 counter visits, 24,464 calls, and conducted 648 inspections.

Other highlights of Mehaffy’s presentation included the success of the vacant property registration program, which facilitated the sale or rental of previously vacant homes, and the voluntary compliance rate of 72% for code enforcement cases. The department managed 616 code cases and imposed 69 liens amounting to $20,595.

Mehaffy emphasized the importance of neighborhood engagement, citing initiatives like Flamingo Fridays, hosted by five neighborhoods, and the Communities for All Ages (CFAA) program, which included a well-received Silver Prom event.

Economic development efforts saw the completion of major projects, including demolishing the old power plant at Wyman School and preparing city-owned properties for future development, aided by a State EIERA grant. The department also recognized the contributions of business owners who have invested in their properties and are working to build a welcoming environment for entrepreneurs.

The Flats at Coach Crossing faced increased costs but is expected to proceed with development revisions by July. Significant progress was made in historic preservation by acquiring two SHPO grants for the Isley Neighborhood Planning and Education programs.

Big projects in the near future include updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan, last revised in 2009, and making zoning code changes to address discrepancies and enhance housing options.

 Consideration of Insurance Coverage Renewal

City Manager Molly McGovern presented the second agenda item: Consideration of Insurance Coverage Renewal. McGovern proposed the renewal of insurance coverage for the period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. To provide context, she included a comparative analysis of the insurance proposals prepared for the council in 2022, followed by comments on the current 2024 proposal.

Historically, the city’s insurance coverage for property/liability and worker’s compensation has been provided by Midwest Public Risk (MPR) for nearly two decades. In 2022, a detailed risk management analysis identified areas for improving coverage limits and reducing premiums. Proposals were received from multiple providers, with a thorough comparison between MPR and Travelers Insurance, ultimately leading to the selection of Travelers due to significant cost savings and comparable services.

For the upcoming coverage year, McGovern highlighted several challenges and changes. The insurance market is experiencing volatility due to property value adjustments, inflation, and increased claim volumes resulting from various disasters. Consequently, Travelers has canceled the city’s property coverage for 2025. Only Missouri Employers Mutual (MEM) provided a quote for worker’s compensation, with proposals from other potential providers declining.

The city is collaborating with Travelers to develop a safety recognition program that promotes consistent safety practices and celebrates accident-free periods. Additionally, changes are being considered in the worker’s compensation claim process to manage costs effectively.

The proposed insurance costs for 2024-2025 reflect a significant increase. The total cost for general liability, auto, property, crime, worker’s compensation, and excess umbrella liability insurance is projected to be $952,620, marking a 70% increase compared to the previous year with Travelers. Despite the higher costs, McGovern emphasized the importance of maintaining comprehensive coverage and the benefits of the proposed safety and claim process improvements. She also noted that despite the large increase in cost this year, the past two year’s savings after switching to Travelers had kept the cost at or below the amount the city had been paying before the switch.

May 2024 Revenue Report and Financials for Review

Vonda Floyd presented the May 2024 Revenue Report and Expenditure Approval Lists. The financial report detailed the city’s financial activities for the month of May, highlighting both appropriations and payroll expenses.

The total expenditures for May amounted to $1,971,021.57. On the revenue side, the city received $2,326,096.92 for the same period, resulting in a positive financial balance of $355,075.35.

Resident Proposes “Freedom Month”

During the visitor’s forum, Excelsior Springs resident Vernon Hendricks proposed the adoption of “Freedom Month,” suggesting that the period from June 6 to July 4 be dedicated to celebrating freedom. Hendricks emphasized the potential benefits for local businesses and expressed a desire to see more flags displayed throughout the city.

Hendricks’ proposal included recognizing the significance of Juneteenth and suggested allowing the sale and use of fireworks on June 19, similar to the celebrations on July 4. He stated, “With Juneteenth and everything that goes on in June until the 4th, I would like to ask the council to make June 6 to July 4 Freedom Month in Excelsior Springs. Hopefully, businesses, especially our small downtown businesses, will pick up with that and see more flags out.”

Although Hendrick’s idea of extending fireworks celebrations from June 19 to July 4 was met with some concern from the council and animal control officers, his enthusiasm for fostering community spirit was appreciated.

Following Hendricks’ remarks, Councilman John McGovern and Gary Renne expressed support for the “Freedom Month” idea, noting its potential to bring the community together, and said they would discuss it further.