Council Recap: Policy Amendments and Sewer Credits

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The city council has been busy considering a number of amendments and ordinances that could impact the way the city does business. From changes to the purchasing policy to updates to the sewer credit program, these proposals could have significant consequences for residents and businesses in the area. Here’s what happened at the Council meeting on March 20, 2023.

353 Tax Abatement for Montgomery Event Venue

The Council was presented with a tax abatement request for the Montgomery Event Venue at 427 South Thompson Avenue.

The applicant requested a 10-year tax abatement under RSMO Chapter 353 for improvements to be done at the venue. Improvements include the replacement of second-story and storefront windows, repair of damage to the front of the building due to settling, tuckpointing, flooring repair, and adding a concrete patio to the back with landscaping.

This project was previously approved by the Historic Preservation Commission and the Excelsior Springs Redevelopment Corporation.

The project has an expected total cost of $72,164.00 and falls under Level A-2 Minimum of the Commercial District Program Guidelines. The requirement of 50% of the expenditures for the exterior is met. This project qualifies for a 10-year abatement.

The tax abatement would reduce the property taxes owed by the venue by an estimated $14,432.80 over the 10-year abatement period.

Approved 5-0

Captain Robert Warner Appointed to Housing Authority Board

Mayor Powell nominated Excelsior Springs Police Captain Robert Warner to the Housing Authority Board to fill a vacancy. The Council approved the appointment 5-0. Warner’s term will expire on 9/30/23.

Lamp Rynearson to Design 2023 Streetscape Project

The Council approved a contract with Lamp Rynearson for the design of the ongoing Streetscape Project. The 2023 project will include base repairs, chip sealing, macrotexture, and UBAS overlay in various neighborhoods within the City Limits. The estimated project cost for design and construction is $768,367.00.

The Transportation Trust Authority approved funding for the project up to a not-to-exceed amount of $800,000.00.

Update on Stormwater Program Progress

In accordance with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit, Storm Water Coordinator Nate Conyers provided an annual update on the status of its stormwater program. Conyers said the program aims to reduce nonpoint source pollution from stormwater runoff and is divided into six areas: public outreach and education, public involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site runoff control, post-construction runoff control, and good housekeeping in municipal operations.

The City has been working with the Mid-America Regional Council’s water quality education program to comply with these requirements. Additionally, the City has undertaken several initiatives this past year, including publishing eight Facebook posts with stormwater education topics, marking approximately 85% of stormwater inlets with “no dumping” messages, hosting an Earth Day cleanup event along the Fishing River, and managing 56 truckloads of chipped up yard waste from residents.

Public Works also encouraged citizens to use metro-wide locations to drop off household hazardous waste, resulting in the proper disposal of over 28,000 pounds of waste. Conyers said they had also met with ten owners of existing detention basins to educate them on the maintenance requirements.

To address potential illicit discharges to the stormwater system, City staff completed field screening of 35 outfalls. Over the course of the year, two illicit discharges were reported by the public and two by City staff. All were immediately investigated and resolved, with City personnel and equipment being provided as needed.

To minimize pollution from construction sites, the Conyers said he had conducted 50 site inspection visits to four active grading sites, while Code Enforcement staff performed 48 inspections on 23 active residential permits. He said the result of meeting with contractors before starting grading operations to educate them on the expectations and requirements, has resulted in a decreased need for enforcement actions.

To ensure longer-term stormwater management practices are functioning as designed, 53 existing basins were inspected last year, and all violations were corrected following verbal warnings.

The City also provided employee training on stormwater quality protection, with 27 employees being trained in stormwater standard operating procedures last summer. Additionally, staff completed 810 miles of street sweeping and picked up 147 bags of trash from City rights-of-way, while the salt barn was replaced to reduce minor pollution.

Hall of Waters Save America’s Treasures Grant Work Wrapping Up

The Hall of Waters Save America’s Treasures Grant work is wrapping up, and the final change orders are being submitted for approval. The change orders total $82,332.29 and address safety concerns, concrete repairs, and well room investigations.

The safety concerns include asbestos testing, air purifiers for employee spaces, securing a capstone in the northeast corner of the porch, countertop support repairs, and clay wall downstacking in the pool area.

The concrete repairs include more work identified in areas, such as repairing a drain from the garage that wasn’t connected to anything but was required to properly drain the garage.

The well room change orders include testing the concrete and a GPR survey of the well room. These are projects that are needed for the investigation required in order to install the temporary shoring in the well room.

Approved 5-0

Update to Parks Board Ordinance

Parks and Recreation Director Nate Williams presented changes to the Parks Board ordinance to ensure wording mirrors the corresponding state statutes. See the proposed changes below.

Approved 5-0

Purchasing Policy Language Change

City Manager Molly McGovern proposed changes to the city’s purchasing policy related to the implementation of projects funded with a RAISE grant. The proposed amendments include using the federal term “lowest, responsible bidder” instead of “Lowest and Best”, and clarifying the definition of professional services to avoid confusion with non-professional services. The process for procuring professional services will also be added.

Approved 5-0

Amendment to City Code

City Manager Molly McGovern proposed an amendment to the city’s purchasing policy to include Design Build Project Delivery Method. Changes to the document include requiring three references to clarify additional compliance needed with federal regulations, Qualifications Based Selection Process, and state statutes when applicable. A section was also added to clarify that the preference for local bidders would not be required for Design-Build Projects under this section.

Approved 5-0

Summer Sewer Credits

The Council approved an amendment to the Summer Sewer Credit Program. The proposed amendment will extend the period for the reduction on sewer use charges from three months to four months, starting from June to September. The average sewer credit calculation will still be based on January to March. The proposed amendment aims to accommodate requests from residents to better account for water used in lawn care winterization, which does not go through the sewer system. The proposed changes were previously tabled but an agreement was reached during council work session on Friday, Mar 17, 2023.

Approved 5-0