Excelsior Springs City Council Recap, July 1, 2024

Highlights of the July 1, 2024, Excelsior Springs City Council meeting include the adoption of a new park naming policy presented by Nate Williams, Director of Parks and Recreation and Community Center, emphasizing community values and excluding personal names. The council also approved various board appointments, including positions on the Board of Zoning Adjustment, Parks & Recreation Board, and Planning & Zoning Commission. A Special Use Permit was granted for a short-term rental at 406 E Broadway. Public Works Director Chad Birdsong’s proposal for the Hall of Waters Boiler Replacement Project was approved, awarding the contract to American Boiler & Mechanical. Finally, the council approved a new School Resource Officer Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Excelsior Springs School District, as presented by Chief of Police Gregory Dull, continuing the partnership for the 2024-2025 school year.

Consideration of Special Use Permit for 406 E Broadway

The Council approved a Special Use Permit for 406 E Broadway. Applicants William and Cinthia Molini plan to operate a short-term rental at the property, which previously belonged to long-time downtown resident Ken Fousek.

Consideration of Board Appointments

Mayor Spohn made the following appointments by resolution which were approved by Council:

• Ms. Cindy Spellman to the Board of Zoning Adjustment, appointed until September 30, 2025, filling the vacancy after John McGovern was elected to the council.
• Mr. Brandon Block to the Parks & Recreation Board, appointed until May 31, 2027, filling the vacancy left by Jessica Meyers.
• Ms. Christy Marker to the Planning & Zoning Commission, appointed until September 30, 2025, filling the vacancy left by Sandy Barnes.
• Mr. Don Kelly to the Planning & Zoning Commission, appointed until September 30, 2026, replacing Bill Griffey.

Consideration of Park Naming Policy

Nate Williams, Director of Parks and Recreation and Community Center, outlined a new park naming policy to establish a standardized procedure for naming or renaming parks within Excelsior Springs. The policy emphasizes that park names should reflect the community’s values, heritage, and environmental features while excluding the use of individual or family names. This policy will apply to all new municipal parks and recreational areas. Williams noted that donors would still be recognized with a plaque or monument at the park, acknowledging their contributions.

Guiding principles of the policy include ensuring park names reflect cultural, historical, and social values of the community; highlighting geographical features such as rivers, hills, and other natural landmarks; considering local flora, fauna, and the natural environment; involving community input and feedback in the naming process; and maintaining inclusivity and neutrality by avoiding personal names. The naming or renaming process can be initiated by the Parks & Recreation Department (P&R) or through a petition submitted by community members with at least 100 resident signatures.

Proposals must be submitted in writing to P&R, including the suggested name, rationale, explanation of alignment with guiding principles, and supporting materials. Names will be evaluated based on their relevance to community values, geographical significance, ecological features, and overall suitability. Public engagement is a key component, with P&R hosting meetings and forums for input and providing an online platform for feedback, followed by a 30-day public comment period for proposed names.

A Park Naming Committee (PNC), comprising P&R staff, P&R Administrative Board members, and possibly community representatives, will review all submissions and public feedback, shortlist up to five names, and present them to the P&R Administrative Board for final approval. Once approved, the name will be officially adopted and signage updated accordingly. Renaming existing parks will be considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as significant changes in the park’s character or community values, following the same steps for naming new parks. 

While the conversation at the Monday evening meeting did not explicitly address it, several council members inquired at the Friday work session (June 28, 2024) whether this new policy could facilitate changing the name of the existing “Raper Park,” named after donor Eddie Raper. Williams admitted that many people who do not know the park’s history often inquire about the possibility of renaming it, and it’s something he plans to explore.

Consideration of Hall of Waters Boiler Replacement

Chad Birdsong, Public Works Director, presented a proposal for the Hall of Waters Boiler Replacement Project. Birdsong explained that due to the age and condition of the existing gas-fired boiler, they worked with North Point Boiler and American Boiler & Mechanical to prepare a scope of work and solicit bids for its replacement. Although an electric boiler was considered with assistance from Ameren, the cost of the required 3-phase electrical upgrades made this option unfeasible. Both North Point and American Boiler submitted bids, and the Capital Improvements Committee discussed and allocated funding for the project. Birdsong recommended awarding the project to American Boiler & Mechanical for $154,305.00, which includes the replacement of the boiler, required plumbing and electrical connections, and removing the existing old boilers. The Council approved the recommendation.

Consideration of MOU with ESSD for School Resource Officers

Gregory Dull, Chief of Police, presented the final agenda item, the Consideration of School Resource Officer memorandum of understanding (MOU). Based on recommendations from the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA) and the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), the City of Excelsior Springs and the Excelsior Springs School District annually adopt a written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement regarding their School Resource Officer (SRO) partnership. The current MOU for the 2023-2024 school year expired on June 30, 2024.

For the upcoming school year, the school district expressed interest in continuing the partnership and establishing another MOU, which was approved by the Excelsior Springs School District School Board on June 25, 2024. The new MOU includes funding for three SRO positions for the 2024-2025 school year and reflects an increase in the total cost limit from $165,000 to $175,000 to account for the increased costs associated with the salaries and benefits of the SROs. Council approved the MOU unanimously.