Smithville aldermen approve low bid for pump station and pass three routine ordinances

City Administrator Melissa Wagner told the Smithville Board of Aldermen at a regular meeting that the city received a low, responsive bid just under $3,400,000 for the 140 Fourth Street pump station and that approval of that bid — and an associated electric-service cost with Evergy of roughly $100,000 — will be placed on the board agenda for March 18.

Why it matters: The pump station is a capital infrastructure project with a multi-million-dollar construction bid; the city will pay for the separate electric-service work outside the project contract. The aldermen also cleared three ordinances in unanimous votes that affect records retention, the fiscal-year budget and the local code for economic development oversight.

Wagner opened her report with meeting reminders and operations notes, including a reminder about a Proposition P information meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. the next evening at City Hall and that public works crews were monitoring weather and would respond to remove snow for the morning commute as needed. She told the board that bids for the 140 Fourth Street pump station in West Bypass were opened the prior week and that the low, responsive bid was “just under $3,400,000.” Wagner added the city anticipates “an additional 100,000 and change for electric service that the city will complete,” and said Evergy-related approval will appear on the March 18 agenda.

The board also received scheduling and planning notices: Wagner said the board retreat is set for Thursday and Friday in April and that staff will send a survey asking aldermen to provide input and perform a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) exercise to inform retreat agenda development. Wagner said staff would follow up later in the week on a meeting with a resident, identified in the record as Mr. Palmer of the Hills of Shannon, to discuss concerns he raised during the prior week’s public comment.

Votes at a glance

- Destruction of records, Bill No. 3055-25: Alderman Atkins moved to approve. The clerk read the ordinance as “An ordinance authorizing the destruction of certain records.” Roll call showed Aldermen Wilson, Shipley, Russell, Kabilski, Atkins and Hartman voting aye; motion carried, 6-0.

- Budget amendment (FY2025), Bill No. 3056-25: Alderman Atkins moved to approve the emergency ordinance sponsored by Mayor Bolli. The clerk read: “An ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025 operating budget to add $6,802.25 to the general fund expenditure budget.” Roll call recorded six ayes; motion carried, 6-0. The item was presented as an emergency ordinance and was read twice as part of the meeting record.

- Repeal of economic development committee code, Bill No. 3057-25: Alderman Atkins moved to approve repealing the city code provision creating an economic development committee (section 155.02). The clerk read the ordinance as “An ordinance repealing article 2 economic development committee section 155.02 economic development.” Roll call showed six ayes; motion carried, 6-0.

Procedure and other business

Alderman Atkins made each motion to approve the bills. The roll calls for the measures show the same six aldermen voting in favor: Atkins, Wilson, Shipley, Russell, Kabilski and Hartman. No votes against or abstentions were recorded in the transcript for these items. The board adjourned the regular session by unanimous voice vote.

What the record does not say

The transcript does not specify the apparent low bidder’s name, exact contract start date, or a formal contract award at this meeting; Wagner said the city opened bids and will place Evergy-related approval on March 18. The transcript also does not provide a precise breakdown of the expected $100,000-plus electrical-service charge beyond Wagner’s description that the city will pay separately for that work.