Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Culture Partnerships topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Platte County renews University of Missouri partnership for Dorothy Day Cabin and approved emergency HVAC repair
Summary
Commissioners approved a two-year collaborative agreement (with options) with the University of Missouri to program the Dorothy Day Cabin and retroactively approved an emergency HVAC purchase after staff reported a $23,889 replacement to support an artist residency.
Platte County commissioners approved a renewal of a collaborative agreement with the Curators of the University of Missouri to program the Dorothy Day Cabin and also approved an emergency purchase to replace the cabin’s HVAC system.
Chris Orchard of Platte County Parks and Recreation said staff made an emergency purchase from Mueller Heating and Cooling after the cabin’s HVAC failed in cold weather, causing broken pipes and interior damage. "The cost was $23,889. They replaced it about a month ago, and it's been working since then," Orchard said, noting the previous system was about 12 years old.
Orchard also presented a renewal agreement with the University of Missouri. He said the new agreement is a two-year contract with three one-year options to extend, which together could carry the partnership through 2029 if all options are exercised. Under the arrangement the university programs the cabin for small events and runs an artist residency roughly twice a year. Orchard described programming as including master gardening classes, painting classes and other small events, and said the arrangement is nonfinancial.
The commission approved the emergency purchase (2025CODash034) and the collaborative partnership agreement (2025CODash036) by recorded votes of 3-0. Staff said the emergency purchase had been reviewed by the county auditor and county counselor.
Why it matters: The partnership and the contractor repair reactivated a property that had been idle and allows continued public programming and artist residencies at the cabin, according to Parks and Recreation staff.
Details recorded at the meeting: the HVAC emergency purchase amount ($23,889); the system was roughly 12 years old; the partnership term is two years with three one-year options; staff said the arrangement is nonfinancial and that parking is limited so events are kept small. Commissioners offered no further policy direction at the meeting.
Next steps: Staff will continue the partnership under the renewed agreement and maintain the facility for upcoming residencies; feedback from the current resident will be gathered after the residency ends Thursday, Orchard said.
