Willard Board approves multiple engineering contracts and bid advertisements; several items set for later review

The Willard Board of Aldermen on its most recent agenda approved several routine ordinances and motions with roll‑call votes, including authorization to advertise for bids on a lift station project and contracts for engineering on two street projects. The board also advanced a pedestrian underpass project funded through the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to a second read and approved a planning contract for design work.

Nut graf: Multiple items on the consent and regular agendas passed on recorded roll calls with unanimous “yes” votes from the four aldermen present; several policy and appointment items were discussed at first read only and will return for later action.

What passed (votes at a glance)

- Authorize advertising for bids on 94 Lift Station improvements (agenda item 14): Motion to authorize Public Works Director Ira Martin to advertise for bids passed on roll call. Vote: Alder Beallier — yes; Alder Hill — yes; Alder Lancaster — yes; Alder Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter a contract with CJW for services and engineering on Farm Road 103 (agenda item 15): Motion passed on roll call. Vote: Beallier — yes; Hill — yes; Lancaster — yes; Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter a contract with CJW for services and engineering on Jackson Street from Perriman to Jefferson (agenda item 16): Motion passed on roll call. Vote: Beallier — yes; Hill — yes; Lancaster — yes; Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance recognizing an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to accept transportation project funds for a pedestrian underpass at US‑160 and Route 80 (agenda item 17): The board completed a second read and voted to approve the ordinance. Vote: Beallier — yes; Hill — yes; Lancaster — yes; Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance authorizing the mayor to negotiate with Crawford, Harvey & Tilly for planning and design work on the US‑160 pedestrian underpass (second read): Motion passed on roll call. Vote: Beallier — yes; Hill — yes; Lancaster — yes; Matheson — yes. Outcome: approved. Council staff said the ordinance authorizes negotiation and that a final engineering fee will be negotiated at an estimated 10–15% of total project costs.

Other actions and items

- Preliminary plat / replat discussion for Hoffman (Hovland) Hills lots 1–40: Sean McKernan, engineer for Stenger Homes, presented a proposal to replat patio home lots into single‑family lots to match the existing subdivision. Planning and zoning had reviewed the proposal; the item was opened as a public hearing. The record shows the matter was discussed and that final ordinance action will be scheduled after the public hearing process and infrastructure adjustments are confirmed.

- Ordinance to reestablish an Economic Development Task Force and an ordinance authorizing appointment of a director/alternate to the Southwest Missouri Joint Municipal Water Utility Commission (items on first read): Both items were presented and discussed; aldermen did not take final votes on those ordinances at this meeting and asked staff to bring follow‑up information before a second reading.

- Banking services: Staff reported the city issued an RFP and Commerce Bank was the top‑scoring respondent under Missouri statutes for public deposits (RSMo 110.075). Commerce representatives described treasury laddering and short‑term U.S. Treasury options to increase yield, and confirmed fraud‑prevention services such as positive pay would be available. The board did not record a separate roll call vote in the transcript for final award at this meeting; staff indicated formal documentation and an ordinance accepting the bid are in the packet.

Budget and other administrative items

- First read: Ordinance amending the 2025 budget — Finance Director Carolyn reviewed a modest net increase in revenues and expenses for various funds to reflect timing and contract changes; aldermen treated the item as a first read with detailed line‑item explanations scheduled for follow up.

Votes and roll‑call pattern

When roll calls were recorded, the transcript shows unanimous recorded “yes” votes from the four aldermen in attendance (Alder Beallier, Alder Hill, Alder Lancaster and Alder Matheson). Several items were only presented at first read and will return for subsequent reading and formal vote once staff provides additional documents and notice as required.

Ending

City staff and consultants will provide engineering cost breakdowns and contract language for the pedestrian underpass and water utility items, and will return certain items for second reads and recorded votes at future meetings.