Belton City Council adopts election-result ordinances, code updates and multiple contracts; equipment purchases approved

The Belton City Council on April 22 approved a series of ordinances, code updates, contracts and equipment purchases, including measures declaring the results of the April 8 municipal election and removing the sunset provision on the city’s emergency services and fire department tax.

The actions package included amendments to the city’s liquor and business licensing chapters, a Unified Development Code text amendment addressing land uses and the North Scott Corridor Overlay, a tips hotline contract for the police department, purchases of police radios and medical monitors for emergency services, and smaller service agreements such as weekly non-emergency transportation for seniors.

Nut graf: Council members voted on a range of mostly noncontroversial items intended to align local code with new licensing software, update land-use standards to encourage reinvestment, maintain public-safety equipment and preserve eligibility for federal mitigation funding.

Votes at a glance - Bill 2025-16, ordinance declaring results of the municipal election (04/08/2025): approved (first and second readings conducted and passed). Roll call recorded all present as voting in favor. - Bill 2025-17, ordinance eliminating the termination (sunset) provision of the city’s emergency services and fire department tax (04/08/2025 election question): approved (first and second readings conducted and passed). Roll call recorded all present as voting in favor. - Bill 2025-18, ordinance amending Chapter 3 (intoxicating liquor) to align with new licensing systems: approved on first reading. Staff said the changes "do not change the requirements to receive a city liquor license" and that applicants must have a state liquor license before receiving a city license. - Bill 2025-19, ordinance amending Chapter 6 (business licenses) and Appendix A (fees) to align with new licensing systems: approved on first reading. Staff said the changes do not change requirements to receive a business license and that new applicants are reviewed by Community Development, Building, Fire, Public Works and the City Clerk. - Bill 2025-20, UDC text amendments (land use, North Scott Corridor Overlay, special uses and development plan processes): approved on first reading (see separate article for details). - Bill 2025-21, tips hotline contract with the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission (tip line / Scribe Stoppers): approved. Police Chief Scott Lyons said, "We get about 36 tips a year on just cases that people just call in about." He described the program as anonymous and a useful investigative tool. - Bill 2025-22, fiscal year 2025 budget amendment (solid waste fund): approved. Staff said the amendment corrects a budget line-item error and funds a January–March trash-rate increase (approximately $20,000) that was not budgeted. - Resolution 2025-26, purchase of 57 Motorola APX N50 portable radios ($349,744.02) for the Belton Police Department from Motorola Solutions: approved. Staff said the radios have Wi‑Fi capability to improve in-building coverage in schools. - Resolution 2025-27, adoption of the 2025 multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties: approved; staff noted adoption maintains eligibility for federal mitigation funding through FEMA. - Resolution 2025-28, annual agreement with OATS, Inc., for weekly non-emergency transportation ($13,776): approved; staff said the service continues a KCATA-funded expansion begun in 2021. - Resolution 2025-29, trade-in and purchase of 7 LifePak 30‑5 monitors and 4 powered Stryker stair chairs with maintenance and supplies ($450,600.62) from Stryker Sales LLC: approved; staff said the monitors replace older units and the powered chairs reduce manual lifting risks. - Resolution 2025-30, wastewater treatment plant inner-aerator-basin debris removal contract with Hodges Farms and Dredging LLC (not to exceed $98,500): approved; staff said additional dewatering and removal work is required to restore aeration equipment. - Consent items including disposition/sale of surplus property and an amendment to downtown Cinco de Mayo event dates were approved. - Resolution 2025-33, purchase of 5 Flock license-plate-reader units ($17,250) from Flock Group Inc.: approved; police described the cameras as a tool that has aided theft and violent-crime investigations.

Council adjourned into executive session at the meeting’s close to discuss legal and real-estate matters under Missouri statutes cited on the record.

Ending: Council members and staff described most items as budgeted or previously discussed at work sessions; several presenters said purchases and code updates were intended to maintain operation, improve customer service and encourage reinvestment.