Raymore City Council approves package of ordinances including on-call testing contract, PTO change and property purchase

The Raymore City Council on March 10, 2025, approved a package of ordinances and motions that included awarding an on-call materials testing contract, changing employee leave to a paid-time-off system, adding two paid holidays, buying a small parcel of real estate and vacating a utility easement. All motions passed by unanimous roll call vote (8–0).

Why it matters: The items affect city operations, personnel policy and property holdings. The testing contract and easement vacation affect ongoing construction and development work; the administrative policy changes alter employee benefits and payout calculations; the property purchase adds acreage for future municipal planning.

Council actions and outcomes

- On-call materials testing (Bill 3950): The council approved an award of contract for on-call materials testing services to CFS Engineers, a firm the staff judged most qualified among two respondents. The motion passed unanimously, 8–0.

- Voiding prior Whitetail Run authorizations (Bill 3948): Council approved an ordinance to void Ordinance 2024-056 and terminate the authorizations tied to that ordinance after staff learned the identified developer (SLA Development, Inc.) had ended its contractual relationship with the property owner, making performance of the associated memorandum of understanding and preliminary development plan impossible. Motion passed unanimously, 8–0.

- Paid time off policy (Bill 3940): The council approved changes to the administrative policy manual that consolidate vacation and sick leave into a single paid-time-off (PTO) bank, establish a maximum consecutive non-illness absence of 120 hours (available once every four years), and modify payout provisions (staff noted a change to 100% payout up to discussed limits). The motion passed unanimously, 8–0.

- Paid holidays (Bill 3953): Council added Juneteenth (June 19) and one additional floating holiday to the administrative policy manual. The motion passed unanimously, 8–0.

- Purchase of 317 North Jackson Street (Bill 3945): Council authorized the city to purchase property at 317 N. Jackson Street, Raymore, MO 64083, for $115,000 to improve access and support future development. Motion passed unanimously, 8–0.

- Memorandum of understanding with Raymore Chamber of Commerce (Bill 3951): Council approved an updated MOU intended to clarify the partnership and roles between the city and the Chamber. Motion passed unanimously, 8–0.

- Utility easement vacation (Bill 3952): Council approved vacating a portion of a recorded utility easement on Lot 304 in Westbrook at Creekmore (property at 1200 Serenity Court) to allow construction of an in-ground pool; staff will retain approximately 7.5 feet of the easement. Motion passed unanimously, 8–0.

Votes at a glance: Each listed motion passed by roll call vote with a recorded tally of yes=8, no=0, abstain=0.

Council statements and context

City staff described the testing contract as a three-year on-call agreement used when geotechnical or materials testing (soil borings, asphalt testing, concrete testing) is needed. On the Whitetail Run matter, staff reported that SLA Development, Inc. had terminated negotiations and would not be proceeding, and that made the previously authorized MOU and preliminary development plan impossible to perform. On employee benefits, staff said the PTO change aligns Raymore with common municipal practice and provides flexibility while reducing certain payout liabilities.

What’s next: The items approved are first readings where applicable and recorded as council action; staff will proceed with implementation steps identified in each contract and administrative policy change.