Lebanon council approves billboard contracts, utility upgrades and public-safety purchases; rezoning for youth activity space moves to second reading

LEDE The Lebanon City Council on Oct. 28 approved a package of ordinances to extend and relocate city billboard advertising, authorize engineering task orders for substation improvements, and buy public-safety equipment, while advancing a rezoning request for a children’s activity space to a second reading.

NUT GRAF Councilors voted — generally unanimously — to approve two billboard contracts with Lamar, task orders for substation work with Toth & Associates, a flooring contract for the Wallace Building, acquisition of taser devices for the police department, ballistic vests and helmets for the fire department (partially grant-funded), a full replacement of the Harkey Park walking trail, and a real-estate purchase at 485 W. Fourth Street. A rezoning request for 711 Canole Street (from RS-2 residential to CL commercial limited) passed first reading and will return for final action at the council’s next meeting.

BODY Billboard contracts and messaging: City staff described two related ordinances. A short-term renewal extends the existing Lamar digital billboard rental on the Grand Glaize Bridge through Dec. 31, 2024, for $4,500 to bridge to a new location; the council also approved a contract for a new Lamar digital billboard on westbound I-44 near Exit 130. "It saves money, it's closer to home," city staff member Mike said of the move, noting the Exit 130 site is nearer to town and intended to be a lower-cost option while still reaching highway traffic.

Substation upgrades: The council approved two task orders (task order numbers 9 and 10) with Toth & Associates for improvements at Substation No. 1 and Substation No. 2. Staff said the work was identified in a 2020 system master plan; because the task orders exceed $100,000 they were brought to council for approval.

Wallace Building flooring: Council approved an agreement with JR and MR Investments to remove existing VCT tiles and install glue-down laminate flooring at the Wallace Building. Staff reported the low bid was $36,575.49 and the ordinance was amended on first reading to replace an incorrect reference to HVAC replacement with the correct description of flooring installation.

Public-safety equipment purchases: - Police taser devices: The council approved a multi-year agreement with Axon Enterprise (noted in the packet as the vendor offering a five-year plan) to replace end-of-life Taser units. Staff told council the five-year package includes expendable items and reduces costs by about $46,000 compared with buying items separately and will provide warranty coverage and replacement cartridges and batteries. - Fire department ballistic gear: Council approved the purchase of nine ballistic vests and helmets for the fire department. The chief said modern practice sometimes requires fire/EMS personnel to enter active scenes alongside law enforcement to rapidly remove injured persons; the city will use a 50% reimbursement grant through the Missouri Division of Fire Safety (the state grant share may be up to $20,000). The chief said the ballistic plates are durable until deployed and carriers will be replaced as needed.

Parks and public works: - Harkey Park walking trail: Council approved replacement of the park’s walking trail after public-works inspections found subsurface problems that an overlay would not permanently fix. Staff said the city will mill out soft spots, repair substrate where needed and install a 3-inch asphalt surface. The presenter said the city will apply $25,000 in available concrete/sidewalk funds toward the project; staff estimated the combined funding would be about $85,000 and said actual costs could be $15,000–$20,000 lower if less substrate work is required. - Real-estate purchase: The council approved a real-estate contract with K and R Investment LLC to purchase property at 485 West Fourth Street (near the corner of Fourth and Van Buren, across from Gaskinay Park) to support future street improvements.

Rezoning for youth activity space: In a public hearing, staff presented a first reading to rezone 711 Canole Street from RS-2 residential to CL commercial limited so the building — a former rural fire station currently used as an activity space for children — will be in an appropriate zoning district. "We're looking at rezoning that space in order for that activity space for kids to continue in a proper zone district," Christina said during the public hearing; Elijah, a representative for the activity space, appeared and answered council questions. The first reading passed and the ordinance will return at the next council meeting for second reading and final action.

Public comment: Resident Tom Buzetta used the public-comment period to direct the council to a personal website outlining perceived threats to the community; he provided the web address and asked the mayor, police chief, sheriff and council to review it. The council accepted printed information for staff review.

VOTES AT A GLANCE (key ordinances and outcomes) - Ordinance (council bill 67-72 / ordinance no. 67016): Renewal contract with Lamar for the digital billboard on the Grand Glaize Bridge (extends through Dec. 31, 2024; $4,500). Outcome: approved (voice/roll call). - Ordinance (council bill 67-73 / ordinance no. 67017): Contract with Lamar for a new digital billboard on westbound I-44 near Exit 130. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Ordinance (council bill 67-74 / ordinance no. 7018): Agreement with JR and MR Investments to install flooring at the Wallace Building; bid $36,575.49. Outcome: approved (amended on first reading to correct scope; second reading approved). - Ordinance (council bill 67-75 / ordinance no. 7107/2019): Task order #9 with Toth & Associates for Substation No. 1 improvements. Outcome: approved (first and second readings). - Ordinance (council bill 67-76 / ordinance no. 7107/2020): Task order #10 with Toth & Associates for Substation No. 2 improvements. Outcome: approved (first and second readings). - Ordinance (council bill 67-77 / ordinance no. 7021): Agreement to purchase TASER devices (Axon Enterprise) and expendable items under a five-year plan; staff said the package reduces expenses by about $46,000 versus piecemeal purchase. Outcome: approved (first and second readings). - Ordinance (council bill 67-78 / ordinance no. 7022): Purchase of ballistic vests and helmets for the fire department from Leon's Uniform Company; stated as a 50% reimbursable purchase via a Missouri Division of Fire Safety grant (state share up to $20,000). Outcome: approved (first and second readings). - Ordinance (council bill 67-79 / ordinance no. 7023): Replacement of the Harkey Park walking trail; staff described estimated combined funding of roughly $85,000 (including $25,000 in concrete/sidewalk funds) and an expectation that full substrate replacement might be reduced by $15,000–$20,000 depending on bid results. Outcome: approved (first and second readings). - Ordinance (council bill 67-80 / ordinance no. 07/2024): Real-estate contract with K and R Investment LLC to purchase property at 485 W. Fourth Street. Outcome: approved (first and second readings). - Ordinance (council bill 67-81): Rezoning of 711 Canole Street from RS-2 to CL (first reading only; passed first reading and set for second reading at the next meeting). Outcome: first reading approved; final action pending.

ENDING Councilors scheduled the next meetings and work sessions (including November work sessions on Nov. 11 and Nov. 25) and reminded the public of the upcoming election. No votes failed and no recorded no votes or abstentions were disclosed in the meeting transcript. Staff and department chiefs gave updates on the downtown Allen Building fire investigation and thanked mutual-aid partners and community supporters for response and assistance.