Raymore staff outlines mowing, sidewalks, trail connector, monument‑sign options and event funding; council weighs timing and safety purchases

City staff presented a multi‑part update on the fiscal year budget and the capital improvement program at the Sept. 29 Raymore work session, detailing maintenance responsibilities, park and trail projects, a potential highway monument sign and a proposed set of events and equipment purchases tied to upcoming large celebrations.

Sidewalks, mowing and right‑of‑way: Staff reviewed recurring complaints about grass and weeds in the public strip between sidewalks, trails and curbs — especially in the Canter Ridge and Lucy Webb areas — and told council that many Canter Ridge lots include the strip between the privacy fence and trail as part of the lot’s platt designation. Staff said platt notes contained an “NTA” annotation (described in the session as “no trespassing allowed”), which means the city, not homeowners, is responsible for mowing those strips. As a result staff said they have added the Canter Ridge strips between trail and curb to the city mowing program and will present a formalized right‑of‑way mowing program and related equipment requests to council in the near term.

Trail connector and ADA limits: Staff showed concept drawings for a connector from the new east parking lot at Hawk Ridge Park down to the amphitheater pavilion. The staff presentation said the slope in several locations will prevent the connector from meeting ADA standards; staff said the path will be constructed as a connector from the pavilion and will not be advertised as ADA accessible.

Monument sign options and costs: Council discussed a longstanding idea for a monument sign on North Cass Parkway. Staff said Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) controls the highway right‑of‑way that includes the most visible parcel and that MoDOT generally will not permit a monument sign there — only a two‑pole sign or a memorial monument under an application process. Staff reviewed costs from a comparable Peculiar monument project: a 2015 grant of about $93,316 matched with local in‑kind work produced a total project value around $186,632 at the time; staff presented an inflation‑adjusted estimate of about $255,105 in 2025 dollars to build a similar monument at a highway entrance. Staff also reported that a developer (VanTrust) offered to pay for survey work and might donate a parcel inside the industrial park boundary for a city marker, though that mid‑park location would be further from the highway and may require tree clearing and electrical infrastructure. Council members urged caution on timing and funding; staff said they will contact property owners and return with cost estimates and options.

Events and the 250th/World Cup window: Staff outlined a preliminary plan for a multi‑day set of events tied to the World Cup and the U.S. 250th anniversary: an expanded fireworks show, a larger Festival of the Parks, additional concerts, a spirit parade and a major World Cup watch party. Staff said bidders indicated an expanded fireworks show could start at a minimum of $35,000, commonly bid at $75,000, and that shifting the show to July 4 for the 250th anniversary could further raise costs; staff recommended budgeting up to about $110,000 if the city wished to move the show and expand several events. Staff asked council to reserve a comfort balance (they cited a fund‑balance spreadsheet showing $171,005 in the presented package and suggested not spending $110,000 of that so funds would be available if needed).

Capital and safety equipment requests: Staff asked council to move several capital items up for consideration, citing program needs and end of useful life. Requests included two pitching mounds and one pitching machine for parks; two rolling bleachers for the recreation complex; replacement of a police drone (staff said the existing drone cannot be repaired and noted current procurement and warranty concerns for DJI products); a trench and manhole safety kit (a complete trench‑safety and retrieval system) with a staff estimate of $17,000; customer‑facing payment kiosks for the municipal building vestibule; and amphitheater path and parking‑lot lighting as part of upcoming bids.

Liability and volunteer limits: Council and staff discussed volunteer use for events; staff cautioned that liability and volunteer visibility in busy parking lots require precautions (vests, waivers) and that some volunteer groups (CERT) have not been used in recent years because of liability and staffing concerns.

Next steps and council direction: Staff said they will present a formal mowing and right‑of‑way program, return with monument sign options and cost estimates if council wants staff to pursue property or MoDOT exceptions, and bring the capital equipment requests forward during the budget process. Council members expressed differing priorities and timing — some favoring waiting for private development to drive signage and some supporting earmarking funds for the 250th celebration if bids require larger budgets.

Ending: No formal budget appropriations or ordinance actions were adopted at the work session. Staff will bring specific proposals, cost estimates and draft ordinances back to the council for formal consideration in subsequent meetings.