Council approves HVAC replacement, City Hall roof work, fire-station contract, budget amendment, plats and applies for two East-West Gateway grants

Washington City Council on Jan. 21 adopted several ordinances and resolutions authorizing building repairs, a construction contract for a new fire station, a fiscal-year budget amendment, final plats and applications for two East-West Gateway grant programs for transportation improvements.

Key actions approved

- Acceptance of a contract for an outdoor air unit at the public safety building (General Mechanical Contractors). The replacement unit was quoted under the budgeted amount; staff said the budget was $216,000 and the contract came in at about $175,890. The unit has a lead time of about 16 weeks.

- Authorization of a rubber roof overlayment for City Hall (Western Specialty Contractors). Staff said the project combines roof work associated with HVAC replacement and additional roofing on multiple roof sections; the roofing contract came in under the budgeted amount ($60,000 budget; $32,960 bid).

- Award of a contract to Lawlor Corporation for construction of Fire Station 1. The council approved the agreement at second reading.

- Approval of a five-year contract with Downtown Washington, Inc. (ordinance repealing prior ordinance and authorizing a new contract). City staff told council the city budgeted an increase for Downtown Washington from $35,000 last year to $42,500 this year, with a plan to reach $50,000 in coming budgets tied to Missouri Main Street accreditation and program recommendations.

- Approval of a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment to carry forward unfinished contracts and to correct fund accounting entries between the capital improvements and transportation sales tax funds.

- Approval of a boundary adjustment for Glenview Estates Plat 2 and final plat approval for Du Bois Center Plat 6.

- Approval of a lease ordinance (see separate article) authorizing execution of a five-year lease with the Washington Knights of Columbus Memorial Association to house the senior center.

- Resolutions authorizing the city to apply to East-West Gateway Council of Governments for funding (80/20) for two projects: East Fifth Street capacity and ADA improvements (Willow Court to Old Highway 100; includes center turn lane and sidewalks connecting to Bush Creek Trail) and intersection improvements at High Street and Highway 100 (added left- and right-turn lanes, crosswalks and ADA ramps). Councilors and staff noted the combined estimated project costs total about $4.2 million and the city’s share would be roughly $837,000; staff said a dedicated transportation funding source is needed to deliver both projects.

Other actions and reports

- Appointment of Craig Smith as a full-time police officer (approved by council voice vote).

- Appointment of Matt Soady to the Urban Forestry Council (approved).

- The council accepted the 2024 building report into the minutes.

- Downtown Washington, Inc. presented its 2024 annual report; staff reported nine new businesses, roughly $8 million in private investment in the downtown district, more than $800,000 in public improvements, and volunteer figures of about 9,400 hours. The council accepted the report.

- City staff and Council discussed recent delays and missed pickups by contracted hauler Waste Connections after a severe snow-and-ice event. Waste Connections representatives attended and said crews were focusing on safe operations; staff said they would work with the hauler and residents on options such as temporary consolidation points for cans and extra cart sizes to reduce overflow during extreme weather.

Votes at a glance (selected ordinances/resolutions)

- Ordinance authorizing contract with Downtown Washington, Inc.: adopted (second reading). Roll call: multiple yes votes; motion recorded as passed.

- Ordinance authorizing purchase/contract for outdoor air unit (public safety building): adopted (second reading). Roll call recorded.

- Ordinance authorizing rubber roof overlayment (City Hall): adopted (second reading). Roll call recorded.

- Ordinance authorizing contract with Lawlor Corporation for Fire Station 1 construction: adopted (second reading). Roll call recorded.

- Ordinance approving lease with KC Memorial Association (senior center): adopted after tie and mayor’s deciding vote; extensive public comment recorded.

- Ordinance amending 2025 budget: adopted (second reading). Roll call recorded.

- Resolution applying to East-West Gateway for East Fifth Street improvements: approved by motion/voice vote.

- Resolution applying to East-West Gateway for High Street / Highway 100 intersection improvements: approved by motion/voice vote.

What councilors and staff said

City staff highlighted that several projects came in under budget, including the HVAC and roofing work, and noted timing issues (lead times of about 16 weeks for HVAC components). For the transportation grant applications, staff and councilors emphasized the need for a dedicated funding measure (a proposed transportation sales tax) to pay the city’s matching share so awarded projects could be built.

The Downtown Washington, Inc. presentation emphasized downtown events, grant programs for small business improvements, public-art initiatives and measurable increases in downtown visitation tied to festivals and advertising. Downtown staff reported tens of thousands of visitors across their large events and a continuing low vacancy rate in the district.

Next steps

Contracts approved by ordinance will move to execution and project scheduling; the HVAC replacement has an estimated installation window in May given the 16-week lead time. Staff will pursue the East-West Gateway grant applications and indicated construction would likely occur in later years (one councilor referenced construction around 2029 for the High/100 intersection if funded). The council will continue to consider transportation-funding proposals ahead of a possible 2026 ballot question.

(Reporting based on the Jan. 21, 2025 Washington City Council meeting transcript.)