Neosho council authorizes flood-protection funding push and retention-pond project
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Summary
The Neosho City Council authorized applications and matching funds aimed at flood protection, including a Community Development Block Grant resolution tied to the Waldo Hatler Memorial Drive retention ponds; council approved the resolution by a 7-0 vote and staff outlined project cost estimates and needed local match.
The Neosho City Council voted to move forward with formal applications and funding steps to reduce flooding in town, approving a resolution to seek Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and discussing a related retention-pond project.
Council considered Resolution 2025-15, described by the clerk as a statement of the city’s intent “to seek funding through the community development block grant program and authorizing the mayor and city manager to pursue activities in an attempt to secure funding for flood protection.” Staff member Richard told the council the resolution is the third in a series of grant efforts and presented the Waldo Hatler Memorial Drive retention-ponds proposal, saying, “The total cost of project is estimated to be at $2,043,000 with the city match of $219,202.17.”
Council members asked about the project’s history and hydraulics, noting the retention ponds tie into stormwater work near the golf course and the boulevard. Staff and engineers said the ponds are intended to slow runoff upstream and pass flows downstream through the existing system. A roll call followed discussion; the council’s motion to authorize pursuit of the CDBG application and related local match passed 7 to 0.
The council also dealt with a separate staff-recommended application introduced earlier in the meeting: staff described an application to a Missouri state department for $1,132,000 with a city match of $58,007.84 and recommended authorization. The clerk called the roll; Councilman Kullenberg and Councilman Wertheim were recorded as voting “yes,” and the clerk announced the motion passed (the full tally for that earlier item was not specified in the transcript).
Next steps identified by staff include continuing grant submissions and, where needed, returning to council with local-funding details and formal contract or bid information once bids and cost estimates are finalized. The council discussion noted that the Waldo Hatler retention ponds would be tied into larger stormwater projects intended to reduce—but not eliminate—flood impacts in affected neighborhoods.
The council adjourned the work session after the vote and agreed to handle several shorter items as director reports at upcoming meetings.
