St. Joseph council approves consent slate, airport runway grant and vehicle purchases; one item withdrawn

St. Joseph City Council approved a package of consent items and several emergency ordinances during its July 24, 2023 meeting, including funding rollovers, facility and lease agreements, equipment purchases and a Federal Aviation Administration–backed grant for runway reconstruction at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.

The council voted unanimously to accept the meeting agenda as published and then approved the remaining consent agenda items 9–16 and others after pulling item 15 for separate consideration. Clerk Paul read dozens of measures on the consent calendar, among them a cooperative fire protection agreement with Lake Contrary Fire Protection District and a financial assurance commitment totaling $17,761,220.52 related to the St. Joseph Sanitary Landfill (Permit No. 102104).

After the consent readings, the council considered the pulled item 15, a resolution authorizing purchase of two Chevrolet Equinoxes (not to exceed $28,000 each) and one Chevrolet Silverado. A council member asked why the purchases were not being made through local vendors. City management said the purchases would use a state cooperative purchasing agreement that "gives us pretty favorable pricing" and provides speed and certainty amid current supply shortages. The council voted 9–0 to approve the vehicle purchases.

The council also approved an emergency ordinance to submit and accept a Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission state block grant / FAA reimbursable funds agreement (AJWFNCSA210041998A1) totaling $305,623.70 for construction-phase services on the Runway 17/35 reconstruction project at Rosecrans Memorial Airport; the budget amendment includes a 10 percent local match of $30,562.37. That measure passed 9–0.

Item 20 was withdrawn by motion (approved 9–0) for additional work and will return to a future agenda. Another emergency budget amendment — $13.20 to provide security for the 2023 Catfish Chasers Fishing Tournament — passed with 8 ayes and one abstention (Council Member Schomburg).

Other first readings included roll-forwards of American Rescue Plan Act funds for emergency medical services and fire-protection grants, a master fleet lease agreement, several redistricting and plat requests, and an annual tax rate ordinance. Those measures were introduced for first reading and will return for additional consideration under the council’s regular process.

The meeting concluded after a brief city manager's report and a public-comment period.