Neosho City Council approves fireworks-code amendment, annexation, zoning and multiple contracts

The Neosho City Council unanimously approved a series of ordinances, contracts and bids at its meeting, adopting changes to the city’s fireworks code and authorizing several construction and service agreements.

The council approved Bill 2024-61, an ordinance amending Chapter 215 (fireworks) to update provisions for the sale and use of fireworks and to align the code with a cited Missouri statutory provision. Richard, a city staff member, told the council the revised ordinance includes provisions for year-round firework sales and that the draft contained an AM/PM time error; the council moved an amendment to correct the discharge times and passed the amendment and the ordinance 6-0.

On development matters the council voted 6-0 to approve Bill 2024-64, authorizing the voluntary annexation of tracts near the southeast corner of Highway 86 and Jade Drive as petitioned by Built Right Properties LLC, and then approved Bill 2024-65 to rezone the same property from R-1 (first dwelling) to C-3 (commercial) following planning-and-zoning recommendation and the statutorily required notice period.

The council awarded several procurement contracts tied to city infrastructure. Staff recommended and council approved the low bid to rebuild and replace interior components of the west clarifier at the Shoal Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Staff said the project was budgeted at $90,000 and recommended DNS/D and S Erectors LLC’s bid of $74,128.73; council approved the award and later authorized the mayor to sign Resolution 2024-42 for the contract at a not-to-exceed price of $74,128.73.

Council also accepted a bid from Marion Company for the Spring Street parking lot project for $145,900, approving curb and gutter, sidewalks, water-quality basin, striping and asphalt work with a 6-0 vote.

Personnel and benefits items were handled together: Bill 2024-67 authorizing a group health insurance agreement with Anthem Insurance Companies and Bill 2024-68 authorizing WageWorks Inc. to administer an amended Section 125 cafeteria premium-only plan both passed 6-0. City representatives said an initial renewal proposal for health insurance showed a nearly 20% increase but consultants reduced it to a 9.5% renewal for plan year 2024–25.

Other ordinances approved on unanimous votes included Bill 2024-66 (adding code language for building-inspector access and permit revocation) and the consent agenda of five items.

Votes at a glance: - Bill 2024-61 (fireworks ordinance amendment): approved (6-0). Staff noted correction to discharge times and alignment with Missouri statute. - Bill 2024-64 (voluntary annexation, Built Right Properties LLC): approved (6-0). - Bill 2024-65 (rezoning to C-3, Built Right Properties LLC): approved (6-0). - Bill 2024-66 (building-inspector access/code amendment): approved (6-0). - Bill 2024-67 (Anthem group health insurance renewal): approved (6-0). - Bill 2024-68 (WageWorks Section 125 administration): approved (6-0). - Resolution 2024-42 (contract with DNS/D and S Erectors LLC for clarifier work, NTE $74,128.73): approved (6-0). - Clarifier bid acceptance (DNS/D and S Erectors LLC, $74,128.73): approved (6-0). - Spring Street parking lot (Marion Company, $145,900): approved (6-0).

What council said Richard, presenting the fireworks ordinance, said, “At the last meeting, we brought you this revised fireworks ordinance, and you requested additional options as far as appropriate times to discharge fireworks in the city of Neosho.”

On the clarifier bid, staff noted, “We budgeted $90,000 for this project. We sent out 3 bids, got 3 back. Staff recommends accepting the bid from DNS erectors in the amount of $74,128.73.”

Why it matters The fireworks ordinance change affects how and when fireworks may be sold and discharged within Neosho; the annexation and rezoning clear the way for a property owner’s development plans near Highway 86; the wastewater clarifier contract funds maintenance work on aging plant components and the Spring Street award advances a local public-parking improvement. Health-insurance and benefits approvals set the city’s employee coverage and pretax benefit administration for the coming year.

What’s next Staff will place additional discussion of fireworks discharge times on the Aug. 20 council agenda for further review and the mayor is authorized to execute the approved contracts and resolutions.