Independence council approves multiple ordinances, passes dispatch pact with Sugar Creek; procurement change fails

The Independence City Council on Oct. 20 approved a bundle of second-reading ordinances, grant acceptances and budget amendments, unanimously authorized an agreement to provide police dispatching services for the City of Sugar Creek and rejected a change to the city's procurement policy that would have removed a local apprenticeship preference.

The council voted 7-0 to adopt design-service contracts and purchase orders for three bridge projects including Kentucky Avenue over Rock Creek, funded from a general obligation bond passed last April. Council member Perkins moved the bridge contract authorization and the motion passed on a roll call vote.

Council also approved allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds to Truman Habitat for Humanity to support home repairs and stabilization for older adults and people with disabilities. "These funds are going to help stabilize people in their homes," Council member McCandless said in support of the item, which passed 7-0.

On Resolution 25-7-94, the council approved an amendment replacing the phrase "city manager" with "applicant" in section 1 to shift initial verification responsibility to applicants; the amendment and the resolution passed unanimously. Community Development staff had told the council the verification work already is performed by staff and the amendment reduces staff burden.

A contentious procurement-item, Ordinance 25-089, failed on second reading. The proposed change would have removed a provision that projects over $300,000 be awarded to contractors with state-recognized apprenticeship programs. Interim City Manager Reynolds said the language was being struck to align Independence with neighboring municipalities; staff also noted prevailing-wage protections would remain. Reynolds cited recent construction contracts in which the contractor with an apprenticeship program bid significantly higher than one without, "roughly $40,000 difference," and council members split on whether to retain the apprenticeship preference. The final vote was 1 in favor, 6 opposed.

The council approved an ordinance (25-090) to opt out of statewide expanded alcohol hours during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, keeping the city's current closing times (around 1:30 a.m.) for the event period. The Fairmount Loop project easement ordinance (25-091) and a $2,500 Missouri Department of Conservation grant to remove invasive honeysuckle at George Owens Nature Park (25-094) also passed unanimously, as did amendments to the FY 2024-25 budget (25-095).

Several first-reading ordinances were introduced, including federal and state grant authorizations and project agreements; those items were advanced as first readings for later council consideration.

The meeting concluded with council-member comments, a motion to move into executive session for legal matters, and an adjournment. The council will return to open session before final adjournment as required.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda (approved, 7-0); item 4 bridge design contract (approved, unanimous); item 1 CDBG to Truman Habitat (approved, 7-0); resolution 25-7-94 with amendment (approved, 7-0); ordinance 25-089 procurement (failed, 1-6); ordinance 25-090 liquor-hours opt-out (approved, 7-0); ordinance 25-091 Fairmount Loop easements (approved, 7-0); ordinance 25-094 honeysuckle grant (approved, 7-0); ordinance 25-095 budget amendments (approved, 7-0).