Richmond council approves $13,700 door-repair contract, signs on to Evergy program and confirms two appointments

The Richmond City Council on Feb. 11 approved several administrative and operational items, including a $13,700 contract for exterior door replacements, a three-year participation agreement with Evergy’s Demand Response program and two appointments to city service roles.

Mayor Mike Wright called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. and the council adopted the agenda by voice and roll call. The council then approved the January 28 regular meeting minutes as printed.

On appointments, the council confirmed Matthew Evans as a police officer and Colene Zeeman to the Park Board; City Clerk Saige Mason administered the oath to Evans following the vote. Both appointments were approved on roll call (ayes recorded) with no recorded opposition.

On facilities work, staff presented the results of a competitive solicitation for exterior door replacements and minor repairs at multiple city facilities. John Dorton Construction LLC was the only bidder and submitted a total price of $13,700. The council voted 8-0 to accept the bid and to direct the City Administrator to execute the contract; the contract funds were noted as available in the Capital Improvements and Building & Grounds Maintenance Repair line items.

The council also approved a three-year participation agreement with Evergy’s Business Demand Response incentive program. Under the program the city would operate specified water and wastewater pumps and the fire department on generators during utility-called events (the utility may call up to eight events during the summer); participation is voluntary, and the city would forgo the incentive for any event it does not run on generators. The council authorized the City Administrator to sign the agreement on the city’s behalf by an 8-0 roll call vote.

City Administrator Tonya Willim reported that the written administrator’s report was included in the meeting packet and said audit work remains the primary focus. She noted attendance at a Missouri Municipal League West Gate regional meeting that addressed planning for the 2026 World Cup in Kansas City and possible regional travel and lodging impacts. Public Works reported readiness activities for winter weather, including trucks, sanders and salt.

The council adjourned open session to hold a closed session at 6:48 p.m. by an 8-0 vote. The closed session was called under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 610.021 subsections (1) (legal actions), (3) (personnel actions), and (13) (personnel records). The council reconvened open session at 7:14 p.m.; the minutes state no actions were taken during the closed session. The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

Procedural next steps: the City Administrator was directed to execute the approved door-repair contract and to sign the Evergy participation agreement; formal implementation dates depend on contract execution and Evergy scheduling.