Archie Board of Aldermen approves Eagle Ridge lot combination, updates employee handbook and recommends P&Z appointment

The Archie Board of Aldermen on March 11 approved a lot combination request for property associated with Eagle Ridge Services, LLC, adopted revisions to the city employee handbook and recommended Randy Randall for appointment to the Planning & Zoning Commission. The meeting opened at 7:30 p.m. and adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

The board voted to approve LC-2025-1, a lot combination covering parcels at the southeast corner of A Highway and Butcher Road, after a presentation and concept plan from Taylor Flanery. Flanery said overflow from a proposed retention pond would be routed to a pipe under Butcher Road and that "they may have to upgrade the pipe, but the engineer will determine that," describing the next step in permitting and design. Alderman Tony Sallee noted one culvert pipe on the site is the State's and another was installed by the County and would become the city's after annexation. Alderman Sallee moved to approve the lot combination; Alderman Mark Houchen seconded. The motion passed (Houchen-yes, Kendrick-absent, Molzahn-yes, Sallee-yes).

The board also approved updates to the Employee Handbook intended to clean up language and add clarifications. City Administrator April Clark presented the changes; Alderman Mark Houchen moved to approve and Alderman Tony Sallee seconded. The handbook updates passed with the same vote tally recorded for the evening.

Mayor Les Whiteside recommended Randy Randall for the Planning & Zoning Commission. Alderman Sallee moved to recommend the appointment and Alderman Branden Molzahn seconded; the board approved the recommendation (Houchen-yes, Kendrick-absent, Molzahn-yes, Sallee-yes).

Votes at a glance: the board approved the January meeting minutes (motion by Alderman Mark Houchen, seconded by Alderman Branden Molzahn); approved payment of bills (motion by Alderman Branden Molzahn, seconded by Alderman Mark Houchen); approved LC-2025-1 (moved by Alderman Tony Sallee, seconded by Alderman Mark Houchen); recommended Randy Randall for P&Z (moved by Alderman Tony Sallee, seconded by Alderman Branden Molzahn); and approved Employee Handbook updates (moved by Alderman Mark Houchen, seconded by Alderman Tony Sallee). Recorded votes on motions that passed were Houchen-yes, Kendrick-absent, Molzahn-yes, Sallee-yes unless otherwise noted in the minutes.

In other business, Chief Trevor Zaharsky submitted the police report and said he had received complaints about extra vehicles parking around the school during an FFA contest; City Administrator April Clark said No Parking signs would be installed as soon as possible. Ray Jones submitted the fire report: the department logged 110 calls in February, 20 of those were in Archie, including three motor-vehicle accidents in Archie and six structure fires in the area; the department also responded to grass fires and vehicle lock-outs and has applied for a grant to supply AEDs to sheriff's vehicles.

The board heard a parks update: the Park Board obtained a security-system quote just under $7,000 to be considered during budget work sessions. Chief Zaharsky said the building housing the system would need a solid door; Max Matter raised concerns about cooling and whether doors would be locked. Park improvements at Hodges Park include new toilets staged in the building and planned painting and cleanup; the Park Board will meet March 13 to discuss projects.

The board entered executive session at 8:07 p.m. for communications with the city attorney related to real estate (RSMo §610.021(2)) and reconvened at 8:26 p.m. The meeting then adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

The board did not take formal action on the Safe Streets 4 All grant implementation at this meeting; the project was discussed during the Safe Streets agenda item and will proceed through subsequent planning steps.