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Richmond council approves downtown tax abatement, public-safety agreements, park and equipment purchases in unanimous session
Summary
Councilors approved a downtown tax abatement for R&L Flying, a fee-schedule change tied to sewer rates, intergovernmental agreements, land-plat approval, grant acceptance, equipment purchases and contracts. All recorded votes were unanimous (6-0).
At its Oct. 28 meeting, the Richmond City Council approved a slate of ordinances, agreements and purchases that the packet described as part of routine municipal business and economic development in the city.
Tax abatement and redevelopment: The council adopted Bill No. 25-27, approving the Fifth Amendment to the Richmond Downtown Redevelopment Plan (Redevelopment Project 1(i)) and authorizing a tax abatement for R&L Flying, Inc. under Missouri Statutes, Chapter 353. The abatement as described in the packet applies only to the value of improvements and uses a schedule of 100% for 10 years followed by 50% for 15 years, unless project costs are recouped sooner. City staff said all taxing jurisdictions were notified and that no objections were received.
Fees and environmental grant: The council also adopted Resolution No. 470 to amend the comprehensive fee schedule to reflect the FY26 sewer usage fees, and approved Bill No. 25-31 to accept a Missouri Department of Natural Resources financial assistance agreement for a 2025 Non-Playground Scrap Tire Surface Material Grant (Project No. TNP250016).
Intergovernmental and land actions: Bill No. 25-28 authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the MARC Solid Waste Management District for regional household hazardous waste collection was approved, and Bill No. 25-29 approving the final plat for the Kimberly Addition was adopted. The city also approved Bill No. 25-30, authorizing a memorandum of understanding with the Ray County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement cooperation and mutual aid.
Contracts and purchases: The council approved a $12,500 contract with Rock'n Excavating, LLC to pump and restore the reflection pond at Richmond Memory Gardens and waived formal bidding requirements on the basis of specialized services. Parks staff were authorized to purchase used skate-park equipment from Raytown for $1,700 and to contract Donald Jennings for a concrete pad expansion of approximately 2,561 square feet at a low bid of $13,895; the total skate-park project cost is $16,619.25 to be covered from Park Reserves.
Public-safety equipment: The council approved purchasing two 2026 Dodge Durango patrol vehicles from Landmark Dodge and upfitting them with lights, partitions and Axon Fleet 3 in-car camera systems. The total project cost is $108,811.40; council materials note the amount exceeds the combined budget for vehicles and upfitting by $2,811.40, which staff said will be covered by operational savings within the Police Department by year-end.
Administrative items and votes: The council accepted state-established candidate filing dates of Dec. 9–Dec. 30, 2025 and noted an election date listed in the packet as April 7 (the packet shows the year as 2025). All recorded votes on these items were 6-0 in favor. The meeting entered closed session for legal matters under RSMo §610.021(1); the record states one action was taken during closed session but provides no additional details in the public minutes.
Each ordinance and motion recorded in the packet carried the motion, second and unanimous roll-call outcome as noted in the meeting minutes.
