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Smithville aldermen approve appointments, elect committee representatives and hear fence-variance request
Summary
The Board approved the consent agenda including a youth football contract, elected representatives for several commissions and committees, appointed two members to the Housing Authority, and heard a public request for a fence variance on a double-frontage lot. Most votes were unanimous; several elections recorded a single abstention by the nominee.
During its April 21 meeting the Smithville Board of Aldermen approved routine consent items, confirmed multiple internal appointments and committee representatives, and heard a public comment requesting a fence-code exception.
Consent agenda: Alderman Marv Atkins moved and Alderman Dan Hartman seconded approval of the consent agenda, which included minutes, finance reports, Resolution 1577 (MOU with Friends of Megan's Paws and Claws), and Resolution 1578 (sports league contract with Smithville Warriors Youth Football Club). Board members discussed whether the city’s football field should remain dedicated to youth sports or be repurposed as campgrounds; Alderman Kelly Kobylski said the youth program is "a very well-run organization that has helped hundreds of students," and the Board ultimately agreed the field should remain for youth sports. The consent agenda passed 6-0.
Elections and appointments: Alderman Hartman nominated Alderman Atkins as Mayor Pro Tem; the nomination carried (Ayes 5, Abstained 1 — Atkins). Alderman Wilson was elected Planning Commission Representative (Ayes 5, Abstained 1 — Wilson). Alderman Stone was named Parks and Recreation Committee Representative (Ayes 5, Abstained 1 — Stone). The Mayor nominated Alderman Dana as Economic Development Representative; the motion carried (Ayes 5, Abstained 1 — Dana). Mayor Boley nominated Bob Foster and Gina Schottel to the Smithville Housing Authority Board; both nominees were confirmed unanimously 6-0.
Public comment: Trenton Ballard of 410 East Meadows Street asked the board for an exception to fencing rules for a double-frontage lot, saying the standard 30-foot setback on both frontages would significantly reduce usable yard area. Ballard provided drawings showing the compliant layout and his proposed alternative — he said the compliant option would lose approximately 2,741 square feet while his alternative would reduce that loss to about 1,237 square feet — and requested permission to build a six-foot privacy fence rather than the four-foot partial fence required by regulation.
New business referral and adjournment: Alderman Hartman requested fencing codes be discussed in a future work session; Alderman Wilson suggested referral to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
What’s next: The Board did not resolve the fence-variance request during the meeting; staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission are the likely next steps for code review and variance consideration.
