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Richmond council approves ethics ordinance, meter rule and sewer-capping change; authorizes property actions
Summary
On Aug. 12, 2025, the Richmond City Council unanimously adopted an annual conflict-of-interest ordinance, revised rules to meter commercial fire loop connections, amended procedures for capping abandoned private sewer taps, approved a street-name resolution and authorized two property actions including a lien abatement and a $25 tax-sale purchase.
RICHMOND, Mo. — The Richmond City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a package of ordinances and property actions focused on ethics compliance, water infrastructure and city-held property.
The council adopted Bill No. 25-18, the annual conflict-of-interest ordinance, which allows council members to comply with the Missouri Ethics Commission rules in lieu of filing a separate personal finance disclosure with the city. Councilor Deanna Guy moved for the readings; Councilor Barb Hardwick seconded. Councilor Bob Bond later moved to adopt the ordinance; the roll call vote was 5-0 (Bond, Kinnard, Guy, Hardwick, Brash).
Community Development Director Lisa Hastings told the council the administration proposed two technical ordinance changes affecting utilities. Bill No. 25-19 amends Section 700.300 to require that commercial fire-loop connections be metered (removing the prior exemption) and adds a clause referencing Section 705.410 when city mains are inadequate to provide requested fire protection service. Council approved readings and adoption on a 5-0 roll call.
Bill No. 25-20 revises how abandoned private sewer taps are handled. Hastings said the earlier code did not provide clear capping instructions and some out-of-town contractors were not capping old taps. The amendment requires that when a private sewer line is replaced, the original tap be capped as close to the main or right-of-way as practicable and that capping be inspected and approved by the Public Works Department prior to backfilling. The council adopted the ordinance 5-0.
Council also approved Resolution No. 468, renaming a no‑outlet portion of North Thorton/Thornton so emergency responders and service providers can distinguish it from the through road; affected homeowners may retain their house numbers and change “Street” to “Lane.” The resolution passed on a unanimous roll call.
On property matters, the council authorized staff to abate liens totaling $11,579.71 on city-owned property at 204 Kice Street contingent on completion of the sale to Bow & Penni Properties LLC for $12,000 and authorized the mayor to execute a development agreement. Councilors voted 5-0 to approve the abatement authorization.
The council also approved purchase of a tax-sale parcel at 514 Cunningham for $25.00 from the Ray County Collector under City Policy #2020-03; staff noted outstanding liens on that lot totaling about $9,500. The motion passed 5-0.
Procedurally, the council adopted the meeting agenda (motion by Councilor Bob Bond; second by Councilor Rob Kinnard) and adjourned into a closed session under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 610.021(3) and (13) for personnel and personnel records discussion; members returned to open session and reported no actions were taken in closed session. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Officials who took part in votes included Mayor Mike Wright and Councilors Bob Bond, Rob Kinnard, Deanna Guy, Barb Hardwick and Rob Brash. City Administrator Tonya Willim and Community Development Director Lisa Hastings were among staff present. The City Clerk read ordinance titles as required during the meeting.
