Warrensburg approves crisis communications and sidewalk contracts; fee change for fire program fails

Warrensburg — City Council members voted Monday to enter a three‑year contract for a citywide crisis communication plan and approved a contract for sidewalk improvements, while rejecting a separate fee resolution tied to the previously discussed fire inspection reporting program.

Crisis communication plan: Staff outlined a three‑year project to audit and rebuild internal and external communication processes, develop templates and playbooks, and run training and exercises with stakeholders. The RFP drew eight responses; after interviews staff recommended a vendor described in the record as Shaletta for its subject‑matter experts, stakeholder engagement experience and a balanced cost‑score profile. The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance authorizing the city manager and city clerk to enter the agreement for the plan. As presented, the work is staged: year 1 internal communications, year 2 external outreach and platform guidance, year 3 exercises and integration.

Sidewalk contract: Phil Adlitz, director of public works, recommended awarding the 2026 sidewalk improvement program to JC Myers Construction Company, Inc., using unit pricing to maximize linear feet within the budget. Council moved the ordinance to second reading by title and then adopted it by roll call vote.

Fee schedule: Separately, staff sought to add an administrative fee for the fire inspection reporting program to the city’s fee schedule. Council voted down the resolution, leaving any fee changes unresolved.

Mayoral appointments: The council approved a slate of mayoral appointments and reappointments for boards and commissions, including reappointments to the Parks and Recreation Board and an appointment to the Tax Increment Financing Commission.

The actions at a glance

- Ordinance to enter agreement for crisis communication plan (Item 6.2): approved on roll call. - Ordinance to award a contract to JC Myers Construction for the 2026 sidewalk improvement program (Item 6.3): approved on roll call. - Resolution to adopt fee schedule incorporating the fire program fee (Item 7.1): failed on roll call. - Mayoral appointments (Item 8.1): approved.

What's next: Staff will proceed with the crisis communications project and begin the sidewalk work. The failed fee resolution will require staff and council to decide whether to bring revised fee options back for consideration.