Owensville aldermen unanimously approve fire station remodel, wastewater change order, county lease and join ‘Mo Blue Shield’ initiative

The Owensville Board of Aldermen on May 4 approved four unanimous measures affecting municipal facilities, infrastructure and public-safety grant eligibility.

Fire District Chief Jeff Arnold asked the board to approve remodeling the upstairs of Fire Station No. 1 to add a bathroom with a shower and secure storage; the Fire Protection District board had previously approved the plan contingent on aldermanic consent under the parties’ lease. Alderman Denise Bohl moved to approve the project at an approximate cost of $10,000; Alderman Cathy Lahmeyer seconded the motion, and it carried without dissent.

The City Engineer requested a change order to the 2024 Wastewater Collection System Rehabilitation contract to add 20 units of waterline relocation at $200 per unit, a $4,000 addendum that revised the project total to $835,585.83. Alderman Cathy Lahmeyer moved for approval; Alderman Denise Bohl seconded. The board approved the change order without objection.

The City Administrator described a proposed five-year lease of roughly two acres at the Lions Sports Complex to Gasconade County for storage of salt and cinders and the erection of a hoop shed. Under the terms presented, the county may design and construct ingress and egress, agrees to maintain L&D Drive (gravel and grading) during the lease, and is required to restore the site with topsoil and grass at lease end. Alderman Dan Breeden moved to approve the lease documentation; Alderman Matt Kramme seconded. The motion carried; the City Attorney will finalize an ordinance once Gasconade County signs the agreement.

The City Marshal introduced Resolution No. 2026-5, a commitment to public safety and participation in the Safer Missouri initiative often referenced locally as Mo Blue Shield, which can make jurisdictions eligible for certain grant opportunities for law enforcement. Alderman Dan Breeden moved and Alderman Matt Kramme seconded approval of the resolution; the board approved it unanimously.

Other routine items approved or reported included the consent agenda (April 20 minutes, April accounts payable and collectors’ reports), the sale of a surplus street sweeper for $4,100, a Parks & Recreation Facebook pool-temperature contest (547 entries; 19 correct guesses; winner Lynn Corbin), and scheduling of waterpark staff training beginning May 5, 2026. City Clerk Peggy Farrell reported the city is preparing for the ADA Digital Accessibility mandate taking effect in April 2028 and is working with the Revize website vendor to make posted PDFs compliant. The mayor also highlighted recent community events and announced the Owensville Waterpark will open at noon on May 23, 2026.

All motions recorded in the minutes “carried without dissent.” The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The City Attorney will present the finalized Gasconade County lease as an ordinance once the county executes the agreement; the remodel and change order proceed subject to standard building permits and contract procedures.