Moscow Mills aldermen approve moratoriums on data centers and solar farms, adopt several ordinances and purchases

The Moscow Mills Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a package of ordinances and resolutions at its April 20, 2026 meeting that included one-year moratoriums on new or expanded data centers and on solar farms, a bond redemption ordinance, and several administrative code changes.

Terri Park, the city clerk, read each ordinance and resolution aloud before votes. The board adopted Ordinance No. 1148 to dissolve the Park Board and Ordinance No. 1149 to change the mayoral term from two years to four years; both passed on unanimous roll call votes after motions by Aldermen and seconds as recorded by the clerk. "An ordinance repealing Chapter 30, Article 1," (Ordinance No. 1148) and the mayoral-term change (Ordinance No. 1149) were each approved without dissent.

The board also adopted Resolution No. 1150, imposing a one-year moratorium on acceptance of applications related to the establishment or expansion of data centers within the city, and Resolution No. 1151, a one-year moratorium on applications for solar farms. Both resolutions were read by Park and approved unanimously; proponents said the temporary moratoria will give the city time to review land-use implications and ordinances.

Other adopted measures included Ordinance No. 1152, which amends Article V to change duties of the city clerk and add a Finance Director position as appointive officers; Ordinance No. 1153 authorizing redemption of the city’s combined waterworks and sewerage system revenue bonds (State of Missouri direct loan program); and Ordinance No. 1154 to align the city’s records-fee provisions with Missouri Sunshine Law statutes. Resolution No. 1155 amended the city’s meeting and records policy (chapter 42) and was approved by voice vote.

The board approved two public-safety and communications purchases tied to the city’s new website rollout. City Administrator Terry Foster presented a CivicPlus Mass Notification Communicator Unlimited & Emergency Voice service package; Alderman Cody Quist moved to approve a first-year cost of $4,606.25 and an ongoing annual cost after year one of $3,740.00 with a 5% annual increase, a motion seconded by Alderman Steve Aston. The motion passed on roll call.

Mayor Lisa Meyer proposed expanding the existing Flock camera system to add two cameras at a total cost of $9,800 to improve security at critical infrastructure and high-growth areas; Alderman Amy Vollmer moved to approve and Alderman Steve Aston seconded. The board approved the expansion on a unanimous roll call vote.

A right-of-way agreement with Brightspeed presented by City Attorney Cindy Davenport was approved after a motion by Alderman Amy Vollmer and a second by Alderman Cody Quist; the motion carried unanimously. The consent agenda — which included purchase of a John Deere mower for the Public Works Department at $16,900 and authorization of a $2,500 credit card for the incoming city clerk — was approved in a single motion by Alderman Cody Quist and seconded by Alderman Steve Aston.

Several items were discussed but not finalized: amendments to the sick time policy were raised by City Administrator Terry Foster as a recruitment and retention measure and were set for further consideration. The board also discussed setting a date for the first-quarter budget review but did not set a date during the meeting.

The board took each vote after titles were read into the record by the city clerk and generally recorded motions, seconds and either roll call tallies or a voice vote of "All in Favor." With routine business completed, Alderman Cody Quist moved to adjourn and Alderman Liz Streckfuss seconded; the meeting ended by unanimous voice vote.