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Taos council approves park staff raise, tournament payments and pedestrian radar signs
Summary
At its July 6 meeting, the Taos City Council approved several routine measures: payment of June bills, $900 in umpire payments for a July 11 tournament, a pay increase for the park maintenance worker to $17/hour, and an agreement with MODOT to install pedestrian radar signs; the council also agreed to contact Korte Tree Service for emergency tree removal.
Mayor Ron Walker presided over the Taos City Council meeting on July 6, 2026, where the council approved routine business and several items related to parks and public safety.
The council voted to approve the minutes from the June 1, 2026 meeting. Later, Alderman Matt Forck moved and Alderman Bob Cynova seconded a motion to pay the June bills; the motion passed with Aldermen Viola Schaefer, Bob Cynova, Matt Forck and Tom Wieberg voting aye.
The meeting included two citizen concerns. Mayor Ron Walker said the city had received complaints about nighttime burning in Dove Lake and that he would contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to follow up. Alderman Matt Forck reported a drainage complaint on Roman Drive and said the mayor would contact Attorney Bandre about the issue.
On pedestrian safety, Mayor Walker reported he had signed an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation to install radar speed signs; the check for the equipment was sent to MOBOTREX. The council did not take additional formal action on this item at the meeting beyond noting the agreement and payment progress.
Parks and Recreation items drew specific votes. Michelle Gabelsberger presented the June Parks & Recreation minutes and requested approval to issue checks totaling $900 to pay umpires for a July 11 tournament. Alderman Matt Forck moved and Alderman Viola Schaefer seconded the payment motion; the motion passed with Aldermen Cynova, Schaefer, Forck and Wieberg voting aye.
The Park Board requested a raise for the park maintenance position. Michelle Gabelsberger said the board voted to request that Derek Huhn’s pay be raised to $17 per hour effective July 1, 2026. Alderman Bob Cynova moved to approve the raise; Alderman Viola Schaefer seconded, and the motion passed with the same four ayes recorded.
Council members noted that Legends Bank is still considering sponsoring the park scoreboards and expects to decide by the next meeting. The council also agreed to contact the fireworks vendor to reserve a slot for Skyfest 2027.
City Clerk Amy Juergensmeyer presented the treasurer’s report and the June bills for payment and reported she had filed the annually required report with the Missouri Ethics Commission and had received the Notice of Assessed Valuation from the Cole County Clerk. Juergensmeyer also reported that Cole County Public Water Supply District #4 installed a new cellular water meter at the park.
The council agreed that, in emergency situations where Cole County cannot clear storm-blocked roads, the city would contact Korte Tree Service to remove trees blocking roadways; the mayor cited two recent storms as context for the recommendation.
Alderman Matt Forck moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 p.m.; Alderman Viola Schaefer seconded and the motion passed. The council noted it will discuss a replacement for Marvin Talken on the Board of Adjustments at its August meeting.
