Guest Kaleb Breshears, a specialist representing Core & Main addressed the council and answered questions regarding the status of the wireless utility read system (AMI) which is slated to be online and operational soon. His appearance was prompted by the council as concerns were growing that the project was running behind schedule however. According to Breshears, there are several ‘layers’ of the project that have to be implemented a few steps at a time- for example about 22 total electric and water meter transmitters have been installed and next comes testing and implementation of the integration and billing software which began last week.
In short, he assured the council the project is on track with a delivery of about 400 meters a month scheduled, putting the system mostly operational the early part of 2024. While the initial cost of the AMI remote utility meter reading system is close to $750k, it will greatly enhance speed and accuracy of reading meters while saving the city a substantial amount of manual labor as well. Other benefits include immediate notification in the event of outages as well as early water leak detection and an automated billing system.
Another hot topic has been the renovation taking place at 113 S. Orange (former Nelson Motel location) as property owner Parker Byron is currently rehabbing the entire facility to meet modern efficiency standards in an effort to provide affordable housing which is desperately needed in Butler. The project has been under fire due to the previous owner allegedly not keeping up with codes along with numerous issues concerning illegal activity and more.
In last month’s meeting Byron assured the council that he was aware of the violations and as the new owner he has been working with the city to ‘raise the bar’ in terms fulfilling legal requirements while enhancing the standard of living there as well. In that meeting the council was in agreeance with Byron on all counts but wanted to add some items to the conditional use permit including four ‘spot checks’ of compliance the first year of operation. With that, the permit was approved unanimously.
In other news City Clerk Corey Snead advised the group that $300,000 of restricted money will be put into CD’s which have a pretty good rate of 5.7%. Other discussion included raising funds for a public safety building which could include grant, USDA and FEMA money as part of this long term goal.
Snead also spoke optimistically about rural economic development interests in Butler that could make good use of empty buildings such as the former Walmart and Country Mart locations to name a few. His discussions with the group highlighted the fact the Butler is an ideal location (between Nevada and Harrisonville) for big box retailers. Bringing one to town would certainly reduce drive time for some and more is expected on this in upcoming meetings.
Ward 3 councilwoman Carmen Behringer inquired about something she heard on the street, a Frisbee golf course to be located somewhere in Butler. Her surprise of this announcement was shared with other council members as no one seemed to know anything about it. City administrator Mike West did point out that it was in the budget and was in the works before the current council was elected. He went on to say that work has begun on the project, likely completed next year and will be located at South park.
It was announced that Butler has a new code enforcement officer, Don Hastings. He officially started in the position September 27th and was welcomed by the council.
Remember the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm at city hall. The public is highly encouraged to attend.
