Sidewalk project construction greenlit pending MoDot approval

All Butler city council members present for the regular meeting January 20

Councilman Scott Mallatt reported that the Parks & Recreation Commission met on January 8 and there were not enough members present for a quorum. He will reschedule the City Owned Facilities Committee meeting for February to discuss the Old High School condition and the Trail of Memories guidelines.

He had also attended the Planning Commission meeting held on January 13. They had no new business to discuss but there is the possibility of a new housing complex coming to Butler and more information will be coming later.

It was reported that the final Engineering Services Contract for the Sidewalk Project with Allgeier Martin and Associates has been authorized and now awaits approval from Modot to proceed with construction. The first phase for new sidewalks will run on the south side of west 52 highway from Fran Avenue to approximately the driveway of Burch & Liles Insurance.

An amendment was made to the Butler '25-'26 budget. City Clerk Gayle Alexander pointed out that per State Statutes budgets can be amended to address expenses that come up that were not previously accounted for. This resolution allows for fuel purchases at the Airport and the hiring of Allied Water for management services that had not been previously booked. Motion by Liggins, seconded by Rich to approve Resolution No. 542. Motion passed unanimously.

Bob Jennings with the BACO Taxi Service stopped by city hall this week and announced that the Senior Center wanted to eliminate the land line that they currently have and go to a cell phone. Since the City has paid for this service, he asked if they could have the number they currently use and if council would be interested in paying for the monthly charges. Mr. Jennings indicated the first-time charge would be $25.00 for the cell phone and $20.00 for the monthly subscription. The motion was passed with a unanimous vote from the council.

Councilwoman Doncella Liggins asked about the status of the AMI meters. Mayor Henry replied that all the meters were in, but that there were about three hundred left to install. Councilman Mallatt asked for a timeline for when this would be completed. Doncella commented that she thought there was a need for solar shading at the Green Space near the square and if council would consider helping. Mayor Henry noted that he would be attending the Historic Preservation Commission meeting next week and will ask them to look into it.

Councilwoman Liggins will send the proposals she has on this project to Mayor Henry.

It was asked if the Change Order for the WWT Plant Improvements would be sent out for bids and Mayor Henry replied that they would not. Jeff Hall inquired for news on the sawmill road, Mayor Henry noted that the road would be sprayed the following day to help contain the dust.

Water Distribution Foreman Branden Berry asked for permission to use $54,000.00 budgeted for Line Improvements for the purchase of fire hydrants that are normally booked to Line Repair Supplies. These items are expensive so this would allow him to keep more on hand; it was noted that having working hydrants is vital and they must be kept on working order. The motion was approved.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant Project is now complete but there were ARPA funds still available for use. Foreman Berry asked to use the leftover monies to clear trees along the sewer lines at the plant. He noted that there had been no maintenance for this since 1979 and it needed to be done in order to access the lines for repairs. There is a timeline of March 31, 2026, to use the funds and the contractor indicated that they could do this, to which the council approved unanimously.

Mayor Henry presented a proposal from Parks Superintendent Scott Bitner for the purchase of a new scoreboard at the Girl’s Softball Field. A local business owner offered a 50% split of the expense with the City of Butler which would bring the cost to $6,482.50. There is room in the current budget and Bitner would wished to start on the project to be ready for the upcoming season. The council approved unanimously.

Remember, the Butler city council meets on the first and third Tuesdays, 7 pm at city hall. The public is highly encouraged to attend.