Council Sentinel | Independence, MO City Council & PUAB Meeting Summaries

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2026-10-19 — Regular City Council Meeting

At the October 19, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting, the Independence City Council approved multiple procurement actions, a resolution supporting designation as a Bird City, and several second-reading ordinances, including a contested special use permit for a convenience store on East Winner Road that passed 3-2. The council also voted to postpone a Chapter 100 leasehold interest assignment resolution until November 2, heard first readings on proposed water rate revisions and rezonings, and held an open comment period highlighting city events, public forums, and local business openings.

1. The invocation will be given by Rob Douglas, Elder for the East Independence Church of Christ — Information Only / No Vote
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Information Only / No Vote
ROLL CALL — Information Only / No Vote
PROCLAMATIONS — Information Only / No Vote
CITIZEN REQUESTS — Information Only / No Vote
1. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to execute a change order to Purchase Order 25000658 in the amount of $21,527.86 for a Spartan Metro-Size 4-door pumper from Precision Industries, and to authorize future change orders of up to ten percent (10%) of the authorized amount, increasing the total purchase order amount from $859,609.00 to $881,136.86 for the Fire Department. — Approved 5-0 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
2. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order to Premier Truck Group, in the amount of $117,939, and authorizing a ten percent (10%) contingency of the authorized amount, for the procurement of a replacement dump truck chassis for use by the Street Maintenance Division of Municipal Services (Project No. 112504). — Approved 5-0 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
3. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order to Henderson Products, Inc. in the amount of $143,251.98, and authorizing a ten percent (10%) contingency of the authorized amount, for the procurement of a stainless steel dump truck body with snow removal systems including plow, hydraulic system, and spreader controls for salt dispensing (Project No. 112504). — Approved 5-0 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
4. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to execute a design services contract with, and issue a purchase order to, Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI), for an amount not to exceed $137,514, and authorizing a ten percent (10%) contingency of the authorized amount, as part of the 24th & Scott Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project (No. 302602). — Approved 5-0 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
5. Council action is requested to authorize a purchase order in the amount of $637,286.44, and to authorize change orders up to 10% of the authorized amount, with Tyler Technologies, Inc., for the city's annual subscription to Tyler Munis Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial and human resources software system. — Approved 5-0 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
6. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order to Rand Construction in the amount of $1,350,440.90, and authorizing a ten percent (10%) contingency of the authorized amount, for emergency repair services of the catwalk structure on Contact Basin #3 and repairs to Contact Basin #4 at the Courtney Bend Water Treatment Plant (Project No. 402108). — Motion to approve passed 5-0 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
7. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to issue a purchase order to ClearStream Environmental in the amount of $870,430, and authorizing a ten percent (10%) contingency of the authorized amount, for the purchase of two (2) Solids Contact Clarifier mechanisms as part of emergency repairs to Contact Basin #3 and repairs to Contact Basin #4 at the Courtney Bend Water Treatment Plant. (Project No. 402108) — Approved 5-0 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
8. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to execute Change Order #1 and #2 on the professional services contract (PO#26001262) with Kaw Valley Engineering, Inc. for additional inspection services as part of the New and Replacement Fire Stations Project (No. 172402). — Approved 5-0 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
1. 26-764 A resolution for the City of Independence, Missouri, supporting efforts to become a designated Bird City and committing to conservation and public stewardship of local wildlife (Sponsored by Councilmember Atkinson) — Adopted 5-0 as Resolution No. 7272 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
2. 26-765 A resolution approving the assignment of a leasehold interest in property owned by the City located at 2500 South Little Blue Parkway pursuant to a Chapter 100 transaction. — Motion to postpone to November 2, 2026 passed 5-0 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
1. 26-100 2R An ordinance adopting amendments to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget, which was approved by Ordinance No. 19682. — Enacted 5-0 as Ordinance No. 19858 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
2. 26-101 2R An ordinance granting easement authority as part of the 23rd Street Complete Streets Phase 2 Project (No. 112111-2). — Enacted 5-0 as Ordinance No. 19859 (Councilmembers Dorman, Stewart, Atkinson, Wiley, and Mayor King voting Yes).
3. 26-102 2R An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit to operate a convenience store at 11037 East Winner Road, in Independence, Missouri. — Enacted 3-2 as Ordinance No. 19860 (Councilmembers Dorman, Atkinson, and Wiley voting Yes; Councilmember Stewart and Mayor King voting No).
1. 26-103 1R An ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a grant for $2,079 from the Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Eileen Normile Weir Community Impact Grant for the Parks and Recreation Department. — Information Only / No Vote
2. 26-104 1R An ordinance adopting a revised Schedule of Water Rates, effective January 1, 2027. — Information Only / No Vote
3. 26-105 1R An ordinance approving a rezoning from district R-6 (Single-Family Residential) to district R-12 (Two-Family Residential) for the properties located at 133, 135, 137, 139, 141 and 143 S. Fuller Avenue. — Information Only / No Vote
4. 26-106 1R An ordinance approving a rezoning from district C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to District R-12/PUD (Two-Family Residential/Planned Unit Development) and approving a Preliminary Development Plan for the properties located at 934, 936 and 946 E. 23rd Street S. — Information Only / No Vote
1. Arrowhead CID Annual report for the FYE June 20, 2026 — Information Only / No Vote
2. Municipal Court Report for the month of September 2026 — Information Only / No Vote
3. Please Note: In accordance with RSMo. 610.021, the City Council may convene in a Closed Executive Session during or after the meeting... — Information Only / No Vote
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS — Information Only / No Vote
ADJOURNMENT — Information Only / No Vote

2026-10-15 — Public Utility Advisory Board Meeting

The Independence Public Utility Advisory Board met on October 15, 2026, to review utility financial reports and operational updates. Municipal Services presented an emergency unbudgeted repair exceeding $2 million for two lime softening contact basins at the Courtney Bend water treatment plant, and IPL provided updates on the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) timeline and August statistical charts. The board approved the September meeting minutes and noted that utility rate study changes would go before the City Council for a first reading.

Roll Call — Information Only / No Vote
1. Minutes of September 17, 2026, Meeting — Approved unanimously by roll-call vote (7-0).
1. Finance & Administration - a. Questions on Utility Financial Reports — August 2026 — Information Only / No Vote
2. Municipal Services — Information Only / No Vote
3. IPL - a. Update on AMI Project Manager — Information Only / No Vote
3. IPL - b. IPL Statistical Charts – August 2026 — Information Only / No Vote
Board Member Comments — Information Only / No Vote
Next Meeting Date - November 19, 2026 — Information Only / No Vote
Adjournment — Approved by voice vote; meeting adjourned.

2026-10-12 — City Council Study Session

The Independence City Council held a study session beginning with a special presentation by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver on the federal 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The council then addressed an AMI opt-out resolution with public testimony and reviewed an educational briefing on the upcoming $19.9 million Historic Sites GO Bond question on the November ballot. In addition, the council received semi-annual reports from four citizen oversight committees and the Animal Welfare Committee, evaluated the proposed 2027 state legislative priorities, and postponed the boards and commissions consolidation discussion.

1. A resolution directing the City Manager to establish a protocol for an opt-out process related to advanced metering infrastructure (Sponsored by Councilmember Stewart) — Information Only / No Vote
1. Citizen Requests - Per Council Rules, Sec. 6.4 only "Council Sponsored Items" are eligible — Information Only / No Vote
1. 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act update — Procedural motion to move this item to the front of the agenda passed 6-0. Presentation discussion was Information Only / No Vote.
2. Historic Sites GO Bond Question — Information Only / No Vote
3. Semi-Annual Report of the Independence Park Commission — Information Only / No Vote
4. Semi-Annual Report of the Stormwater Oversight Committee — Information Only / No Vote
5. Semi-Annual Report of the Street Improvement Oversight Committee — Information Only / No Vote
6. Semi-Annual Report of the Public Safety Tax Oversight Committee — Information Only / No Vote
7. Semi-Annual Report of the Animal Welfare Committee — Information Only / No Vote
8. 2027 Legislative Priorities — Information Only / No Vote
9. Boards and Commissions Consolidation Discussion — Continued to a future study session / No Vote
1. Please Note: In accordance with RSMo. 610.021, the City Council may convene in a Closed Executive Session during or after the meeting, on matters of litigation, legal action, and/or attorney client communications, as permitted by Sec. 610.021(1), on matters of personnel, as permitted by Sec. 610.021(3) and personnel records, as permitted by 610.021(13), on matters of contracts, as permitted by 610.021(12), on matters of real estate, as permitted by 610.021(2) and/or matters of labor negotiations, as permitted by 610.021(9). — Information Only / No Vote

2026-10-05 — Regular City Council Meeting

At the October 5, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting, the Independence City Council adopted several amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding data centers and battery energy storage systems before passing the measure. The council also approved rezonings and special use permits for a new Dillons grocery store and a tattoo studio, while rejecting a business license application for the Sports Stadium Motel. Additionally, an ordinance to merge city utilities into a single Department of Public Utilities failed on a 3-3 tie vote.

1. The invocation will be given by Stephen Ballentyne, Assistant Pastor with the Mount Zion Restoration Branch — Information Only / No Vote
Pledge of Allegiance — Information Only / No Vote
Roll Call — Information Only / No Vote
1. 26-762 A resolution recognizing Candi Laster, Promotions and Marketing Supervisor in the Parks and Recreation Department, as the ISTAR Award recipient for the month of October 2026 — Approved 6-0 (Resolution No. 7270)
Proclamations - Fire Prevention Week — Information Only / No Vote
Citizen Requests — Information Only / No Vote
1. 26-072 2R An ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 14, of the Independence City Code pertaining to data processing and hosting and battery energy storage systems uses. — Amendments approved 6-0; Ordinance passed as amended 6-0 (Ordinance No. 19850)
1. Approval of minutes from the September 8 and September 21, 2026 regular City Council Meetings. — Approved 6-0
2. Council approval is requested to authorize the City Manager to approve a construction contract with Wiedenmann, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $262,450, and to authorize change orders up to ten percent (10%) of the authorized amount, for a sanitary sewer relocation at Walnut St. and Noland Rd. as part of the Sanitary Sewer Neighborhood Project (No. 302004-3). — Approved 6-0
3. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to issue a Purchase Order to P-1 Service, in the amount of $499,531, and to authorize change orders of up to ten percent (10%) of the authorized amount, for the purchase and installation of two Motor Control Centers (MCC) at the Rock Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant (RCWWTP) as part of the Motor Control Center Upgrades Project (No. 302703). — Approved 6-0
4. Council action is requested to authorize the City Manager to approve a construction contract with Reed Environmental LLC for an amount not to exceed $537,400, and to authorize change orders of up to ten percent (10%) of the authorized amount, for the restoration of Reclaim Basin No. 2 as part of the Lagoon Cleanout Project (No. 401402) at the Courtney Bend Water Treatment Plant (CBWTP). — Approved 4-2 (Councilmember Dorman and Mayor King voting No)
5. Council action is requested on a business license application from Complete Square Capital, LLC DBA Sports Stadium Motel located at 9803 E. US 40 Highway to operate a lodging establishment pursuant to Section 5.01.023 of the Independence City Code. — Failed 1-5 (Councilmember Wiley voting Yes; Stewart, Atkinson, Votaw, Dorman, and King voting No)
1. 26-763 A resolution appointing Sarah Lawson as a member of the Park Commission for the City of Independence, Missouri — Approved Res. No. 7271 (Per official agenda documentation; not explicitly discussed in transcript)
1. A public hearing for the Special Use Permit application to operate a tattoo shop at 1717 S. Appleton Ave. / 26-094 2R An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a body art establishment at 1717 S Appleton Ave, Independence, Missouri. — Item passes 6-0 (Ordinance No. 19851)
2. A public hearing for the application to rezone the property at 17610 E. Bolger Road from R-30/PUD, High Density Residential/Planned Unit Development, to C-2, General Commercial. / 26-095 2R An ordinance approving a rezoning from District R-30/PUD (High-Density Residential/Planned Unit Development) to C-2 (General Commercial) for the property located at 17610 E Bolger Rd. — Item passes 6-0 (Ordinance No. 19852)
3. A public hearing for the amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 14, of the Independence City Code relating to new evidence. / 26-096 2R An ordinance amending the Unified Development Ordinance, Chapter 14, of the Independence City Code pertaining to new evidence hearing. — Item passes 6-0 (Ordinance No. 19853)
4. A public hearing for amendments to the conditions of the Special Use Permit issued to Winners Mart, located at 11037 E. Winner Road, to allow the sale of tobacco and alcohol. / 26-102 1R An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit to operate a convenience store at 11037 East Winner Road, in Independence, Missouri. — First Reading Completed
1. 26-091 2R An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a Sidewalk Improvement Agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the Truman Connected Phase 2 Project (Project No. 112401 / Federal Project No. CMAQ-3379(441) & CRP 3379(446)). — Item passes 6-0 (Ordinance No. 19854)
2. 26-092 2R An ordinance establishing the Department of Public Utilities. — Failed 3-3 (Councilmember Stewart, Councilmember Wiley, and Mayor King voting No)
3. 26-093 2R An ordinance annexing the north 40 feet of the Kentucky Avenue right-of-way from Hillcrest Avenue west to Hayworth Road from the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and authorizing and directing the City Clerk to file certified copies of this ordinance with the required Jackson County officials. — Postponed to November 2, 2026 on a 6-0 vote
4. 26-097 2R An ordinance approving a Final Plat for Jackson Place – 2nd Plat located southeast of Jackson Drive and R.D. Mize road in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. — Item passes 6-0 (Ordinance No. 19855)
5. 26-098 2R An ordinance adopting amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget, which was approved by Ordinance No. 19816; and authorizing the City Manager to execute change order #1 in the amount of $316,838 with Delta Innovative Services, Inc., and authorizing change orders of up to ten (10%) of the authorized amount, for a full roof replacement on Fire Station #1. — Item passes 5-0 with 1 abstention (Mayor King abstaining; Ordinance No. 19856)
6. 26-099 2R An ordinance calling for a special primary election and special general election for the First District Councilmember vacancy; proposing the form of the ballots and directing the City Clerk to do all things called for by law in connection with the holding of said election. — Item passes 6-0 (Ordinance No. 19857)
1. 26-100 1R An ordinance adopting amendments to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget, which was approved by Ordinance No. 19682. — First Reading Completed
2. 26-101 1R An ordinance granting easement authority as part of the 23rd Street Complete Streets Phase 2 Project (No. 112111-2). — First Reading Completed
1. Closed Executive Session Notice pursuant to RSMo. 610.021 — Information Only / No Vote
Councilmember Comments — Information Only / No Vote
Adjournment — Information Only / No Vote

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