The Lowry City Board of Aldermen held a regular council meeting on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 6:00 pm at Lowry City City Hall.
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance:
Mayor Patricia Landes called the regular session of the Lowry City Board of Aldermen to
order at 6 p.m. in the council room at city hall. Board members attending included East Ward
Aldermen Charles Cone and Jackie Cutler, West Ward Aldermen Sean Langston and Shirley
Edmunds. City Clerk John Farrell, Fire Chief Justin Norris and Sean Langston Jr. were also in
attendance. Notice of the meeting was given pursuant to RSMo. 610.020. The Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Landes.
Approval of Minutes:
The board reviewed the tax levy hearing minutes from August 19, 2025. Langston moved
and Cutler seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
The board reviewed the regular session minutes from August 19, 2025. Langston moved
and Cone seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
The board reviewed the closed session minutes from August 19, 2025. Langston moved
and Edmunds seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Bills:
A list of bills was presented for approval. The board briefly discussed a $2,312 mvoice
from Wommack Monument for damage to a stone at the cemetery. Cone moved and Cutler
seconded the motion to approve the bills presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Financial reports:
Financial reports for the month ending August 31, 2025 were presented and reviewed.
Cone questioned why Certificates of Deposits from a donation from Clyde Keith does not show
on the list of accounts. Farrell noted he did not know, but understood the interest is deposited
every three months into another account. He stated he would look into the matter. Langston
moved and Edmunds seconded to accept the financial reports. The motion carried by a
unanimous vote.
Old or unfinished business: None
New business: None
Citizen input: None
Department and group reports/updates:
City Clerk Update: Farrell reported contact from the U.S. Government in reference to
unused or undocumented ARPA funds issued to the city. Farrell explained it appears there
were two ARPA payments that were made and not entered into the city’s bank book that was
kept manually for that account. The total was $1,191.93 and was caught while completing an
annual report of the funds to the government. The funds were paid back immediately by
electronic payment and will be noted on the bills for September.
Farrell said the West Central Missouri Community Action Agency (WCCAC) mobile
action center will be here in the parking lot at Lowry City Hall on October 7, 2025 from
8:30am to noon. October is the beginning month for enrollment into the energy assistance
program also known as LIHEAP. A representative will be available to hand out and take
applications, make copies and answer questions. WCCAC also has a skill up program that
helps pay for schooling, gets people connected with job opportunities and resume building.
Lowry City Community Betterment Update: A report was received from Lowry City
Community Betterment (LCCB) President Heather Knight. She reported the Music on Main
Street event went well and said they could’ve had a better turnout with how hot it was during
the day of the event.
Knight reported several upcoming events in Lowry City. Citywide yard sale day is set for
Oct. 4th with fall cleanup day set for Oct. 11%. Trunk or Treat will be held on Halloween
Oct. 31. The public is welcome to set up and give out candy. Last year there were over 300
trick or treaters. The group’s annual community Christmas event is scheduled for Saturday,
Dec. 6th.
Knight noted planning has also started for the Spring Fair 2026. She said the group voted
to extend the event to Friday night and all-day Saturday with musical entertainment both
nights and throughout the day Saturday.
Farrell discussed another opportunity for used playground equipment from the Corps of
Engineers. He noted after the board discussed the matter last year, he was under the
impression there is no interest in used equipment.
He said the information was passed to Knight to see if LCCB would be interested. Knight
contacted the COE and wanted to verify the city’s insurance policy that is in place would
cover the putting this in the tire park. She also asked if there were costs associated with the
installation if the city was willing to apply funds toward the project. Knight stated outside of
those matters, the group would take care of taking the used equipment down, moving it and
setting it up.
Farrell explained he sent an email to check on insurance if the board was interested. He
noted a response mentioning adding worker’s compensation for volunteers and there would
be a cost associated if the equipment itself wanted to be insured. After a brief discussion on
the matter, the board mutually agreed they were not interested in taking part in the project.
Police Department: Police Chief Charles Chief Hodges attended training last week and
was absent from the meeting. No report was submitted.
Fire Department: Fire Chief Norris requested approval to place a bid for a brush truck on
Purplewave.com, an auction website for used equipment. After discussion, Edmunds moved
and Langston seconded the motion to approve Norris placing a bid up to $15,000 for a truck.
The motion passed unanimously.
Norris asked for approval to have the cascade air system serviced and tested. On a motion
from Langston and a second from Edmunds the board unanimously agreed to spend up to
$1,300 to have the machine serviced.
The chief noted mechanical issues with the fleet and reported the department will
participate in Fire Awareness Week with students at Lakeland on Oct. 10. There was a brief
discussion concerning creating a tax-based fire district or increasing fire dues. No decision
was made. Norris reported seven to eight members have joined the department in the last
eight months.
He requested the city spraying weeds on Main Street on a regular basis noting issues with
an abundance of debris when the department sprayed the area for the recent event.
Public Works: Wastewater Superintendent Josh Muller was absent from the meeting, but
left a report for the board. His report stated City Worker Kenneth Walker has been keeping
up with mowing the city properties.
He noted the damage discovered to the stone at the cemetery addressed in the bills.
Muller estimated the damage was done in a previous year. His report stated the new mini
excavator was picked up from the dealer and is ready for operation. Muller stated check
valves on both pumps at the south lift station have been installed and are currently operating.
Muller noted he has been busy working with contractors installing the lines for fiber. He
reported the white city truck was recently in the shop for new ball joints and tires.
Mayor’s notes:
Mayor Landes had nothing to add.
Adjournment of regular open session:
Cutler moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Langston seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
