LOWRY CITY BOARD OF ALDERMEN REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, December 16, 2025 6:00 pm Draft Minutes
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. Police Chief Charles Hodges, Wastewater Superintendent Josh Muller, City Clerk John Farrell and others from the community 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 regular session minutes from November 18, 2025. Langston moved and Cutler seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Bills:
A list of bills from November 19, 2025 through December 16, 2025 was presented for approval. Langston moved and Edmunds seconded the motion to approve the bills presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Financial reports:
Financial reports for the month ending November 30, 2025 were presented and reviewed. Cone moved and Cutler seconded to accept the financial reports. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
A financial report for FY 2024-2025(July 2024-June 2025) was presented. Farrell reminded the board the report shows the fund balances. On a motion from Langston and a second from Cuter the board unanimously approved the report. It was noted the report was sent to the state auditor by Dec. 31 per statute and will be published in the St. Clair County Courier. The report is also available online on the city’s website www.lowrycitymo.gov. Old or unfinished business-
Public works applications-Landes noted three applications have been received and the city will continue to accept applications until the January 20 meeting. At last month’s meeting, the board agreed to advertise to hire an individual to work toward gaining the certifications needed to operate the city’s water and sewer system. There was a brief discussion regarding the minimum wage increasing to $15 beginning January 2026.
New business:
Employee paid day off in lieu of Christmas bonus-There was discussion regarding eight hours of paid time usually given to employees in lieu of a Christmas bonus. Langston moved for approval of the paid time off for each full-time employee if it wasn’t already included in the employee handbook. Edmunds seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Research following the meeting learned the day off is not included in the employee handbook. Citizen input: There were no comments from those attending.
Department and group reports/updates:
City Hall: Farrell noted that candidate filings for three seats on the board continue until Dec. 30 at 5p.m. Openings include an east ward alderman for two-year term, west ward alderman for two-year term and mayor for two-year term.
The clerk reported there have been three citizens’ file. Cecil Shehorn for east ward alderman and Clark Patterson and Incumbent Shirley Edminds for west ward alderman. There has been no one to sign up for the mayor’s seat.
Farrell reported ongoing issues with water customers not getting bills before the due date. It was noted late fees have not been issued in several months due to the issue. He also mentioned possible issues with payments the city mails not being received by their due dates. Farrell said he and City Collector/Treasure Stephanie Porter are creating a list of monthly utility bills that can
be paid online rather than sending a check. The list will be presented for approval at the January meeting.
Police Department: The chief reported officers are continuing to patrol and write tickets. He estimated 12 citations issued since the last report. There was discussion concerning how many hours the city’s officers are allowed to work due to their other jobs as deputies. The discussion turned to the possibility of adding an additional officer. Hodges explained he will bring another officer on when he locates a proper individual for the position.
Fire Department: Fire Chief Norris was absent from the meeting and Firefighter Sean Langston Jr. gave the report instead. He noted the hose on the new pumper is now color coded. There were five members of the department that attended the CPR class held at the Sac-Osage Fire Protection District Fire House in November.
The report stated the new brush truck has been purchased and Langston Jr. noted the truck was parked outside for the board to view. He said the lettering and lights are being ordered and the truck is being stored at Norris’ property until the equipment is switched over.
Langston Jr. said the auxiliary’s recent chili cook-off went well. He estimated the new training room is 99% complete and is usable for the department. The department will hold their annual Christmas party on December 20 in the council room at city hall.
Public Works: Muller reported he has kept busy with locates for Brightspeed installing fiber as well as Evergy installing new telephone poles. He stated there was a major electrical issue with the south lift station and lost power to both pumps. Muller stated he was contacted by Missouri Department Natural Resources (DNR) after a concerned citizen reported overflow into a waterway of the state. He noted JR with the City of Osceola came and assisted with getting them back up and operational. The issue was a shorted wire to float system. Muller reported the additional excavator buckets were picked up and are ready for use. He said City Worker Kenny Walker examined and repaired the salt spreader and plows to make sure they are up and ready for bad weather.
He discussed a proposal received for updating and replacing the city’s lift stations due to the age of the current system. The total cost for the project was estimated at $355,758.35. Farrell noted he is researching possible ways to fund the project and has emailed a few engineering companies.
The report noted water loss has gone down to seven percent, but will go up for December due to recently flushing fire hydrants. Muller said the bathrooms at the park have been winterized and additives have been added to the equipment at the shop.
He said the city had its three -year water inspection of the water system and records in early November from DNR. The report noted a sapling by the water gate at the tower needed to be removed and smaller mesh needed to be installed.
Muller reported Walker purchased a new battery for the sewer jetter machine and ended his report thanking Osceola city crews for assistance with putting up Christmas lights.
Cutler questioned how the city’s water table was due to not having much moisture. Muller responded it was surprisingly good. Edmunds questioned Muller in reference to how Mike Clark, a contractor for the city, was utilized during the month. Following an explanation, Muller noted he and Clark have talked and understand Clark is only to be utilized for issues involving water and sewer.
Mayor’s notes: Landes had nothing to add.
Adjournment of regular open session:
Cutler moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Edmunds seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
