The Big Takeaways - November 21, 2025

The Big Takeaways

The Board of Aldermen met in work session on Tuesday, November 18. 
Public Works Director Chuck Soules and City Attorney Padraic Corcoran  provided an overview of alternative project delivery methods for upcoming major construction projects, including the wastewater treatment plant expansion, Smiths Fork Park Sports Complex design and future water treatment improvements.  Due to the size and complexity of these projects, alternative methods may offer advantages over the City’s traditional design-bid-build processes. Following discussion, the Board concurred with staff and directed that alternative construction methods be explored for future discussion.
Please find the work session materials and video here. 

The Board met in regular session following the work session and took the following action:

  • Approved the October 21, 2025, Board of Aldermen Work Session Minutes
  • Approved the November 4, 2025 Board of Aldermen Regular Session Minutes
  • Approved a Resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Clay County Senior Services for grant funding for the purpose of providing senior services.
  • Approved on second reading an Ordinance amending Sections of Chapter 400 of the zoning code authorizing new overlay district regulations.
  • Approved as an emergency of first and second reading an Ordinance amending the FY2026 Budget to add $26,000 to the General Fund expenditure budget for City Hall sewer line repairs.
  • Approved on first reading an Ordinance approving the final plat for Richardson Street Plaza.
  • Approved on first reading an Ordinance changing zoning classifications and approving plat for 13616 North Virginia Avenue.
  • Approved a Resolution approving a quote from Volkmann Construction to replace the City Hall sewer line in the amount of $26,000.
  • Approved a Resolution authorizing site plan approval for construction of an addition at Major Lumber Company located at 205 East Meadow Street.

Please find the City Administrator's report here.

Please find the agenda materials and video here. 

Dates to Remember 

  • Board of Aldermen Meeting: December 2 
    • Regular Session: 7:00 PM
  • City Hall will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving from November 27 - 28
  • Sports -  REGISTER HERE
    • Spring sports online registration will open Jan 1 – youth soccer, little kickers soccer clinic, youth baseball, youth softball, youth t-ball
  • Programs & Events – REGISTER HERE

Community Engagement Updates

  • Check out the October 2025 Citizen Newsletter HERE
  • The City is hosting a Smithville High School Intern in partnership with the Real World Learning Program. We are excited to have her as part of the city team this semester!
  • SPR Sponsorship Opportunities are here! For more information visit www.smithvillemo.org/sponsor
  • Sign up for our monthly newsletter HERE

Senior Center Updates

  • Planned and held final Air Fryer Cooking classes. Classes were a hit!
  • Staff is preparing for Thanksgiving lunch on Friday 11/21. A large crowd is expected.
  • The senior Center will be closed Wednesday 11/26 through Friday 11/28 for Thanksgiving.

Project Updates

  • Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Improvements – Filter #1 at the water plant media replacement is complete. Staff disinfected the filter, back washed and sent in a Bac’t sample. Once results are good the filter can be put back on-line. 4 new valves in the pipe gallery in the water plant got flooded due to false signals opening the filter drain valve. The contractor is currently working on replacing the electronics in these valves.
  • Commercial Sidewalk - The new contractor, Selby Excavating LLC, began work on Nov 3 and has made progress on the south side of the project near the school. 
    The northbound lane of Commercial Avenue (From Hospital Drive to E Meadows) will be closed from 7 am to 5 pm starting November 24. The project is anticipated to be completed in January.
  • 144th Pump Station (PS) – Epic is making substantial progress with the pump station wet well and force main. Force Main from HWY 169 north to Hwy 92 is nearly complete. The bore under 169 HWY for the 144th street project is underway now.
  • Church and Mill watermain replacement – Staff assisted Foster Construction in the completion of the new water line tie in on Mill Street. The new water main is now in service, and all services are connected to the new main. The old main is now out of service. Main Street road was also repaired. Pending items include street repairs along Church St and cleanup.
  • City Hall Sewer line repair - This project is scheduled to begin the week of December 2. Main St is expected to be closed in front of City Hall while this project is completed. More information will be provided next week.
  •  OK Trail – Bids opened 10/28 and will be awarded on 12/16 to EPIC Concrete pending DNR’s approval.
  • Street Maintenance Program – Awarded to Asphaltic Surfaces. With the Commercial Sidewalk project delayed, the overlay of Commercial Avenue will be completed next Spring.

Maintenance Updates

  • Parks 
    • Set up Christmas decorations at the courtyard and on the mayor’s Christmas tree
    • Continuing to work on the Turkey Trot 5K course
    • If all goes well this week, the Diamond Crest parking lot should be asphalted on Friday
  • Streets
    • Finished forming and drilling/pinning curb with rebar at 124 N. 169 Highway.
    • Poured curb at the same location using 5.5 yards of concrete.
    • Concrete scheduled and poured as follows: 644 S. Commercial Ave - 2 yards,124 N. 169 Highway - 4.5 yards. Total poured this week: 6.5 yards
    • Formed up sidewalks at: 124 N. 169 Highway & 422 Commercial St
    • Filled pothole at Liberty St and Highway 92.
    • Took down flags downtown and returned them to the American Legion.
    • Measured sidewalks and prepped concrete work for upcoming pours.

Snow Preparation: Installed new lighting on salt barn and equipment shed. Received 52.53 tons of road salt from Hutchinson Salt Company. The City now has approximately 70 tons in storage, with an additional 100 tons scheduled for delivery in the coming weeks. The City is well-prepared for this winter season.

  • Utilities 
    • Total Drinking Water Production 6,546,000gal.
    • Completed all testing required at the WTP.
    • The new header is installed on filter #1 at the WTP. Crews will be working on installing new grout and anchors this week.
    • Staff backwashed filters 1, 4 and 5.
    • Staff conducted an electrical repair on an outlet in the basement at the water plant.
    • Completed 27 work orders
    • 88 locates completed
    • Completed all testing required at WWTP
    • Treated 4,467,000 gallons of wastewater
    • Staff jetted the sewer at 413 Woodland Ave. Found construction debris in the invert causing the backup. Around 2,000 gallons of wastewater went on the ground, so a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) report was sent to the state and a cleanup was conducted. We fenced off the affected area and covered the ground with lime. All debris was picked up and disposed of.
    • Staff cleaned the vac trailer and dump truck.
    • Completed the selection of manholes and gravity sewers for the 2026 CIPP project. Maped on GIS and typed up to put this out for bid.
    • Staff collected and delivered the monthly and quarterly wastewater samples.