Neosho City Council Regular Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Neosho City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Workman and adjourned at 8:41 PM. All seven council members were present initially; Councilwoman Robinson left at 7:57 PM due to a family emergency. All votes were unanimous (7-0 or 6-0 after Robinson's departure).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the September 1, 2026 Council Minutes, September 8, 2026 Special Session Minutes, and six bills: Bill No. 2026-60 (Agreement with Cantaloupe, Inc. for Bulk Water Station Payments), Bill No. 2026-61 (Closing Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund), Bill No. 2026-63 (Surplus of Neosho Golf Carts), Bill No. 2026-64 (Annexation of property near 11664 Highway 86 and I-49), Bill No. 2026-65 (Rezoning of same property from R1 to C3).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jacob Holly – Raised concerns about concrete dust and sand from Neosho Concrete (G&H Ready Mix) tracking onto the road and affecting his home on Industrial Drive. He described dust clouds, health hazards from concrete dust (citing MSDS), and the need for a buffer or ordinance to contain materials.
• Heather Bowers – Requested an immediate stay on the destruction of records under Resolution Bill No. 2026-26, arguing it creates a loophole to destroy original public records. She alleged systematic failures in records handling, conflicts of interest, and improper removal of a former council member.
• Dan Tice – Appealed the removal of his golf membership by Maxim Golf, stating he was banned without due process or documentation. He and over 30 golfers requested the council place the matter on a future agenda to reverse the decision.
• William Seay – Questioned ownership of property near Teledyne/Premier Turbines, noting a plat map shows the city as owner. He referenced a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Verizon from 2021 and expressed suspicion about data centers and shell companies linked to Alpharetta, Georgia.
• Damien Shaw – Introduced Full Send Recovery, a women’s sober living program in Neosho, seeking to be a positive community resource without requesting funding.

Discussion Items

• Unfinished Business – Bill No. 2026-62 (Surplus of City Items for Auction): Council amended the bill to add/remove items per an updated surplus list, then approved the amended bill.
• Bids Approved:
  • Celebrate Neosho 2027 Fireworks: J&M Displays Option B ($25,500) – provided 33% more fireworks and larger shells than other bidders.
  • Parks Department Fencing (215 Wheeler Street): Stafford Fencing ($45,500) – budgeted $50,000.
  • Phase (4) Morse Park Trail Lighting: Henson Electric ($25,548) – completes a five-year lighting plan.
  • Christmas Light Display (12 Days of Christmas): Decor IQ ($19,375) – refurbished display with new warranty.
  • Rocketdyne Park and Clubhouse Renovations: RE Smith Construction ($3,424,000) – base bid; splash pad and inclusive playground (estimated $1,133,200 combined) will be separate projects, keeping total under the $6.17M budget.
  • Senior Center Storage Building & Dumpster Enclosure: Marion Company ($82,950).
  • On-Call Concrete Services: Marion Company – lowest on most items for ADA sidewalk, curb, gutter, and street repair.
  • UTV 4-Door (Fire Department): S&H Farm Supply ($39,956.87) – state contract, budgeted.
  • UTV 2-Door (Fire Department): S&H Farm Supply ($23,999.98) – state contract, for remote rescue and wildland fire suppression.
  • LensLock Body Cameras (Police Department): Approved moving forward at $26,898.80 per year (5-year total $91,594) for body cameras, AI report writing, digital evidence management, and redaction services. Final contract subject to city attorney review.
  • Purchase of 2 Dodge Durango Police Vehicles: Superior Automotive ($41,580 each, total $83,160) – lowest of four quotes.
• New Business – Bills Approved (all 6-0):
  • Bill No. 2026-67: Surplus and sale of ~8.1 acres on Fairground Road to Moser Endeavors, LLC for $125,000 (appraised value).
  • Bill No. 2026-68: Permanent stormwater easement on south side of Coler Street (City reserving rights before sale).
  • Bill No. 2026-69: Surplus and conveyance to Coler Street Properties, LLC for $10, subject to the easement.
  • Bill No. 2026-70: Permanent stormwater easement on north side of Coler Street.
  • Bill No. 2026-71: Surplus and conveyance to Carl J. Vandorn for $10, subject to the easement.
  • Bill No. 2026-72: Ratification of Water and Wastewater Asset Transfer Agreement with Missouri-American Water Company (MAWC), approving the transfer of surplus assets and real property (including Lime Kiln property) as part of the system sale.
• Resolution Bill No. 2026-41: Authorized charge-off of delinquent utility accounts from FY2015-2020 totaling $185,740.75; collection efforts may continue via third-party agency.
• Active Bystandership in Law Enforcement (ABLE) Program: Approved participation in the Georgetown University program (free of charge) to promote peer intervention, officer wellness, and accountability. Mayor authorized to submit required letter of support.
• Investment of City Funds: Finance Director Forest reported a local bank offering 4.19% on 24-month CDs for ~$10 million (in 40 CDs of $250,000 each). Council consensus directed staff to shop around and return with options.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items and bids were approved unanimously.
• Bill No. 2026-62 amended and approved.
• All six new business ordinances and the resolution were approved unanimously (6-0 after Robinson left).
• The council authorized the Police Department to proceed with LensLock body cameras, subject to contract finalization.
• The council supported the ABLE program application and authorized the mayor’s letter.
• Staff directed to solicit bids for investing city funds.
• City Manager Kennedy clarified that the building under construction is a La-Z-Boy warehouse (property in city name due to Chapter 100 bonds) and that a 12-month moratorium on data centers remains in effect.
• Reports noted: City surplus auction on November 8, 2026 at 2 PM; August sales tax revenue up 3.83% for the year; Halloween Bash on October 30, 2026 at Neosho Junior High; Fall Festival had ~290 vendors and is set for October 2, 2027.