The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Tarkio City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Boy Scouts Troop #88 at 6:00 p.m. Clerk Danielle Kephart did roll call: Mayor Jeff Agnew, Councilmen Scott Walker, Jeff Olson, Scott Poppa, and James Navin were all present. Visitors were: City of Tarkio employees – Street Superintendent Jamie Quimby, Building Inspector Jesse Payne, Chief Tyson Gibbons, and Park Superintendent Chris Niles; Tarkio Board of Public Works employee Danny Martin; Tarkio Park Board members Dan Vietze and Ashlee Driskell; Tarkio Fire Chief Mike Shaw; Tarkio business owner Mandy Whipple; city citizens Dallas Prather, Vicky Rogers, Mike Klosek, Sr., and Sara Lester; and Boy Scout Troop #88 members Simon Piveral, Emmeline Vette, Xander Goolsby, Oliver Shaw, Marvel Lester, Lane Reed, Wade Reed, Garrett Reed, and Waylon Blackman, and leaders Matt Schlueter, Brandon Reed, and Benjamin Blackman.

The aldermen approved the August 13 regular meeting minutes as distributed.

There were no additions, deletions or continuances to the agenda.

Dallas Prather reported that she had a meeting with Debbie Bennett from MU Extension and the tentative date for the walk audit is September 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Anyone interested in participating can meet at City Hall by 4:00 p.m. on the 19th. This will include volunteers taking a section of town to walk and write down any potential hazards or safety concerns (such as an absent sidewalk where one is needed or an intersection where a stop sign would be beneficial, etc.).

Ashlee Driskell spoke on behalf of the Tarkio Chamber of Commerce. They are going to be doing veteran banners for Main Street. These banners will be “first come, first served” meaning citizens must come to city hall and pay for the banner sponsorship in order for their veteran to be ensured a spot on the list. Banners are $50.00 each. More information will be going out about this in the next few days.

Mayor Agnew welcomed the Boy Scout Troop #88 members. He asked if they had any questions about how things worked within the city. The boys asked who was in charge. Mayor Agnew introduced himself as mayor, followed by the council members, and the city clerk.

Mayor Agnew gave the first reading of Bill 328.25 Ordinance 314.25: An Ordinance Adopting An Amended Budget For The City Of Tarkio’s Fiscal Year April 1, 2025, To March 31, 2026. The first reading was approved.

Mayor Agnew gave the second reading of Bill 328.25 Ordinance 314.25. The second reading was approved and Bill 328.25 Ordinance 314.25 was adopted.

Mayor Agnew gave the first reading of Bill 329.25 Ordinance 315.25: An Ordinance Confirming The Vacation Of Alleyway From Broad Street To Main Street From 9th Street To 10th Street In Tarkio, Missouri. The first reading was approved.

Mayor Agnew gave the second reading of Bill 329.25 Ordinance 315.25. The second reading was approved and Bill 329.25 Ordinance 315.25 was adopted.

Clerk Kephart presented a rough draft for a sidewalk policy/program for MIRMA. MIRMA requires each city to have one. The board discussed changes that need to be made to the presented policy. Clerk Kephart will make the changes and bring this back to the council for approval next month.

Mayor Agnew spoke a little on the Main Street business parking issues and the 6th and Linden parking situation. Clerk Kephart is going to look into state regulations on timed parking for Main Street. The council decided to table the 6th and Linden parking discussion until next month to give the council members a chance to go look at the streets in question and come up with possible solutions.

The board went over the annual needs/project list of 2025-26 for Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments (NWMORCOG). Clerk Kephart will turn this back into NWMORCOG.

Mayor Agnew informed the board that it was the time of the year to discuss possible cost of living raises. This topic was tabled to closed session discussion at the end of the meeting.

Mayor Agnew asked the board to approve the one-day caterer’s license for Just In Time Promotions, LLC, for the beer garden at Friendship Day on September 27. Poppa made a motion to approve the license. The motion was seconded and four ayes voted to approve the motion and the second. The motion passed.

Department Reports

Jeff Olson, City Buildings – The back porch at the community building needs some work done to it. The boards are starting to warp and they need to be repainted. The men’s toilet is now fixed and the women’s will be getting fixed as well.

Scott Walker, Fire Department – Mike Shaw spoke to the council about some equipment that needs to be replaced for the fire department. They need 24 new helmets, as theirs are outdated. The rural district has offered to split the cost with the city. The city half would total $4,775.40. The fire department also needs eight new pagers. The rural also agreed to pay half of this cost, so the cost to the city would be $1,680.00. Walker made a motion to approve the purchases of the helmets and the pagers. The motion was seconded and approved.

Scott Poppa, Tarkio City Parks/Pool – A company called Leak Investigators will be coming to look at the pool within the next few weeks to see if they can identify where the pool is still leaking. Friendship Day is September 27. Volunteers and vendors are still needed for this event. The Halloween Parade will be on October 25 this year and has been moved back to Main Street. The Christmas Parade date is December 6.

James Navin, Jr., Street Department – Quimby’s report:

• Repairs/Equipment – The front loader had a small tear in an air intake line going to the turbo. Quimby was able to order a new one and it was replaced.

• RV Park – This property is still being used by traveling workers. There have been no more electrical issues since the city started limiting the number of campers using this facility.

• Tree Trimming – The major tree trimming has been completed for the season. There are still a few that are found and addressed when they can.

• Flag Hardware – As Quimby stated at the last meeting, the hardware for the flags on Main had arrived, but when they went to install it there was an issue. They are going to have to use a band to put these on instead of screwing it directly to the pole. The banding has just arrived and after the flags are down (after 9/11), Evergy will be contacted to assist again.

• Ash Street Project – The replacement of the corner at 6th and Ash started on August 19. Once the tear out began, they started hauling away debris. The curbs should be poured by the end of this week and the street itself should be poured next week, weather permitting.

• Dumping At Brush Pile – There was some brick debris dumped at the brush pile. Using the camera footage, the person was identified. Tyson contacted them and they came and cleaned up the debris.

• Generator at Fire Station – Mike Shaw and Quimby spoke about how best to protect the new generator at the fire station. There was one cement ecology block left at the gravel lot and it was placed in front of the generator. This should provide more protection than posts would.

• Liberty Gas – A street was cut by Liberty; something to do with a gas line. They have been contacted about getting the street repaired.

• Speed Sign – The speed control sign was placed on the west end of Pine to alert people of their speed as they come into town from the country. It was placed there before the start of the school year. It might be moved to another location somewhere around the school next.

• Stop Signs – Stop signs for the intersection of 9th and Maple, just east of the tennis courts, have been ordered. Several residents have asked for these to try and slow people in this area.      

Danny Martin, Tarkio Board of Public Works – The board of public works will be moving forward with work that needs done to the south lift station.   

Mayor Agnew, Gould Peterson Municipal Airport – Mayor Agnew received the prices for batwing mowers for the airport. Brooks Hurst is looking into some possible grant funds to help with this purchase. The board will revisit the topic at a later date

Chris Niles, Animal Control – There was nothing to report.

Chief Gibbons, Tarkio Police Department – Chief Gibbons reported that there are several ongoing cases at this time. The department assisted the MSHP with an incident north of town. The new Durango for the police department has been ordered.

Clerk Kephart, City Financials – Clerk Kephart asked the council to consider purchasing a laptop for her to use, since her iPad is outdated. The laptop would be used by Clerk Kephart while away at conferences and meetings. The board asked that she get some quotes and bring them back to the next meeting

The aldermen voted to enter into executive session per Chapter 610.021 Section 3 hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting a particular employee, etc. Following discussion, the aldermen voted to close the executive session.

The aldermen voted to approve a 4% cost of living raise for all full-time employees.

The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

The next regular City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen meeting will be held Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Tarkio residents are encouraged to attend.