The City of Tarkio Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Tarkio City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited at 6:00 p.m. Present were: aldermen Scott Walker, Jeff Olson, James Navin, and Scott Poppa and City Clerk Danielle Kephart. Visitors were: City of Tarkio employees – Street Superintendent Jamie Quimby, Police Chief Tyson Gibbons, Animal Control Officer Chris Niles, and Building Inspector Jesse Payne; Tarkio Board of Public Works employee Jessica Walker; Tarkio Park Board Vice President Summer Reeves; Tarkio Chamber of Commerce members Ashlee Driskell and Jennifer Peregrine; and Tarkio citizens Mike Klosek, Sr., and Sally and Dan Vietze.

The aldermen voted to approve the December 9 and 16 special meetings and December 11 regular meeting as distributed.

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

Ashlee Driskell spoke to the board on behalf of the Atchison-Holt Ambulance District. There will be a tax issue on the ballot on April 8. Both Atchison and Holt counties must approve this tax for it to be put into effect. This tax will help with purchases of new equipment and other needs for the department.

Candidates for the April 8 election are: Scott Walker, North Ward Alderman, and Jeffrey Olson, South Ward Alderman.

Mayor Agnew gave the first reading of Bill No. 319.25 Ordinance No. 305.25: An ordinance submitting to the electors of the City of Tarkio, at the general election on April 8, 2025, the question of whether the city shall impose a general sales tax of one-half (1/2) of one percent (1%) for the purpose of improving public safety. It was approved.

Mayor Agnew gave the second reading of  Bill 319.25 Ordinance 305.25. It was also approved and Bill 319.25 Ordinance 305.25 was adopted.

Mayor Agnew asked for the approval of Resolution 77.25 Resolution to Destroy Records. The aldermen approved and Resolution 77.25 was adopted.

Ashlee Driskell and Jennifer Peregrine spoke to the council on behalf of the Tarkio Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber would like to purchase banners to be hung on the light poles on Main Street. They would like to do “Welcome” signs and possibly ones for graduating seniors each year. They asked for some measurements on the size of the old banners, what brackets they needed, and how many poles the banners could be hung on. Clerk Kephart and Street Superintendent Quimby will get them the information so they can start looking into the cost for the banners.

A sick leave bank policy was presented to the board at last month’s meeting. The board will be reviewing and making changes to the proposed policy and vote on it at the February monthly meeting.

Clerk Kephart informed the board that the March and April meeting dates would need to be changed. The regular meeting in March should be the 12th but Clerk Kephart will be out of the office for the annual clerks conference that day. The date of the meeting will be changed to March 15. April’s regular meeting would be April 9; however, with the election being April 8, the meeting needs to be moved back a week. April’s meeting will now be April 16. The aldermen approved the date changes.

Mayor Agnew and the board asked for some clarification on the snow route streets for emergency snow situations. Chief Gibbons and Street Superintendent Quimby informed the board about how these streets were decided upon. Clerk Kephart will be revising the current ordinance and adding some streets to the emergency snow routes and present the changed ordinance at the February 12 city council meeting.

Mayor Agnew read a letter from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The city applied for grant funding for demolition of some properties in town. The city was denied the grant, due to not scoring high enough on the scale to be considered before funding from this grant was exhausted. The city can reapply for the next grant cycle in April.

Department Reports

Jeff Olson, City Buildings – Toilets in both the women’s and men’s bathrooms at the Tarkio Community Building need repairs. Danny Martin will be helping Olson get these fixed. They will also be looking to get the head and foot bolt locks installed on the doors. Olson will be getting a quote to get the southwest door replaced as well.

Scott Walker, Fire Department – There was nothing to report.

Scott Poppa, Parks/Pool – Advertisements have been put out for the vacant Tarkio Park Board member position. The pool fill date has been moved up to April. A tentative date for Trivia Night has been changed to March 22.

James Navin, Jr., City Streets – Quimby’s report was presented:

• Repairs/Equipment – The skid steer had to be worked on. It broke down while assisting with snow removal on 3rd Street.

• Brush Pile – This area is cleaned up and ready for use again.

• Christmas Décor – These items will be coming down soon. Evergy is going to assist again in taking down the lights on Main Street. The city crew will be taking down the other items. They are frozen down right now and they don’t want to damage them.

Jessica Walker, Tarkio Board of Public Works (TBPW) – There were three leaks last month. All were repaired. The TBPW board has discussed a five-year plan to try and fix the entire system.

Mayor Agnew, Gould Peterson Municipal Airport – There was nothing to report.

Chris Niles, Animal Control – One dog has been adopted out to Paw Prints.

Chief Gibbons, Police Department – Holidays with Heroes was a huge success again this year. There were 28 kids who benefited from this event. The Atchison County Sheriff’s Office has donated body cameras and a charging platform to the Tarkio Police Department.

Clerk Kephart, City Financials – The annual MIRMA review is almost complete. Budget changes and preparations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget have started. The budget will be reviewed at the February council meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. The next Tarkio Board of Aldermen meeting will be February 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Tarkio City Hall. All Tarkio residents are encouraged to attend.