The following are unapproved board minutes submitted by City Clerk Natasha Baruth:
The Rock Port Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, August 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. with mayor Richard “JR” Chaney presiding. The board members present were Jeff Geib, Chris Roup, Kimberly Brake and Michael Graves. Also present were city clerk Natasha Baruth, utility office manager Ian Ingram, police officer Kara Riley and superintendent Jarod Hudson. The visitors present were Sean Kroeger, Kelley Herron, Chris Riley, Forrest Palmer, Lee Burgess, Levi Wamsley, Randy Friesen, Corey Martin, Haley Haynes, Travis Cochenour, Andy Riley, Michael Klosek III, and Lisa Farmer.
Mayor Chaney called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led everyone in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. No one was in attendance to speak on the 2026 Tax Rate Hearing.
Brake moved to approve the agenda. Geib seconded. All votes aye. Roup moved to approve the July 15 and July 20, 2026, minutes. Graves seconded. All votes aye.
Geib moved to approve the city consent agenda. Brake seconded. All votes aye.
Roup moved to approve the utility consent agenda. Brake seconded. All votes aye.
Lisa Farmer presented pictures of her building at 402 S. Main Street that is facing structural damage caused by the building north of her. Graves moved to ask the building inspector to inspect the neighboring property. Brake seconded. All votes aye.
Sean Kroeger was in attendance to discuss the desire to plant trees along his property line and looking for guidance on ordinances. The board told Kroeger to mark tree placements and have the superintendent give the okay. Kelley Herron was in attendance to discuss overgrowth and drainage issues from Kroeger property. Levi Wamsley discussed his mowing of Kroeger property due to overgrowth and his desire to make a safe walking space for his kids. The board stated the desire to prevent trespassing and suggested all persons to go through the appropriate channels.
New Business
Ordinance 1273 was read by Chaney. Geib moved to approve Ordinance 1273. Brake seconded. All ayes. Ordinance 1273 was read by Chaney. Roup moved to approve Ordinance 1273. Graves seconded. All ayes.
Chaney spoke about the need for AEDs in work trucks and City Hall. Superintendent Hudson stated that he was in the process of working on a grant for AEDs in the bucket trucks.
Roup moved to approve the peddler’s license for Szymon Mikolajczak. Brake seconded. All votes aye.
Brake moved to approve the business license for Kansas City Cannabis LLC. Roup seconded. All votes aye.
Geib moved to approve the business license for Nick Henggeler General Contracting LLC. Roup seconded. All votes aye.
Brake moved to approve the special event permit for the Pleasant View Nursing Home Softball Tournament. Roup seconded. All votes aye.
Old Business
A trash contract with some changes from the city attorneys was presented to Kloseks Trash Company. They will review the proposed changes. Postponed until the September meeting.
Ordinance 1272 was read by Chaney. Roup moved to approve Ordinance 1272. Geib seconded. All ayes. Ordinance 1272 was read by Chaney. Graves moved to approve Ordinance 1272. Brake seconded. All ayes.
Sheriff Riley and Deputy Cochenour were in attendance to answer questions regarding the contract with the Atchison County Sheriff.
The building at 320 Main Street is ready to be demolished. Clerk Baruth will open for bids.
The response to the veteran banners was more than anticipated and therefore will be more costly. Graves moved to approve the increase in cost for the veteran banners. Roup seconded. All votes aye.
Three bids were presented to the board for a new camera system.
Additional Reports
Officer Riley presented information regarding a new reporting system. The city will be utilizing the same program as Tarkio and Atchison County.
City Clerk Baruth presented a list of local business license costs and would like to increase the price of licenses for the new year. Baruth also presented receipts still needed from the 2025 fiscal year from the park board. The board asked to send an email to the park board for receipts and then involve lawyers if receipts or payment is not received.
Utility Manager Ingram stated that he is doing some additional training with the billing program.
Superintendent Hudson gave an update on streets and utilities.
Graves gave an update on the pool planning process.
Adjourn into executive session for personnel matters pursuant for Section 610.021 (3) RSMo. Graves moved to adjourn into executive session at 7:56 p.m. Brake seconded. All voteed aye. While in executive session the following raises were given to employees: Ian Ingram was given a 12% raise; Kara Riley was given a $1.75 raise.
Graves moved to adjourn out of executive session at 9:43 p.m. Roup seconded. All voted aye.
The meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.
