Accomplishments
I have been privileged to take part in the following accomplishments of our city:
2012
Completed the Animal Shelter
The Excelsior Springs Animal Shelter opened. The project was paid by Capital Improvement Authority.
2013
Voter Approved Smoking Ordinance
Upon voter approval, the City Council established an ordinance to prohibit smoking in public places inside the city limits.
2014
Street and Bridge Improvements
The City entered into an agreement with MoDOT for the Route 10 Bridge Replacement Project. Farris Street was redesigned with new decorative lighting and sidewalks. Finished in 2015, the project received a Special Recognition Award during the Clay County Economic Development Council’s Keystone Award Luncheon.
2015
Encouraged Single Family Housing Development
Council initiated a program for construction of up to 15 new, single-family residences by waiving fees for building, plumbing, electrical and heating permits; plan review fee; grading permit; sewer inspection fee; sewer tap fee; and water tap fee (except the actual cost of the meter and related parts provided by the city).
2015
Sewer Extension Projects
2016
Communities for All Ages
The City of Excelsior Springs entered into the Bronze Level of participation in the Communities for All Ages program in cooperation with MARC and Clay County Senior Citizens’ Service Board. Bronze Level is $3,000, Silver Level is $1,500 and Gold Level is $750 for a total cost of $5,250, with CCSS covering 50% and the City covering the remaining 50% ($2,625).
2017
Golf Course Planning
Council began planning efforts to construct a new Golf Course Clubhouse and Golf Hill Subdivision for future housing development.
2017
Community Center Planning
Conducted Community Center Phase II planning which included public meetings and surveys, followed by the development of architectural drawings in anticipation of future expansion.
2017
Hall of Waters Planning
A Hall of Waters Drainage and Flood Control Study and HVAC Study were conducted as part of the Hall of Waters Rehabilitation Project.
2018
Public Safety Partnerships
Council approved the MARRS radio system construction and implementation to connect Excelsior Springs Police Department to the Metropolitan Area Regional Radio System. In addition, an agreement was made with MARC to provide microwave links for the MARRS system. The Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee approved funds for immediate radio system needs.
2019
Keep Residents Safe at Home
An ordinance change was made to better accommodate the use of residential ADA accessible ramps. Accessible ramps requirements were changed to better accommodate residents who, through age and/or physical concerns, have increased challenges navigating stairs to and from their homes.
2019
Keep Children Safe at School
2020
Added Public Transit Route for Medical Needs
Our transit system travels over 35,000 miles transporting 15,000 passengers annually. Our vehicles are ADA accessible, open to the general public for shopping, employment, medical, recreational and educational needs. In 2020, the City expanded its service to coordinate a medical service to our local Dialysis Center, Hospital, and Medical Clinics. During peak hours three busses are operating.
2020
Approval of Excelsior Springs Hospital Lawson Clinic
Council approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with Ray County Memorial Hospital to allow the Excelsior Springs Hospital to relocate its Lawson Clinic in the Ray County portion of Lawson at the former Dr. Cantrell office facility.
2021
Police Chief Hiring
Participated in the search and selection for a new Police Chief.
2021
Welless Partnership
Approved partnership between Excelsior Springs Hospital, City of Excelsior Springs and the Excelsior Springs Community Center, as well as the Excelsior Springs Community Center and the Excelsior Springs School District for their employees to receive wellness program services at the Community Center; improve membership. The partnership will also provide wellness/nutrition/exercise strategies to provide wellness to the City and surrounding communities.
2021
Jesse James/Miller Improvement Project
The private investment of Miller Cabinets enabled the City to complete a realignment of the North Jesse James, Meadowlark Lane, and Rainbow Blvd. intersection. The project budget consist of a $500,000.00 grant from EDA, a $400,000.00 grant from CDBG and $100,000.00 from Capital Improvements.
2021
Building Codes
Approved the adoption of the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Residential Code and the 2018 International Existing Building Code.
2022
Fishing River Watershed Masterplan
Approved the creation of a Masterplan of the Fishing River Watershed that can be implemented in phases. Following completion of the Masterplan, projects can be selected, designed, property acquired and implemented as deemed appropriate.
2022
New Outdoor Aquatics Facility
Participated in the groundbreaking.
2022
Home Repair Program
Approved agreement with Rebuilding Together KC and the Northland Neighborhoods to provide financial assistance that will benefit property owners within our community.
2022
Mutual Aid Agreements
Approved Excelsior Springs Police Department mutual aid agreements with Smithville, Gladstone and North Kansas City. The Excelsior Springs Police Department periodically provides assistance to the police departments in neighboring jurisdictions and likewise, periodically receives assistance from the same.
2023
License Plate Reader
Approved entering into an agreement with Flock Group Inc. for License Plate Reader at the Request of Excelsior Springs Police Department.
2024
Short Term Rentals
Approved change to the zoning regulations to allow Short Term Rental Properties. Principles to achieve include Streamline review, approval and licensing process; offer more lenient standards in the key tourist location downtown; establish site and operation standards to mitigate potential impacts.
2024
Fire Training Facility
Approved construction of a Fire Training Facility behind the fire station for the Excelsior Springs Fire Department.
2013
Downtown Improvement
Approved the creation of a Downtown Community Improvement District. The Downtown Villas created 30 new residential homes on Excelsior Street.
2014
Voter Approved Community Center
Voters approved a 1c retail sales tax for construction of a Community Center and bonds were issued not to exceed $18 million for a period of 25 years.
2014
Support For Tourism
The City Council approved an ordinance allowing short-term rental (Airbnb) establishments. This fills a gap that we have in tourism accommodations. Decorative fountains were installed on Elms Boulevard in conjunction with the Elms Hotel improvement project.
2015
Public Safety Improvements
Public Safety Sales Tax funds were used to update the Police Department Evidence Storage Room. The upgrade allowed cabinetry for fragile items, such as DNA and blood related evidence. The upgrade also included moving from filing cards to electronic software-based barcode system.
2015
Summer Sewer Tax Credit Program Reestablished
When residents asked me about the Summer Sewer Tax Credit Program, I advocated for it to be reestablished and other council members supported that request. The program provides relief for families that use extra water in the summer months for watering yards, gardens, filling swimming pools, etc., where the water does not enter the sewer system.
2016
Future Planning for Hall of Waters Redevelopment
Purchased the old bank building from the Frances A. Denny Trust for $135,000, paid from the general fund. The best use of the Hall of Waters is not as city offices. In order to plan for redevelopment, Council invested in the downtown building for relocation of offices, municipal court and council chambers.
2017
Solar Fest Party Held
I had the pleasure of working with Sharon Powell and Courtney Cole to head the Solar Fest celebration for Excelsior Springs. Discovering that we were in the “Path of Totality”, our efforts, in partnership with the BBQ Committee, provided us a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase our community for tourism. Our fundraiser efforts paid for the event and funds left over were donated to the Excelsior Springs School Foundation to purchase a kiln for the Art Department.
2017
ISO Rating
The City of Excelsior Springs achieved an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Rating of 2. On a scale of 1 to 10, a 1 rating is the highest that can be achieved. The ratings calculate how well-equipped fire departments are to put out fires in their community. The ISO provides this score, often called the “ISO fire score,” to homeowners insurance companies. The score helps homeowners receive a better insurance coverage rate and is attractive for business development.
2018
Communities of Excellence
The City of Excelsior Springs became a participant in the Baldridge framework of Communities of Excellence. The program has developed into “Excelsior Thrive” that brings residents into the planning process for community development.
2019
Public Infrastructure Improvement Grant
Community Development Block Grant funds of $750,000 will aid construction of a second digester at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will serve the entire City of Excelsior Springs. The cost estimate is $1,588,420. City grant match is $450,000 from Capital lmprovements, $300,000 from remaining bond project funds, and the balance from sewer revenues.
2019
Utility Bond Refinancing
The City was able to take advantage of a virtually unprecedently low tax exempt interest rate to refinance water and sewer bonds for a combined interest rate savings of $3,209,357.
2020
CARES Funding/Assistance
In March, the code for delinquent utility bills was temporarily relaxed on the disconnection of water accounts for unpaid balance through April. Unemployment due to COVID-19 was added to the reasons Good Samaritan Center can provide up to $160, two times/year for water utility help. In May, Council executed documents related to disbursements of Coronavirus Relief Fund Allocations from Clay County, Missouri. The City of Excelsior Springs received $1,035,000 in CARES funding.
2021
Community Center Phase II
Approved refunding outstanding Community Center Sales Tax Revenue Bonds for the purpose of Phase II at the Community Center, which built the outdoor pool.
2021
Compensation Study
Approved an agreement with McGrath Human Resources Group to conduct a classification and compensation study. Because of the current labor market, it was extremely important that the City have a competitive salary schedule in order to be competitive.
2021
MOU with the Missouri Institute of Mental Health
Our Fire Department wanted to participate in the MIMH Narcan leave behind program, which council thought was great and approved the agreement.
2021
MOU with Clay County Public Health Center
Our Fire Department wanted to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine supply acquisition for Homebound Individuals Vaccination program. Council approved the agreement. These people are awesome.
2021
Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement
Approved the agreement reached by local Fire Chiefs and City Manager with IAFF Local 42 for a a mutually satisfactory proposed collective bargaining agreement.
2022
Vacant Properties
Established a registry for vacant residential properties with code violations. This registry enables the Neighborhoods and Code Compliance staff to identify vacant properties that contribute to blight in a neighborhood and provide a means to address the violations.
2022
Hall of Waters SAT Grant
The City of Excelsior Springs was a recipient of the Save America’s Treasures Grant. I helped in the writing of the grant, which provided $1 million in funding for needed maintenance and repair to the Hall of Waters.
2022
Handheld Narcotics Analyzer Purchase
Approved the Excelsior Springs Police Department request to purchase a Thermo Scientific TruNarc Handheld Narcotics Analyzer. The TruNarc Handheld Narcotics Analyzer tests for almost 500 substances, including narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, analgesics, precursors and cutting agents. Notably, the TruNarc device allows potentially dangerous substances to be tested without direct contact. Additionally, the TruNarc device has been recognized by Missouri’s courts as being a presumptive test for evidentiary purposes.
2022
Use of Surplus Ambulance
The City provided the school district with a 2015 Chevrolet ambulance in consideration for 2 paramedic tuitions for employees of the fire department in the future.
2023
Westside Community Improvement District
The Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce worked to establish a Westside Community Improvement District (CID). Over time they identified projects that could be funded by the CID and assist with the RAISE grant match to make the much needed improvements along W. Jesse James (Highway 10) and Kearney Road.
2024
Approved Site Plans for Our Quick Trip!
Our Economic Development Director worked with Quick Trip to secure Store #279 in Excelsior Springs. Our residents were thrilled.
2024
Comprehensive Plan
Was involved in selecting Olsson Studio Consulting Services to develop the new Embrace The Current, A Community Rising comprehensive plan. (Final draft 2026)