City Council approves bevy of landfill contracts as cell construction presses ahead

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- City Councilmembers took additional steps Monday to ensure timely completion of a critical new landfill cell following impacts from a recent storm in St. Joseph. 

Monday's City Council meeting saw the approval of multiple landfill-related contracts ranging from ongoing construction work for cell 8, consulting services and equipment purchases.

One key measure was a $152,300 change order with cell construction company M-Con, LLC, for the landfill cell 8 emergency excavation project. With the excavation portion of the project now complete, the company is in the process of installing a series of protective ground liners.

However, during the installation of the geosynthetic liner, a significant storm event caused soil and debris to wash onto the liner surface and accumulate in the sump pit. As a result of the debris buildup, MCON, LLC utilized a long-reach excavator to remove the excess sludge from the east hole. To maintain progress and ensure safe access for construction vehicles, additional sand was brought in to stabilize the roadways, allowing equipment to maneuver safely throughout the cell. 

A second contract will authorize a $45,775 change order with Texas Environmental Plastics, LTD for additional cell 8-liner installation services.

City officials reported at the last council meeting on Monday, June 23, that the hope is for cell 8 to be complete in August, a move that would alleviate ongoing landfill capacity concerns that have lingered since last fall.

In addition, councilmembers also signed off on a change order with Stearns, Conrad and Schmidt Consulting Engineers (SCS) in an amount not to exceed $49,350 to provide additional Stage 8 construction quality assurance services at the St. Joseph Sanitary Landfill. 

Monday's meeting also saw the approval of an amendment to the Landfill Fund Budget for $35,331, and authorizing the balloon payment due for one 326 Hydraulic Excavator from Foley Equipment for a total amount not to exceed $68,240. 

Council OKs new billing/collection agreement between City and County

Councilmembers unanimously approved a new agreement that allows for special tax bills issued by the city to be collected in the same manner as real property taxes collected by the county and collector.

The City of St. Joseph issues special tax bills when amounts owed by property owners for nuisance abatement fines, property maintenance penalties, demolition costs and other expenses remain unpaid by the property owners.

However, the City has very few mechanisms available to attempt to collect the special tax bill amounts. The new agreement between the City, County, and Collector will allow the City to submit a certified list of unpaid special tax bills to the Collector on an annual basis.

The Collector will then add the unpaid special tax bill amounts to the real property tax rolls. The county may withhold a sum equal to 2% of special tax bills and other fees collected as compensation for the services provided to the City and will remit the remaining 98% to the City.

Contracts and funding agreements approved for 2025-26

City Councilmembers signed off on a trio of funding agreements for the following fiscal year on Monday, including contracts with local service organizations like the Social Welfare Board and Samaritan Center:

Agreements include:

• Funding agreement with the Social Welfare Board -- Stuber Health Center, in an amount not to exceed $546,617 to provide ambulatory and other health and wellness services for qualified persons. 

• Funding agreement with the Samaritan Center in the amount of $50,000 to provide mental health services for qualified persons. 

• Contract with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce for economic development services for the total amount of $210,000. The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce works closely with the City to assist existing businesses in maintaining and expanding their current operations in St Joseph, including various retention and recruitment programs. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce works with the City to help recruit new business to St. Joseph. 

September City Council meeting canceled 

City Councilmembers voted to cancel the regularly scheduled meeting set for Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. due to multiple members of the City Council and City staff attending the annual Missouri Municipal League Conference on Sept. 14-17 in St. Charles, Missouri. 

City Hall to have parking lot resurfaced

Add City Hall’s parking lot to a long list of improvements occurring at the historic administration building in Downtown St. Joseph.

City Councilmembers on Monday approved a $79,935 agreement with Herzog Contracting, Corp. for the city hall parking lot resurfacing project. 

As part of the project, the deteriorating parking lot at City Hall will be repaired. Herzog Contracting, Corp. has been contracted to perform a 2” mill and overlay of the parking lot surface, replace any curbs that are also in need of repair and install pavement markings.

Funding for the enhancements was included as part of the 2025 Capital Improvement Program. 

Other bills approved by City Council

St. Joseph’s Park’s Maintenance division will see the addition of two new John Deere mowers to help maintain the city’s parks, trails and boulevard systems. 

Councilmembers signed off on a resolution on Monday to purchase two John Deere mowers from Deere & Company using $44,717 in parks sales tax funds. 

Nominations and Appointments

Mayor John Josendale nominates Eric P. Samaritoni, 2610 Meadow Ridge Drive, to serve as a member of the Tourism Commission for a term expiring July 7, 2028; he is filling a vacancy on the Commission.

Mayor John Josendale nominates Bobbie Cronk, 2305 Chambers Ave., to serve as a member of the Library Board for a term expiring June 30, 2028; she is being reappointed.

Mayor John Josendale nominates Kathie L. Brunner, 3219 Lafayette St., to serve as a member of the Library Board for a term expiring June 30, 2028; she is replacing David E. Jordan, whose term expires on June 30, 2025.

Mayor John Josendale nominates Patricia (Kathleen) Davison, 1812 Francis St., to serve as a member of the Library Board for a term expiring June 30, 2028; she is replacing Joshua Bachman, whose term expires on June 30, 2025.

Mayor John Josendale nominates Christy George, 201 S. Noyes Blvd., to serve as a member of the Tourism Commission for a term expiring on July 7, 2028; she is filling a vacancy on the Commission.