Warrensburg City Leaders Concerned about COVID-19’s Economic Impact

Almost every aspect of Monday night's City Council meeting in Warrensburg was impacted by the ongoing, worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

A full Council was present in the Chambers at 200 South Holden, with a public viewing space created in the Warrensburg Police Department's training room for onlookers. The entire meeting could be viewed on You Tube by anyone who clicked on a link provided in the agenda.

Council members sat with one empty chair in between them during the 40-minute meeting.

As for how the coronavirus is affecting city finances, City Manager Harold Stewart noted that "I'm concerned for the long term. This is going to take us a long time to recover," he said, that it will most likely be a 12- to 18-month climb-out for the City of Warrensburg to return to normal.

In the meantime, difficult decisions will need to be made, including cutting costs, cutting services and using some reserves.

"There will be tough decisions that won't be popular with either staff or the public," Stewart said. "It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be fun. And you'll make some decisions that you'll get some angry phone calls about. But that's what we're here for and that's our job."

Stewart added that some employees are working from home, and a very few are using up their PTO time. Furloughed employees who filed for unemployment claims, affects the City of Warrensburg fiscally. "There's still a financial commitment," he said.

In view of decreased local sales tax revenue, Councilwoman Robin Allen pointed out the need for collecting revenue from online shopping.

Stewart agreed and said he emailed two state reps two weeks ago voicing his concern about the matter, and did not receive a response from either.

In other Council business, Phase IV of the Cayhill Subdivision has been completed and the City is ready to issue building permits, according to Danielle Dulin, assistant city manager. Traffic control needs to be established for the new streets within this phase of the subdivision for Lots 158 through 187.

The Traffic Commission met on March 18 to review the proposed traffic control plan for the subdivision and approved the plan to be forwarded to City Council.

The traffic control plan sets the speed limit at 25 MPH with parking being allowed on only one side of Rich Blvd., one side of Estates Drive, and one side of Hillmann Lane.

No parking will be allowed on Veterans Road in the Cayhill Subdivision, Phase IV. Parking in the cul-de-sacs when snow exceeds two inches in depth will not be permitted.

Four intersections will receive stop signs.

The cost estimate for the required City purchase and installation of signage is $1,500.

A similar ordinance was passed concerning Phase V of the Cayhill Subdivision for Lots 188 through 194. Stop signs will be erected at Owens Lane and Estates Drive. Cost estimate for signage is $800.

The meeting led off with the reading of three proclamations by Mayor Casey Lund, concerning Arbor Day, Building Safety Month and National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.