The Holts Summit Board of Alderman discussed a resolution Thursday authorizing the city's police department to add New Bloomfield as part of its service area, deciding to delay a vote until May 24.
If passed, the agreement would entail the Holts Summit police force patrolling New Bloomfield, responding to calls and enforcing city ordinances. The deal would run through the end of this year, with New Bloomfield paying Holts Summit $20,000 for the service, and then could be considered for continuation.
Alderman Charles Chamberlin, who was running the meeting in the mayor's absence, said he was "anxious" to start the agreement but was uncomfortable holding a vote without Mayor Landon Oxley's input. Instead, he asked the aldermen to delay a vote until later this month.
The resolution comes after frustrations from New Bloomfield residents over the city's cuts to its police force and the resignation of its police chief earlier this year.
Kyle McIntyre, Holts Summit's chief of police, said he had no problems with the agreement and would not "anticipate a huge increase" of work for officers.
"We're not talking an enormous distance, and by entering into this agreement, we could give them 24/7 police patrol, response to calls just like we were in Holts Summit," McIntyre said. "The $20,000 number is what they felt they could afford and, quite honestly, I think it's a good number to ensure the citizens of Holts Summit are not losing anything."
Greg Rehagen, mayor of New Bloomfield, and Martha Siegel, alderwoman for New Bloomfield, attended the meeting and said they plan on working to pass the agreement after it is approved by Holts Summit.
"I feel positive about it," Siegel said. "We were hoping it would all be taken care of tonight, but I'm confident that it's going to happen and it'll be the best thing for our town."
The meeting also included the aldermen officially installing Matt Harline as city administrator. Harline is taking over the position with current City Administrator Rick Hess retiring. It was Hess' last official meeting as city administrator, but he will be attending the May 24 meeting in a support role.
A first reading was held on an ordinance to change the city's zoning code affecting mobile homes in the city. The changes would add new restrictions and requirements to mobile homes and mobile home parks in the area. It would also prevent new family housing in commercial zones, grandfathering in any currently owned properties for three years.
Deborah Jackson, who spoke to the aldermen about concerns with a similar ordinance they failed earlier this year, said her worries were addressed in the new changes and supported the ordinance.
The city also passed a resolution to partner with Callaway County in a program to pave some city streets and a resolution to buy a new utility tractor replacing the current one.