On Tuesday, the Neosho City Council gave tentative approval to enter a five-year lease purchase agreement for up to nearly $59,000 in furniture for city hall.
The council voted to enter into a lease purchase agreement with Steelcase Financial Services Inc. on a 50/50 mix of new and old office furniture to replace office and lobby furniture damaged by moisture and mold at city hall. The amount of the agreement is $58,842.93.
The city is currently in the midst of a mold remediation project after a roof leak damaged carpeting, ceiling tiles, insulation, wallpaper and wallboard throughout the facility. The city’s insurance carrier is funding the remediation work.
City Manager Jan Blase told the council Tuesday that much of the current furniture couldn’t be saved, including items made of particle board, which crumbles when moved if it has gotten wet.
“Many of our current desks are falling apart and will not survive the move and relocation efforts,” Blase said. “I do not know how to get what the employees need for any less money. The furniture is a combination of new and used and the used furniture price — quite a bargain — is in the labor price.”
Blase said about half of the furniture will be purchased new, while the rest will be in used condition. The city manager added that lack of proper workstations leads to lower productivity and potential injury.
Council member Heather Bowers said she voted against the lease agreement because she thought the city was paying too much and should get more bids. The city obtained price quotes on various pieces of office and lobby furniture from Howsmon’s of Joplin.
If approved on second and third readings at an upcoming council meeting, the city would enter into a 60-month lease purchase option.
In other business, the council also voted 4-1, with Bowers dissenting, to grant a special use permit to the city to continue operating an RV park at 304 Washington Ave.
The property is currently zoned M-1 or light industrial use only. City officials recommended granting a three-year special use permit, instead of rezoning the property, because the site is for temporary use, not permanent residency.
Blase told the council the use of lots in the park are in conformance with the goals outlined in the 2006 comprehensive plan, as it provides recreational activity to Neosho, including fishing in Hickory Creek, a white-ribbon trout stream, and activities downtown.
“So you see, we are providing a service that’s not currently available,” said Neosho Mayor Jeff Werneke.
The special use permit was unanimously approved by the Neosho Planning and Zoning Commission during its regular meeting June 8 after no visitors showed up for a public hearing on the issue.
City officials said they were taking the same steps as any business owner with a rezoning or special use permit request under the newly adopted 405 code changes. City Attorney Steve Hays said before these codes were enacted, the city would have grandfathered the property in without a special use permit.
The special use permit is required as the RV park lacks concrete pads and other amenities required by the 405 Codes. These permits are granted for three years, with review by the planning and zoning commission and the city council taking place before renewal.
After some discussion about updating facilities at the RV Park, Eric Haddock, former city clerk for the City of Neosho, told the council the property likely could not be improved further under a federal mandate, as it was originally part of the flood-plain buyout program conducted in the mid-1990s.
Neosho, Mo. —
