New Franklin City Council meeting, April 14, 2025: agenda and minutes
Regular meeting of the New Franklin City Council (Board of Aldermen), Monday, April 14, 2025, 6 p.m., New Franklin City Hall, 130 E. Broadway.
Agenda
REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN AND CLOSED SESSION
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 610.021 (1) LITIGATION (2) REAL ESTATE AND (3), PERSONNEL
- RsMO IF NECESSARY.
REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
132 E BROADWAY, NEW FRANKLIN, MO
T E NAT I V E AG E N DA
CALL TO ORDER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA for April 14, 2025
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM: March 10, 2025
APPROVAL OF CLOSED MINUTES FROM: March 10, 2025
APPROVAL OF BILLS as of April 11, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Swimming pool
2. Brochures
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Street Sweeper
2. Shirley Bechtold
3. Skid loader attachments
DEPARTMENT REPORTS: None
CLOSED SESSION TO FOLLOW
MOTION TO IF NEEDED ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 610.021
(1) LITIGATION (2) REAL ESTATE AND (3), PERSONNEL - RsMO
POSTED
4-11
2025 The City of New Franklin is committed to open and responsive government. If you are disabled and
@ feel that barriers exist to prevent your full participation in the meeting described above, please let us
know so we can accommodate this disability. We will provide hearing interpreters, access through
3:00 pm
barriers (or relocate our meeting location), special sound amplifications or otherwise address your
needs. Please call the City Clerk at 848-2288 (if possible 48 hours before the meeting) to advise us
of your requirements.
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 610.021 (1) LITIGATION (2) REAL ESTATE AND (3), PERSONNEL
- RsMO IF NECESSARY.
REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
132 E BROADWAY, NEW FRANKLIN, MO
T E NAT I V E AG E N DA
CALL TO ORDER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA for April 14, 2025
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM: March 10, 2025
APPROVAL OF CLOSED MINUTES FROM: March 10, 2025
APPROVAL OF BILLS as of April 11, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Swimming pool
2. Brochures
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Street Sweeper
2. Shirley Bechtold
3. Skid loader attachments
DEPARTMENT REPORTS: None
CLOSED SESSION TO FOLLOW
MOTION TO IF NEEDED ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 610.021
(1) LITIGATION (2) REAL ESTATE AND (3), PERSONNEL - RsMO
POSTED
4-11
2025 The City of New Franklin is committed to open and responsive government. If you are disabled and
@ feel that barriers exist to prevent your full participation in the meeting described above, please let us
know so we can accommodate this disability. We will provide hearing interpreters, access through
3:00 pm
barriers (or relocate our meeting location), special sound amplifications or otherwise address your
needs. Please call the City Clerk at 848-2288 (if possible 48 hours before the meeting) to advise us
of your requirements.
Minutes
The city posted this as a scan; the text below was read by machine and may contain misread words. Check the PDF for exact wording.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN AND CLOSED SESSION
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 610.021 (1) LITIGATION (2) REAL ESTATE AND (3), PERSONNEL -
RsMO IF NECESSARY.
April 14, 2025 @ 6:00 pm
132 East Broadway
City of New Franklin, MO
Present were as follows:
Mayor Daniel Yount
Alderwoman Ward I Rachel Hammers
Alderman Ward I
Alderman Ward Il
Alderman Ward II Seth Hallowell
Alderman Ward III Anthony Martin
Alderwoman Ward III Charli Leach
City Clerk Melissa Crowley
City Attorney Todd Smith
Guests present: Shirley Bechtold
Mayor Yount called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Yount called for roll call 4 were in attendance. A quorum was established.
City Clerk Melissa Crowley requested to amend the agenda to include the election results.
Mayor Yount called for approval of the amended agenda. Alderman Hallowell made a motion to
accept the amended agenda of the April 14, 2025 and seconded by Alderwomen Leach. Motion
carried with all 4 ayes.
Mayor Yount called for a motion to approve the minutes of March 10, 2025. Alderman Martin
made a motion to approve the minutes of March 10, 2025 and seconded by Alderwoman
Hammers. Motion carried with all 4 ayes.
Mayor Yount called for a motion to approve the closed minutes of March 10, 2025. Alderman
Hallowell made a motion to approve the closed minutes of March 10, 2025 and seconded by
Alderman Martin. Motion carried with all 4 ayes.
City Clerk Melissa Crowley requested that the bill from the Howard County Clerk also be
included for approval. Mayor Yount called for a motion to approve the amended bills as of April
11, 2025. Alderman Martin made a motion to approve the amended bills, as of April 11, 2025
and seconded by Alderman Hallowell. Motion carried with all 4ayes.
Public Comments: None
Old Business:
1. Alderwoman Leach made a motion that the City of New Franklin will not fix• or
reopen the swimming pool and seconded by Alderman Hallowell. Motion carried with all 4
ayes.
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 610.021 (1) LITIGATION (2) REAL ESTATE AND (3), PERSONNEL -
RsMO IF NECESSARY.
April 14, 2025 @ 6:00 pm
132 East Broadway
City of New Franklin, MO
Present were as follows:
Mayor Daniel Yount
Alderwoman Ward I Rachel Hammers
Alderman Ward I
Alderman Ward Il
Alderman Ward II Seth Hallowell
Alderman Ward III Anthony Martin
Alderwoman Ward III Charli Leach
City Clerk Melissa Crowley
City Attorney Todd Smith
Guests present: Shirley Bechtold
Mayor Yount called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Yount called for roll call 4 were in attendance. A quorum was established.
City Clerk Melissa Crowley requested to amend the agenda to include the election results.
Mayor Yount called for approval of the amended agenda. Alderman Hallowell made a motion to
accept the amended agenda of the April 14, 2025 and seconded by Alderwomen Leach. Motion
carried with all 4 ayes.
Mayor Yount called for a motion to approve the minutes of March 10, 2025. Alderman Martin
made a motion to approve the minutes of March 10, 2025 and seconded by Alderwoman
Hammers. Motion carried with all 4 ayes.
Mayor Yount called for a motion to approve the closed minutes of March 10, 2025. Alderman
Hallowell made a motion to approve the closed minutes of March 10, 2025 and seconded by
Alderman Martin. Motion carried with all 4 ayes.
City Clerk Melissa Crowley requested that the bill from the Howard County Clerk also be
included for approval. Mayor Yount called for a motion to approve the amended bills as of April
11, 2025. Alderman Martin made a motion to approve the amended bills, as of April 11, 2025
and seconded by Alderman Hallowell. Motion carried with all 4ayes.
Public Comments: None
Old Business:
1. Alderwoman Leach made a motion that the City of New Franklin will not fix• or
reopen the swimming pool and seconded by Alderman Hallowell. Motion carried with all 4
ayes.
2. Alderwoman Leach made a motion to solicit bids to demolish the pool was seconded
by Alderman Hallowell. Motion carried with all 3 ayes and 1 nay.
3. Alderman Martin made a motion for City Attorney Todd Smith to contact the Land &
Water Conservation Fund through MO Dept. of Natural Resources to see if the land the pool is
on can be sold or donated was seconded by Alderman Hallowell. Motion carried with 3 ayes and
1 nay.
4. Regarding the informational brochures, City Attorney Todd Smith stated that
Alderwoman Leach could print the brochures at her place of employment since she was not
getting a commission or extra pay.
New Business:
1. Statement of a "thank-you" to the City of Boonville for donating their old street
sweeper to the City of New Franklin.
2. Shirley Bechtold of the SOHOCO Historical Society stated the wooden benches at
the monuments on Hwy. 5 were rotten and need to be replaced. The society found
stone benches in Columbia at Midwest Block & Brick for approx. $2000.00 and
asked if the city could pay one-half of the bill. Alderwoman Leach made a motion to
pay $1000.00 and was seconded by Alderman Martin. Motion carried with all 4 ayes.
Shirley stated the society is still trying to pin down the cost for repainting the
caboose.
3.
Mayor Yount stated city services would like to have a hydro bucket for the skid
loader. It would help with working on the alleys. Alderman Hallowell made a
motion to purchase the hydro bucket and seconded by Alderwoman Hammers.
Motion carried with 3 ayes and 1 nay.
4. City Clerk Crowley read the election results. All on the ballot ran unopposed and
retained their respective ward seats.
Mayor Yount called for a 5-minute recess.
Mayor Yount, all 4 Aldermen, City Clerk and City Attorney returned to meeting.
City Services: No report.
Mayor Yount called for a motion to adjourn and go into Closed Session. Alderman Martin made
a motion to adjourn and go into Closed Session and seconded by Alderman Hallowell. Motion
carried with all 4 ayes.
Returned to open session with Mayor Yount, City Clerk Crowley, City Attorney Todd Smith and
4 Aldermen.
1. Mayor Yount called for a vote to hire Courtney Renner as the new City
Clerk/Administrator with a starting salary no higher than $24.00 max to start with a
review in 90 days. Alderman Martin made a motion to hire Courtney Renner with a
starting salary no higher than $24.00 and a 90-day review and seconded by Alderwoman
Hammers. Motion carried with 3 ayes and 1 nay.
2. City Attorney Todd Smith gave an update on the nuisance properties. Terry Huffman is
deceased. Dwight Pumel was a no show in court. He has demolished his property and is
planning on building a home on lot. Do not proceed with any more judgments. Sheriff's
Department could not locate Matthew Thornton to serve the ticket. Proceed with a
special process server.
by Alderman Hallowell. Motion carried with all 3 ayes and 1 nay.
3. Alderman Martin made a motion for City Attorney Todd Smith to contact the Land &
Water Conservation Fund through MO Dept. of Natural Resources to see if the land the pool is
on can be sold or donated was seconded by Alderman Hallowell. Motion carried with 3 ayes and
1 nay.
4. Regarding the informational brochures, City Attorney Todd Smith stated that
Alderwoman Leach could print the brochures at her place of employment since she was not
getting a commission or extra pay.
New Business:
1. Statement of a "thank-you" to the City of Boonville for donating their old street
sweeper to the City of New Franklin.
2. Shirley Bechtold of the SOHOCO Historical Society stated the wooden benches at
the monuments on Hwy. 5 were rotten and need to be replaced. The society found
stone benches in Columbia at Midwest Block & Brick for approx. $2000.00 and
asked if the city could pay one-half of the bill. Alderwoman Leach made a motion to
pay $1000.00 and was seconded by Alderman Martin. Motion carried with all 4 ayes.
Shirley stated the society is still trying to pin down the cost for repainting the
caboose.
3.
Mayor Yount stated city services would like to have a hydro bucket for the skid
loader. It would help with working on the alleys. Alderman Hallowell made a
motion to purchase the hydro bucket and seconded by Alderwoman Hammers.
Motion carried with 3 ayes and 1 nay.
4. City Clerk Crowley read the election results. All on the ballot ran unopposed and
retained their respective ward seats.
Mayor Yount called for a 5-minute recess.
Mayor Yount, all 4 Aldermen, City Clerk and City Attorney returned to meeting.
City Services: No report.
Mayor Yount called for a motion to adjourn and go into Closed Session. Alderman Martin made
a motion to adjourn and go into Closed Session and seconded by Alderman Hallowell. Motion
carried with all 4 ayes.
Returned to open session with Mayor Yount, City Clerk Crowley, City Attorney Todd Smith and
4 Aldermen.
1. Mayor Yount called for a vote to hire Courtney Renner as the new City
Clerk/Administrator with a starting salary no higher than $24.00 max to start with a
review in 90 days. Alderman Martin made a motion to hire Courtney Renner with a
starting salary no higher than $24.00 and a 90-day review and seconded by Alderwoman
Hammers. Motion carried with 3 ayes and 1 nay.
2. City Attorney Todd Smith gave an update on the nuisance properties. Terry Huffman is
deceased. Dwight Pumel was a no show in court. He has demolished his property and is
planning on building a home on lot. Do not proceed with any more judgments. Sheriff's
Department could not locate Matthew Thornton to serve the ticket. Proceed with a
special process server.
3. Brad Wooldridge, Attorney, for Tom and Amanda Gunn sent a letter requesting
settlement of $40,000.00 for damage done to their basement from a backed-up sewer.
Alderwoman Leach made a motion to offer $20,000.00, motion failed. Alderman Martin
made a motion that if we received papers from their attorney that they are suing the city,
to turn over to our insurance company and seconded by Alderwoman Leach. Motion was
tied with 2 ayes, 2 abstains, Mayor Yount broke the tie with an aye.
4. City Attorney Todd Smith requested that the meetings be changed from 2nd Monday to
another day, due to excessive meetings being held in other towns. In return Lauber Law
will lock in their current rate for 3 years. Alderwoman Leach made a motion to change
the board meetings to the 2n° Thursday of the month and seconded by Alderman Martin.
Roll call vote:
Alderman Martin - aye
Alderwoman Leach - aye
Alderman Hallowell - aye Alderwoman Hammers - aye
The first meeting with the new date will be May 8th
Mayor Yount called for a motion to adjourn from closed to open meeting. Alderwoman
Leach made a motion to adjourn and return to open and seconded by Alderman Martin.
Motion carried with all 4 ayes.
Daniel Yount, Mayor
Melissa Crowley, City Clerk
melissa Ghouly
settlement of $40,000.00 for damage done to their basement from a backed-up sewer.
Alderwoman Leach made a motion to offer $20,000.00, motion failed. Alderman Martin
made a motion that if we received papers from their attorney that they are suing the city,
to turn over to our insurance company and seconded by Alderwoman Leach. Motion was
tied with 2 ayes, 2 abstains, Mayor Yount broke the tie with an aye.
4. City Attorney Todd Smith requested that the meetings be changed from 2nd Monday to
another day, due to excessive meetings being held in other towns. In return Lauber Law
will lock in their current rate for 3 years. Alderwoman Leach made a motion to change
the board meetings to the 2n° Thursday of the month and seconded by Alderman Martin.
Roll call vote:
Alderman Martin - aye
Alderwoman Leach - aye
Alderman Hallowell - aye Alderwoman Hammers - aye
The first meeting with the new date will be May 8th
Mayor Yount called for a motion to adjourn from closed to open meeting. Alderwoman
Leach made a motion to adjourn and return to open and seconded by Alderman Martin.
Motion carried with all 4 ayes.
Daniel Yount, Mayor
Melissa Crowley, City Clerk
melissa Ghouly
Official source: City of New Franklin, Council Agenda/Minutes
Last checked October 30, 2026. This page copies the city's text; the PDFs are the official record.