Walnut Grove meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

City Council to weigh $4M airport repairs, sewer bonds, and rezonings

The Springfield City Council has a busy week ahead, with final votes scheduled on three rezoning requests, a property purchase, and up to $3.358 million in sewer bonds. The council also has pending items from its August 10 agenda, including a $4 million appropriation for hailstorm repairs at the airport and a $2.047 million budget adjustment for the Park Board and Golf Enterprise Fund. None of these items have been voted on yet; minutes from the August 10 meeting have not been published, and the August 24 meeting is still upcoming.

City Council

At its August 24 regular meeting, the council will take final votes on:

• **Rezoning 15.5 acres** at 1006 W. Buena Vista St. to GC, R-MX2, and R-MX3 (Bill 2026-174).
• **Rezoning 15.35 acres** along S. Kansas Ave. to R-MX3 (Bill 2026-175).
• **Purchase of 724 N. Campbell Ave.** for $245,000 (Bill 2026-176).
• **Annexation of 33.54 acres** near W. Chestnut St. and W. Independence Dr. (Bill 2026-184, public hearing).
• **Issuance of up to $3,358,000 in sewer bonds** and a budget amendment of $6,778,000 (Bill 2026-185).

The council will also hold a public hearing on the annexation and discuss a police traffic enforcement policy review.

At its August 10 meeting, the council considered a $4,000,000 appropriation from airport reserve funds for hailstorm repairs (Bill 2026-171), a $2,047,000 budget adjustment for the Park Board and Golf Enterprise Fund (Bill 2026-170), and a resolution to apply for a $300,000 federal food-waste prevention grant for the Springfield FoodWise Initiative (Bill 2026-173). No votes have been recorded yet.

Utilities and Budgets

The Board of Public Utilities will vote on its FY2027-2031 Operating Plan, FY2027 Operating Budget, and rate adjustments at its August 20 meeting. The Management & Finance Committee is scheduled to consider the same items on August 18. No specific dollar amounts or rate figures are listed in the agenda.

The Springfield-Greene County Library Board will hold a public hearing on the library district's tax rate and consider a litigation settlement involving Debbie Lightle at its August 18 meeting. The board will also receive a July 2026 statistical report.

Other Boards and Committees

The Airport Board will consider several construction and grant agreements on August 20, including a UPS lease, fuel farm expansion, North T-Hangar construction, and Taxiway N/D/S construction. The board will also review the statistical summary for June and July 2026.

The Park Board will review stormwater improvements at Nichols Park, an update on McDaniel Park, and cost-sharing agreements with the Missouri Department of Conservation for native plantings at Lost Hill Park and David C. Murray Park, plus a tree inventory program update.

The Walnut Grove Public Housing Authority will vote on two resolutions on August 21: writing off certain tenant accounts (Resolution #2635) and accepting the SEMAP report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 (Resolution #2636).

Several meetings were canceled this week, including the Workforce Development Board's August 13 meeting, the Art Museum Budget Committee's August 13 and 17 meetings, and the City Council Workshop on August 17.

Coming up

• **August 24** – City Council regular meeting (final votes on rezonings, sewer bonds, annexation).
• **August 25** – Watershed Committee of the Ozarks board (2027 budget draft).
• **August 25** – Solid Waste Management District O executive board (grants, vice chair election).
• **August 27** – Personnel Board appeal hearing for James "Chris" Pokorny, a landfill equipment operator.
• **August 28** – Walnut Grove Public Housing Authority (write-offs, SEMAP report).

All meetings are open to the public unless noted. Agendas and minutes are available on the city's website.

Walnut Grove City Council to vote on $4M airport repairs, $2M park budget, and rezoning

No decisions have been published from Walnut Grove government meetings over the past two weeks, as minutes are not yet available. The most consequential item on the horizon is the City Council's Aug. 10 meeting, where members will vote on budget adjustments, rezoning requests, and a grant application.

City Council to vote on budget and zoning

The council will consider several items at its Aug. 10 regular meeting:

• **Council Bill 2026-171**: $4,000,000 appropriation from airport reserve funds for hailstorm repairs.
• **Council Bill 2026-170**: $2,047,000 budget adjustment for the Park Board and Golf Enterprise Fund.
• **Council Bill 2026-174**: Rezoning 15.5 acres at 1006 W. Buena Vista St. to GC, R-MX2, R-MX3.
• **Council Bill 2026-175**: Rezoning 15.35 acres along S. Kansas Ave. to R-MX3.
• **Council Bill 2026-173**: Application for a $300,000 federal grant for the Springfield FoodWise Initiative.

A public hearing will be held on the two rezoning proposals.

Recent meetings (agenda only)

All recent meetings were held on an agenda-only basis, with no minutes published yet. Key items discussed or scheduled:

• **July 27 City Council**: Agenda included up to $32,000,000 in bonds for the Andy's Headquarters Project, two rezoning requests, a $4,000,000 budget amendment for airport hailstorm repairs, and a $100,000 grant renewal for the Family Connects Program.
• **July 28 Board of Public Utilities**: Joint meeting with the City Council to review the FY2027 budget, including electric, natural gas, and water operations.
• **July 30 Planning & Zoning Commission**: Training session covering annual report review, rules of procedure changes, and design standards.
• **July 30 Administrative Review Committee**: Hearings on a sight triangle modification at 1700 E Valley Water Mill Rd and a right-of-way reduction for Randy Lopez Apartments at 422 W Norton Rd.
• **Aug. 3 City Council workshop**: Discussion on a sewer extension and review of the Aug. 10 agenda.
• **Aug. 4 Board of Adjustment**: Variance request for 2000 South McCurry Avenue (Applicant: Tamara Martin c/o Westhaven Springfield, LLC).
• **Aug. 6 Building Trades Certification and Examination Board**: Reviewed 19 trade license applications, including 3 Master Electrical, 8 Journeyman Electrical, 1 Journeyman Plumbing, 1 Master Gas Fitter, 2 Journeyman Gas Fitter, 1 Master Mechanical, and 3 Journeyman Mechanical.

Several meetings were canceled due to lack of agenda items, including the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development (July 28), Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (Aug. 4), Mayor's Commission on Human Rights (Aug. 4), and Workforce Development Board (Aug. 5).

Other upcoming meetings

• **Aug. 11 Library Board**: Buildings and Grounds Committee will review FY2027 capital projects, including a foyer/restroom remodel at The Library Station and irrigation at Midtown/Schweitzer Brentwood. The Programs, Services, and Technology Committee will receive a Microsoft 365 implementation update.
• **Aug. 12 Landmarks Board**: Will consider a potential historic nomination for 3535 South Lone Pine Avenue and a Certificate of Economic Hardship for 323 South National Avenue (Applicant: Kirk Heyle Trust).
• **Aug. 12 Downtown CID Board**: Will approve June and July financial statements and receive safety, parking, and image enhancement updates.
• **Aug. 13 Administrative Review Committee**: Public hearing on a final development plan for an outdoor sporting goods retail store at 3515 E Olive St, plus a right-of-way reduction and sight triangle modification at 500 S National Ave.
• **Aug. 13 Planning & Zoning Commission**: Public hearings on six rezoning requests (Z-18-2026 through Z-24-2026) and one conditional use permit, plus a citywide land development code text amendment.

Coming up

• **Aug. 10** – City Council regular meeting (budget, rezoning, grant)
• **Aug. 11** – Library Board committees
• **Aug. 12** – Landmarks Board; Downtown CID Board
• **Aug. 13** – Administrative Review Committee; Planning & Zoning Commission

All meetings are open to the public unless noted as closed sessions. Check official agendas for times and locations.

Walnut Grove-area boards weigh $32M bond proposal, property tax appeals, and utility budget in busy week

The most consequential item on the docket this past week was a July 27 City Council agenda that included a proposal for up to $32,000,000 in bonds for the Andy's Headquarters Project, along with rezoning requests and a $4,000,000 budget amendment for airport hailstorm repairs. However, minutes for that meeting and all others covered here have not yet been published, so outcomes — including whether the council voted to approve any of these items — are not yet available in the record.

City Council: Bonds, rezoning, and closed sessions

The July 27 council agenda listed Council Bill 2026-165, authorizing up to $32,000,000 in bonds for the Andy's Headquarters Project. Also on the agenda: Council Bill 2026-151 to rezone 1.0 acre at 2852 West Republic Road to General Commercial; Council Bill 2026-152 to rezone 130 acres at 233 East Norton Road to Government and Institutional; Council Bill 2026-171, a $4,000,000 budget amendment for airport hailstorm repairs; and Council Bill 2026-163, a $100,000 grant renewal for the Family Connects Program.

Earlier in the week, the council held a July 20 workshop featuring a discussion by the Mayor's Commission on Human Rights and Community Relations and a review of the proposed July 27 agenda. A July 23 workshop covered updates to building development services codes and missing middle housing. The council also held special meetings with closed sessions on July 20 and July 23 to discuss legal actions, litigation, and confidential employee matters under Missouri law. No public decisions were listed for those closed sessions.

Board of Equalization: Property tax appeals

The Greene County Board of Equalization met July 21 at the historic courthouse. The agenda included approval of June 9, 2026 minutes, approval of April–June Add & Strike reports for 2021–2025, and collector's office matters involving case numbers 12-514-247 (Wiley), 12-512-442 (Williams), 12-494-142 (Martinez Uribe), and 12-495-021 (Stevenson). Appeal hearings were scheduled for properties including Barnes Warehouse LLC, St. Johns Health System, McCormick French's, Deerfield Centre LLC, and Greens at Springfield, among others.

A July 22 session added appeal hearings for Wal-Mart Stores East LP (Parcel 1434400018), Lester E Cox Medical Centers (Parcel 1812305148), Springfield Kearney Hotel (Parcel 1305405007), multiple Hood Family LLC parcels, and Blue Star MO Ownership (Parcel 1908301044).

Library Board: Finances, ARPA projects, and hail damage

The Springfield-Greene County Library Finance & Personnel Committee met July 21 to review the June 2026 financial report, discuss ARPA project financial reports for Hatch Auditorium and Republic Branch, consider funding for the Memory Lab, and review a hail damage insurance claim and a potential deductible increase. The Library Board of Trustees met the same day to select officers and committee members and review committee and statistical reports.

Public Housing Authority: Tenant account write-off vote scheduled

The Board of Commissioners met July 24 with a scheduled vote on Resolution #2634, regarding the write-off of certain tenant accounts. The agenda also included an accelerated leasing update, a Keystone Family Homes report, and a resident supportive services report.

Board of Public Utilities: FY2027 budget review

The City Council and Board of Public Utilities held a joint meeting July 28 to review the FY2027 budget, with updates on electric, natural gas, and water operations. A July 30 regular meeting included approval of minutes, financial statements, and a Watershed Committee update.

Canceled meetings

Several meetings were canceled: the Citizens' Advisory Board (July 22), the Workforce Development Board Youth Committee (July 22, later rescheduled to July 29 then canceled), the Administrative Review Committee (July 23), and the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development (July 28, due to lack of agenda items).

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — City Council workshop:** Discussion of a sewer extension and review of the proposed Aug. 10 agenda. A separate special meeting will include a closed session on legal and personnel matters.
• **Aug. 4 — Board of Adjustment:** Variance 593 for 2000 South McCurry Avenue (Applicant: Tamara Martin c/o Westhaven Springfield, LLC).
• **Aug. 6 — Administrative Review Committee:** Public hearings on landscaping buffer requirements at 315 E Weaver Rd (Myron Royce Landscaping) and a sight triangle modification at 500 S National Ave.
• **Aug. 7 — General meeting:** Presentation by Jennifer Warren of the LAD Foundation on conservation and Pioneer Forest, plus a quarterly update from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are reflected by agendas only; minutes have not yet been published. Outcomes and vote tallies are not available in the current record.

Walnut Grove council agenda included $32 million bond vote, $5.3 million camera contract; minutes not yet published

The Walnut Grove City Council's July 13 meeting agenda featured the largest dollar items of the past two weeks, including a proposed $32 million industrial development bond for the Andy's Headquarters Project and a $5.3 million body-worn camera contract with Axon Enterprise. Minutes have not yet been published for any recent meeting, so outcomes are not confirmed.

City Council — July 13

The council was scheduled to take second-reading votes on several ordinances. Council Bill 2026-165 would authorize up to $32,000,000 in taxable industrial development revenue bonds for the Andy's Headquarters Project. Council Bill 2026-138 would amend the budget by $5,300,000 for a body-worn camera contract with Axon Enterprise. Council Bill 2026-148 proposed a resolution to apply for up to $10,000,000 through the HUD Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant. Council Bill 2026-150 would amend the budget by $100,000 for a Surface Transportation Block Grant agreement for regional transportation planning. Council Bill 2026-143 proposed repealing General Ordinance 7002, which rezoned 7.64 acres at 3302 South Maryland Avenue. Because minutes are not yet published, it is not known which items passed.

Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority — July 7

The LCRA was scheduled to vote on three real property tax abatement requests: properties at 300, 304, 308, 312 S. Hampton Ave. and 307, 311 S. Florence Ave. by Hampton Suites, LLC; 823 S. Grant Ave. by Michael Young; and 2003 E. Kearney St. by JAC Commercial, LLC. The agenda also included approval of March 3, 2026 minutes. Outcomes are not confirmed.

Planning and Zoning Commission — July 16

The commission was scheduled to hold three public hearings and one appeal: zoning requests Z-16-2026 for 1006 West Buena Vista Street (Westward Land Co., LLC) and Z-17-2026 for multiple properties on South Kansas Avenue (Adam Stacey); a preliminary plat for Gott's Valley at 3830 East Division Street; and a Short Term Rental Type 2 Appeal at 2458 South Roanke Avenue (Amanda Quint). Postponed items included Vacation 845 and the Preliminary Plat of Horizons at the Ridge 1st Addition.

Building Trades Board — July 9

The Building Trades Certification and Examination Board was scheduled to review 33 applicants across electrical, plumbing, gas fitter, and mechanical licenses, including 5 Master Electrical, 13 Journeyman Electrical, 4 Master Plumbing, 6 Master Mechanical, and 2 Journeyman Mechanical applicants.

Other boards and committees

The Park Board was scheduled July 10 to elect officers for 2026-27 and consider a funding and services agreement with Ozark Greenways. The Airport Board was scheduled July 16 to review an Aviation Enterprises lease agreement along with June 2026 statistical summaries and May 2026 financial data. The Ozarks Transportation Organization Board was scheduled July 16 to consider a $350,000 business line of credit resolution and approve the draft FY 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program.

Canceled meetings

Several meetings were canceled: City Council Workshop (July 6), Board of Adjustment (July 7), Mayor's Commission on Human Rights (July 7), Workforce Development Board (July 9), Administrative Review Committee (July 9 and July 16), and State of the Workforce Committee (July 15).

Coming up

• **July 20** — City Council workshop on the Mayor's Commission on Human Rights and review of the July 27 council agenda, followed by a special closed session on legal actions and employee matters.
• **July 21** — Board of Equalization appeal hearings for properties including Barnes Warehouse LLC, St. Johns Health System, and Greens at Springfield. Library Board selects officers and reviews committee reports. Community Involvement Committee continues discussion on a city trash-removal program.
• **July 22** — Board of Equalization continues appeal hearings for Wal-Mart Stores East LP, Lester E Cox Medical Centers, Springfield Kearney Hotel, and others.
• **July 23** — City Council workshop on building development services code updates and missing middle housing.

City Council to weigh $32 million bond for Andy's Headquarters project; recent meetings focused on data centers, budgets, and tax abatement

Walnut Grove's City Council is set to take second-reading votes July 13 on a $32 million industrial development revenue bond for the Andy's Headquarters Project, the largest dollar item on the upcoming council agenda. The same meeting includes votes on a $5.3 million body-worn camera contract with Axon Enterprise and a resolution to apply for up to $10 million in HUD housing grant funds.

Data center applications face 120-day delay

The June 29 City Council agenda included Council Bill 2026-147, an ordinance that would delay processing of applications for data center facilities for approximately 120 days. The bill also directs the City Manager to report on how to address the impacts and demands of data center development. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome is not confirmed.

A separate June 29 City Council Workshop was canceled. No agenda items were discussed.

Workforce Development Board budget and contracts on the table

The Ozark Region Workforce Development Board met June 30 to consider its 2026-2027 budget, a contract renewal with consultant Bill Skains, and approval of a request for proposals for One-Stop Operator services. Additional items included reclassification of the Branson Job Center, a revised Business Services & Outreach Plan, and a Sub-State Monitoring Policy. The Council of Local Elected Officials also met June 30 to consider a candidate for the ORWDB, the same budget, contract renewal, and RFP items. Outcomes are not yet confirmed.

A July 1 Workforce Development Board meeting was canceled, and a July 9 meeting at the Missouri Job Center, 1660 N Campbell Ave, Springfield, was also canceled.

Tax abatement requests before Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority

The LCRA met July 7 to consider three real property tax abatement requests:

• 300, 304, 308, 312 S. Hampton Ave. and 307, 311 S. Florence Ave., requested by Hampton Suites, LLC
• 823 S. Grant Ave., requested by Michael Young
• 2003 E. Kearney St., requested by JAC Commercial, LLC

The meeting also included approval of minutes from March 3, 2026. Outcomes are not yet confirmed.

City Council holds closed session

On July 2, the City Council held a special meeting that consisted primarily of closed sessions under three provisions of Section 610.021: legal actions and litigation (subsection 1), negotiations with employee groups (subsection 9), and sealed bids and proposals (subsection 12). The public portion was available via Zoom or in the Denny Whayne Conference Room before the closed session began.

Administrative Review Committee considers Chipotle sign

The Administrative Review Committee met July 2 to hold a public hearing on case ARC2026-00030, a request to relocate a detached sign for Chipotle at 3356 S Campbell Avenue. The applicant is Mark Stiles. A July 9 Administrative Review Committee meeting was canceled.

Finance committee reviews housing tax credits, investment policy

The Finance and Administration Committee met July 7 to continue its review of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) process and begin discussions on a new city investment policy and a transit discussion process. The meeting concluded with a closed session on confidential auditor communications.

Building trades board reviews 33 license applicants

The Building Trades Certification and Examination Board met July 9 to consider 33 applicants across multiple trades: 5 Master Electrical, 13 Journeyman Electrical, 4 Master Plumbing, 6 Master Mechanical, and 2 Journeyman Mechanical. Actions included approvals to test, reinstatements, and reciprocations.

Park Board, Art Museum, and Neighborhood Council updates

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board met July 10 to elect board officers for 2026-27 and discuss a funding and services agreement with Ozark Greenways. The Art Museum Budget and Finance Committee met the same day at the Meyer Alumni Center, 300 S Jefferson Ave, to hear a report from the Museum Director.

The Neighborhood Advisory Council met July 8 for updates on the Animal Control Ordinance (Jon Mooney), signs in the right-of-way (Collin Quigley), the Neighborhood Works+ Program (Dane Seiler and Bryan Sayre), and Hear Something Say Something (Cris Swaters and Major Eric Reece). No votes were scheduled.

Coming up

• **July 13 — City Council:** Second-reading votes on the $32 million Andy's Headquarters bond, $5.3 million Axon body-worn camera contract, $10 million HUD housing grant resolution, and repeal of General Ordinance 7002 rezoning 7.64 acres at 3302 South Maryland Avenue.
• **July 15 — Landmarks Board:** Certificate of Appropriateness for 217 West Commercial Street (Decker K. Prop, LLC) and 413 East Walnut Street.
• **July 16 — Planning & Zoning Commission:** Public hearings on zoning requests at 1006 West Buena Vista Street and South Kansas Avenue properties, plus a preliminary plat for Gott's Valley at 3830 East Division Street.
• **July 16 — Airport Board:** Lease agreement with Aviation Enterprises and review of June 2026 statistical summaries and May 2026 financial data.
• **July 16 — Ozarks Transportation Organization Board:** Resolution for a $350,000 business line of credit and approval of the draft FY 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are marked "agenda only" — minutes have not yet been published. Items described reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not confirmed outcomes.