Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen reorganized

The Sweet Springs Board of Aldermen was dissolved and reorganized Monday evening, April 13, based on the results of the elections on April 7.

Michelle "Shelly" Schlichting, who also works as a phlebotomist at I-70 Medical Center, was installed as alderman for Ward 2 in Sweet Springs. She took the place of Alderman Vivian Wiley.

"Thank you for all your years of help, Vivian," said Mayor Ray Kinney.

"I'll be around," said Wiley.

Alderman Lewis Bybee was also sworn back in as a representative of Ward 1.

Alderman Jim Lindemann was nominated for the position of board president by Bybee. The rest of the board voted in favor of Bybee's nomination.

The board voted to accept a bid by Randall Fiene CPA of Concordia to perform the city's audit this year for a fee of $3,900. Fiene was responsible for the city's last audit, for which the city paid $3,800.

The board voted to reject all three bids received for a brush hog, a mower pulled behind another vehicle. The board then voted to request bids again, this time noting their interest in a used brush hog, so long as the unit was less than two years old.

The board approved a liquor license for Sweet Springs Revitalization so the group can put on the annual Octoberfest celebration. The event will be held Saturday, October 10.

SSR representative Kathy Dohrman said more vendors will be present at the Octoberfest celebration this year, specifically vendors dealing in crafts.

The Sweet Springs Fire Department responded to two motor vehicle accidents, five natural cover fires and one fuel leak during the month of March, reported Volunteer Fire Chief Todd Anderson.

During the month of March, the Sweet Springs Police Department dealt with 257 walk-ins, 387 call-ins, one count of possession of cannabis under 35 grams, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of child abuse, three counts of child endangerment, one report of sexual misconduct, one open door, one count of driving while intoxicated, two alarms, five agency assists, two calls for animal control, four reports of drive-offs, one occurrence of peace disturbance, two civil matters, two warrant arrests, one attempt to contact an individual, two well-being checks, two reports of suspicious subjects, two arrests and four juvenile referrals, reported Police Chief Richard Downing.

Additionally, the police department processed more than 160 sets of fingerprints for the Missouri Child Identification and Protection Program, Downing said.

Both Downing and Anderson told the board of their gratitude for the actions of three young men during a recent structure fire.

Clay Steinkuhler, Andy Bernard and Bracken Graves were the first on the scene of the fire, it was reported, and they entered the structure to see if anyone was trapped inside. After emergency responders arrived, the three young men stayed around to assist responders in various ways.

"It's nice to know that people will try," said Downing.

Board members decided to present the three individuals with a certificate expressing appreciation for the young men's actions.

Prior to the Board of Aldermen meeting, the board of Sweet Springs Inc. met to discuss the purchase of a fire truck.

The board voted to purchase a truck that members had been looking at for $79,000.

No action was taken on a lease of the truck from Sweet Springs Inc. to the City of Sweet Springs during the Board of Aldermen's regular meeting because funds have not yet been released from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the city.

All board members were present.

The board's next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, at 7 p.m.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net