Grandview swears in aldermen, approves affordable housing project

By Kathy Feist

It was a shorter-than-normal Board of Alderman meeting on Tuesday night in Grandview. Why? A birthday promise and a dinner date. 

Nevertheless, a lot of work got done on behalf of the citizens of Grandview. 

Greens at Grandview

The Board of Alderman approved conceptual development plans for a 258-unit apartment complex on 8.65 acres located at the southwest corner of 150 Hwy and Byars Road. 

The Greens at Grandview, a three-story development by TWG Developers, will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, a clubhouse, storm shelter, playground, community garden, dog park, fitness center, and community room. 

The project has been approved by the Missouri Housing Development Commission for a 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

The approval of the conceptual plan is valid for three years. At a March 24 Board of Alderman meeting, TWG representative Jackson Taylor said the developers would begin pulling permits in mid-June. 

 Truman Presidential Trail

The Board of Aldermen approved an agreement with Burns & McDonnell Engineering for construction services for the Harry S. Truman Trail Enhancement Project. The three-mile Presidential Trail, completed in 2017, starts at the Truman Farm Home and follows Harry S Truman Drive where it connects to the Longview Lake Greenway Trail. Plans include installing a restored Bailey bridge on the trail for pedestrians, as well as converting the half-mile gravel path through Southview Park into a 10-foot wide concrete path. 

Newly elected candidates

Three aldermen and a municipal judge were sworn in to office after being elected during the General Municipal Election on April 7th. Damon Randolph (Ward 1), Irene Kendrick (Ward 2) and newcomer Rodney McDuffie II (Ward 3) were sworn in by City Clerk Melissa Paith as their families watched from the audience. 

Municipal Judge Christina Ingersoll was administered the oath of office by attorney and husband Chuck Gilbert.  Ingersoll  served as the city’s new Municipal Court Judge following Judge Johnson’s retirement in December. 

After a call to order under the newly elected officials, the acting president was selected. The role is automatically passed from one ward to another each year. Last year, the role of president fell to Ward 1, Alderman Randolph. This year the honor automatically passes to Ward 2, Alderman Kendrick.  

Kendrick fought in a bitter election battle against former city alderman and state legislator Joe Runions. After an expensive campaign and fight to clear her name of accusations relating to the Hickman Mills school board, Kendrick stood and graciously thanked the voters. “Thank you for reelecting me to the Hickman Mills School Board and the Grandview Board of Alderman,” she said to her base. 

McDuffie, who beat out incumbent Thomas Rousey in the April 7th race, thanked his wife, parents and family. “This is a childhood dream to serve the community I grew up in,” he said.

Randolph, who ran unopposed, celebrated no only his reelection but his birthday at the meeting. As a birthday gift, Mayor Leonard Jones promised him a short meeting so he wouldn’t miss dinner reservations with his wife.

110 Year Birthday

Randolph’s birthday wasn’t the only one celebrated at the meeting. The 110th birthday of Corrine Evans Spells was celebrated with a proclamation from Mayor Leonard Jones awarded to the recipient. Spells grew up in Bowman, South Carolina, in February 1916. She moved to Grandview in 1995 to live with her daughter. Ten years ago, Spells was honored by the City of Grandview for 100 years of life. Spells said she was happy to celebrate with all three of her children. 

The meeting lasted 45 minutes and Randolph safely made it in time for his birthday celebration.

A Board of Alderman work session is planned for Tuesday, April 21.