Kahoka Mayor Appoints Alderman, Council Approves $306K in Street Work
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By Mike Scott
KAHOKA, Mo. – The Kahoka City Council appointed a new alderman and approved more than $306,000 in street and infrastructure projects during its regular meeting Monday evening.
Mayor Tony Anderson swore in John Gaus as East Ward alderman to replace Carl Hayden, who resigned last month after moving out of the city. Gaus previously served on the council before losing to Hayden in 2024. The council voted to approve the appointment.
The council accepted several paving bids, including these from Patterson Asphalt:
• $3,200 to pave around the Farmers Market.
• $11,400 to pave the north side of the 100 block of West Main Street, following a recent sidewalk project.
• $30,000 to pave the east side of Johnson Street from the Courthouse north.
“How bad is that side?” asked Alderman Les Billings.
“It’s pretty bad,” Street Superintendent Ethan Horton replied. He added that similar work on the opposite side last year required crews to “either build up or cut down the curb and guttering in place.”
Billings questioned how the added costs would affect the budget. Horton said the new paving would bring the total to $329,430—$29,430 over the $300,000 budget.
After reviewing the paving plan, the council agreed to remove West Union Street from Cleveland to Martin Avenue, saving $23,215.
“That street is alongside the new housing area in the old trailer court,” Horton said. “Water and sewer installation there might cut into the pavement.”
With the adjustment, the total paving cost comes to $306,275.
W.L. Miller was awarded the contract for the regular street paving project.
The council also approved the purchase of two new salt boxes and spreaders from Brozene at $8,155.58 each installed.
“I’d like to get two and sell the big one on the dump truck,” Horton said. “It’s easier to get the streets treated with the smaller trucks.”
A new snowplow blade was also purchased from Brozene for $7,709. The city awarded a $4,482.09 propane contract to MFA Oil for the new street shed.
Other business
Mayor Anderson announced that trick-or-treating in Kahoka will be held Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Police Chief Mike Newbold raised safety concerns with after-school pickup at the middle school. Parents have been parking on Jefferson Street facing north, causing students to walk between buses.
“I’m not looking to write citations,” Newbold said. “Education will work here.”
He proposed a no-parking zone from 3 to 3:30 p.m., and said he would speak with the school and parents. The council also discussed using barricades.
Fire Chief Mick Wood said one of the city’s pumper trucks failed its pump test and will need about $5,000 in repairs.
“We need the second pumper truck to keep our ISO rating,” Wood said. The council approved the repair expense.
Wood also reported that fire hydrants are being repainted.
Billings voiced concerns about ongoing downtown sidewalk work. He said a portion of the sidewalk on Johnson Street is lower than the curb and will likely not last.
“It’s just going to hold water,” he said. “It won’t last five years.”
He added that an inspector noted the issue but did not stop the work. Billings also pointed out problems with a handrail installation and uneven sidewalk sections on West Main Street.
“The handrail situation is not good, and the inspector is not happy,” he said.
Billings also reported that the sidewalk on West Main was “wavy”.
“If we don’t make sure it’s done right, everyone that does concrete will see the work and we’ll never get the work done right again.”
Gaus read a letter from the Christmas on the Square committee thanking the city for its past support, including pouring a cement pad for the Santa House. The event is set for Dec. 13.
Nate Kirchner brought up a request for sewer access to a new dog boarding facility being built by Sheri Brunk. The discussion focused on cost, distance and whether engineering services are needed.
A resident requested replacing a yield sign with a stop sign at Newton and Clark streets. The council instructed City Attorney Brett Bozart to draft an ordinance.
The same resident raised concerns about drainage in the area. The board agreed it is a problem, and there are no easy solutions.
“Our drainage system is a problem because it’s too small,” Horton said. “It was probably fine 100 years ago.”
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