The Mexico City Council tackled a hefty agenda at the Nov. 10 meeting that included updates to public works projects and discussion of budgeted expenses.

The meeting began with the establishment of filing dates for the 2026 municipal election, which will be held on April 7. There will be two three-year terms available and statements of candidacy will be accepted from Dec. 9-30.

Mayor Steve Haag and Council Member Larry Webber have terms that will expire.

The council also approved the annual contribution of $13,000 to the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce to assist with marketing activities for the 2025-26 budget year.

Stormwater improvement projects will continue with the approval of a resolution authorizing the City of Mexico to accept temporary construction easements for the North Calhoun Street project.

According to Drew Williford, deputy city manager, this will likely be the last easement to be accepted for this project.

At the meeting, Williford also discussed two new developments in the North Kentucky Street stormwater improvement project requiring change orders. The first called for new drainage structures behind the curb and gutter on both the southern and eastern portions of the project.

“Near the Curtis Street intersection, we attempted to reuse some of the existing storm sewer that was in place and found that we could not do so,” Williford said.

There will be a total of 10 storm sewers in need of removal and replacement. Estimates for the project were provided by Rhad Baker Construction, which estimated $3,314 per structure, bringing the new cost up to $33,143.

The second change order called for the removal and replacement of an additional foot of pavement in order to cast the curb and gutter independently of the roadway.

Rhad Baker Construction provided an estimate of $47,491. Both change orders were forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources and are eligible for reimbursement under the ARPA stormwater grant.

New business also included a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign contract documents with Surdex Corporation for the 2025 Aerial Photography Project, which will cost $17,500.

Other purchases approved during staff reports were as follows:

• The Mexico City Council entered a cost share agreement with Audrain County to demolish the existing structure at Audrain Medical Center and create a build-ready site. The City of Mexico will reimburse Audrain County $750,000 for project-related costs.
• The Street Division will replace its 1972 Ford 5000 tractor used for mowing rights of way, areas around the lift station and around the wastewater treatment plant. The tractor is also used to blade alleyways throughout the city. The bid for a new cab-style tractor was awarded to Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners of Mexico for $47,000.
• The Street Division will replace its 2014 Dulevo Street Sweeper, which maintains nearly 80 centerline miles of roadway in Mexico. The council approved the purchase of a Tymco 435 street sweeper from Armor Equipment of Arnold for $220,770 via the MoDOT Cooperative Purchasing Contract and declined the trade-in offer.
• The Mexico City Council approved the purchase of three lift station cellular alarms from Municipal Equipment Company Inc. for $16,678.
• The Wastewater Department will upgrade its ultraviolet disinfection system in order to comply with treatment standards for receiving streams by the department of natural resources. The upgrades will be completed by Veolia Water Technologies Treatment Solutions USA, Inc. of Leonia, New Jersey for $14,046.
• Repair work on the Mexico Industrial Rail Spur was approved and will be executed by M&K Rail Construction, LLC, of Ste. Genevieve. An inspection in spring 2025 revealed several locations in need of repairs that include tie installation and bolt tightening, switch tie installation and surfacing totaling $30,173.
• The aging second-floor copier at City Hall will be replaced with a Konica Bizhub C551i from Konica Minolta Business Solutions of Chesterfield for $7,257, with a proposed annual maintenance agreement of $2,388
• The council approved the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD for the Parks Maintenance Department from Serra Chevrolet of Madison, Tennessee for $156,875 and declined the trade-in offer.