City focuses on strategic museum plan, OKs purchase of police handguns

By Cameron Montemayor

It was a busy evening at City Hall on Monday as city leaders engaged in key discussions with museum officials about strengthening development of business and funding plans to improve its long-term financial sustainability. 

St. Joseph Museums — which includes four museums and other attractions — had a $50,000 operating deficit last fiscal year and is projecting an even larger $140,000 deficit this year. Earned income in 2023 was just over $630,000 for the museum, one of just two accredited museums in the city and 19 across the state of Missouri. 

Officials discussed several potential changes to improve future planning processes on Monday during a work session, including aligning the museum’s strategic planning with its fiscal year. 

St. Joseph Museums’ fiscal year begins in July and ends the following June, just like the city. But the museums’ strategic business plan has been running on a more standard calendar year timeline, creating the potential for budget fluctuations. 

“There’s a limited amount of capital that’s available to fund these organizations. And so if we can be more efficient and all the organizations are more efficient, it’s going to help everybody,” said Gary Wilkinson, Board of Trustees president for St. Joseph Museums.

In an effort to improve strategic planning processes, city finance officials have been assisting St. Joseph Museums to develop a plan that satisfies city expectations. Going forward, museum officials would like to see increased collaboration with the city to help in the process. 

With key projects in the works like renovating the Wyeth Tootle Mansion and assisting development of a potential Midtown Corridor between it and the Bartlett Center, museum officials are preparing to take a hard look at their budget and expenses to make things successful long term.

“St. Joseph is built on its heritage. It’s very important and I think the people of St. Joseph would be willing to support whatever is needed to have these organizations continue to be viable,” Wilkinson said. 

A lighter city council meeting concluded afterward with elected officials approving the purchase of new police handguns and a funding application to potentially acquire advanced firefighter technology.

Monday’s meeting saw members authorize a total of $261,000 in police sales tax funds for the purchase of new handguns, training handguns, accessories and ammunition for the St. Joseph Police Department.

“So some of our handguns are approaching 17, 18 years old. So this is just an opportunity to upgrade that technology to get our officers a more modern handgun platform,” Luster said.

Luster said officers will be switching from a .40 caliber to a 9mm handgun due to the previous model not being offered by the manufacturer now.

“So the first thing we need to do is get our ammunition order in, and then once that arrives … then we’ll start with the purchase of the weapons and get everybody trained,” he said.

The St. Joseph Fire Department is also eyeing investments to its equipment. City council approved the application of a grant with the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for $22,000 to provide funding for Bullard QXT Thermal Imagers.

Advanced thermal imaging technology is a vital component for firefighter operations at the scene, helping personnel safely navigate through smoke and dark environments.

Affordable housing gets a boost

Community Action Partnership will move forward with construction of a new single-family home at 814 N. Fifth St. following approval of a grant agreement Monday. St. Joseph often utilizes HOME funds to provide grants to nonprofit developers to construct affordable housing for low-income households.

Council members approved an agreement to provide HOME Investment Partnership Program funds and an ordinance amending the Community Development Block Grant budget to provide $249,689 for construction of the house.

Kelly’s Pub, Bode Ice Arena to see improvements

Kelly’s Pub is in line for exterior upgrades after city council members signed off on a grant agreement worth up to $17,225 on Monday.

Council members approved rolling over prior Façade Improvement Grant funds and execution of a grant agreement with owner Nancy A. Kelly and E.L. Crawford Construction, Inc., for the project located at 1415 Frederick Ave.

Bode Ice Arena will also see the installation of new carpet tile after council members approved a $9,514 donation from the George Bode, Jr. Benevolent Trust on Monday for the work.

The current carpet tile in the main lobby and concession area has become worn by ice skates and typical wear and tear. Funds will be used to install new commercial-grade tile.

Construction project change orders approved

Council members authorized two change orders for construction projects at their Monday meeting, one with Phillips Hardy, Inc., for $28,969 for the MacArthur Drive Bridge project. During construction, Phillips Hardy Inc. identified the need for additional substructure repairs that were not originally identified or included in the construction contract.

Council also approved a second change order with Herzog Contracting Corp. for up to $55,648 for the King Hill and Lookout Parking Lot asphalt overlay project.

Council approves minor salary changes for judges

Salaries and hourly rates for both municipal court and substitute judges were modified slightly in accordance with charter requirements on Monday.

Council members authorized an amendment to appropriate $6,630 from general fund balance to the municipal court department budget to provide the additional funds for the salary increase.