Ava aldermen consider fire truck, street grant options

The Ava Board of Aldermen heard an update from University of Missouri Extension, approved three ordinances and discussed grant options for future city needs during its Tuesday, May 26, meeting at Ava City Hall.

Janice Weddle, extension engagement specialist with MU Extension in Wright County, and Judy Curry, of MU Extension in Douglas County, addressed the board during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Weddle reviewed highlights from MU Extension, including the return on local investment. She said for every $1 invested in MU Extension, $13 in value is returned to Missouri.

Weddle also discussed the 2025 Annual Report for MU Extension in Douglas County. The report included information on classes, budget items, community partners, virtual events, fire and rescue training, law enforcement training, Douglas County Extension Council recognition and 2025 Douglas County Century Farms.

According to figures shared with the board, Douglas County Extension reported 68 soil sample tests, 669 nitrate quick tests, 20 hay and forage tests, four pressure canners tested, 112 total 4-H participants, 54 attendees at the Douglas County Livestock and Forage Conference in January 2025, 450 Facebook followers with 58,311 views, 36 press releases in the Douglas County Herald, weekly interviews on KKOZ and a monthly Extension newsletter.

Weddle said Extension is continuing to add programs for the second half of the year and encouraged feedback or suggestions for future classes.

Upcoming Extension activities include Stay Strong, Stay Healthy and Tai Chi for Arthritis classes in West Plains; Health and Human Sciences Community Conversations in Mountain Grove and Houston; agriculture and livestock programs including grazing schools, cattle reproduction, calving clinics and agriculture outlook events; and youth focused cooking and budgeting classes in Mountain Grove.

The Douglas/Ozark County Grazing School is scheduled for Aug. 5 through Aug. 7 at Gainesville Livestock Auction, U.S. Highway 160, Gainesville. Sessions will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 5 and Aug. 6, and from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 7.

Topics will include soil fertility, forage quality and persistence, fencing and water systems, matching livestock and forage, livestock nutrition, grazing system layout and design, grazing economics, outdoor field exercises and farm tours. The cost is $185 per person and $75 for a second person. To register, call Douglas County Extension at 417-683-4409.

Assistant Chief Dwayne Buttersworth, of the Ava Police Department, provided the department report. Buttersworth said the department had 160 calls from May 12 through May 26.

Buttersworth also discussed the Ava Police Department’s acceptance into the Blue Shield Community Program. He said the designation makes the department eligible for additional grant opportunities. The department has received a $50,000 grant that can be used for equipment, vehicles, training and other needs. Buttersworth said the department must follow Blue Shield guidelines to continue receiving grant funding, and noted the department had already been following those practices before being accepted into the program.

The board also discussed the city’s recent hiring of an IT specialist. Mayor Kirk Pueppke said the position is expected to save the city money by helping staff with technology needs. Peggy Porter, administrative director, said the specialist had already been helpful in updating city technology.

The board approved Ordinance 1168, authorizing the Ava Police Department to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to participate in the 287(g) Task Force Model.

The agreement allows designated Ava law enforcement personnel to be nominated, trained and approved to perform certain Department of Homeland Security approved immigration officer functions when those duties are connected to local law enforcement responsibilities.

The ordinance states the agreement does not require the city to spend funds beyond those already appropriated in the annual budget, does not override the city’s obligations under Missouri law, including the Missouri Sunshine Law, and does not alter the city’s authority over local law enforcement priorities, detention practices or use of city facilities. The ordinance also authorizes the Ava Police Department to negotiate and enter into renewals of the agreement as needed, with approval as to form by the city attorney. Enforcement of the agreement will be the responsibility of the Ava police chief.

The board also approved Ordinance 1169, authorizing a master agreement for engineering services between the City of Ava and Toth and Associates, Inc., of Springfield.

The agreement allows the city to use Toth for professional engineering plan review services for projects within the City of Ava, as requested by the city. Services will be provided on an hourly basis under the provider’s standard hourly rates. The agreement also allows the city to use Toth for engineering consultation services when needed. Those services and related costs would be agreed upon by both parties through a task order or written agreement.

The ordinance outlines general contract terms, including provider responsibilities, sales tax exemption provisions, payment procedures and payment terms. The city will pay for completed work within 30 days after notification that a project phase is complete and required deliverables have been submitted. City officials noted during the meeting that related engineering costs will be passed on to contractors when applicable.

The board approved Ordinance 1170, authorizing Pueppke to execute, and City Clerk Suzanne Welsh to attest, an agreement between the City of Ava and DBT Transportation Services for an airport improvement project at the Ava Bill Martin Memorial Airport.

The agreement is for the purchase and installation of an Automated Weather Observation System III with Present Weather Sensor and Thunder Strike Alert, also referred to as an AWOS III PT system. The system will be installed at the airport according to contract documents, project specifications and applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements.

According to the agreement, DBT Transportation Services will provide the materials, supplies, tools, equipment, labor and other services necessary to complete the project. The work is to be completed within 90 calendar days, excluding FAA review time and FCC application time for required radio frequency licenses.

The board also approved Resolution 2026/05.08, authorizing the city to file an application with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Clean State Revolving Fund Program for an engineering services grant under the Missouri Clean Water Law.

The resolution allows the city to apply for loan or grant assistance through the state program to help fund engineering work for a public project. It also authorizes a city representative to provide information requested by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, sign necessary documents and receive payment on behalf of the city if the application is approved.

Under mayor and aldermen comments, the board discussed whether to pursue grant funding for street repairs or fire department needs. Pueppke said the fire department and streets are listed under the same budget line item, meaning the city can only apply the grant toward one project.

Board members discussed options including purchasing a new fire truck, rebuilding an existing truck or addressing road needs. Stan Lovan said if a fire truck could be rebuilt for about half the cost of a new truck, which was estimated at approximately $800,000, it would be worth considering.

The grant could provide up to $500,000, leaving the city to find additional funding if a full new truck purchase was selected. Porter said the city could consider a loan and repay it over several years. She also noted a used or lesser cost fire truck could reduce the amount the city would need to provide.

Board members said they needed more time to consider the options. Welsh noted a decision would need to be made soon so the process could begin at the next meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Ava Board of Aldermen is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at Ava City Hall, 404 S. Jefferson St., Ava.

After the public portion of the meeting, the board went into closed session.