OWENSVILLE —The Owensville Board of Aldermen addressed a variety of topics during its Jan. 20 meeting, including a presentation on battery recycling, the sale of a surplus city vehicle, contract approvals and updates on ongoing projects.

The board welcomed one visitor, Jill Hollowell of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), who presented information on residential battery collection. Hollowell discussed the importance of recycling materials from used batteries rather than allowing them to go to waste in landfills, emphasizing the value of recovering materials instead of sourcing new raw resources. MRPC is seeking a high-traffic location in Owensville to place a collection box.

Owensville Public Works Director Derek Gruenloh presented eight bids for the sale of a surplus 2016 Chevrolet truck. Board President and Ward 1 Alderman Dr. Cathy Lahmeyer made a motion to accept the high bid of $30,000 from the Village of Raymondville. The motion was seconded by Ward 2 Alderman Denise Bohl and passed unanimously. Additional bids included $3,500 from Tyler Sheppard; $20,510.67 from Ronnie Laughlin; $18,490 from Sassmann Farm LLC; $15,000 from Millers Salvage; $7,000 from Andrew Cunningham; $14,583.96 from Phil Harms; and $10,000 from James Walton.

City Engineer James Kolbe reported that the wastewater project will reach 17 percent completion since December 2024 once the 2025 project phase is finished.

Owensville Parks and Recreation Director Angela Lairmore said instructor certification has been completed and that the department’s new parks management software, RecDesk, is being set up with weekly training sessions.

City Clerk Peggy Farrell reported receiving three quotes from Net Engineers for a new server to replace a six-year-old machine currently in use. The “good,” “better” and “best” quotes were $4,645.69, $5,958.50 and $8,097.75, respectively, with Farrell recommending the “better” option. A motion to approve the bid, with an additional labor cost of $112.50 per hour for installation and information migration, was made by Bohl, seconded by Lahmeyer and carried without dissent.

The board approved a contract between the city of Owensville and the Gasconade County R-2 School District High School golf team. The contract outlined usage agreements, insurance requirements, terms, fees and the duties of each entity.

Bohl introduced the bill, Ward 2 Alderman Matthew Kramme requested a second reading, Lahmeyer a third and the related ordinance passed with all in favor.

An engineering contract was approved naming Howe Company LLC for the Rock Island Trail Phase 2 TAP Grant. The design phase is estimated at $35,570 and the construction phase at $43,610, for a total of $79,180. The related bill was introduced by Bohl, with a second reading requested by Lahmeyer and a third reading requested by Kramme. It passed with all in favor.

The city of Owensville will adopt a welfare benefit plan with Burnham & Flower Insurance Group to administer health reimbursement accounts (HRA) and health savings accounts (HSA) effective Jan. 1. The motion was made by Bohl, seconded by Lahmeyer, and approved unanimously.