Council Approves Key Appointments, Greenway Change Order, and Tax Abatements for Historic Homes

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (Oct. 6, 2025) – The Excelsior Springs City Council met Monday, Oct. 6, in regular session to consider a full agenda, including board appointments, infrastructure project updates, and multiple redevelopment agreements involving tax abatements for historic residential properties. The meeting also included zoning code amendments and approval of a final plat to support future museum construction.

At a Glance

Historic Preservation Board Appointment
Council appointed Jody Pasalich to fill a vacant seat through Sept. 2026.

Annual Board Reappointments
Sixteen members were reappointed across 10 city boards and commissions, ranging from zoning and redevelopment to public safety and housing.

Dry Fork Greenway Project Change Order
A $17,220.84 change order was approved to correct subgrade issues under Kennedy Avenue, funded from remaining project contingency.

Public Hearing and Redevelopment Plan – 409 E. Excelsior St.
A request for Chapter 353 tax abatement was heard for restoration work on a 19th-century home in the Boarding House Historic District. Council approved the amended redevelopment plan and agreement, including 10 years of tax relief or up to $9,857.84.

Public Hearing and Redevelopment Plan – 311 S. Thompson Ave.
A second hearing was held for a similar residential rehabilitation project seeking abatement for exterior repairs and new HVAC. Ordinance approving the redevelopment agreement and tax abatement was adopted.

Zoning Code Amendments
Updates to Title IV, Chapter 400 modernized residential development standards, clarified definitions, and removed inconsistencies.

Final Plat for Museum Right-of-Way
Council approved a final plat dedicating right-of-way along East Broadway for future public museum access.

Detailed Digest

Pasalich Appointed to Historic Preservation Commission

Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 1611 appointing Jody Pasalich to the Historic Preservation Commission to complete the unexpired term of Dennis Hartman, ending Sept. 30, 2026. Pasalich has previously served as an alternate on the Board of Zoning Adjustment and is engaged in downtown preservation efforts. The appointment supports continued oversight of improvements in the city’s historic districts.

Council Renews 16 Board and Commission Members

Under Resolution No. 1612, the council approved a slate of annual reappointments to various city boards. These included both citizens and current councilmembers, reflecting broad representation in advisory and oversight roles. Notable reappointments included:

• Gary Renne and Stephen Spear to the Community Foundation
• Charlie Booth, Susan Blaser, and Sonya Morgan to the Historic Preservation Commission
• Sandra Clay to the Housing Authority
• Brian Yarbrough, Melinda Mehaffy, and Jesse Harris to the Westside Community Improvement District

Change Order Approved for Dry Fork Greenway Project

Council approved Resolution No. 1613, authorizing a $17,220.84 change order for the Dry Fork Greenway Project after unsuitable subgrade conditions were discovered under Kennedy Avenue. The correction involved excavating and replacing 224 square yards of unstable soil with an aggregate base, 158.33 square yards at a 1-foot depth, and 66 square yards at a 2-foot depth.

Public Works Director Chad Birdsong explained that the change order was covered by existing project funds, with $2,887.04 remaining in contingency. The revised contract total now stands at $4,296,561.96. No timeline extension was required.

Hearing Held for 409 E. Excelsior St. Abatement Request

The first of two public hearings was opened to consider a Chapter 353 tax abatement request from homeowner Troy Stephenson, who is restoring a single-family residence built in 1895 at 409 E. Excelsior St., located within the Boarding House Historic District. The project includes:

• Installation of a new HVAC system (already completed)
• Repair of damaged wood siding
• Full exterior repainting

Because the work is categorized as maintenance and repair, no additional review by the Historic Preservation Commission was required. The estimated improvement cost is $9,857.84, qualifying the property for 100 percent tax abatement for up to 10 years or until the value of improvements is reached.

Ordinance Passed for 409 E. Excelsior Redevelopment Plan

Following the public hearing, the council approved Ordinance No. 25-10-01, formalizing the redevelopment agreement between the city, the Excelsior Springs Redevelopment Corporation, and the homeowners. The agreement stipulates:

• 10-year tax abatement or cap at improvement cost
• Maintenance of the property in accordance with city code
• Ownership transfer procedures to enable tax relief under Missouri’s Chapter 353 redevelopment statute

The project aims to preserve contributing structures while incentivizing private investment in the city’s historic housing stock.

Second Hearing for 311 S. Thompson Ave. Rehabilitation Project
Council held a second public hearing for a tax abatement application submitted by Heather McFadden, owner of a historic home at 311 S. Thompson Ave. The property, also in the Boarding House Historic District, is scheduled for:

• Roof repairs
• Gutter installation
• New HVAC system

Like the Excelsior Street property, this home is designated as a contributing structure in the National Register district. The project was determined eligible by the Excelsior Springs Redevelopment Corporation and does not require additional preservation commission oversight due to the nature of the repairs.

Ordinance Adopted for 311 S. Thompson Redevelopment
Following the hearing, Ordinance No. 25-10-02 was adopted, authorizing the redevelopment agreement and identical tax abatement structure as the earlier item. The agreement provides financial incentives for homeowners to invest in aging properties while retaining historic character.

City Updates Residential Development Standards
Council approved Ordinance No. 25-10-03 amending Title IV, Chapter 400 of the city’s zoning code. The changes:

• Clarify setbacks and lot width requirements
• Simplify density calculations for infill development
• Correct internal inconsistencies in language and cross-references

The update supports the city’s broader effort to make residential development more predictable for applicants, reduce administrative interpretation, and encourage context-sensitive growth in older neighborhoods.

Final Plat Approved for Museum Right-of-Way
The council approved Ordinance No. 25-10-04 establishing a right-of-way dedication on East Broadway adjacent to the planned Excelsior Springs Museum site. The move provides legal access and formalizes city ownership of the public right-of-way needed for future site development and utility extensions. The museum project is part of Excelsior Springs’ long-term downtown revitalization efforts.

Council Wraps Up with Remarks

City Manager Molly McGovern opened the closing remarks with an update on the proposed westside annexation. She noted that city staff hosted a public listening session to explain the upcoming annexation vote, which will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. The session included a presentation by Community Development Director Mallory Brown on the purpose of annexation and its role in shaping development. Staff answered questions from attendees and encouraged residents to reach out with further inquiries.

Councilmember Gary Renne commended city departments and partners for successfully hosting the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference, which brought representatives from over 45 Missouri counties and three states. He described it as a “team effort” between the Elms Hotel, downtown merchants, the Chamber of Commerce, and city staff. With more than 170 registrants, the event marked a 25 percent increase in attendance over previous years.

Councilmember John McGovern echoed those sentiments, crediting Melinda Mehaffy and Renne for securing Excelsior Springs as the host location. He also praised city staff for helping clean up the Crown Hill Road area near the thrift shop and Tractor Supply, calling the results “fantastic.” McGovern emphasized the importance of voter turnout for the Nov. 4 annexation vote and closed with a hopeful nod to the Kansas City Chiefs’ game that evening.

Councilmember Stephen Spear likened the city’s teamwork during the CEC Conference to a beehive, where “no job is too small” for its members. He thanked departments across the city for stepping in wherever needed, from setup to cleanup, to make the event successful.

Mayor Pro Tem Reggie St. John reflected on a string of recent community events, including National Night Out Against Crime, a fire department training facility dedication, the CEC Conference, the Plein Air art event, and Irish Fest. He also noted Excelsior Springs received statewide attention in Missouri Life magazine, which featured the Elms Hotel in an October-themed article titled “Self Care and Scare.”

Mayor Mark Spohn concluded with his own appreciation for the CEC Conference, where he co-presented a session on local economic development tools, including Chapter 353 and enhanced enterprise zones. He praised the “Taste of Excelsior” event for creatively adapting local restaurant offerings into small plates and highlighted the success of the Plein Air art sale, where he personally purchased several works. Despite lower-than-expected turnout for Irish Fest, he said plans are already in motion for next year’s event.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.