Lebanon City Council Meeting Rundown October 26, 2026 | Lebanon, Missouri

Lebanon City Council Meeting Rundown

October 26, 2026 | Lebanon, Missouri

The Lebanon City Council met Monday evening, October 26, approving automated license plate reader regulations, infrastructure projects, several subdivision plats, and a budget amendment for sidewalk construction. The meeting also included discussions about data center regulations, a proposed animal shelter, and other city issues.

Public Hearings: Subdivision Plats

The council held public hearings on four subdivision requests:

Pauline Rector Subdivision No. 2: Dividing commercial property on North Jefferson for individual sale and development.Magnetic Addition: Combining two lots at 281 Garfield Street for a single-family home.Eastwood Estates: Replatting property at 1031 Dilworth Road for future sale or development.Aero Landing Phase 1: Replatting lots on Conner Drive to allow individual duplex sales.

All four requests had previously received Planning and Zoning approval.

Resolution 26-R-074: IT Services Agreement

The council approved a $15,000 agreement with Heartland Business Systems of Springfield for information technology services.

The agreement replaces individual project-based billing with a block of service time. Staff estimated the arrangement would save the city approximately $60,000 to $65,000 through the remainder of the fiscal year.

Resolution 26-R-075: Street Construction Materials

The council approved approximately $195,500 in street construction materials for Flatwood Subdivision Phase 3 and Aero Landing Phase 2.

The projects include approximately 1,550 combined linear feet of roadway.

Resolution 26-R-076: Route 66 Interstate Signage

The council approved payment for replacing Elm Street references with Route 66 signage along Interstate 44.

The project involved four signs near the interstate overpasses, with a cost discussed at approximately $37,000.

Council members questioned why the work had already been completed before payment approval. Staff explained that using an existing MoDOT contractor agreement allowed the work to be completed sooner and avoided potentially higher costs.

The project is separate from the illuminated Route 66 signs previously ordered for downtown.

Resolution 26-R-077: License Plate Reader Audits

The council approved an agreement with the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office to conduct monthly external audits of the Lebanon Police Department’s automated license plate reader system.

Police Chief Jerry Harrison said the department had worked with DFLoc Lebanon regarding the regulations and had accommodated the group’s requests.

The Sheriff’s Office will review proper system use and compliance with city regulations. The police department will continue its internal audits and public reporting.

Harrison noted that additional licensing and training costs may be necessary.

Council Bill 7078: License Plate Reader Regulations

The council gave final approval to regulations governing automated license plate readers.

During discussion, Chief Harrison confirmed that the ordinance includes a 30-day data retention period.

Council Bill 7078 became Ordinance 26-109.

Council Bills 7079–7082: Subdivision Approvals

The council gave final approval to all four subdivision plats presented during the public hearings.

The approvals included Pauline Rector Subdivision No. 2, Magnetic Addition, Eastwood Estates, and Aero Landing Phase 1.

The measures became Ordinances 26-110 through 26-113.

Council Bill 7083: LANEG Grant

The council approved acceptance of a federally funded grant through the Missouri Department of Public Safety for LANEG operations.

The measure became Ordinance 26-114.

Council Bill 7084: West Fremont Road Sidewalk Project

The council approved a budget amendment for approximately $100,000 in sidewalk construction along West Fremont Road.

The project includes approximately 3,675 feet of sidewalk extending from the Morgan Road area toward the eastern portion of the airport property.

Three pedestrian crossings are planned near Morgan Road, the Harkey Park walking trail connection, and Nashville Avenue.

The Harkey Park crossing is proposed to include a rapid flashing beacon.

Council members also requested an update on improvements at Highway 5 and Fremont Road. Staff reported that engineering plans remain under development and discussions with MoDOT are continuing.

The measure became Ordinance 26-115.

Council Bill 7086: Sidewalk Requirements for New Subdivisions

The council discussed requiring sidewalks on at least one side of streets in subdivisions platted after January 1, 2027.

City Administrator Troy Schulte recommended revising the proposal to apply to subdivisions containing four or more parcels, preventing isolated sidewalk sections when smaller properties are divided.

Council members also discussed sidewalk requirements for commercial developments and possible adjustments to the city’s infrastructure construction charges.

The ordinance was postponed until November 23 to allow staff to revise the language.

City Administrator’s Report

Citizen Satisfaction Survey

City Administrator Troy Schulte distributed the final citizen satisfaction survey report to council members ahead of upcoming priority-setting discussions.

Chronic Nuisance Ordinance

Schulte introduced a possible ordinance addressing properties associated with repeated criminal activity.

He referenced concerns involving the Red Fox property and explained that a chronic nuisance ordinance could provide additional enforcement options beyond existing property code violations.

Council members received a draft ordinance based on regulations from Cape Girardeau. No action was taken.

Data Center Regulations

Schulte provided council members with a draft ordinance addressing potential data center development.

The proposal, based on regulations adopted by the City of Ozark, includes conditional use requirements, environmental studies, infrastructure responsibilities, and oversight based on facility size.

Schulte said the regulations would establish requirements for potential developers, including responsibility for infrastructure costs.

No ordinance was considered for approval.

Downtown Alcohol Licensing

Schulte explained that proposed changes to alcohol licensing regulations were delayed to correct language in the ordinance.

The proposal would clarify distance requirements of 100 feet for alcohol sales and 300 feet for consumption, with a proposed 100-foot standard for both in the Downtown Business District.

The revised ordinance is expected to return in November.

Level Up Lebanon Cleanup

More than 200 vehicles participated in the recent Level Up Lebanon cleanup event, filling six dumpsters.

The event was open to residents of Lebanon and Laclede County.

Sinkhole and Stormwater Improvements

Schulte announced plans to address a property containing a sinkhole that had previously generated concerns during Planning and Zoning discussions.

Illegal dumping at the site is a concern because drainage from the area enters the city’s water supply.

The city plans to use stormwater funds to clean up the property and improve police visibility.

Tammy Young will oversee the effort, with work expected to begin over the next several months.

Possible Street Name Changes

911 officials have identified approximately six addressing issues involving potentially confusing street names.

One example involves Bland Avenue and Bland Road.

City staff will examine possible name changes or geographic designations to reduce confusion for emergency dispatchers.

Proposed Animal Shelter

Schulte provided an update on plans for a new animal shelter.

The city’s draft financial plan includes approximately $1.5 million for the project, with funding anticipated from capital improvement sales tax revenue.

Two locations are being considered: property adjacent to the existing shelter near Rolling Hills Drive and property near the Public Works facility.

Preliminary design work has been completed, but no location has been selected.

Utility Level Billing

Schulte addressed concerns about the city’s inability to offer a level-payment utility billing program.

He explained that the current software does not support the program.

A replacement utility billing system is included in the FY2028 capital improvement plan.

Schulte said the city may now be able to explore individual manual arrangements because it has accumulated approximately one year of billing data.

Council members encouraged staff to be sensitive to residents affected by the limitation.

Council Member Comments

Council members concluded the meeting by responding to concerns raised during public comments.

Councilman Jared Scharnhorst thanked residents who attended and spoke, acknowledging the effort involved in bringing concerns directly to the council.

Other council members echoed those comments and emphasized that they listen to residents.

Councilman Dan Mizell addressed suggestions that council members were improperly influenced or financially benefiting from their positions. He rejected those allegations and said his goal in serving is to improve Lebanon.

Councilman Randy Wall discussed transparency and public information, stating that the city has worked to make information available through its website and other channels. He also said some comments regarding potential data center development did not accurately reflect what the city was considering.

Wall explained that real estate negotiations take place in closed session, with final council decisions made public.

Councilman Chuck Jordan reported that more than 1,000 hot dogs were distributed during the recent Boo Bash event. He also encouraged Laclede County residents to contact council members with questions or concerns.

Additional comments addressed council compensation, communication with residents, elections, and the importance of attending public meetings.

Upcoming Meetings

The council announced a retreat for November 9 at 5 p.m. at City Hall.

The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for November 23.