Saint Joseph council approves $2.79 million state cost-share and county funding for Pickett Road improvements

The Saint Joseph City Council approved an ordinance authorizing a Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission Governors Transportation Cost Share Agreement for $2,793,303, a cooperative funding agreement with Buchanan County for $600,000, and an amendment to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund budget to provide the city’s portion of remaining construction costs for improvements to Pickett Road and Craig Parkway.

Clerk read the ordinance (item 27) describing the state cost-share amount of $2,793,303, Buchanan County’s cooperative share of $600,000 and an amendment to transfer funds from the ARPA fund. During the discussion Council member Schultz moved to attach the two agreements to the bill and Council member Trout seconded. The motion to amend passed on the floor (recorded 9–0). The council then conducted a voice vote on the amended document and the ordinance passed by voice vote (9–0).

The meeting transcript reads that the budget amendment would transfer “an amount not to exceed $2,648,000.03 or $3 from the American Rescue Plan Act fund” to pay the city’s portion; the extra “or $3” fragment appears to be a transcription anomaly. The transcript does not provide additional details about project schedule, construction contractor selection or the precise breakdown of the city’s share after the state and county contributions.

Council did not take separate public testimony on this item during the recorded discussion.