Pilot Grove aldermen decline $37,500 sewer repair quote, approve invoices and hold closed session

The Pilot Grove Board of Aldermen on July 16 voted 3-0 to decline a $37,500 quote from Bennett Inc. to repair or replace approximately 500 feet of sewer line in the alley between the 100 block of 4th Street and the 100 block of 5th Street.

The motion to decline the bid was made by Council member Donna Bader and seconded by Council member Will Thomas; the board recorded the vote as 3-0 in favor. The council did not record additional discussion or alternative repair bids in the minutes.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved payment of three invoices received since the July 6, 2026 regular meeting. Council member Rob Bader moved to approve the invoices, Council member Donna Bader seconded, and the motion passed 3-0.

Council member Will Thomas requested that part of the meeting be closed pursuant to a Missouri open-meetings statute. Council member Donna Bader moved to close the meeting, Rob Bader seconded, and a roll-call vote recorded D. Bader—Yes, R. Bader—Yes and W. Thomas—Yes; the minutes state the meeting was closed. The record notes that no actions were taken during the closed session.

After returning to open session, Donna Bader moved to reconvene, Rob Bader seconded, and the motion to reconvene passed 3-0. The meeting was then adjourned on a motion by Will Thomas, seconded by Rob Bader, with a recorded vote of 3-0.

The minutes list Mayor Bob Kraus, council members Donna Bader, Rob Bader and Will Thomas as present, along with City Clerk Lori Vollrath and Director of Operations Tony Maddex. The minutes do not specify any guests or public commenters and do not record detailed discussion of alternatives or next steps for the sewer repair.