Westphalia aldermen on April 30 approved the April election results where Alderman Stanley Heckman retained his seat and Caitlin Berhorst replaced Alderman Lori Asel.

Both Heckman and Berhorst took the Oath of Office.

Aldermen also approved variances for the property at 106 East Main Street as submitted by Sam and Leslie Barnhart to establish a business. The property is zoned for a commercial business (C-1) but has a non-conforming building. The business would operate several different ventures under the name Huntline Hotel, LLC, doing business as Westphalia Inn. The business requested the ability to operate a coffee shop, restaurant, lodging rooms and event space rental all out of the same building.

The Westphalia Board of Adjustments submitted their recommendations to the aldermen which was approved during the regular meeting. While the variance was approved, the following recommendations were established: limit the business plan to include only those ventures outlined in the allowance which includes a restaurant, coffee shop, lodging rooms and event space rental with a total of 100 or less patrons, allow the existing building to be grandfathered in even though it does not meet current setbacks as established by the Planning and Zoning Ordinance, approve the additional 28 off-street parking spaces that were created, approved the chat in the parking area as acceptable, require that the business apply for and be issued a business license and limit the variance to the current owners only.

The Board of Adjustments did recommend that the business provide signs for off-street parking, add additional lighting for off-street parking and pave the area with asphalt or concrete if possible.

Business owner Sam Barnhart said that signs have been ordered as have asphalt and additional lights for the parking area.

“It’s not all buttoned up yet, but all those things are on the list,” Barnhart said. Heckman asked if the business had already been open.

“We had people come and stay to give us feedback to find out if we were really ready to open,” Barnhart said. “We had an internal opening of the coffee shop as a test, but we have not had a single transaction. We are just getting ready for business.”

The city’s attorney, Dougg Stultz, noted that the business website mentions a brewery and that the approved variance does not give the business permission to operate a brewery which would require an additional variance be sought. Barnhart said that he understood that.

The city had a public hearing for anyone to air concerns regarding the variances. Town Club owner Keith Evans expressed his concern over recent construction at the Westphalia Inn that is affecting his property.

“The main thing I’m worried about is the lack of respect for our building and our property,” Evans said.

Evans said that the construction workers had knocked the man hole cover off the man hole on his property several times, excavation work had compromised the integrity of the stairs and made them unsafe, the gravel from the parking lot has spilled under and around the steps, and trash and a fence that have been left on Town Club property.

“I don’t care as far as business use, whatever, but I just want to have respect,” Evans said. “I’ve got property, you’ve got property. We can all work together. There are things that need to be cleaned up and again show some respect for everybody around you.”

The aldermen approved Westphalia’s annual July 4 celebration for Friday, June 28. There is not a rain out date.

The city is actively seeking bids for concrete work for the summer months when school is out. The city’s focus is on North Maries Avenue, and the sidewalk on Lynn Street.

Things have been quiet for the sewer system according to Curtis Wheat, Mid Mo Operations co-owner. Wheat noted that the soil samples have been taken and although the results are not back, they are not expecting any surprises. Mid Mo Environmental is still on the schedule to haul sludge and will do so as soon as the weather allows.

Wheat did note that the UV lights have a couple of bulbs out and he will check to see what is wrong and put pricing together for repairs if needed.

Quarterly reports have also been submitted to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Alderman Delbert Wieberg noted that after visiting with Mid Mo Operations he has changed his thinking about replacing the aerator at the wastewater plant with a new one that is made of stainless steel.

“Why would we want to replace it with stainless steel knowing that the plant isn’t going to last that long,” Wieberg said. “Why spend the money?”

Wieberg has talked to several different companies about replacing the aerator and adding a diffuser to the outside. He has not received any bids yet.

Wieberg will also investigate if the city’s sewer infrastructure is a part of the Missouri 811 utility locate system. While Mayor Tammy Massman thought that they were, she noted that they had not received any notice when the Westphalia Inn was hooked up to the fiberoptic cable that runs through town. Wieberg also volunteered to help locate the lines for contractors for future construction projects.

All business licenses have been paid.

The annual American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) report has been submitted.

Aldermen approved the following expenses for the month: city ($4,217.77), sewer ($6,397.05). and special road district ($369.40).

The city of Westphalia had the following receipts for the month: city ($11,546.71), sewer ($8,620.34), and special road district ($161.91).

The city has the following account balances: city checking ($180,000.46), sewer system checking ($76,311.74), special road district checking ($104,008.14), ARPA checking ($54,513.37), and special road district savings ($5,121.65).

The city had the following certificates of deposit: city ($449,935.15), sewer system ($535,089.18), and special road district ($538,781.33).

The next meeting is Tuesday, May 28, at 6 p.m.