06/26/2025
Live blog of the City of Richland, Missouri Municipal Government City Council. Members present are Mayor Laura Lobland, Aldermen Donna Brashear, Charles "Mac" Myers, Bob Lilly, Mark Howlett, and Jason Williams, along with City Clerk Betty Godfrey, City Attorney Tyce Smith, and Police Chief Nate Looper.
Richland Police Department Chief Nate Looper is reporting on presentation of police statistics on the department's page, and also updates on a homeless problem in Richland.
Looper: "We finally got the homeless camp off the road, but they just moved back of the house, but at least they're out of sight... this is the third place they've moved to, they're going to get into it with the people who own the property, and then they'll move somewhere else."
He said many efforts have been made by church groups and others to help the homeless people, but they have refused all efforts to help.
Looper: "I think the city has extended the olive branch as much as we can so we're just going to have to be a thorn in their side until they move."
City Attorney Tyce Smith said he's prepared documents on a nuisance property and will soon be arranging to serve them on people who are living in a property which he said is in such bad condition that he has trouble believing anyone can live there.
The Richland Parks Department board chairman said the city has not properly winterized the poolhouse and there have been repeated problems with broken pipes and broken toilets.
"We try our best not to be a thorn in the city's side, we try to be self sufficient, but this is ridiculous.... all they had to do was shut the lines off."
Aldermen have approved ordinances for a law enforcement calendar; to continue the work of City Attorney and City Prosecutor Tyce Smith, with Carrie Williamson to serve as his assistant if he is unable to act; to reappoint City Clerk Betty Godfrey; and to renew a contract with GFL Environmental for trash collection.
Aldermen have approved five liquor licenses.
Aldermen have accepted Travis Johnson's resignation from the utility board and appointed Jamie Horton to replace him.
Aldermen have appointed Alderman Myers to the building maintenance committee and police committee.
Aldermen have accepted a $100 bid for sheds which city officials said are in bad condition.
Mayor Laura Lobland said she's spoken to people in Camdenton and have been told that the city has approved an ordinance banning overnight camping to address the city's homeless problem.
"Would that help?"
City Attorney Tyce Smith said the city could pass ordinances banning people from public property and rights-of-way, "but I don't know how you restrict camping on private property."
"I think what you could do is not banning camping, but banning temporary residence without adequate sanitary services within city limits... if they have a residence where they are actually living and plan to stay for some period of time and they don't have sanitary sewer."
Smith said enforcement would be a problem.
"What is your punishment? Would you make them pay fines?
The city police chief said, at least so far, local homeless people have been paying fines assessed by the judge.
Smith: "You've got to be aggressive, but you've got to be aggressive in a way that doesn't get you sued."
Mayor Laura Lobland: "We and the police chief have done everything we can think of to get these people help. Do you have any ideas?"
Smith: "This is not an unusual situation. In the bigger cities, it is much more rampant... maybe they'll move on someplace or find someplace to stay."
Smith noted that things got so problematic in the City of Saint Robert, Missouri that homeless people were sleeping in city hall.
"It'll take me a week or two to wordsmith it, but we'll get it done."
Aldermen have gone into closed session.
Aldermen have returned to open session and adjourned.
