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BUTLER, MO – The Butler City Council chambers were filled to capacity Tuesday evening as interested parties came to find out what the City Council would do with the gift of the Maple Senior Living Complex. The gift of the complex came from Atria Management Company LLC of Louisville Kentucky, after low census made closing the facility was more cost effective than keeping the doors open at a revenue loss.

Information not speculation was discussed on Tuesday evening as both the City Council and those seeking to keep the facility open came together to discuss the possibilities of what could or would happen to the facility.

Those in favor of keeping the facility open included Robb and Laura Fritts, whose mother Norma, was a resident of Maple Senior Living. Robb told Council and those attending he was aware that the City was NOT the culprit in this, but the management company that seeming had a bad business plan and wasn’t marketing the facility as it should have been.

The goal of everyone that spoke, which also included Anne Swanson, a Bates County Social Worker and Cathy Wright, who lives in the neighborhood, was for the facility to remain open as a Senior Living Complex.

Tom Adelman, City Attorney stated in his memo to the City it was not feasible for the City to run the facility due to all the regulations, liability issues, as well as the City not having adequate funding to run such a facility.

Medicalodge Administrator Misty Brooks told Council that marketing the facility to companies such as those who own Medicalodges or Willow Lane might be the best solution. Medicalodge, Bristol Manor and Willow Lane all offer different levels of care and medical certifications and since Maple is a level 2 facility, capable of handling residents with more medical issues, wheelchair accessibility and having medical supervision, it would be a good marketing tool should the City decide to sell the facility. Council made no decision at this time other than accepting the gift by a unanimous vote.

There was other business Tuesday evening; asbestos removal has been competed on 9 of the houses slated for demolition. 8 houses are at a standstill until back taxes are paid on the property, and City Clerk Casey Koehn is still working on this problem.

Darlene Bloom received permission to use the Old High School gym for a local cheerleading group, after Council determined they had their own liability insurance.

Fire Rescue Truck financing bids came back on January 15th with Council voting to keep it local and the bid went to Community First Bank with a 2.95% interest rate for 5 years. Others bidding included the Community Leasing Partners, Adrian Bank and Security Bank.

The utility policy revision was discussed in Committee with no decision made. It will be brought up at the next meeting.

Ron Dunlap was approved by the Planning Commission to enlarge the Hooterville trailer court by adding 6 additional trailers. A public hearing will be held on February 3rd to further discuss the issue and then will be brought to Council for approval.

Parks and Recreation and the Vision Committee will join together for a moving night in March at the Old Butler High School with the Date to be determined.

The meeting concluded by Council members thanking everyone who attended the meeting.
Marla Kash, fm92news

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