Independence council updated on library project

The Independence city council heard last week that planning of the new community center, funded by a $4.1 million grant awarded to the Independence Public Library, is progressing well. 

Last week Monday, library director Kayla Mathson provided updates on the project and outlined the next steps, which include addressing a zoning issue that will likely require a variance, as well as extending water and utility services to the designated site. 

The library held three public listening sessions in January and one in December to provide information about the grant and the community center; however, attendance was low. For more details, residents can visit the section dedicated to the new library and community center on the Independence Public Library website, which features a walkthrough video.

“We now have some voice over edits so that people can watch it on their own and get some more information,” Mathson said.

The new community center will offer community spaces, an expanded food pantry, and after-school programs for youth. It will also include private areas for telehealth services, quiet meeting spaces, library programs, a kitchen, and classrooms. The building is expected to open in October 2026.

The Independence Historical Society and City Hall committee are working toward creating a public space in the basement of City Hall. The council has approved access for three-to-four individuals at a time to prepare the area, but it must be brought up to code before it can open to the public.

The council also discussed updating the city signage to welcome visitors to the community. This includes exploring new location options for the signs and the possibility of completing them before the city’s sesquicentennial celebration, which is scheduled for the summer of 2026. Some concerns were raised about meeting this timeline.

The council heard that the Independence dam is in need of repairs, as leakage indicates that some of the boards at the bottom of the dam are rotten and need replacement. It is likely that the lake will need to be drained to facilitate these repairs. The council is considering moving the lake to the Lake District to become eligible for a grant next year that would help fund the necessary repairs.

The council also:

• Discussed various options to address upgrades needed for the water and waste treatment plants were explored, along with the potential for a grant to support the costs.

• Reviewed Clear.gov, a system designed to automate and support the city’s budget functions.

• Considered overtime concerns for the police department related to optional training were discussed. Police Chief Jim Waniorek proposed amending the policy to state that officers attending non-mandatory training would be compensated at straight time instead of overtime if the training caused them to exceed their overtime hours.

• Approved the use of Talon Security, if needed, for emergency detentions.