Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes

LOWRY CITY BOARD OF ALDERMEN

Special Closed Session

Thursday, January 29, 2026 

Draft Minutes

Call to order

On Thursday, January 29, 2026, the Lowry City Board of Aldermen held a closed session meeting pursuant to 610.021.(3) Hiring, firing, promoting or discipline of a specific employee. Notice of the meeting was given by posting the notice on the bulletin board located at city hall and it was sent by email to the St. Clair County Courier and several other media sources.

Mayor Patricia Landes called the meeting to order at 6p.m. Those in attendance were West Ward Aldermen Sean Langston and Shirley Edmunds and East Ward Aldermen Charles Cone and Jackie Cutler. City Clerk John Farrell was also in attendance.

Mayor statement:
            The mayor read a statement prior to entering into closed session.

            She stated during a closed session meeting on January 20, 2026 there was action taken in closed session that was not legal according to Article VII, Section 6 of the Missouri Constitution. Landes noted that article strictly prohibits a public officer from naming or appointing a relative within the fourth degree by blood or marriage. She explained Alderman Jackie Cutler is the sister-in-law of Mike Clark and therefore should have abstained from the vote to hire him. In Missouri a brother-in-law or sister-in-law is considered a relative within the second degree of affinity, which falls well within the prohibited fourth-degree range. The mayor said corrective action is planned during closed session tonight.

Closed session:

On a motion from Langston and a second from Edmunds the board unanimously agreed by roll call vote to enter into closed session pursuant to RSMo 610.021.3 Hiring, firing, promoting or discipline of a specific employee.

Dismiss Muller

A motion was made by Cone to dismiss Public Works Supervisor Josh Muller as of January 21, 2026. Edmunds seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.

Alderman Jackie Cutler left the meeting.

On a motion from Langston and a second from Edmunds the board agreed to hire Mike Clark as a part-time public works employee at a rate of $25 beginning January 21, 2026. The vote was unanimous except for Cutler who was not present for discussion or the vote on the matter.

Alderman Cutler re-entered meeting

Adjourn of closed session:

 Langston moved to adjourn the closed session and enter open session. Cutler seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved by a roll call vote.

Adjournment of open session: 

 Edmunds moved to adjourn the open session. Cone seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved by a roll call vote.