Republic Council votes down Brookline rezone

Mayor Russell won't seek reelection, Deputy Admin. Nelson leaves position
An ordinance that received pushback from local Brookline residents last month failed to pass with a 3-3-1 vote by the Republic City Council at the body's July 18 meeting. Council members Brandon Self, Clint Gerlek and Christopher Updike voted against the action that would've rezoned 17 acres to heavy industrial from agricultural, and brought businesses that much closer to the homes in the area. Abstaining from the vote was council member Eric Gerke.
The issue drew a near packed house of opponents to the meeting, where more than 40 people were in attendance. Had the ordinance passed, a developer had intentions of building a large warehouse that would’ve housed multiple businesses, likely increasing traffic and noise pollution.
Nelson, Russell leaving
In the final moments of the meeting, it was announced that there would be some personnel changes at the city. First, City Administrator David Cameron made a heartfelt announcement that Deputy City Administrator Andrew Nelson would be leaving as he has taken a job elsewhere. After the meeting, Nelson confirmed he would soon be under the employ of a private engineering and consulting company. Nelson started his time with the city of Republic in 2017.
After the Nelson news, Mayor Matt Russell announced that due to family obligations he would not be pursuing reelection at the end of his term. Per the city's website, Russell's term ends in June 16, 2024. As a council member, he originally took the mayor's position in an interim role in July of 2020 following the departure of former Mayor Jeff Ussery.
In other action, the council voted 7-0 to:
- Approve the final plat of Stone Creek Falls Phase One Subdivision;
- Award a bid for sewer flow metering equipment to Core and Main LP;
- Execute a task order for engineer-owner agreement with Burns and McDonnell Engineering Co. relating to wastewater treatment improvements;
- Execute a memo of understanding with Modern Tractor Supply Company and Lawrence Lipscomb for city's use of certain real property as youth recreational league practice fields located just north of the Republic Police Department;
- Extend services with Redec LLC for professional advisory services;
- Execute a fourth addendum to the agreement for financial consulting services with Maximist, LLC.