The decision to consolidate Agape’s two food pantries into one location has been met with an “extremely positive” response, an Agape executive told Wright City officials.Agape Executive Director Michelle Bernth said few transportation problems have been encountered since the Wright City pantry closed in October. When issues have been identified, options such as OATS have been found to help clients travel to Warrenton.She attended the March 10 board of aldermen meeting at the request of Mayor David Heiliger to update the city on how the consolidation was going.“We have seen extremely positive feedback,” Bernth told the board. “Last time when I was here, we were seeing a decrease in clients. We have seen an increase in clients overall, as well as clients from Wright City. It’s not a dramatic increase, but an increase nonetheless.”For years, Agape operated a pantry in the lower level of SunRise Methodist Church on Bell Road. The agency looked for other locations, but none were suitable. Around the same time, it was awarded a grant to remodel the Warrenton pantry and transition to a client-choice model where clients shop like they would at a grocery store.Agape provides services to low-income individuals and families throughout the county. Besides its main headquarters, it also operates a thrift store in Warrenton.The decision to close the Wright City pantry continues to be questioned by some. A local effort also is underway by community members and business owners to open a food pantry in the city.Earlier at the March 10 meeting, two people spoke out against the closure of the Wright City food pantry.Lisa Sherman, manager of the Brookview Apartments, said the absence of the pantry is affecting some of her tenants. One of the residents at the apartments spoke of how she could not afford $3 for a pair of jeans.“There is an honest need to feed these individuals in this city,” Sherman said. “It would be greatly appreciated to have something local.”Other news• The city will spend $11,856.91 to purchase a Kubota zero-turn mower from Mordt Tractor, the lowest of three bids for a diesel mower. Other bids were submitted by The Equipment Company ($13,999) and Sydenstricker ($15,400). Sydenstricker had submitted a bid for a gasoline-powered mower for $8,700.All four aldermen voted in favor of awarding the bid to Mordt Tractor. The city had budgeted $14,000 for the expenditure.• New utility workers will now have to obtain their water and sewer licenses within two years of their start of employment with the city. A resolution related to the updated personnel policy was approved by a 4-0 vote.• The board awarded a bid for baseball and softball equipment to Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods and the uniform bid to All About Signs and Shirts.• A vacation carryover request by Lt. Tim Matthews was granted and he will have 30 additional days to use his remaining 32 hours.Agape