Regular Meeting

BOARD OF ALDERMEN

CITY OF PARKVILLE, MISSOURI

January 16, 2001

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor William M. Quitmeier called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Ward 1 Alderman Jack Friedman - present

Ward 1 Alderman Charlie Poole - present

Ward 2 Alderman David McCoy - present

Ward 2 Alderman Dave Rittman - present

Ward 3 Alderman Marvin Ferguson - present

Ward 3 Alderman Linda Arnold - present, LEFT AT 7:50 P.M.

Ward 4 Alderman Brian Atkinson - present

Ward 4 Alderman Frank McCoy - present

ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Patrick Hawver

Police Chief Bill Hudson

Public Works Director Jeff Rupp

Superintendent of Streets Alan Schank

Sam Silvio for Piropos

Candidate Sallie LaBruzzo

Jim Grisham and daughter Bethany Grisham

MEDIA PRESENT: Nancy Jack

CITIZEN INPUT

Mrs. LaBruzzo said she noticed a lot of potholes on North Main Street, and asked the status of street repairs. Mayor Quitmeier added that he too noticed four or five big holes in that location. Mr. Rupp said now that the weather is warming up the crew will try to get to those problems -- maybe the next day.

REVIEW OF MINUTES

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 2, 2001, MEETING BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED; ALDERMAN ATKINSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

MAYOR’S REPORT

TIF COMMISSION. The mayor said they had a good meeting in the Train Depot. They discussed the general process and bylaws. Brenda Davis is the chairman. The mayor has also been in contact with the Parkville Heights Shopping Center realtors.

GRADEN SCHOOL. Mayor Quitmeier said he thinks Graden School is the flagship of the Park Hill School District. It has achieved Gold Star status. He believes there are only two schools in Missouri which have achieved that status. The school is having a ceremony recognizing this honor on February 2, from 6:30-8:30.

MISSOURI MUNICIPAL LEAGUE. The MML will hold a legislative conference on February 21-22. In its December issue the Missouri Municipal Review featured an article about Parkville. He thanked City Administrator Pat Hawver and City Clerk Barbara Lance for teaming up with him to write it.

ANNEXATION: The petitions for the two annexations are being filed by the city attorney.

WEST STREET SIGNS. These signs are being changed. The one on 6^th Street particularly needed changing so it could be read better. Maybe we need a street light there, the mayor suggested.

GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE. The mayor is going to Jefferson City January 25 to urge the State to take precautions on State highways, particularly I-70, where Park University Coach Jamie Hemingway and two students were killed in November. The 18" strip of grass there is no deterrent when ice forms - cars slide across it into incoming traffic; guard rails are needed.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

COURT REPORTS. Mr. Hawver reported that the Municipal Court had provided final reports for July through September of last year. They will distribute October to December reports at the next Board meeting. The court administrators were not able to provide these reports during the period when the state auditor was using the court records.

WEST SHORE ESTATES. Mr. Hawver said the final plat of West Shore Estates was approved in 1997. The developer did not record the plat at that time and last week asked us to sign the plats with a current date on them. We could not do that without reviewing them to make sure they were the same and asking the Board of Aldermen for acceptance. They are the same, and the city clerk has drawn an ordinance reaffirming acceptance of the plat. We want to change the Municipal Code to require recording of plats within a certain time after they have been accepted by ordinance.

NEW HIRES. There was great response to our ads for a new city collector and a new receptionist. Sharon Roland has the best qualifications for the collector position. Mayor Quitmeier and present City Collector Heather Ramey assisted with the interviews of Ms. Roland. Copies of her resume were included in aldermen’s packets.

The mayor added that he had posted an executive session to discuss these applicants if aldermen wished to do so.

Mr. Hawver said all the applicants for the collector position, including Ms. Roland, said the salary range was too low. He suggested a new range from $29,500 to $37,000, with Ms. Roland starting at $31,500.

Mr. Poole asked if Ms. Roland was employed now. Mr. Hawver said yes, with a temporary agency. She has only been in the Kansas City area a short time.

Mr. David McCoy said he would like to make sure she can facilitate those changes the auditor suggested. If she can’t we may have to find someone who can.

Mr. Ferguson said he thought they needed to discuss changing the salary range. If we’re hiring her within that range, he asked, what’s the necessity of changing the range tonight? Mr. Hawver said she would top out within two years. Mr. Ferguson reiterated that he didn’t see the necessity of addressing the issue that night.

Mr. Frank McCoy said every time we turn around we’re adjusting salaries up. He asked if we are completely out of line or can’t we find people? Mayor Quitmeier said we have to compete against a lot of companies in a time of low unemployment. That position has risen to one requiring more skills.

Mr. David McCoy asked if Mr. Hawver made any comparison with other cities. Mr. Hawver said there are some on the salary survey which are somewhat comparable. He couldn’t find an exact match. With laborers, he said, they all pretty much do the same thing, but in positions like this they don’t.

Mrs. Arnold asked if Ms. Roland had been offered the job. Mr. Hawver said no, he told her the job offer would be subject to approval of the Board. He did not tell her the exact salary, but thought she would accept the position for the amount shown on the ordinance. Her comment during one of the interviews was that the salary would have to be in the upper range.

Mr. Atkinson said we can look at adjustments when people hit the top of their ranges.

Mr. Hawver said the best applicant for receptionist is Emily Ritter. Mrs. Arnold said she met someone at a meeting who highly recommended her. Mr. Hawver said he had other favorable recommendations as well.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. Rittman said last fall he and Mr. Hawver had lunch together. Mr. Rittman gave him a list of capital improvement recommendations. Some did not make the list for the budget. He asked when they would be able to see items of prioritization, particularly North Main Street overlay. Mr. Hawver said street overlays were not included in the capital improvements plan, but in the street improvements plan, a separate category. It lists all the streets in Parkville. North Main is on that list, but did not make the 2001 cut. $100,000 is included in this year’s budget for street improvements.

Mr. Rittman said he wanted a summary of everything so the Board can take a look at it and adjust priorities. He has been talking to those North Main people for a couple of years. Mr. Hawver said during the budget session it was the consensus that Parkville Heights was a priority, also a portion of South Main Street between the bridge and the river which has deteriorated over a long period but was not used for heavier vehicles before the bridge was rebuilt. He understood at the time of the budget work session there was a consensus to go forward with staff recommendations on overlay, but we could reopen the matter for further discussion if that is what is wanted.

Mr. Rittman said they should all be in sync on what they’re going to do. He wants priorities set. Mr. Hawver said he would prepare a list for the next meeting. The mayor agreed that a portion of North Main Street looks terrible, but so do a lot of other streets. Mr. Atkinson suggested that aldermen wanting to add street names to the list e-mail Mr. Hawver. The mayor said he would like to set up a savings plan for when Riss Lake streets need asphalting.

LIQUOR LICENSE FOR PIROPOS

Mayor Quitmeier asked Chief Hudson if he had reviewed the application for a resort liquor license and Sunday sales for Piropos, a new restaurant being built by Gary Worden. Chief Hudson said yes, and had no objection to it. The mayor asked if anyone had questions of Mr. Silvio, who will be the manager.

Mrs. Arnold asked when it would open; Mr. Silvio replied between February 15 and March 1. The mayor asked if they could have a preview of the menu. Mr. Silvio said it would include different cuts of steaks as well as pork chops, veal with Italian breading, chicken dishes, pasta, lamb, and empanadas. Mr. Silvio said Argentinian cooking was very similar to that of midwest America.

ALDERMAN RITTMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY RESORT LICENSE AND A TEMPORARY SUNDAY SALES LICENSE TO PIROPOS, CONTINGENT UPON THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY WHEN THE BUILDING IS FINISHED; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE EXCEPT ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN, WHO ABSTAINED BECAUSE HE IS DOING SOME CONTRACT WORK FOR OWNER GARY WORDEN, AND BECAUSE HIS WIFE CHARLOTTE ROUSH WORKS FOR MR. WORDEN; MOTION CARRIED 7-0, WITH ONE ABSTENTION.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT

Chief Hudson said there were a couple of big ticket items on the bill-paying ordinance, but both were budgeted and both had come in under budget. One is a leased vehicle and the other includes software and hardware computer accessories. He said he hoped to have the annual report ready by next meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ANIMAL SHELTER: No report.

CHANNEL 2: No report.

COMMUNITY CENTER: No report.

FINANCIAL: None for this meeting.

MAIN STREET/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Mrs. Arnold said she and Mrs. Lance worked on a postcard to send to merchants about the suggested ordinance requiring owners in commercial areas to remove ice and snow from sidewalks. A lot of people responded. Most merchants are against the ordinance. She learned a lot from their responses. Mayor Quitmeier said downtown merchants are competing with malls; mall operators shovel their snow. He thinks a good idea would be to have the merchants arrange for snow removal from sidewalks as a group. Mrs. Arnold said merchants brought up the fact that the sidewalks alongside the city parking lot were not shoveled. She added that about 90% of the merchants DO shovel their snow now, and she will talk with the others.

NATURE SANCTUARY : No report.

PARKS: No report. Mr. Poole said they would meet next Monday, January 22.

OTHER BUSINESS

FRANCHISE FEES: Mr. Poole said at the last meeting he brought up the subject of relief for citizens suffering from the heavy burden of gas bills and resulting higher franchise fee amounts. He put a report together and distributed it to aldermen. He said it looks like the City can expect a windfall of about $28,000 from the additional fees resulting from the higher than usual gas bills. Parkville’s fee is 5%. Kansas City has reduced its franchise fee to 6%. Raytown and Independence reduced theirs to 4.5%. Some cities give back fees to senior citizens.

He realized, Mr. Poole said, that there are lots of improvements needed, but some of our citizens are really struggling to pay their bills. He wondered if we could give them some kind of rebate.

Mayor Quitmeier said it was a great idea to give them some relief, but he didn’t think $10 off their gas bills was going to help most residents much. His concern is for people who can’t afford to pay their bills. Allocating it to needy people would have a greater impact.

Mr. Friedman said he was more in favor of that, too. There are organizations which track people who are struggling to pay their bills. Mr. Poole named agencies that assist with that. Mr. Friedman said Platte County Senior Services does that; he has been doing work for them for many years.

Mr. Hawver said the Mid America Assistance Coalition has a program called the Utility Fund Program. They make contact with local agencies; there are four different ones in Platte County. They would administer the program. We could make adjustments to the program. If there is interest we would take a better look at the program, and recommend any changes. We would probably have to have a special Board meeting. Recipients actually bring in their gas bills.

Mayor Quitmeier said we could give everybody rebates across the board, or just assist the elderly. He wouldn’t want to lower the franchise tax; he asked how it works. Mr. Hawver said we could take the windfall and establish a program, take that money and give it to the outside agency to manage. Whatever is left over they would give back to us.

Mr. Hawver said we’ll have to learn more about the program. It was suggested we think about going back to January 1 bills. No administrative cost has been mentioned for the program.

Mr. McCoy asked if he felt comfortable with the $28,000 figure. Mr. Hawver said yes.

Mayor Quitmeier asked if anyone objected to getting more information. No-one did.

Mr. Friedman said if we need to disburse money to pay fuel bills we need to get somebody in that house to see why the fuel bills are too high. Mr. Hawver said a federal program allows for that type of thing, but we didn’t qualify in Platte County because we don’t have enough low-income residents. Mr. Friedman said a resident can save more money by fixing things than by having someone pay their gas bills, and they will stay warmer in the process. He thinks there are free brochures. Mr. Poole will see if he can locate some of that information.

COMMITTEE REPORTS (resumed)

PARKVILLE JUNIOR GOVERNMENT: Mr. Atkinson spoke with Mike Otto, principal of Graden School, and will meet with teacher Chris Bowman next week. He is trying to contact Kathy Dusenbery, former alderman, to help again. Barbara Lance has committed to helping again this year.

Nancy Jack reported that Kathy’s father died last week.

PLANNING AND ZONING: Mr. Ferguson said the next meeting would be January 24, 5:30 p.m. The commission would take up the following items:

Amendment to The National 9^th Plat, allowing 20' rear yard setbacks.

Final plat of the 2^nd Plat of The National.

Final plat of the 10^th Plat of The National.

Replat of Lot 14, The National 3^rd Plat.

Allowing daycare centers and pre-schools in residential areas by Conditional Use Permits.

Construction of P & G Hardware’s new store at 10314 Highway 45 (B-4 district).

Allowing resident caretakers in all industrial districts.

Lot split for Platte County Board of Services proposed apartments.

RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE: Mr. Friedman said he believed everything went smoothly. Donations totaled $242. They will meet about what to do in the future. Mayor Quitmeier referred to the letter from Park University President Don Breckon saying the six months is up and the recycling operation will have to be removed from the campus.

TRAIN DEPOT: Mayor Quitmeier noted that newly elected Missouri Representative Meg Harding will hold the first of a monthly series of town hall meetings there Saturday, January 20, from 9-11 a.m. He remarked that it is a good place to meet. The city clerk suggested a way needs to be found to secure the rest of the building while there is a meeting in progress in the back room.

TREE BOARD, BEAUTIFICATION AND BUFFER ZONES: Mr. Frank McCoy said they would meet January 10 and will move forward with beautification of Highway 45. Arbor Day in Parkville will be April 28 at 10 a.m. in the park adjacent to the Train Depot.

ALDERMAN ARNOLD LEFT AT 7:50 P.M.

BILLS AND ORDINANCES

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1942, EMPLOYING SHARON ROLAND AS CITY COLLECTOR, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN ATKINSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1942 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1942 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 1927; ALDERMAN ATKINSON SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

Bill 1942 was posted 1/12/01.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1943, EMPLOYING EMILY RITTER AS RECEPTIONIST, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1943 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1943 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 1928; ALDERMAN ATKINSON SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

Bill 1943 was posted 1/12/01.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1944, ADDING CHAPTER 507, STORMWATER DETENTION, TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING BY TITLE ONLY, HAVING BEEN POSTED; ALDERMAN DAVID McCOY SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1944 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1944 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 1929; ALDERMAN RITTMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

Bill 1944 was first posted in October of 2,000, and stayed posted throughout the period from then until 1/10/01, when a slightly modified version was posted.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1945, REAFFIRMING PLAT APPROVAL FOR WEST SHORE ESTATES, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1945 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1945 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 1930; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

Bill 1945 was not posted but was available for review at the meeting.

CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL C/A 10, AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH SHAFER KLINE & WARREN FOR TWO TRAFFIC STUDIES, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN ATKINSON SECONDED.

Mr. Hawver reminded aldermen that the total cost of these studies will be reimbursed by Martin Marietta. Mr. David McCoy asked whether that included both intersections; Mr. Hawver said yes.

ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL C/A 10 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL C/A 10 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE C/A 10; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

Bill C/A 10 was posted 1/12/01.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL C/A 11, AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH E&M PRECAST FOR SANITARY JET AERATION SERVICES; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL C/A 11 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL C/A 11 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE C/A 11; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

Bill C/A 11 was posted 1/12/01.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-662, TO PAY LISTED SALARIES AND ACCOUNTS, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-662 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-662 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE A-662; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED.

Mr. Friedman asked about the amount of $8,695 to U.S. Filter. He asked how many filters and what kind? Mr. Hawver said he thought the purchase was actually bioxide.

ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

Bill A-662 was posted on 1/12/01 and available in revised form at the meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS (resumed)

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO ADJOURN; ALDERMAN ATKINSON SECONDED.

TRAFFIC STUDY ON COUNTY SUBDIVISION IMPACT ON PARKVILLE: Mr. Hawver said he had one item before adjourning. He was contacted by George Butler. That company is getting ready to start a traffic study on Highway FF at Mill and Main. Thousand Oaks is being required to do it before they start their newest subdivision. Platte County will be studying the impact of future development coming through our city. He said we would be seeing cables out there on the road.

MEETING WITH AUDITOR: Mr. David McCoy said he met that morning with Mr. Hawver, City Treasurer Steve Berg, and Auditor Larry Duke. They started the process of making further financial recording changes, preparing for the 2000 audit. We will have an engagement letter from Mr. Duke next week. He said Mr. Duke questioned whether the City should ask Board members to submit their expense reports or have their expense amounts shown as income.

Mr. Ferguson said there is a $600 threshold before reporting as far as the government is concerned. Board members probably exceed their allowances in expenses when you add up mileage, etc.

Mr. Hawver said Mr. Duke may be mistaken on that. He will check and report back to the Board.

The motion to adjourn was called.

ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Submitted by _____________________________________

City Clerk Barbara J. Lance - January 19, 2001