Regular Meeting

BOARD OF ALDERMEN

CITY OF PARKVILLE, MISSOURI

August 7, 2001

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor William M. Quitmeier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Ward 1 Alderman Jack Friedman - present

Ward 1 Alderman Charlie Poole - present

Ward 2 Alderman David McCoy - ARRIVED at 7:05 p.m.

Ward 2 Alderman Dave Rittman - present

Ward 3 Alderman Marvin Ferguson - present

Ward 3 Alderman Linda Arnold - present

Ward 4 Alderman Frank McCoy - present

Ward 4 Alderman Marc Sportsman - present

ALSO PRESENT:

Police Chief Bill Hudson

Director of Public Works Jeff Rupp

Superintendent of Streets Alan Schank

Parkville Chamber of Commerce President Deborah Butcher

Tom Hutsler for Parkville Days and about Train Depot

Dave Williams

Attorney Dick Fickle

Maxine McKeon for Parkville Days

Resident and business owner Gary Worden

Resident and Jazzfest coordinator Rebecca Brooks

Police officer candidates Eric Sligar and Carl Zornes

MEDIA PRESENT: Nancy Jack

Marte Zirschky for Platte Dispatch

Ed Gault and Shan Johnson for Channel 2

DEBORAH BUTCHER REGARDING PARKVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2002 CALENDAR

Mrs. Butcher distributed copies of the Chamber calendar of 1997 to aldermen, noting the Chamber was still using the profits from the sale of these calendars to fund Chamber activities. Last month Chamber Board members decided to publish a 2002 calendar to fund reactivation of the Chamber. Mrs. Butcher asked permission from the Board to use the official city street map, produced by Shafer Kline & Warren under contract with the City, for the cover of the calendar. Aldermen agreed; Mr. Rittman suggested that the Chamber wait a few weeks to get the very latest updated map.

Mrs. Butcher also made a request of everyone listening to send colored pictures of modern-day Parkville to the Chamber c/o City Hall. More information about the need for Parkville pictures is available by calling 587-2700. She added that the Chamber would like to talk with Aldermen Friedman and Rittman about using some of the pictures they have taken.

The mayor asked for citizen input.

TOM HUTSLER FOR PARKVILLE DAYS

Mr. Hutsler said dates for the third annual Parkville Days are August 24^th-26^th.

It will be held entirely in English Landing Park. They need to leave 1^st Street, Main Street, and FF Highway (Mill Street) open. Mayor Quitmeier said in the past some Parkville merchants have complained that having the event in the park would put it too far from their shops. Mr. Hutsler said he told them we really need to consider the traffic flow through town. Mr. Poole asked if they were going to use just the park proper or the ball fields as well. Mr. Hutsler said they want to leave all streets open in the park B the people who use the boat ramps will be able to get through. All the activity would be on the grassy areas, in almost the same spots as Jazzfest.

ALDERMAN McCOY ARRIVED AT 7:05 P.M.

Mr. Hutsler said they need permission for the parade and the banner. The parade will be at 11 a.m. and follow the usual route, from 63^rd Street down Highway 9 to Main, and on down. The parade will not go down into the park.

Mrs. McKeon said the Little Miss and Little Mr. Parkville contests would have Miss Missouri, Miss Kansas, Miss Teen Missouri, Miss Teen Kansas, and Ms. Kansas making guest appearances. They will ride in the parade. The director of Theater of the Imagination, a drama coach for kids 3-12 years old, will be present.

Mr. Hutsler said the grand marshal will be Lt. Commander Keith Hoskins, coordinator of the Blue Angels. Commander Hoskins will not be able to be here because of the Angels= flight schedule, but will be honored in absentia, being represented by his family, including his father Gaylon, who, with his late wife, raised their children in Parkville. Gaylon Hoskins served as an alderman and mayor pro tem for many years, and still lives in Parkville.

Festivities will include carnival games and a petting zoo.

Mr. Hutsler said Karen Montgomery is coordinating the parade and has 30 volunteers for Parkville Days. She and her husband Mike Montgomery were honored by Old Navy for their volunteer efforts on the 4^th of July. Old Navy designated them as AMost Spirited Volunteers,@ and gave them a $100 gift certificate. Old Navy also donated $500 to the Mid-Continent Library in Parkville.

Mr. Hutsler said they would like the banner hung from August 15^th to 24^th.

ALDERMAN RITTMAN MOVED TO APPROVE HANGING OF THE BANNER; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Hutsler said they would like the beer garden in the park, exactly the same as Jazzfest.

ALDERMAN RITTMAN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE A BEER GARDEN FOR JAZZFEST IN ENGLISH LANDING PARK , BOUNDED BY THE MISSOURI RIVER ON THE SOUTH, BY HIGHWAY 9 (RIVER PARK DRIVE) ON THE NORTH, BY THE WEST BOUNDARY OF THE PARK ON THE WEST, AND BY WHITE ALLOE CREEK AND THE WADDELL BRIDGE ON THE EAST; ALDERMAN DAVID McCOY SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

The mayor asked for any other citizen input. He asked Dick Fickle if he was there on business with the city. Mr. Fickle said no, he was present just as attorney for Mr. Hutsler and Mr. Williams.

TOM HUTSLER FOR MAIN STREET PROGRAM

Mr. Hutsler distributed minutes of the last Main Street Steering Committee meeting to the mayor and aldermen. He said Angelo Gangai, interim chairman, prepared the minutes, but could not be present at the Board of Aldermen meeting. At the last meeting 22 people signed in. It was their fourth meeting to date. There was very good participation. They are moving ahead quite rapidly. They began a pledge list for membership dues. Fourteen people have pledged dues for the current year. They want the Main Street office reopened. They agreed they need a full-time person there. They will revamp the job description so it will more support the agenda of the Main Street program of today. They discussed and agreed they should have a hiring committee to evaluate the job description and administer the hiring process.

It was discussed, he said, that the current Steering Committee should obtain access to the Main Street office for the sold purpose of answering the phone in person on a full-time basis. This access would be asked through the Board of Aldermen at the next meeting (tonight). Karen Montgomery, and other people actually, have volunteered to be the part-time person in charge of the phone in the interim until a full-time person can be found. They will continue with their membership drive to convince the public at large that Main Street is a viable association in good standing. They will continue with the brick drive for funding. Many monetary contributions have already been placed. It was discussed that the current billboard campaign be continued. The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 8^th, at the Power Plant. They will discuss appointing a new Steering Committee, selecting a chairperson, discussing the Parkville Community Development Corporation organization, and beginning the hiring process to find a new director for their office. The people in attendance asked Mr. Hutsler to come tonight; they want to have use of their office again, he said. They need access to the phone and records.

Mayor Quitmeier asked City Clerk Barbara Lance what is in the depot. She said it contains railroad memorabilia on loan, and some furniture on loan.

The mayor said to have one person like Karen Montgomery in there might not be a problem, but to have a constant changeover of people might be a problem. Mrs. Arnold said we are just trying to protect what=s in there. She knows Mrs. Montgomery is a wonderful person, she said. The mayor said we could give a person permission to go in and look at things. It seems easier to forward phone calls to one=s home or cell phone, he said, than to go down and sit there for hours.

Mr. Hutsler said the main concern of downtown businesses is their understanding that people leave messages which are returned by Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Butcher, but they don=t know how many calls are hang-ups. A lot of publications have the Main Street phone number, he said. Mayor Quitmeier said with call forwarding they would be able to answer all the calls immediately.

Mrs. Arnold said if Mrs. Montgomery wants to do it, it might be good to set some hours. Forwarding calls is a great idea, she said. The mayor said calls could even be forwarded to one=s cell phone. Mr. Hutsler asked who answers the phone now. Mrs. Arnold said she and Siobhan Williams and Deborah Butcher do. Mr. Hutsler asked if those calls were being answered from the depot, and Mrs. Arnold said no, from their homes or from cell phones. They pick up messages about three times a day.

Mr. Hutsler said the main concern of downtown businesses is the calls that are missed because people hang up.

Mayor Quitmeier said they could give Mrs. Montgomery a key, but she might get bored just sitting there for eight hours.

Mr. Hutsler said the idea is that in the interim Karen Montgomery, a volunteer, and others have volunteered, to do the business of Main Street. They are right now working on two festivals: Parkville Days and Christmas on the River, and conducting a marketing campaign. Mrs. Arnold said Christmas on the River is covered; she is meeting with that committee once a month.

Mr. Hutsler said he guessed they=re at a crossroads. We=ve talked for four weeks in a row, he said. They=d like access to the Main Street office. If they don=t have access then they need to move the office. The mayor said they could have access now; Mrs. Arnold said they couldn=t just have it open freely. We have to protect stuff that=s down there, she said; Joe Ringbauer, for one, has a lot of stuff down there.

Mr. Hutsler said the only reason they=re coming before the Board now is that Pat Hawver told them they needed to. Dave Williams, who is on the Parkville Community Development Corporation Board (PCDC) spoke with Mr. Hawver at length last week, and told him they wanted access.

Mayor Quitmeier said yes, they should come before the Board if they wanted someone to have a key, but if they just wanted to come in and look at the files, that could be worked out administratively. Mr. Hutsler said they would like to have confirmed hours six days a week.

Mayor Quitmeier said who would be there? Mrs. Arnold said they can=t make duplicate keys. They have to write down who=s there and when. The depot has to be locked up when people leave.

Mr. Hutsler said the City spent a quarter of a million dollars to renovate the Train Depot. They want to use the Main Street office to make a general facility for people to come in for information, tours and convention people. The mayor said if they were to hire an executive director he didn=t think that would be a problem, but just to have a key floating around there would be a problem. Mr. Hutsler said they could put up a schedule for people to the Main Street office. Karen Montgomery is very responsible. She can keep the hours at the office.

ALDERMAN RITTMAN MOVED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE TRAIN STATION FOR KAREN MONTGOMERY TO OPERATE THE PHONES AND CONDUCT BUSINESS ON A COORDINATED SCHEDULE ON AN INTERIM BASIS UNTIL THE MAIN STREET DIRECTOR IS HIRED OR OTHER ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Rittman said the train station is community property, accessible to a number of community groups. It is not a single-use building. The mayor said the Website Committee uses it but does not have a key. He suggested Linda Arnold might want to coordinate a schedule with Mrs. Montgomery. Mrs. Arnold agreed. She noted the computer is down, but the insurance adjuster is coming to look at it.

The mayor asked Mr. Worden if he wished to address the Board.

GARY WORDEN REGARDING THE PARKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PCDC)

Mr. Worden said there has been some confusion about the structure of the PCDC. There is a Board of Directors consisting of nine members. Tim Rice and Deborah Butcher recently resigned. Somehow in Mr. Worden=s absence he was appointed secretary. He was on the original board when it was set up. He has been studying the issue. PCDC is a 501C3 corporation; the Main Street Parkville Association is not. Christmas on the River is not, and neither is Jazzfest. PCDC is a corporate structure to which a fair amount of money, somewhere around $120,000-$130,000 has been donated by a variety of individuals.

Mr. Worden wanted to report on the amount of money PCDC has at this time, but it is in different bank accounts, and he is checking with Siobhan Williams in his office, who has donated a lot of time to PCDC matters.

PCDC has to be a community-wide organization, he said; it can=t be for just one area. If it does not continue to be a community-wide organization it can=t qualify for tax-exempt status.

The PCDC Board has become rather inactive but is still organizationally functional and does file tax returns. PCDC is the gift-giving arm to other organizations; it passes through its tax-exempt status to festivals or other organizations. PCDC and Main Street are not one and the same. There is a checking account for Christmas on the River and one for Jazzfest. Right now Main Street does not have its own tax-deductible organization nor does Jazzfest. He will try to get everybody together in the next few weeks to discuss an operational plan.

There were NAP credits, Mr. Worden said. Those were available for two years at 70%, and some at 50%. Mrs. Arnold said there is $1,000 in 70% credits left; they are earmarked for the audit. Essentially, Mr. Worden said, NAP credits have gone away. Mrs. Arnold said two people, including Dave Williams, gave money through NAP credits last year.

Mr. Worden said PCDC Board members want to be very careful about how things are done; they don=t want to find themselves in trouble because things were not done right. They want to keep PCDC active, filing regular tax returns. If anyone wants to make donations, i.e., for fireworks, etc., they are tax-deductible if they are made through PCDC.

REVIEW OF MINUTES

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF 7/24/01 BE APPROVED AS WRITTEN; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

MAYOR=S REPORT

SEWER PROBLEM: Mr. Rupp said the sewer job was done, but there are some lingering problems in hot temperatures with the ground containing that heat. The bioxide treatments helped. He is asking the Board to authorize an expenditure for one more tank. They are still working with the engineers for a long-term solution. The mayor said the problem is the grinder pumps B there is not enough build-out at Riss Lake yet. He asked Mr. Rupp about flushing out. Mr. Rupp said they flushed out eight hours yesterday. It is a short-lived relief. Bioxide gave us this longer-term relief from odor problems. The mayor said the cost is $6,845 for one load. Would it last us for the rest of this year? Mr. Rupp said it would at least last through the hot season, and then they will continue to try to decrease the problems. Flushing will continue. A full day of flushing costs between $800 and $2,000. The relief is only for a few days.

Mr. Friedman asked Mr. Rupp what he meant by flushing. Mr. Rupp said it gives temporary relief. Mr. Friedman said the other problem is it=s destructive as well as leaving a bad odor. Mr. Rupp agreed, saying all the manholes behind City Hall are ruined. Mr. Friedman said then unless we correct the problem we will have a contunious problem with it eating up manholes. Mr. Rupp said this time next year we should have enough build-out to help a lot. We will probably have sixty more pumps on line by the end of the year. His concern is for the citizens who suffered through this and through the repairs and are now suffering with this.

Mayor Quitmeier asked Mr. Ferguson for his opinion. Mr. Ferguson said we have to come up with it, and we have enough money to cover it. Mr. Rupp said they will look closely at the results.

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE OF $6,845 FOR BIOXIDE; ALDERMAN FERGUSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

Mr. Friedman said he was concerned that this problem will continue as we build out. Mr. Rupp said the city engineer said we=ll never get away from treatment. We will never completely eliminate the problem, but it will eventually become minimal. Mr. Friedman said we=ll have to plan in our budget for more bioxide. Mr. Rupp said they are doing an intense study of the problem at Riss Lake. As we approach each one of these problems that we=re solving, he said, we=ve found there is a residual effect B no-one had ever really studied what it takes B we were able to do that the last three months.

Mayor Quitmeier suggested the dip in the line could have confused the issue. Mr. Sportsman asked if there wasn=t something counteracting the effect of this stuff? Mr. Rupp said there is a point when you=re putting putting bioxide that if you don=t dial it to the place it=s needed, it doesn=t do any good, and if you use more than is needed, then you=ve thrown your money away. He is pretty confident we can solve the problem.

POLICE CHIEF=S REPORT

Chief Hudson introduced Eric Sligar and Carl Zornes. Mr. Sligar was a candidate for the full-time position, and Mr. Zornes a candidate for the reserve officer position. Mr. Sligar has a four-year degree. Mr. Zornes is director of security at Union Station. Mr. Sligar wants to work for Parkville because it is about the size of the city in which he grew up. Mr. Zornes wants to work here because he has lived in this area before and lives in it now. Mayor Quitmeier said this city believes in community policing; he wants the citizens to be treated with respect.

The mayor asked them the traditional question about constitutional rights: If they could make a case by violating a suspect=s constitutional rights, and no-one would ever know, what would they do? Both said they would not violate anyone=s rights.

BILLS AND ORDINANCES

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1981, EMPLOYING ERIC SLIGAR AS A POLICE OFFICER, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1981 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 1981 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 1966; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

The above bill was posted 8/3/01.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1982, EMPLOYING CARL ZORNES AS A RESERVE OFFICER, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1982 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1982 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 1967; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

The above bill was posted 8/3/01.

POLICE CHIEF=S REPORT (resumed)

The chief said aldermen had a copy of his report. There was a burglary at Papa Frank=s Thursday night. They have suspects. When they get the evidence back from the lab they=ll be filing charges. Saturday night there was an occurrence in English Landing Park. A woman brought her children, about 5 and 8, to the park, and about 100 yards downstream she told them to go play in the water. The 5-year-old got out too far and couldn=t get back. A lady dragged him in. At the same time another woman dived into the river downstream and tried to swim upstream. A passerby saved her. Our detective is investigating for the Department of Family Services. He would like to give the gentleman a lifesaving award. What he did is commendable. He asked if we could do something at the next Board meeting. It was agreed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CHANNEL 2: Mr. Rittman said there had been no meeting since the last Board meeting. There have been communications by e-mail and phone. They are working on the design of the website and moving it into City Hall. Next is coordination of Channel 2. They want to put some city activities on the web. The city clerk reported to the mayor that John Moyer had completed the installation of the server. The mayor said anyone who wants to join that committee is welcome.

FARMERS MARKET: Mr. Friedman said to come on down B it=s a great place, and you=ll meet everybody who is anybody. Wednesdays are going well, too.

FINANCIAL REPORT: No report at this meeting.

MAIN STREET PARKVILLE ASSOCIATION/.CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Mrs. Arnold said Park University instructor Kami Davi e-mailed her to tell her that everything is going as planned. They had their first focus group meeting July 19^th. It went well. She incorporated a lot of suggestions given to her. She is still waiting for responses from some people who made appointments with her.

Mrs. Arnold said that if Karen Montgomery is going to volunteer her time at the depot, she=ll be busy with festivals. She said Parkville Riverfest, Inc., is sponsoring Parkville Days. It does not come under the Main Street umbrella. Mr. Friedman asked if they would be using Main Street phones. Mrs. Arnold said yes. She said Mr. Worden brought up good points. She has faxed Tom Hutsler all the bylaws.

Mr. Friedman said Mrs. Montgomery is just volunteering her time for Main Street. He asked if she is doing public relations for Main Street? Mayor Quitmeier said he didn=t think that was important. Mrs. Arnold said Main Street doesn=t sponsor Parkville Days, but reminded them that Mrs. Montgomery will be a volunteer.

NATURE SANCTUARY: Mr. David McCoy said a couple of Eagle Scout projects are going well. Blake Adams is doing a 40' boardwalk on the tract going east over to the overlook. It is being done of recycled plastic. He has put in 170 hours of work. Chris Korwin has done steps at the Jeannette Robbins Meeting Place, and water bars and wood chips.

PARKS: No report.

PLANNING AND ZONING: No report.

TREE BOARD: Mr. Frank McCoy said there are no meetings scheduled this month.

BILLS AND ORDINANCES (resumed)

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1983, VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION OF A TRACT OF PROPERTY BELONGING TO STERN BROTHERS REAL ESTATE (THE NATIONAL), BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1983 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1983 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 1968: ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

This bill was posted 8/3/01.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THT BILL 1984, EMPLOYING JAMES BEARDEN AS LABORER, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN FERGUSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 1984 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 1984 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 1969; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

This bill was posted 8/7/01.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-675, TO PAY LISTED SALARIES AND ACCOUNTS, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-675 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-675 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE A-675; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

This bill was posted 8/3/01.

OTHER BUSINESS

FOCUS GROUPS: Mrs. Arnold announced there is information for people interested in the focus groups on Channel 2.

ANNEXATION: Mr. Friedman asked about the commercial annexation west of the city, specifically the self-storage units. Mayor Quitmeier said it looked like that property would be coming in by voluntary annexation; the matter would be considered at the next meeting.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO ADJOURN; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED.

TIF PROJECT/NEW SHOPPING CENTER: Mayor Quitmeier noted he gave aldermen some drawings that have not been officially released yet. They are preliminary drawings of the proposed shopping center at 9/45. He asked aldermen to study them and see if they have suggestions.

STREETS IN RISS LAKE: Mr. Sportsman said he talked with Don Julian about street repairs in Riss Lake. There are springs coming up through the roads. Mr. Julian is very receptive to going along with the City to correct these problems. He is open to working with the City for funding of these repairs. Mr. Rupp has done a lot of work, getting some bids.

ROLE OF RESERVE OFFICERS: Mr. Sportsman asked the chief what is the role reserve officers play in the security of our city, and do we do a background check on them? Chief Hudson said they do exactly the same thing as our full-time officers. On background, depending on where they come from we might not do psychological or polygraph tests. Our present reserve staff numbers three. He has weeded out those who didn=t want to honor their commitments. They do exactly the same duties as a regular officer, with the difference being that they are essentially volunteers and work on a limited basis. They have to have at least 840 hours of training. Now that we have a detective on staff, we=re doing background checks on everybody.

DRUG SCREENING FOR EMPLOYEES Mr. Sportsman asked if the department does drug screening on officers. Chief Hudson said no. Mr. Sportsman asked if he thought it was a good idea or a bad idea. The chief said he didn=t know that he=d have a problem with it. Kansas City does it randomly on its officers, and is picking up very few people in the course of it. Parkville is a very small agency. The value might be limited. We have the ability on a case by case basis to do analyses if we think we need to. Mr. Sportsman asked him if he=d want to do screening on all city employees B would that make sense? The chief said it depends on what role they play. Mr. Frank McCoy said it is required in his business. He thought maybe the Board should take the lead in being tested. The chief said he didn=t have a problem with that. If employees are operating heavy equipment maybe they should be tested. When it comes to the testing, it does take time and it does take money. The City would probably have to pay overtime to have it done.

Mr. Rittman said in his business they do it all the time. It is really an eye-opener. There is a place in North Kansas City sponsored by a local hospital. It is a do-able situation.

Chief Hudson said if you do it randomly you have to set it up and do it when people don=t know it=s being done. Mr. Frank McCoy said anyone involved in any kind of incident has to be screened. Mr. Sportsman said it might send a very strong message as to what our goals are B to continue providing the very best service and security.

Mr. Rittman said if we do it, it must be citywide. Aldermen have to set an example. Their insurance company told him that what=s happening is that testing is done in so many places, so companies that don=t have testing programs in place are vulnerable because there aren=t too many places for these folks to go.

Chief Hudson said he is not averse to putting them on the Breathalyzer if he thinks they have been drinking. Mr. Sportsman repeated that it should be citywide. The chief said that would be the Board=s call, but there would be no problem in instituting the program in the Police Department. He would stand behind the staff we=ve got. We do send regular hires through psychological, medical, and polygraph testing.

Mr. Poole suggested we might have to add something to the personnel policy.

Mrs. Arnold said we=d have to be sure to put it in our budget next year. Chief Hudson said to remember we=d have to do it randomly. Mr. Rittman said it runs about $75 for testing, and is a broad-based screening for a number of things. Mr. Poole said it does get quite expensive.

Mr. Sportsman asked about proceeding to modify the policy. Mayor Quitmeier said Mr. Hawver would draft a modification, and then the city attorney would look at it. Mr. Rittman said possibly we should have an ordinance for discussion at the next meeting. The city clerk reminded aldermen that the personnel policy was not adopted by ordinance, but by resolution, so an amendment would not be by ordinance.

ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.

Submitted by City Clerk Barbara J. Lance 8/10/01 - ______________________________