Regular Meeting

BOARD OF ALDERMEN

CITY OF PARKVILLE, MISSOURI

November 19, 2002

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Charles E. Kutz 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 – present

Ward 2 Alderman Dave Rittman – present

Ward 3 Alderman Marvin Ferguson – present

Ward 3 Alderman Linda Arnold – present

Ward 4 Alderman Marc Sportsman - ARRIVED AT 7:07 P.M.

ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Pat Hawver

Director of Community Development Danielle Devlin

Director of Public Works Jeff Rupp

Chamber of Commerce President Deborah Butcher

Boy Scout Dillon Cassidy

Park University Student Christine Main

Michael and Jan Gunn, developers of The Greens on Crooked Road

Mark Coulter and Jay Harms, developers of 170 English Landing Drive complex

Parkville Resident Nancy Jack

MEDIA PRESENT: Martha Zirschky for Platte Dispatch

Ed Gault and Shan Johnson for Channel 2

REVIEW OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5, 2002

Mrs. Dusenbery asked to have the paragraph on P. 155, under "City Administrator’s Report," changed. It read "Mrs. Dusenbery asked if it would be possible to talk with Alliance Resources regarding grinder pumps, as she felt they would have a level of expertise which would be beneficial to aldermen, even though Alliance is not in the grinder pump repair business." It was agreed to remove the final phrase from that sentence, as Alliance responded to her inquiry by saying they had experience in oversight of sewer systems that include grinder pumps.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 5^TH MEETING AS CORRECTED; ALDERMAN DUSENBERY SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

DEBORAH BUTCHER REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Mrs. Butcher asked aldermen to consider putting a part-time City employee in the Train Depot to promote economic development. Other cities have Economic Development departments. She said the time is right – we need a person to give basic information about shops and events, keep track of commercial vacancies, promote tourism activities, send out brochures, etc. These things are being done now by City staff but only as time permits.

ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN ARRIVED AT 7:07 P.M.

She said she does not think this person should run events, but could assist with festivals and smaller entertainment activities, i.e., concerts in the park, etc.

Probably the most excellent model for this person’s activities would be The Nature Sanctuary, where Jim Reed acts as director as a paid part-time employee of the City, and coordinates and facilitates the efforts of a wonderful army of Sanctuary volunteers.

The Platte County/KCI Area Convention & Visitors Bureau also has a corps of volunteers, called The Trailblazers, who appear wherever they are needed. They are very strong advocates of Platte County. They have offered to help with tours in Parkville. They are under the direction of a CVB paid employee.

The funding of a part-time economic development position would be a very responsible use of taxpayer dollars. The position could be monitored by City staff. A City committee could be a source of direction for the efforts of this person, who would perform economic development activities for the whole city, not just one part of it. Lots of people would enjoy working on this City committee; she would be glad to be one of them.

BOY SCOUT

Dillon Cassidy came forward and identified himself as a member of Troop #633, working toward a Citizenship in the Community badge.

CITIZEN INPUT

Christine Main introduced herself as a representative of Park University. She is very active in politics around the State, and at the national level. She said if the City needs anything done at Park University to just call her at Extension #7033.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Kutz reported on the November 7^th Public Service Appreciation event sponsored by the Platte County Mayors Council and the Platte County Commission. He and Aldermen Linda Arnold and Kathy Dusenbery attended. The City of Parkville honored staff members Police Chief Bill Hudson, Director of Public Works Jeff Rupp, and City Clerk Barbara Lance. He said it was very well attended. Mrs. Lance added that the event was also very well done.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Mr. Hawver said the Finance Committee met to discuss a proposed increase in grinder pump fees. There has been a significant decrease in the amount of money that we’re paying for bioxide. We have a bioxide injection system that treats sewage and keeps it from becoming septic when it remains too long in the lines. However, grinver pump repairs continue to go up and will do so as the pumps age.

They propose to go from the present surcharge of $10 to $13. He would like to recommend looking at the situation every year and adjusting the rates as needed. This would be the first increase since 1989. There will be an ordinance at the next meeting.

Mrs. Dusenbery spoke to several people in her neighborhood. She thinks everyone is fine with it. More education would be good. Mr. Hawver said he will do that. Mr. McCoy said very few programs go that long without a raise.

Mrs. Dusenbery asked Mr. Rupp if it would be worthwhile to inspect those pumps that are aging. Mr. Rupp said they are working on a proposed program. Mr. McCoy asked the costs to maintain pumps at certain age levels. Maybe it would be cost-effective to replace them when they get to a certain age, without waiting for them to fail and cause damage.

Mr. Rittman said it’s a matter of setting up a maintenance program on our schedule. Discussion ensued on whether such a program would mean we wouldn’t have to raise the rates again. Mr. Friedman said maybe we should have several pumps on hand that are rebuilt and then go and replace them and pull old ones out and install rebuilt ones. Mayor Kutz said he thought that’s what we’re doing now.

OLD TOWN DISTRICT BUILDING PLAN

Mayor Kutz asked Ms. Devlin to discuss this agenda item. She said the Planning Commission met November 12^th, and gave unanimous approval to the request to modify the use of the building at 170 English Landing Drive to replace some office space with a dwelling. Mayor Kutz asked about parking. Ms. Devlin said that would reduce the needed parking spaces by three. Mr. Rittman asked if there is staff support for this modification. Ms. Devlin said yes.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION OF MARK COULTER AND JAY HARMS TO PROVIDE FOR LIVING QUARTERS AT 170 ENGLISH LANDING DRIVE; ALDERMAN RITTMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT

Chief Hudson was ill and not present at the meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CHANNEL 2. No report. The next meeting will be Thursday night, November 21^st.

COMMUNITY CENTER. Mr. Sportsman said he attended a Steering Committee meeting the previous night at the Platte County Administration Building. He distributed copies of notes he took at the meeting. He said Platte County Planning Director Brian Nowotny began the meeting soliciting input and questions and answers from the members and public. YMCA representatives talked about their mission, operating principles, priorities, etc. (They will manage both centers.) The architect described the initial layout.

The Parkville location will be a 55,000 square foot facility with two levels, with a wellness and fitness center to the right of the entrance on the main floor. On the left there will be a three-lane lap pool with see-through glass. There will also be a resistance pool, water slide, and jets in a warm pool area. Upstairs there will be a three-lane walking/running track with eight laps to a mile and a full-size gymnasium which can be partitioned in half. Also included will be an adventure center, soft play area, child watch, party and multi-purpose rooms which can be partitioned off, and a multi-use space for teen and senior functions. There will be an outdoor playground, stem and sauna facilities, and an area for sedentary people who are attempting to rehabilitate.

The northern site will be located in Platte City and will be a 27,000 square foot facility, designed for future expansion. Currently it is a one-level facility with a recreational warm water pool and a two-lane lap pool. It will include a smaller gymnasium with a playground in back. Multi-purpose rooms are included.

Cost for these facilities will be $17,000,000 for the southern center and $6,000,000 for the northern one. The buildings will be brick and precast. There will not be a stage or auditorium because it is not an income driver. Park University is starting a fund-raiser for an auditorium. Platte City High School has a new auditorium.

Parking needs are estimated to be 150 for the northern facility and between 230-250 for the southern facility.

Membership costs are estimated to be $67 a month per family, $44 a month for singles, $21 a month for a teen, $57 a month for a senior citizen family over the age of 65, and $38 a month for a single senior.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/MAIN STREET. Mrs. Arnold said she attended a Christmas on the River meeting earlier that evening. The Christmas tree would be purchased the next day; she and her husband and a friend would pick it up. Deborah Butcher has rented three Christmas outfits for volunteers to wear on December 6^th.

NATURE SANCTUARY. Mr. McCoy said last Saturday they had seven volunteers to help with the water quality testing. The test had good results. The Nature Sanctuary Committee was meeting upstairs.

PARKS. Mr. Poole said the committee met the previous night. They had a report from Sean Eisele from the Platte County Parks Committee. They talked about purchasing park land.

Playground equipment for handicapped children was discussed. The Park Committee will remove the old swings. All the playground equipment is going to be on one side of the road now so children will not be running back and forth.

The stage should be in place by the end of the week. They also discussed the Bill Latta memorial, and they are talking about the entrance sign, which Mr. Latta made years ago. Their thought is to refurbish and enhance it or replace it.

PLANNING. Mr. Ferguson said they met last Tuesday. In addition to the matter previously considered at this meeting, they approved the final plat of the 12^th Plat of The National, and recommended approval of the land use plan.

BILLS AND ORDINANCES

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2064, CANVASSING THE NOVEMBER 5^TH ELECTION ON THE SUBJECT OF THE GUEST ROOM TAX, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2064 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 2064 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 2046; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

Posted 11/15/02.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2065, APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF THE GREENS ON CROOKED ROAD, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2065 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 2065 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 2047; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

Posted 11/15/02.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-706, TO PAY LISTED SALARIES AND ACCOUNTS, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-706 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-706 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE A-706; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

Posted 11/15/02.

OTHER BUSINESS

ANIMAL SHELTER. Mrs. Arnold said the animal people received a big compliment from one of her neighbors, who adopted a dog from the shelter and had good things to say about the treatment of the animals and the people who came in to adopt them.

Mrs. Lance added that a young woman came into City Hall last week to see about setting up a fund for the shelter. She is being married next year and wants to ask friends to make gifts to the shelter instead of giving wedding gifts.

Mayor Kutz added that his wife Sheri likes to rescue animals; she rescued a cat and took it to the Animal Shelter, but they couldn’t take it at the time because the other cats were ill and they didn’t want to add any new arrivals until the matter was under control. They asked the Kutzes to take the cat to the vet, which they did, but every animal under the care of the shelter gets a name, so there’s now a cat at the vet’s that’s known as "The Mayor."

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ALDERMAN POOLE MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LITIGATION, REAL ESTATE AND PERSONNEL UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF RSMo 610.012 (1) (2) AND (3); ALDERMAN DUSENBERY SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

Executive session began at 7:45 p.m. Discussion ensued.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT THEY RETURN TO OPEN SESSION; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO ADJOURN; ALDERMAN RITTMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Submitted by ___________________________________

City Clerk Barbara J. Lance - 11/22/02