Regular Meeting

BOARD OF ALDERMEN

CITY OF PARKVILLE, MISSOURI

February 3, 2004

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Mayor Pro Tem Marvin J. Ferguson called the meeting to order at 7 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            - present

Ward 4 Alderman Kathy Dusenbery            - present

 

ALSO PRESENT:            City Administrator Patrick Hawver

City Attorney Jack Campbell

City Clerk Barbara Lance

Jim Spawn regarding May 29th Model A event

Resident Gerry Richardson

Resident Frank McCoy

Resident Harry Sievers

Tony Borchers, The National and River North (Parkville Commons)

Shan Johnson, Friends of the Parkville Animal Shelter

Amy Pauling, Friends of the Parkville Animal Shelter

MEDIA PRESENT:            Nancy Jack, Parkville Post

Mike Sherry, Kansas City Star

Andy Young and Joe Gleason for Parkville Cable Channel 2

 

SPECIAL MEETING SCHEDULED: Mayor Ferguson announced that Missouri Statute 79.280 requires that a special meeting be held to elect a person to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Mayor Charles E. Kutz.  At the special meeting any alderman may nominate any person who meets the residency requirements.   The person shall be elected by a majority of the Board of Aldermen.  The interim mayor shall serve from February 17th through April 6th.  The successful mayoral candidate in the April 6th election  will be sworn in at the start of the regular meeting on April 20th.  Letters have been received from two persons interested in filling this interim post; Mayor Ferguson  suggested that other interested persons call the city clerk.  The special meeting will be held February 17th at 6:30 p.m. immediately preceding the regular meeting.                       

 

 


   REVIEW OF MINUTES

 

ALDERMAN POOLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 20, 2004, MEETING AS PUBLISHED; ALDERMAN DUSENBERY SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

      MODEL A APPRECIATION DAY

 

Mr. Spawn said the Model A Club has been gathering in English Landing Park for the last two years.  The event started as a thank-you to the group members who hosted the national convention.  The first year they had 63 cars; last year they had 48.  He thought the downturn in attendance last year was because of the tornadoes.   Mr. Friedman called and asked if they could take the event to the next level.  He has come up with an idea he thinks will be beneficial to club members, to the public, and to the Friends of the Parkville Animal Shelter.  He outlined plans for the event:

 

Date:     May 29th, 2004.

Time:    6-9 a.m.      Main Street - parking of Model A cars along both sides from railroad tracks up through diagonal parking area.

9 a.m.-              All cars leave Main Street (at 30-second intervals, probably a

Afternoon          total of 45 minutes for all cars to leave)) to go on a Poker Run up back streets through Platte County back to Parkville and into English Landing Park.  They will leave and come back via River Road.  They get playing cards all along the way, and the one with the best poker hand when they return wins. 

 

They would like to park all their cars in the park for about an hour when they return.  This would allow members to eat and shop in Parkville while someone watches their vehicles, which will be in a group close enough to requires less supervision than if they were parked here and there on the streets and in the parking lot. 

 

They are Aadopting@ Friends of the Parkville Animal Shelter for the day and will have donation cans on the running boards of their vehicles.  They will present cash and supplies to the Parkville Animal Shelter upon their return to Parkville. 

 

They would like from the City:

 

1.                   A banner over Highway 9 in advance of the event.

2.                  Police Department accommodation to help with parking and traffic.

3.                  Notice about the event on Channel 2 Daybook and on the www.parkvillemo.com site. 

4.                  Waiver of no-parking rule in English Landing Park for a designated period.

 

The public is welcome to come look at the cars when they are parked. 

 


They have been in touch with the Platte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, whose volunteers will  prepare goody bags for each driver; they=re hoping to obtain discount coupons from Parkville merchants to put in the packets.   

 

Mr. Friedman pointed out that the cars, as they are parked along Main Street or assembled in English Landing Park, would make great photo opportunities.  It was agreed a barricade would be put up after all the Model A=s are parked in the park so other cars couldn=t come in. 

 

Chief Hudson was asked for his opinion.  He said as long as there was limited traffic his department would have no problem. 

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE PLAN SUBMITTED FOR THE MAY 29th MODEL A PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND POKER RUN, CONTINGENT UPON COMPLETING A SPECIAL ACTIVITY EVENT FORM AND MEETING WITH CITY ADMINISTRATOR PAT HAWVER; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.                        

Packets of information will be made available at the front counter of City Hall for persons interested in the event. 

 

    BILLS AND ORDINANCES

 

The first bill on the agenda was to repeal the prohibition against large cars (larger than compacts) in specified areas.  Chief Hudson said most of the signs had been taken out,  so the rule was irrelevant.  The city clerk said the original ordinance was passed on the assumption compact cars could be defined.  It turned out they couldn=t B there is no legal definition for them. 

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL 2131, REPEALING THE PROHIBITION AGAINST CARS LARGER THAN COMPACTS IN DESIGNATED AREA, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL 2131 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL 2131 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING AND PASSED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 2113; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL C/A 98, CONTRACTING WITH THE KANSAS CITY METRO CRIME COMMISSION FOR TIPS HOTLINE SERVICE, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL C/A 98 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 


ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL C/A 98 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE C/A 98; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0. 

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL C/A 99, AN AGREEMENT WITH PLATTE COUNTY FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF ROAD SALES TAXES, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL C/A 99 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL C/A 99 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE C/A 99; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL C/A 100, APPROVING A TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AGREEMENT WITH PARKVILLE COMMONS,  BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED. 

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL C/A 100 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL C/A 100 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE C/A 100; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

 

DISCUSSION OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AGREEMENT

 

Mr. Campbell offered to answer any questions on this agreement.  Mr. Rittman asked how much tax and for how long.  Mr. Campbell distributed information supplied by attorneys for the Transportation Development District.  He had a problem with the paragraph that described the project.  We had been led to believe these tax funds would also be used to improve the east side of Bell Road at some point in time.  Questions arose.  We are now satisfied those improvements are part of the plan.   Tax funds will be used for Bell Road and internal streets.

 

Mr. Campbell also answered the question of how much B it will be 1%.  The petition that was filed when this tax was established asked for 22 years, but under the agreement the tax would only be imposed as long as necessary to get financing done to complete the project.  Mr. Campbell was not here the night this was initially approved.  This agreement provides that once roads are in and everything is completed in the district the City will take over the roads that run throughout the district in terms of maintenance. 

 

Mrs. Arnold noted a typo in the agreement and asked that it be corrected B text in the agreement referred to Highway 46, and it should be Highway 45.  Mr. Campbell agreed.                        

 


Mr. Campbell added that the City does not have a vote on the Transportation Development District Board.  The tax is on anything sold within the district B it is 1% added to other taxes.  There is a lawsuit in Warsaw, Missouri, challenging single owners= rights to set these up.  About twenty districts are run by sole owners.  There=s no danger to the City of Parkville as a result of these lawsuits; we will not get in a fight over the validity of the district. 

 

Mr. Sportsman asked if the tax ever retires.  Mr. Campbell said yes, when the bonds are paid off B we do not have an estimate of when.  Once it=s paid the tax will go off, and when the streets are done we=ll maintain them. 

 

Mrs. Dusenbery asked who is representing the City on this board.  Mr. Campbell said Mr. Hawver is a non-voting member of the board. 

 

Mr. Friedman asked if there is a clear cost of the roads to be built or improved.  Mr. Campbell said there are very public books on this project. 

 

Mr. Borchers said this is the final phase of the process in the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) plan and redevelopment agreement.  The 1% sales tax is only on that portion of the property that River North owned at the time it (the TIF district) was established.  Sonic, Phillips, and the auto shop are not a part of the TIF district.  The 1% tax will go to help pay for transportation related improvements, and only for those improvements.   

 

He said this cooperative agreement is one phase of the TIF; MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) agreement is to be considered February 10th.  It will cover improvements on Highways 9 and 45. 

 

As far as the City=s accepting maintenance, that=s the way it would go with any public road in any subdivision as long as they are constructed according to regulations, and approved. 

 

Mr. Poole asked if there is a time limit.  Mr. Borchers said he thought the agreement actually refers to a 23-year period.  The NID (Neighborhood Improvement District) bonds were for a 20-year period.  If the project is done in 15 years, the bonds are paid off, and the District Board votes to abolish that tax. 

 

Mr. Friedman said he thought there is a lid on how much tax can go to that 1%.  Mr. Borchers said that=s on the TIF.  He said sales tax were capped at the year 2000 level; if the sales tax were $100,000 in the year 2000, and the tax generated in 2008 is $800,000, then $100,000 goes into the sales tax as  usual, and $700,000 would be divided B half to the City and half to pay for improvements.  (He stressed that these numbers were just arbitrarily chosen to illustrate the method to be used for division of the taxes.)

 

Mr. Sportsman asked about Gomer=s and other businesses being relocated within the district.  Mr. Borchers said they will be subject to the Transportation Development District tax. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


DISCUSSION OF BILL 2132 TO AMEND THE BALLOT ISSUE

 

Mr. McCoy said this bill amending the ordinance passed at the last meeting  was more than a clarification of the language to be placed on the ballot; it was a change in amount.  It lowers the proposed tax amount by $.12.   This bill makes a lot more aggressive assumptions than the previous one. 

 

Mr. Hawver said Treasurer Steve Berg suggested using money we have in the reserve account.  Mr. Hawver called attention to a chart he made showing we can expect more than 3% growth.  He said we will be seeing additional tax income from Parkville Commons, and asked Mr. Borchers for an estimate.  Mr. Borchers said when completed, the center will be a 50 million dollar project.  

 

Mr. Hawver referred to a chart he made showing annual growth in Parkville=s assessed valuation.  The figures were all considerably higher than the figure used on the previous ordinance.  He said Mr. Berg considered our past growth and used 7% as an annual growth rate, whereas Charlie Zitnik had used 3% as a growth figure, which is the going rate.  They met with Mr. Zitnik  (Kirkpatrick Pettis), who agreed these are reasonable figures, yet still conservative estimates. 

 

Mr. McCoy said the estimated growth numbers looked pretty high to him.  He=d like to know why Mr. Zitnik agreed to these figures.  Mr. Hawver said that Mr. Zitnik, in a meeting, looked at all these figures and agreed that we didn=t need more than .6053, and then put an extra penny in there for a buffer.  He said he understood Mr. Berg worked this all out with Mr. McCoy, but he guessed that was not the case.  Mr. McCoy said they passed several e-mails back and forth, but nothing more than that.  He worried about the lack of thoughtful review.  He asked what precipitated the change in the first place. 

 

Mr. Hawver said Mr. Berg came to him with his proposal, and Mr. Hawver said he needed to meet with Mr. Zitnik, so they had a meeting, and Mr. Berg laid it all out, and it was looked at and agreed upon.   Mrs. Arnold asked about a later election.  The upcoming election dates were discussed, and Mr. Ferguson asked about the majority agreed in the various elections.  In general elections the rate needed is 4/7ths. 

 

Mr. Sportsman said the issue is how much of a risk the Board is comfortable with.  Mr. Hawver said the ordinance that was passed shows a much higher rate than we need to present to the voters.  Mr. McCoy said we should have known that before, and expressed disappointment in our bond representative=s recommendations. 

 

Mr. Ferguson pointed out that The National and Riss Lake may be built out soon, and the growth rate would then slow down. 

 

Mr. Rittman asked about putting additional language in the ballot question explaining why we need additional taxes, i.e., increasing the operating levy to purchase green space and make additional capital improvements, to show that we=re not increasing the operating level for general use.  He said what we=re actually trying to do is protect our green space, our ambience, and our quality of life, not our operating expenses.  Mr. McCoy said we probably couldn=t get that through the bond counsel. 

 

Mr. Poole asked about waiting for the June election.  Discussion ensued on the elements of the change in the proposal.  Mr. Ferguson asked about going ahead with the figure as originally passed.  Mr. McCoy said  the Finance Committee should, at the very least, have looked at this new proposal.  

 


Mr. McCoy said the bond counsel said we could not change the language in the first paragraph. 

 

Mr. Sportsman asked about having a special meeting the next night.  Mr. Hawver said Thursday the Platte County Board of Elections would print the ballot.  The city clerk said the bond counsel has to take the measure to the Platte County Court and then to the Election Board so it could be changed.  She made an appointment with the Court for Wednesday.

 

Mr. Rittman asked if we wait on this are we really going to change all that much?  Mr. Hawver said Mr. Zitnik thought it was a much better plan than the one he presented.  Mr. Rittman said he hated to see us wait four months for this, because we are wanting to acquire green space, and waiting would be a problem.  He=d like to see a couple of words changed. 

 

Mr. Hawver said if this change doesn=t generate enough money, the balance could come from the capital improvements budget.  Mr. Rittman said Aor we could go back to the voters.@ 

 

Mr. McCoy said he is still worried about dropping the figure that much.  Mr. Friedman said he agrees with Mr. Rittman that time is important, and it=s to the benefit of the whole city.  He said it=s up to the Board to explain this to voters.  He said if we come up short there are things we could cut out of the plan.  He said the City has always done very well at handling the money B we=ve never been in the red.  He talked about Parkville Commons opening, and about the areas on I-435 getting ready to go. 

 

Mr. Poole said he understood where Mr. McCoy was coming from, but he too felt it was important to get on the ballot as soon as possible.  Mr. Sportsman said if nothing else this should put more emphasis on balance in planning for the growth of the city B balance among green space, private housing, and businesses.  He agreed with Mr. Friedman that if we miss this opportunity we=ll regret it.  We will have more people voting in April than in June. 

 

Mr. Sportsman said it was unfortunate that this decision was to be made with little or no advance information, but we have to trust Mr. Hawver, and the staff, and follow their recommendation. 

 

ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE BILL 2132, AMENDING THE BALLOT ISSUE TO REDUCE  THE AMOUNT SHOWN AND TO CLARIFY THE LANGUAGE; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED.

 

ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN WITHDREW HIS MOTION; ALDERMAN POOLE WITHDREW HIS SECOND. 

 

Mr. Hawver said perhaps we could add additional language and have it approved by the bond counselor in the morning.

 

Mr. Rittman said it was important that we have a unanimous decision on this.  All should be behind it.  He would like the first sentence to be changed to include words about preservation of land and capital projects.

 


Mr. Ferguson said Mr. McCoy said the bond counsel would not approve a language change especially in the first paragraph.  There are rules.  Mr. Rittman said then he would ask to put it in the second paragraph.  Voters should be able to understand what we=re doing.  Mr. Poole said we should put out information. 

 

Discussion ensued on the possibility of making changes to the language.  Mr. Campbell said it would be very difficult to make changes.  Mr. Friedman asked if we would be able to pass an ordinance or make a statement afterward telling the voters what we=re going to do with the money. 

 

Mr. Campbell said we could send out any information, but it would be hard to change the language on the ballot. 

 

Mr. Sportsman said we need to get the information to the voters before they get to the polling place; changing the language on the ballot would not do that. 

 

Mrs. Dusenbery and Mr. Friedman said they have already started arrangements to have discussions of this issue at the homeowners associations= meetings in Riss Lake and The Bluffs.  Mr. Friedman said one of his concerns is that they plan to show a unified vote on this, and Mr. McCoy suggested a six-cent increase instead of the 3-cent increase.  This would make the figure $.6753.  The city clerk would  retype it and Mr. Ferguson will sign the clean copy (which would agree with the text as passed) while the aldermen were  in executive session.  Mrs. Dusenbery agreed. 

 

It was agreed to change the bill to reflect the new figures. 

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL 2132, AMENDING ORDINANCE 2111, SUBMISSION FOR BALLOT ISSUE,  TO CHANGE THE FIGURE AND CLARIFY THE LANGUAGE, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL 2132 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL 2132 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 2114; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

   ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL A-735, TO PAY LISTED SALARIES AND ACCOUNTS, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL A-735 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED THAT BILL A-735 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE A-735; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED.


 

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-735 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE A-735; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0, WITH ONE ABSTENTION

 

Mr. Rittman said he abstained because the bill-paying ordinance includes a purchase from Thoroughbred Ford; he is an associate of that company.  He would not benefit from this purchase, but felt it wise to abstain. 

              CITY ADMINISTRATOR=S REPORT

 

SRF Program.  Mr. Hawver said there was good news from the Department of Natural Resources.  Parkville was finally accepted into the SRF (Sewer Revolving Fund) Program subject to several things, including voter approval, which we need to have before the end of June.  We can now to go forward toward infrastructure improvements, with a low-interest loan from the State. 

 

Train Horns.  Mr. Hawver said Mr. Poole said train horns were supposed to be included in the Capital Improvements Plan.  The cost will be $150,000 for three of them.  The total amount will still be 2.75 million.  Mrs. Dusenbery asked if the question of liability had been resolved; Mr. Hawver said no, there are still questions to be answered.  Mr. McCoy said by putting it in the budget we still have the right to look at the liability issue before going forward.

 

4th of July and Carnival.  Mr. Hawver said the 4th of July carnival for 2004 was never officially approved by the Board.  He would have Tom Hutsler there at the next meeting.  There is a conflict between the carnival and the Lewis & Clark re-enactment.  If the carnival comes on June 28 (Monday) and takes up the parking lot, there will be a real problem.  He is asking Tom Hutsler to contact the carnival and see if they can come to town Thursday (July 1), because the Corps of Discovery will leave Thursday morning.   If that is not possible, and Mr. Hawver indicates it=s not, Mr. Hawver will call the carnival and confirm that.  Plan B is to have the carnival on Ballfield #1.   That=s been done before and it worked out pretty well. 

 

Mrs. Arnold said Mr. Hutsler said he would work with us.  

 

Mr. Hutsler has agreed to Plan B (Ballfield #1), Mr. Hawver said, and  the carnival people have agreed to that, and would park their RV=s and other equipment over in English Landing Center.  Mr. Hawver had some concern over the fireworks if the carnival is on Ballfield #1, but Mr. Hutsler says they would have to angle them over the river, and they can=t have certain types of fireworks.  Mrs. Arnold asked why he couldn=t just tell them AThat=s the way it is,@ telling them to come Thursday instead of Monday.  Mr. Hawver said he=s going to call the carnival and try to tell them that=s the way it is, because it=s the City=s call.  He knows they=ve stayed in town after the carnival because the next town didn=t want them in early. 

 

          POLICE CHIEF=S REPORT

Chief Hudson said the Board has copies of his report.  They should get the annual report at the next meeting.  Mr. Ferguson asked if it were good news, and the chief said it would not be bad news, but not great news.  Last night the Clay County Sheriff=s Department chased someone over here.  The chase involved the Platte County Sheriff=s Department and the Missouri Highway Patrol.  It turned out there was a 16-year-old in the front seat and a 7-year-old in the back seat.  They were running 100 miles plus. Parkville Sergeant Kevin Davis stopped traffic at K and 45 when they came across; they went airborne at K Highway and Highway 45.  They used stop sticks to get the driver to stop the car about 63rd and 45, and it took them to about 8500 before the tires went flat.  Stop sticks are a way of stopping cars by  controlled deflation of the tires.  We also have stop sticks, and we=ll be able to use them in a couple of weeks when we get our general orders out. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

AD HOC AMBULANCE COMMITTEE: Mrs. Dusenbery asked the Board=s permission to invite MAST to make a presentation at the first meeting in March for educational purposes and to answer questions, and to invite NORAD to the second meeting in March.  It was agreed each entity would be limited to an hour. 

 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/MAIN STREET: No report.

 

CHANNEL 2: Mr. Rittman has met with representatives of the Park Hill School District in regard to the possible utilization of Channel 2.  The concept would be to develop a curriculum in the district that would have a broadcasting capability, i.e., five-minute news of what=s going on in the school district, possibly lunch menus on the daybook and other compatible ideas.  No commitments were made, but they wanted to trial balloon the idea B they want to come before the Board in May or June B enough time that they could put a curriculum in place in September, a plan similar to what we have used with Park University.  Mr. Friedman asked about additional funding.  Mr. Rittman said they didn=t get into that.  He thinks they are interested in getting students started on broadcasting programs.

 

COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Sportsman said no report, but he=d like the Community Center people to make a presentation, possibly in April, to report on progress and plans. 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT: Mr. Ferguson said we ended up with $145,000 income over expenses at the end of the year.  He said Collector Justin Kuder=s done a good job with a thorough analysis of increases and decreases.

 

ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO ACCEPT THE DECEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT AS PUBLISHED.

 

Mr. McCoy suggested to Mr. Kuder that he change the order of the report, putting the things we focus on first, and Mr. Kuder has done that. 

 

ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0. 

 

NATURE SANCTUARY: Mr. McCoy said Director Jim Reed led a winter hike and fourteen people participated. 

 

PARKS.  No report.

 

PLANNING: Mr. Ferguson said the February meeting was cancelled due to lack of agenda items.

 

           OTHER BUSINESS

 

LEWIS & CLARK: Mayor Ferguson asked Mrs. Lance to expand on the written report from Lewis & Clark Committee Chairman Deborah Butcher and Platte County Visitors Bureau Director Cheryl Thorpe.  She went over the items covered in their memo (copy is attached to these minutes), and recommended  that if the parking lot is occupied with the carnival the party for the Corps of Discovery, to which we aill invite area-wide Lewis & Clark enthusiasts, should be canceled.  We have given parties in previous years to welcome Lewis & Clark reenactors, and they have been well attended.  With no available parking, people who had already paid for their dinners would arrive and find no place to park. 

 

CITY STICKERS: Mrs. Lance said the purpose of this memo was to explain the volume of work and the cost of postage needed to send out city stickers.  She asked if they could be discontinued.  Mr. Rittman suggested that, instead of sending them to everyone, they be distributed to people who come in and provide proof of payment of the city sticker tax and ask for stickers.  Mr. Hawver said he felt there were legal issues involved with this, and he would do some research.  A decision will be made at a later meeting.

 

ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF RSMo TO CONSIDER LITIGATION, REAL ESTATE AND PERSONNEL; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

The meeting was adjourned into executive session at 9 p.m.  KC Star reporter Mike Sherry and resident Frank McCoy were asked to wait upstairs until the Board returned to open session.

Discussion ensued.

 

ALDERMAN McCOY MOVED TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION; ALDERMAN DUSENBERY SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.

 

The Board reconvened in open session at approximately 10 p.m.  There was no report coming out of executive session.

 

ALDERMAN ARNOLD MOVED TO ADJOURN; ALDERMAN FERGUSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.

 

 

Submitted by     ____________________________________

City Clerk Barbara Lance - 2/9/04