Regular Meeting
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF PARKVILLE, MISSOURI
May 18, 2004
CALL TO ORDER
Ward 1 Alderman Jack Friedman - present
Ward 1 Alderman Charlie Poole - ABSENT WITH PRIOR NOTICE
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 Brian Atkinson - present
ALSO PRESENT: Police Chief Bill Hudson
Director of Community Development Danielle Devlin
Public Works Director Jeff Rupp
City Attorney Jack Campbell
City Clerk Barbara J. Lance
City Collector Justin Kuder
Office Assistant Claudia Willhite
Eagle Scout Billy Raine
Ellen Wilgus and Gale Bay re Taste of Parkville & Christmas on the River
Jay Norco, Shafer Kline & Warren
Residents Tom Hutsler, Frank McCoy, Harry Sievers
MEDIA PRESENT: Mike Sherry, KC Star
Andy Young and Joe Gleason for Channel 2
Mrs. Lance said she and Ms. Willhite caught a typo in the minutes on Page 93 which showed Mr. Ferguson voting twice against the Farmers Market parking and Mr. Friedman not voting. The original copy has been corrected, she said, to show Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Friedman both voting no on parking under the Farmers Market.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF MAY 4th BE APPROVED AS CORRECTED; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
The mayor complimented Ms. Willhite on the minutes, the first set she has done since joining the staff.
Mr. Campbell explained the changes in ownership and easements worked out among the three entities. He said both Synergy and Salvation Army approve the ordinance in this form, and a representative from the Salvation Army was present that evening. This ordinance is an amendment to the real estate contract, which does not involve the City. Only the amendment has an impact on the City.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT ORDINANCE 2146, ACCEPTING LAND FROM SYNERGY GIRLS HOME AND GRANTING AN EASEMENT AND LICENSE OVER SAID LAND TO SYNERGY GIRLS HOME, WHICH IS CONVEYING ALL RIGHTS IN THE PROPERTY TO THE SALVATION ARMY, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; AND PASSED TO SECOND READING; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT ORDINANCE 2146 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT ORDINANCE 2146 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 2128; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Bill 2146 was not posted prior to the meeting.
Mayor Dusenbery asked the Salvation Army to give the City information on how residents can volunteer their assistance to the shelter.
Mrs. Arnold, as chair of the Events Committee, had requested and received from Ms. Wilgus a more complete application for Taste of Parkville than the one which was provided in the packets. The Events Committee is setting a meeting date to go over the provisions of both events. She asked if there were questions about either of them.
She noted the Events Policy had been changed to the one which seemed to be the final one drafted for that body's use rather than an earlier one which had been one in recent use. It now again includes a provision for all the financial documentation on an event to be provided within 45 days of the completion of the event.
ALDERMAN ARNOLD MOVED TO APPROVE THE EVENTS: TASTE OF PARKVILLE ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th, AND CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3rd THROUGH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5th; ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Mr. Raine, of Troop #261, explained that he and others felt that the sign on Highway 45 identifying the Parkville city limits was too high to see, and faded; his Eagle Scout project was, with the help of other Scouts in his troop and the assistance of the Parkville city crew, to move it to a lower elevation, and to repaint it and landscape around it. The sign is now located just west of the entrance to Monticello.
Mayor Dusenbery and aldermen commented on how good it looks, and thanked him.
MARC TTP Committee. Mayor Dusenbery said she has been appointed to this committee by the Platte County Commissioners, and attended her first meeting.
Riverside Levee. Mayor Dusenbery said she asked for and got the documents indicating the new levee will not have more than an inch impact on the City of Parkville in case of flood. Copies of these documents were provided in the meeting packets.
Environmental Study of City Hall. Former Mayor Gerry Richardson had commissioned a study of City Hall through Architect George Lafferty. That report is in, and copies will be placed in aldermen's boxes and made available to the public upon request.
Phrasing of Motions. Mayor Dusenbery asked the Board not to do any more negative motions, i.e., refusing to act on an issue. She will ask for a positive motion when a subject has been discussed, and if none is forthcoming we will go on and the matter will be dropped, she said.
Construction Activity. Ms. Devlin said an ordinance considering restricting hours of construction activity is being discussed and will be presented for consideration at the next meeting. They're working with the Police Department on this.
Decision on Architect for Master Plan. Ms. Devlin said the Selection Committee chose the architect for this project. The firm is Blucher Willis & Ratliff Corporation. An ordinance is expected to be ready for consideration at the next Board meeting.
Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting. At this meeting the BZA will consider a request for variance from the lot area requirement in R-4 zoning.
Notice of Commercial Development at K Highway and Highway 45 (in unincorporated Platte County). Ms. Devlin said we have received notice of this development, about 85 acres to be called Plaza North. Copies are in her office. They've asked for any comments that we have. Mayor Dusenbery asked would the roundabout be finished before they start. Ms. Devlin said she didn't know but would include it in any comments she forwards to the County Planning Department. It was agreed that is a very dangerous intersection. The development will be commercial and multi-family. The development is within a mile-and-a-half of the city. The developer is Dave Barth.
Mrs. Arnold thanked Ms. Devlin for going over the construction activity issue so carefully.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2147, REAFFIRMING THE CONFLICT OF ORDINANCE FIRST ENACTED BY ORDINANCE 1238, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2147 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 2147 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 2129; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Bill 2147 was posted 5/15/04.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2148, EMPLOYING TIM HARTMAN AS LABORER FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2148 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 2148 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 2130; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Bill 2148 was posted 5/14/04.
Employee classifications - exempt or non-exempt, reassignments for some.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2149 BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING.
Mr. Campbell asked that this ordinance be tabled until he has a chance to study it.
Mr. Ferguson withdrew his motion.
The chief noted that crime statistics look better than last year's.
Channel 5's airing of Parkville police car videotape. Chief Hudson said this tape (showing a Platte County deputy in his private car being stopped by a Parkville police officer) was released under the requirements of the Sunshine Law. He felt that Parkville Officer Eric Sligar did exactly what he was supposed to do, and was trained to do, he said, and that Sheriff Dick Anderson acted appropriately when he learned of the incident.
Mayor Dusenbery added that the staff reacted well to the pressure from Channel 5 and supplied the tape as soon as possible (it turned out the tape they wanted was not any of the ones they first requested), and she commended Officer Sligar on his demeanor during the car stop. Mr. Friedman added that he handled himself very professionally.
Overlay program. Mr. Rupp said he was very pleased with the outcome of this project. He thanked all the downtown merchants for working with them.
Ammonia limits at sewer plant. Missouri Department of Natural Resources representatives at Jefferson City are supporting variances on this requirement.
Parking lot across from Farmers Market. Mr. Norco said to make this project feasible the bridge has to be under way.
Modifications to pump station on McAfee Drive. Mr. Norco said they recently discovered that in the pump station there is an illegal bypass pipe, discharging untreated sewage. It is prohibited under the Clean Water Act and the Missouri Code of Regulations because of the health risk. It is also unsightly. It may have been there for 25 years or longer, and came to light because the operator at Alliance Water Resources has been very observant and has been documenting cases of overflow. SKW is proposing a modification to the improvements down there. Instead of merely constructing a brick tank, they propose a larger pump station capacity, so the water can be safely transported to the treatment facility. The cost for these improvements will be considerable; it is possible this cost can be absorbed in the overall cost, but possibly not.
Mr. Rupp recommended going ahead and taking care of the pump.
Mr. Norco talked about overflow occurring when the discharge pipe is removed.
Mayor Dusenbery said for the welfare of the city we have to go ahead and overhaul these pumps.
Mr. McCoy asked how long the pumps would last; when would we have to change them out again. Mr. Norco said most pumps are a 20-year investment. He talked about a wet-weather capacity. There would be little salvage value in pumps this old. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Rupp said so far in this project we have a $70,000 savings, but we don't know how it will turn out in the long run.
ALDERMAN RITTMAN MOVED TO UPGRADE OR REPLACE THE PUMPS, ELIMINATING THE BYPASS, BRINGING THAT WHOLE PORTION INTO CODE; ALDERMAN McCOY SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Discussion ensued on the cost of oil and what impact it would have on the operation. Mr. Rupp said projects would probably be more costly in the days to come.
Paving was discussed. Mr. Rupp said he thought the next area would be The Bluffs, and then there's a section in Bell Road that may be brought into the sequence this year.
Mr. Sportsman asked for information from MoDOT on Highway 9. Mr. Rupp didn't have that information at this point but feels we're going to see it within 30 days.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-742, TO PAY LISTED SALARIES AND ACCOUNTS, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-742 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-742 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE A-742; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; BY ROLL CALL:
AYE -ALDERMEN ARNOLD, ATKINSON, FERGUSON, FRIEDMAN, McCOY, SPORTSMAN;
ALDERMAN RITTMAN ABSTAINED BECAUSE HE WORKS FOR THE COMPANY WHICH WAS THE HIGH BIDDER FOR A VEHICLE PURCHASED BY THE CITY AND SHOWN ON THIS BILL-PAYING ORDINANCE; MOTION CARRIED WITH 6 AYE VOTES AND ONE ABSTENTION.
Bill A-742 was posted 5/14/04.
AMBULANCE: Mayor Dusenbery said the recommendation from MAST (Metropolitan Ambulance Service Trust) is that all cities pay their fair share for ambulance service. She would like to write a letter to MAST, with Board approval, expressing the City's concern about the longevity of MAST. She will work with City Clerk Lance to draft the letter. Mr. Rittman said he would like to see a performance standard attached to that. Mayor Dusenbery agreed that would be an excellent idea, and she asked Mr. Rittman to work on the letter. Mr. Atkinson said MAST won't be able to tell what they can do until their financing is in. The mayor said she thinks the City should pay its fair share, but she wants to use the letter as a way to open real communication with MAST. Mr. Rittman suggested we might want to provide an incentive for them to keep an ambulance in the city.
Mrs. Dusenbery said she's been discussing a task force with Commissioner Michael Short and Lake Waukomis Mayor Ann Sanders with a view to establishing an ambulance district, with taxes from that district going to pay for ambulance service. She's sure that MAST will provide ambulance service for a year even without a contract.
Chief Hudson said he did find it difficult to think Kansas City would scrap MAST with all they have invested in it.
Mayor Dusenbery said she would have the draft of the letter in aldermen's boxes before it goes out.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/EVENTS: Mrs. Arnold reported that the Chamber After-Hours would take place the following Thursday May 20th at ADVA Home Mortgage in English Landing Center. She said she will have a full report on the newly re-established Events Committee at the next meeting.
CHANNEL 2/WEBSITE: Mr. Atkinson said he has met with Anna Jaffe, co-producer of two videos on the ballot issues regarding finance issues. He said he would meet with her again and also with her husband, photographer Mike Horine, the following week. He has asked Mrs. Lance to join them. He also wants to have lunch with Mr. Rittman to bring himself up to date on Channel 2 activities.
Mayor Dusenbery said she would like to get West Nile virus information on Channel 2.
COMMUNITY CENTER: Mr. Sportsman said resident Neil Davidson e-mailed him and said our community center is due to open sometime in mid-June, 2005. The north one will open in October, 2004.
(TRAILS): Mr. Davidson also said the trails on the north side of Highway 45 have been laid. The south side will be next. Next they will add a rock base, asphalt surface, and a retaining wall.
FARMERS MARKET: Mr. Friedman said things are looking good. There are more vendors every week. Many vendors came up and thanked him for supporting the parking ban there. He has also had several calls in favor of that decision, and over sixty people showed up at their new Old Town Homeowners Association meeting, and many of them agreed.
Mayor Dusenbery said we're going ahead and getting six more spaces on the west side.
FINANCIAL REPORT: Mr. Ferguson said this is for a four-month period. We're doing well on income. The Awards Banquet cost $5,379, but we received $3,660 back in dinner payments from those who attended, so our total cost was actually about $1,700.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE APRIL FINANCIAL STATEMENT AS PUBLISHED; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
MAIN STREET: Mr. Rittman referred to the reassignment of liaison positions, and said he looked forward to working with the Main Street folks. The change came after their last meeting, which he hadn't attended, but he will continue to follow their activities. The merchants were concerned about the Farmers Market parking vote. People park in that area coming from the park rather than coming from the restaurants. We need to factor that into additional parking, he said.
Mayor Dusenbery said having a parking problem is really a blessing, meaning merchants are doing well. She said we do ask that merchants really consider not parking in front of their businesses. Main Street can probably work on that.
Mr. Atkinson said there are a lot of people who are parking there (around the Farmers Market). We need to have signs directing park visitors to park down by the ballfields. Mr. Friedman added that there should be signs in English Landing Center directing people to parking behind the shops. Mr. Rittman said he would like to us revisit the entire downtown area to make more spaces without cramming everybody in.
NATURE SANCTUARY: Mr. McCoy said there were a couple of hikes, a Tiger Cub interpretative hike for one, also a bird hike. A Park Hill South advanced biology class came in and assisted with water quality testing. The water tested out great. There are still a couple of Eagle Scout projects under way. Jim Reed got $52.60 from students at Southeast Elementary, in quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies. He provided a nature exhibit for their school fair.
PARKS COMMITTEE: In the absence of Alderman Poole no report was given, but Mrs. Lance asked for a decision on the request from a Texas church youth group to perform on the stage June 10th. This request has not been addressed because of the personnel changes at City Hall. Mr. McCoy noted that Parks Committee members had responded affirmatively to a memo on this subject, and in accordance with that he thought we should allow the band shelter's use by this group.
ALDERMAN McCOY MOVED TO ALLOW THE VALLEY RANCH BAPTIST CHURCH FROM COPPELL, TEXAS, TO PERFORM ON THE STAGE IN ENGLISH LANDING PARK THURSDAY, JUNE 10th, AT 7 p.m.; ALDERMAN FERGUSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Mrs. Lance added that in conversation with Parks Committee Chair Sandra Ferguson she learned that the policy for use of the shelter is under discussion.
Mayor Dusenbery asked that the information about the performance on June 10th be posted on Channel 2.
Health Insurance. Mr. Kuder said July 1st the premiums will increase again on health insurance. His memo comparing options to address this situation is attached to these minutes. Mr. Sportsman said he wanted to pick up the increase entirely at this time.
ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN MOVED TO INCREASE THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO HEALTH INSURANCE BY $50 PER EMPLOYEE, TO MAKE IT $500, AND TO INCREASE THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO DENTAL INSURANCE TO $26.49 PER MONTH; ALDERMAN FERGUSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Mr. Kuder would put information on above in aldermen's mailboxes the next day.
Sales Tax Holiday, possible opt-out. Mr. Kuder explained this was new legislation decreeing a sales tax holiday on certain items during August 13-15th. This was aimed at giving some tax relief to low income purchasers. Items to be exempted from sales tax on those days include clothing, computer hardware and software, and school supplies, i.e., paper, pencils, erasers, etc. There are dollar limits on some of these items insofar as the tax exemption is concerned. He explained that even if we opted out, our merchants would still be subject to a lot of bookkeeping for reports required by the Department of Revenue. Staff has identified only about seven merchants who would be affected by this tax exemption law. Aldermen asked his opinion; he recommended not opting out.
ALDERMAN McCOY MOVED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TAX EXEMPTION AND NOT CONSIDER AN OPT-OUT ORDINANCE ALDERMAN ATKINSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Rancho Grande Cantina outdoor service. Mrs. Lance reported that, while Rancho Grande's customer base did not increase last year during the National Golf Bayer Advantage Celebrity Pro-Am tournament, their regular customers enjoyed "dining out" in the area around the restaurant. The owner has asked permission to do it again. Chief Hudson said there were no problems last year.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO APPROVE OUTDOOR SERVICE AT RANCHO GRANDE DURING THE TOURNAMENT AGAIN THIS YEAR; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Mayor Dusenbery asked Chief Hudson about plans for this year. The chief said The National is using a lot of private security this year; there are a couple of issues they're working out with them. Mr. Friedman said he was pleased to see that announcements say it's occurring in Parkville rather than Kansas City as was done last year.
Lewis & Clark plans. Mrs. Lance offered an update on Lewis & Clark plans. It is attached to these minutes.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO ADJOURN; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Submitted by ___________________________________
City Clerk Barbara J. Lance - 5/26/04