Regular Meeting
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF PARKVILLE, MISSOURI
March 1, 2005
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kathryn A. Dusenbery called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Area.
Ward 1 Alderman Jack Friedman - present, LEFT AT 8:03 P.M.
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 Brian Atkinson - present
ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Joe Turner
Director of Public Works Jeff Rupp
Director of Community Development Sean Ackerson
City Clerk Barbara Lance
Assistant City Clerk Claudia Willhite
City Attorney Jack Campbell, Shughart Thomson & Kilroy
Chris Molzen of Shughart Thomson & Kilroy
ALDERMAN POOLE MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LITIGATION AND REAL ESTATE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF RSMo 610.021(1) AND (2); ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
Discussion ensued.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION IN THE BOARD ROOM; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Dusenbery reconvened the meeting in the Board Room at 7:06 p.m. and stated that there was no report coming out of executive session.
PRESENT: All above except Chris Molzen.
ALSO PRESENT: Senior Building Inspector Paul Giarratana
Project Manager Dan Koch
Police Lieutenant John Moyer
Parkville Lions President Frank Muehlbach re July 4th breakfast
Parkville Merchants Cathy Kline and Tracie Camlin re signage
Resident and Candidate Deborah Butcher re marketing, tourism update
Joseph Guminger IV re resort liquor license for Hilltop Tap Room
Boy Scout James Leach, Troop #314.
REVIEW OF MINUTES
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 15th MEETING AND THE FEBRUARY 22nd WORK SESSION BE APPROVED AS PUBLISHED; ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Mr. Muehlbach requested the use of the Parkville Farmers Market structure on Monday, July 4th from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the annual Lions Pancake Breakfast. He said it's their only fund-raising effort, and the proceeds are used to pay for eye exams and eyeglasses for needy children in the Park Hill School District. They have been doing this for about 30 years.
ALDERMAN ARNOLD MOVED TO PERMIT THE PARKVILLE LIONS TO USE THE FARMERS MARKET STRUCTURE FOR THE ANNUAL LIONS PANCAKE BREAKFAST; ALDERMAN ATKINSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Mr. Friedman asked whether they would need a banner. Mr. Muehlbach said the 4th of July sponsor generally adds the breakfast on the banner for the event. He also noted they got a lot of their customers just because it's an annual tradition. He said a group of bicyclists from Johnson County stops by every year; the one year the Lions went along with a switch to July 3rd for the parade and banquet, the bicyclists came on the 4th and were disappointed. He said the breakfast would always be on the 4th from then on.
Mrs. Kline and Mrs. Camlin were present to talk about the need to publicize their businesses and those of others in second-floor or out-of-the-way locations. They had been forced to remove the signboards they put on the sidewalks because the Sign Code does not allow them. They brought a letter from Lulu's Hand-Me-Ups. The Great Escape, Mrs. Kline's business, and Lulu' are both in second-floor locations. Mrs. Camlin's business, Mooseport, is on East Street between the alley and the parking lot.
Mr. Ackerson said there were a number of issues; the sign language was written for ground-floor businesses at a time when nearly all businesses were on the ground floor and people lived upstairs, or had offices that didn't depend on pedestrian traffic.
Mayor Dusenbery suggested that she and Mr. Ackerson meet with Mrs. Kline and Mrs. Camlin and others with the same problem and try to work out some changes in the Sign Code, changes that would work for everyone. Suggested changes would have to go before the Planning Commission before they could come to the Board of Aldermen. A report would be made at the next meeting on March 15th.
Mr. Friedman asked if the Board of Aldermen could grant a temporary permit for The Great Escape and Mooseport until the next meeting.
ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN MOVED TO ALLOW THE GREAT ESCAPE AND MOOSEPORT TO DISPLAY SIDEWALK SIGNBOARDS FOR A FEW WEEKS UNTIL A PERMANENT SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND TO THE PROBLEM; ALDERMAN FERGUSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
The question was asked, and it was agreed this temporary permit was for the above two businesses only.
The mayor welcomed Scout James Leach, Troop #314, and invited him to the podium. He said he is working on his Citizenship in the Community badge.
Mrs. Butcher was there to clarify a few things about tourism efforts. She said ads are being distributed in other states, not with the idea that people in Iowa will jump in their cars and come on down, but with the hope they will begin to think of Parkville as a destination site. The Platte County Visitors Bureau number is featured in the ads, so when people plan bus tours, for instance, they can call the Visitors Bureau and get information and a tour guide. She reminded everyone that this is a partnership. We need to work toward having a comprehensive photo library. In doing that we have to make sure we have signed releases. Staged photos generally work better than candids. Mr. Rittman said he would be glad to assist with photos any time they need him.
Mayor Dusenbery asked how we could help with the photo library. Mrs. Butcher said we need a way to approve that program; we don't have funds at this time. The Platte County Visitors Bureau uses a photographer to take certain shots. We need a list of what we want and then book someone to get it done. She would like to be of assistance on this project. The mayor mentioned the guest room tax, which goes directly into a tourism account. Right now taxes are coming only from the four rooms at the Porch Swing Inn, but we will be actively seeking a hotel or motel along the 435 corridor.
Mr. Guminger reminded the Board of Aldermen he had appeared before it last year about a license for Shanker's, the previous name for his business. There have been many delays since then, and he changed the name because some golfers objected to it.
CITY ATTORNEY CAMPBELL LEFT.
ALDERMAN RITTMAN MOVED TO GRANT A RESORT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE HILLTOP TAP ROOM CONTINGENT UPON RECEIPT OF AN OCCUPANCY PERMIT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT; ALDERMAN McCOY SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Community Center. Mayor Dusenbery said the Community Center opened February 19th. The opening ceremonies went very well, and the center already has more than 800 members. 83% of the memberships are for families.
BILL NO 2200/ORDINANCE NO. 2180, CREATING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO APPROVE BILL 2200, CREATING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2200 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2200 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 2180; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Mayor Dusenbery said she would nominate a chairman and other members at the next meeting.
Bill 2200 was posted 2/28/05.
Aerial Photography Cost-Sharing Agreement with Platte County. Mr. Turner said aerial photographs would help the city in condemnation proceedings. He received a phone call from Platte County Planning Director Aaron Schmidt that day saying that although the original projected cost of this photography was $18,000; the bid came in at $12,500.
ALDERMAN RITTMAN MOVED TO AGREE TO CONTRIBUTE $3,000 TO THIS PROJECT; ALDERMAN FERGUSON SECONDED.
Discussion ensued on whether to go with Mr. Schmidt's request for $4,000 from Parkville or Platte County Commissioner Tom Pryor's discussion with the mayor in which he said Parkville's cost would be $3,000. It was decided to go with the $4,000 figure to make sure the project was completed on schedule.
ALDERMAN RITTMAN AMENDED HIS MOTION TO MAKE THE FIGURE $4,000 FOR PARKVILLE''S CONTRIBUTION TO THE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT; ALDERMAN FERGUSON SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Mr. Turner said MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) really likes it when we partner with other entities. It shows unity and increases our chances a little bit. Mayor Dusenbery asked if we get a set of pictures for our use. Mr. Turner said yes.
Charrette with Williams Spurgeon Kuhl & Freshnock on City Hall Expansion. Mr. Turner said this would be held March 14th at 7 p.m. (Note: Definition of charrette is a final intensive effort to finish a project, especially an architectural design.)
Communication Among Officials. Mr. Turner reminded aldermen that communications among them (going to three or more) should include a copy to Barbara Lance or Claudia Willhite for the Blue Box. Mr. McCoy asked that Mrs. Lance send a memo to them all. This is because of the Sunshine Law. The Blue Box is actually a blue box in the office of the assistant city clerk.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Sign Permit Application made by Jim Kramos of Acme Signs for Commerce Bank in Parkville Commons. Mr. Ackerson said the staff recommended approval of five sign applications made by Commerce Bank (three with the name Commerce Bank, and the others directional signs.)
Mayor Dusenbery asked for questions; there were none.
ALDERMAN ATKINSON MOVED THAT THE COMMERCE BANK SIGN APPLICATIONS BE APPROVED; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Sign Permit for China Star, a restaurant in Parkville Commons. Mr. Ackerson said this is a 40' wall sign.
Mayor Dusenbery asked for questions; date of opening was requested, and the response was that the Community Development Department issued a building permit last week. Opening is expected in about six weeks.
ALDERMAN POOLE MOVED TO APPROVE THE SIGN PERMIT FOR CHINA STAR; ALDERMAN RITTMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
BILL 2201; ORDINANCE 2181, APPROVING 5TH PLAT OF PARKVILLE COMMONS.
Mr. Ackerson said the Planning Commission approved this last year 8-0. At that time the site where the car wash was recently approved was approved for office space. When that plan fell through the approval of the 5th Plat did not move forward. The staff recommended approval with any conditions the Board of Aldermen wishes to impose.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2201, APPROVING THE 5TH PLAT OF PARKVILLE COMMONS, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN RITTMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL 2201 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 2201 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE 2181; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Bill 2201 was posted 3/1/05.
Resolution To put New Building Codes on Public Display before Adoption: Paul Giarratana explained the new building codes to be adopted, and the requirement that they be made available to the public before the Board votes to adopt them. The Community Development Department will post a notice on the front counter that these codes are available in its office downstairs. The codes will be adopted in May, 2005.
Mr. Ferguson read a resolution pledging to put the codes on display.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 3-01-05, APPROVING THE PLACING OF NEW BUILDING CODES ON DISPLAY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Update on Master Plan. Mr. Ackerson said they are still on schedule for fall 2005 adoption of the plan. They will have a first draft ready in early April.
Walkability. Mr. Ackerson said a seminar will be held on the subject of walkability in the city. Date and time are April 11th from 8-noon at the new Community Center. The session will include walking, some of it by wheelchair, to determine the walkability status of the city.
MoDOT Improvements to Highway 152. Mr. Ackerson said the State will widen 152 Highway starting in May, 2005, with completion anticipated by December, 2005.
ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN LEFT AT 8:03 P.M.
No report.
Lt. Moyer said there have been a couple of residential burglaries in Riss Lake. He urged people to alert the Police Department when they go on vacation, or if strangers come to their door asking for directions. These burglaries were preceded by strangers ringing doorbells to ask for directions to addresses in neighboring cities. It was suspicious, he said, that they came all the way off the highway into the subdivision to ask directions. The obvious conclusion is that they were ringing the bell to see if anyone was home.
Discussion ensued on the best way to get the word out to residents with these words of caution. It was decided to advise the Riss Lake Homeowners Association, and to post a notice on Channel 2. An article will appear in the June Newsletter.
Ambulance . Mayor Dusenbery said there will be a meeting this month of the Platte County Mayors Council. She will invite MAST to be there to present information on response times.
She noted MAST has a new operating officer.
Chamber of Commerce/Events. Mrs. Arnold said the Chamber would have a Board meeting Wednesday, March 9th. On Thursday, March 17th, there will a Business After Hours at Gomer's. She will ask for approval for the Jazzfest at the next meeting. Mrs. Butcher added there will be Uphill Challenge at Parkville Mini-Golf to raise funds for Chamber activities.
Channel 2/Website. Mr. Atkinson said there was so much material for the new promotional piece for Parkville that Curious Eye Productions has filled 45 tapes. The Channel 2 Video Committee fell $4,000 short of its goal of $12,000 and asked for that amount from the guest room tax, which is limited to tourism use. The video (actually a DVD) is called Parkville: Destination on the Missouri River, and would be previewed the next night. Its first public showing will be at Parkville's 14th Annual Awards Banquet Friday, March 11th.
Mr. Atkinson and Mrs. Lance had both seen a rough cut of the DVD and praised its professionalism, noting it would be a promotional piece that could be used for many years. It will go to Jefferson City next month to be shown to legislators in a northland expo set up by the Northland Chamber of Commerce.
ALDERMAN McCOY MOVED TO SPEND $4,000 FROM THE GUEST ROOM TAX (TOURISM FUND) TO HELP SPONSOR PARKVILLE: DESTINATION ON THE MISSOURI RIVER; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Community Center. It was agreed this report would be discontinued now that the Community Center is open. A report on the Economic Development Committee will replace it.
MAIN STREET PARKVILLE: No report.
NATURE SANCTUARY: No report.
PARKS: No report.
PLANNING & ZONING: Mr. Ferguson said there would be a meeting next Tuesday night.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-761, TO PAY LISTED SALARIES AND ACCOUNTS, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-761 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-761 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE A-761; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALDERMEN ARNOLD, ATKINSON, FERGUSON, FRIEDMAN, McCOY, POOLE AND SPORTSMAN - AYE; ALDERMAN RITTMAN ABSTAINED BECAUSE THE BILL INCLUDED A PURCHASE FROM THOROUGHBRED FORD, WITH WHOM HE IS AFFILIATED. HE STRESSED THAT HE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE BIDDING PROCESS, NOR DOES HE RECEIVE ANY PROFIT, BUT HE ABSTAINS ON PRINCIPLE.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH ONE ABSTENTION.
Bill A-761 was posted 2/28/05.
MARC Smoking Ordinance. Mr. Poole directed the Board's attention to the newly written Parkville ordinance which mirrors the Kansas City ordinance, which sets a goal of 85% participation in the area served by the Mid America Regional Council before it becomes effective. Passage would level the playing field, he said, which was the stipulation when talks began on this subject. Inquiries to Kansas City officials on how much "tweaking" we can do and still be counted in the 85% if our ordinance passes elicited differing responses. We will work that out, he said, and invited aldermen to call or e-mail him or Mrs. Lance with comments on this ordinance. Mayor Dusenbery said we should work with Kansas City Councilman Chuck Eddy with any questions on this ordinance.
Park Hill South Theater Production. Mr. McCoy announced that "Bus Stop" would be presented on March 3-4-5.
Street Light at Highway 45 and Crooked Road. Mr. Rittman thanked the crew for taking care of this. Discussion ensued on problems at 9 and 45, and Highway 45 and South Crooked Road. Mr. Rittman said he would like the City to work to get all street lights working - some are near our businesses, including restaurants.
STATEMENT IN REFERENCE TO NEWSPAPER ARTICLE AND COLUMN. Mr. Poole said once again he has to respond to another assault on his integrity and his work for this city, in statements made about him by Mark Vasto, editor and publisher of the Parkville Luminary. He quoted Mr. Vasto's headline: "Poole requests $20,000 for smoking ban. Outgoing Ward 1 alderman wants city lawyer to draft ordinance." Mr. Poole said the statement is totally false. It was taken from a private conversation between the mayor and himself. After the February 22nd work session they talked about some issues, and she asked him some questions about money issues with this ordinance. Three times he said he didn't know, and finally made a joking comment out of frustration. This must have been heard by Mark Vasto. Mr. Poole said never did he say he wanted the attorney to draft the ordinance. He never discussed that. Instead of reporting on the positive aspects of the work session, Mr. Vasto chose to make the false statement that he had requested $20,000 for our attorney to do an ordinance on banning smoking in Parkville.
Mr. Poole said he has worked for this city for 14 years. He brought the smoking issue to the Board at the request of his constituents for the health of the city, and for his grandchildren, who live in this city. Many citizens thanked him. Any abuse that he takes from this editor or members of this Board is worth it because he's doing the right thing, he said.
It's irresponsible for Mr. Vasto to take a statement out of context and slander him, Mr. Poole said, and he and his family do not deserve this abuse. Why someone who has been in this city only a few months would do this he doesn't know - maybe for political gain. Mr. Poole said he wants the people of this city to know he did not request $20,000 for a smoking ban, and he did not ask Mr. Campbell to draft this ordinance. He may review it. At the time working on this ordinance was discussed, he said, Mayor Dusenbery made it plain she did not want Mr. Campbell helping to draft it, only to review it. To his knowledge, there have been no legal fees spent on this ordinance. The work has been done in-house by Mrs. Lance and himself. Mr. Poole said he will continue to pursue the smoking ban even after he leaves office.
Mr. Poole said a question about legal fees would come before the Board before any substantial amount of work was directed. He said he and the mayor talked and together agreed that $3,000 would be a reasonable top figure, and he didn't think it would take even that much. He has no thoughts of asking for even that much. He said Mr. Vasto needs to issue an apology to him, and to make a retraction in the newspaper.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO ADJOURN; ALDERMAN POOLE SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Submitted March 4, 2005: ______________________________________________________
City Clerk Barbara J. Lance