Draft of the minutes of the October 18th meeting. Not official until minutes are approved by the Board of Aldermen.
Regular Meeting
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF PARKVILLE, MISSOURI
October 18, 2005
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Kathryn A. Dusenbery called the meeting to order in the Administrative Conference Room at 6:30 p.m.
Ward 1 Alderman Jack Friedman - present
Ward 1 Alderman Deborah Butcher - present
Ward 2 Alderman David McCoy - present
Ward 2 Alderman David 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 - ABSENT WITH PRIOR NOTICE
ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Joe Turner
Director of Community Development Sean Ackerson
Director of Public Works Jeff Rupp
Project Director Dan Koch
Jay Norco of North Hills Engineering
Assistant City Clerk Claudia Willhite
Attorney Chris Molzen of Shughart, Thomson & Kilroy
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LITIGATION AND REAL ESTATE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF RSMo 610.021(1) and (2); ALDERMAN McCOY SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Discussion ensued.
ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN MOVED TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION IN THE BOARD ROOM; ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Dusenbery opened the meeting to the public in the Board Room at 7:17 p.m., with all above present except Attorney Molzen and Assistant City Clerk Claudia Willhite.
ALSO PRESENT: Chief Bill Hudson
Doug Hooten, MAST (Metropolitan Ambulance System Trust)
Mike Newburger, John Janes and Bart Kline for the Volvo Club
Resident and developer Tom Hutsler
City Clerk Barbara Lance
MEDIA PRESENT: Bill O'Malley for Platte Landmark
Joe Gleason for Channel 2
Mark Vasto for Parkville Luminary
The mayor announced that the Board had voted in executive session to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance regarding real estate. The ordinance will be considered in a special meeting Friday, October 21, 2005, at 6 p.m.
ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2005, AS PUBLISHED; ALDERMAN BUTCHER SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Mayor's Trip to Ocean Springs Mississippi: Mayor Dusenbery reported on her trip to Ocean Springs, the city Parkville adopted as the recipient of our hurricane relief efforts. She flew to Mobile, Alabama, rented a car and drove to Ocean Springs, she said. She and the Ocean Springs mayor attended a charrette on the rebuilding of the gulf coast. Architects came from all over the world for this event, which was organized by the governor of Mississippi. A recurring theme of the discussions was "live where you work."
She learned we are right on target with some things we are working on: walkability, trails, and a better place to live. She made some wonderful contacts. She has a great admiration for the City of Ocean Springs.
Resolution to support Southern Platte County Ambulance District.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO READ RESOLUTION 10-1-05 SUPPORTING THE FORMATION OF THE SOUTHERN PLATTE COUNTY AMBULANCE DISTRICT; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Ferguson read the resolution, a copy of which is attached to the original of these minutes, and available for review at City Hall.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE EXCEPT ALDERMAN RITTMAN, WHO ABSTAINED*; MOTION CARRIED 6-0 WITH ONE ABSTENTION.
*Mr. Rittman abstained because he is the chairman of the Platte County Tax Equalization Board and feels there may be a conflict of interest under the Missouri Ethics Laws. However, he favors this resolution and will sign it if he finds he can do so without a conflict of interest.
Recycling. Mayor Dusenbery reported on a meeting with Mid-America Regional Council representative Nadja Karpilow and Kendall Welch. Ms. Welch has volunteered to make an effort to re-establish a recycling center, as requested by all the residents present at a recent Neighborhood Coalition public meeting at City Hall. Ms. Welch has prepared a questionnaire for residents to make their wishes known. It will appear on the City's website, www.Parkvillemo.com, with the parks survey. Mayor Dusenbery said nothing is set in stone, but Ms. Welch will be working with Mr. Rupp to get this done.
Sales Tax report. Mr. Turner reported we still have three months to receive sales taxes in this fiscal (calendar) period. Projecting out to the end of the year, the general fund sales tax will fall about $8,100 short of expectations. He said that was close, saying Treasurer Steve Berg did an excellent job of projecting. The Transportation Sales Taxes are coming in about $10,800 higher than projected.
Mr. Rittman cautioned that sales of durable goods are expected to continue weak.
Goal-setting session. Mr. Turner said he will be working on this report, tweaking it a little to reflect the conclusions reached in the October 4th session.
Request for approval of exterior building changes (replacement of existing doors) at 171 English Landing Drive. This application was made by Jay Harms, partner in Eng Land Inc. LLC, which owns the building which houses Subway and formerly housed Regarding Kitchens; the part of the building formerly occupied by the kitchen store is now being readied for a new home decor business, Design in the City. The Planning Commission reviewed the modifications and found they are consistent with improvements in the downtown, and that the application meets the intent and requirements of the OTD (Old Town District) regulations.
The doors removed from Regarding Kitchens and Subway had mullions (grilles). The new doors are commercial grade doors to improve security and reduce maintenance. They do not have mullions.
Mr. Rittman asked if mullions could be put into the new windows. Mr. Ackerson said the new tenant likes the windows and doors at 180 English Landing Drive, home of H.M.S. Beagle. It's easier for customers outside the building to see inside through doors and windows without mullions.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE MODIFICATION AT 170 AND 171 ENGLISH LANDING DRIVE; ALDERMAN ARNOLD SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Mr. Hutsler, of Joint Sales & Development, developer of English Landing Center, said all the doors in English Landing Center are inconsistent. He hopes they can work with the Community Development Department so applicants will come to the developer first. Mr. Ackerson said there are some architectural guidelines in the Old Town District regulations, but in this case the old doors were residential and the new ones are commercial. He said when staff looked at the historic doors downtown they found they do not have mullions. Mr. Rittman asked if the doors could be exchanged out. The mayor said she understood where he was coming from, but feels these people should not be singled out because there is no consistency down there.
Mrs. Butcher said Ambience changed its doors, and while she feels the new doors look good and allow more visibility they do not seem to be historic in design. Mr. Ackerson said actually they are; the doors on there before were not historic.
Mr. Hutsler also said the elevation at River Rock was never approved by the Planning Commission and the Board of Aldermen, and now the applicant is asking for a change to something that was never approved in the first place. It was noted that no change was being requested for River Rock - the doors there are not being changed.
Mr. Hutsler stressed that he thinks the new doors are wonderful and will fit right in and match the windows. The matter of the City's enforcing developers' requirements came up, and Mr. Ackerson said they have discussed this with Mr. Hutsler before. Our city attorney has advised that we cannot legally enforce covenants and restrictions unless they are explicitly made part of the plan as it is considered by the Planning Commission and approved by the Board of Aldermen. The enforcement is between the builder and the developer. English Landing does not covenants and restrictions. The approval Mr. Hutsler referred to is required by a private contract with the building's owners. The City cannot enforce private contracts.
Mr. Rittman asked if we are inappropriate in asking whether a plan has developer approval. Mr. Ackerson said developer approval may be required only if it was required as part of the development plan approval as with the Commons.
Report by Volvo Club. Mr. Janes, Mr. Newburger and Mr. Kline were present to thank the City for permitting their club to have their event here. They said it went very well, and over 200 people came from 26 different states and from Canada. They gave a plaque to the mayor for major sponsorship by the City of Parkville and one to John Conrad for help in making the event a success. They also had a raffle and raised $535 for our hurricane relief, and they raised $300 for Alice's Lemonade Stand. Mr. Newburger said visitors commented on how friendly people were in Parkville.
No report.
Chief Hudson reported that the candidate for a new police officer had withdrawn his application. He's going to a city that pays more. Discussion ensued on the pay level for police officers in the metropolitan area. The chief noted that our benefits are outstanding.
Mr. Sportsman asked about Officer Kris Cornell, whose last day is effective November 5th. The chief said when she resigned she did not indicate her future plans.
Mr. Turner said they attended a workshop on LAGERS, the statewide government employees retirement system. He will put together a report on it. A pre-contract study by LAGERS would cost the city about $300.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-776, TO PAY LISTED SALARIES AND ACCOUNTS, BE APPROVED FOR FIRST READING; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-776 BE APPROVED ON FIRST READING AND PASSED TO SECOND READING; ALDERMAN RITTMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED THAT BILL A-776 BE APPROVED ON SECOND READING TO BECOME ORDINANCE A-776; ALDERMAN RITTMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE BY ROLL CALL; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Bill A-776 was posted 10/14/05.
Ad Hoc Ambulance Committee. Mayor Dusenbery said she had been meeting every Friday to discuss this issue, working with the Platte County Mayors Council. She said a Q&A is being put together now. Hopefully a petition drive will be started and finished by Thanksgiving so we can get the issue on the April, 2006, ballot.
Parkville Chamber of Commerce/Tourism. Mrs. Butcher said the next Chamber Business After Hours would be held Thursday, October 20th, from 5-7 at Hawthorne House. Farley State Bank is providing the refreshments. She noted that the chamber's executive director, Annette Silvio, is doing an excellent job.
Numerous tour groups have come through the city, Mrs. Butcher said. Seven members of the Marketing Committee from the Kansas City Bureau were here for a recent lunch and shopping tour. This gave us a direct connection with travel writers. We provided "goodie bags," and had very positive feedback.
She added that the Volvo event was important for us, and she wanted to point out that Platte County Visitors Bureau Director Cheryl Thorp had obtained a grant from the Kansas City Neighborhood Tourism Association for the Volvo group for that to happen.
Channel 2/Website. Mayor Dusenbery said she continues to get praise about Channel 2.
CLARB (Community Land & Recreation Board). Mrs. Arnold said they met and approved the Christmas on the River events. Mr. Rupp explained their 15-year plan. She complimented Mr. Rupp and Mr. Conrad, saying they have done a terrific job.
She added that Mr. Atkinson's absence was because his daughter Loren was on the Park Hill South Golf Team, which made it to the State finals.
Economic Development. No report. Mayor Dusenbery said she'd like to arrange a time to get together with Mr. Sportsman and talk about the ICSC economic development convention. She talked with the mayor of Ocean Springs, who she has attended this event, about it and got a positive response. The mayor will also talk to Riverside Mayor Betty Burch, who has attended.
Farmers Market. Mr. Friedman said this was probably the last week for the market, which has had a very good year. Once again, he reported, Lonnie Frakes is donating and delivering about 150 pumpkins for Family Ghost Story Night at the Nature Sanctuary. He invited everyone who'd like to carve them to gather at his house the night before the event.
Financial Report. Mr. Ferguson gave figures from the August report. To date this year we have taken in about 61% of projected revenue, he said, which pretty much fits our projections.
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE TREASURER'S REPORT FOR AUGUST, 2005; ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Main Street. No report.
MARC smoke-free issues. No report.
Nature Sanctuary. Mr. McCoy said Nature Sanctuary committee members attended a burn workshop. On October 8th there was a wildlife exhibit for 150 Girl Scouts at Winding River Girl Scout Camp. On October 9th Diane Kixmiller led a hike through the sanctuary for Burr Oak Woods volunteers. A water quality test was conducted on October 15th. On Saturday, October 22nd, the annual Family Ghost Story Night will be held with chili, hot dogs, etc.
Planning. No report.
Raking leaves into the street. Mrs. Butcher said she has been getting calls from her constituents regarding disposal of leaves. She stated that leaves are yard waste, and considered rubbish which must be disposed of in an approved manner. Leaves may not be blown onto a neighbor's property, even if it is vacant, without the owner's permission. Blowing leaves into the right-of-way contributes to drain inlet clogging which can ultimately lead to downstream flooding as has been experienced on Main Street. There is also a concern about vehicular safety when leaves are blown/raked into the right-of-way. When wet they can make the streets slick. If leaves in the road caused an accident they might be considered an obstruction which could be a violation of the traffic codes. She thanked Mr. Ackerson for researching city codes to provide detailed information on the subject.
Christmas on the River Events. Mayor Dusenbery asked Mr. Vasto, who is the chairman of Christmas on the River 2005, to make a report on this. He talked about the need for fund-raising and then listed the events which are going to be held to do that. He will announce the future events in his paper, the Parkville Luminary. Mayor Dusenbery said we also need to get it out on Channel 2 and the website.
Mr. Vasto wants Santa Claus to be downtown every weekend in December so more people will visit Parkville during the Christmas shopping season. Santa will be in his house on Main Street.
Mrs. Arnold asked if they would be selling Christmas trees, and he said he wanted to find someone with a truck who would go out of state and purchase them and bring them back.
The schedule for Christmas on the River events is:
Thu Oct 27, 6-8 p.m. Champagne for Christmas with host Bill Grigsby. Northland
Exposure Gallery, 110 Main St., 746-6300. $20 person, $35 couple. Free champagne, appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations welcome. Fund-raiser for Christmas on the River.
Thu Nov 10, 6-8 p.m. Champagne for Christmas with host Bill Grigsby. Wines by
Jennifer, 405 Main, 505-9463. $20 person, $35 couple. Free champagne, appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations welcome. Fund-raiser for Christmas on the River.
Mon Nov 14, 6-8 Champagne for Christmas with host Bill Grigsby. Piropos, 1 W. 1st. $30 person, $50 couple. 741-3600. Free champagne, appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations welcome. Fund-raiser for Christmas on the River.
Thu Nov 17, 6-8. Wine-Tasting at Gomer's, 6298A Highway 9, featuring Nouveau Boujoulais. $10. 746-0400. Appetizers by Café des Amis. Fund-raiser for Christmas on the River.
Tue Nov 29, 6-8. Champagne for Christmas with host Bill Grigsby. The National, 6700 N. National Drive, $30 person, $50 couple. 746-0200. Free champagne, appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. Senator sings Sinatra. Reservations welcome.
Thu Dec 1, 7 p.m. Salute to the Stars/Gallery of Trees. The Olde Mill, 168 S. Main St., Trees, wreaths, baskets, decorated and donated by local businesses and other volunteers, will be auctioned off. Items valued from $5 to ??? Nominal admission charge. Snacks furnished courtesy of Park Bank and The Olde Mill. Beverages available for purchase. Fund-raiser for Christmas on the River.
Fri Dec 2 , app 6 p.m.. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER LIGHTING CEREMONY.
Features 1,000-voice choir, Santa Claus, Mary Christmas, Holiday Joy, Frosty the Snowman and Frosty Jr., the Grinch, and the new March of Toys. Fireworks set to music for beautiful conclusion of outdoor activities. Watch for shuttle and parking lot locations.
Fri, Dec. 2, 8:20 p.m. Mayor's Christmas Party at The Olde Mill, 168 S. Main.
Admission $5 person, $20 per family. Live entertainment, a dozen booths for kids' activities, games, storytelling. Santa's entourage will be there, and Santa himself will drop in during the evening. As of 10/24/05 we have for kids: Painting project, face painting, temporary tattoos, coloring projects, Guess My Bones, and other activities. Snacks provided by Platte Valley Bank. Beverages available for purchase. Fund-raiser for Christmas on the River. Platte Valley Bank is assisting with sponsorship of this event.
Sat Dec. 3, 3 p.m. Northland Philharmonia presents "Holidays in Vienna," Featuring traditional holiday music, Hanukkah, Christmas and Viennese New Year's selections.
Andres Franco conductor. Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel at Park University. Admission $8 for adults, seniors, students and children 12 and under $5. Call 584-6302 (president's office at university) for more information.
Sun Dec 4, 1:30 Northland Community Choir Concert, Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel at Park University. Call 584-6202 (president's office) for more information.
Sat Dec 10, 10 a.m. Trek with Santa through Nature Sanctuary. .
WEEKENDS IN DECEMBER:
Santa Claus will be in his house (next to La De Da on Main Street.)
ALDERMAN FERGUSON MOVED TO ADJOURN; ALDERMAN FRIEDMAN SECONDED; ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
Submitted by ______________________________________________________
City Clerk Barbara J. Lance - 10/25/05