Minutes of August 2005 Meeting Board of Aldermen

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Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley at City Hall (Fru-Con Center), August 2, 2005.
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The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. A roll call was taken with the following results:

PRESENT	Ward	ABSENT
Mayor Scott Douglass
	Ward 1	Alderperson Jim Meyer
Alderperson Susan Shea	Ward 1
Alderperson Honora Schiller	Ward 2
Alderperson Wendell Sittser	Ward 2
Alderperson Scott Schultz	Ward 3
Alderperson Walt Mixson	Ward 3

Mayor Douglass explained that Alderperson Twichell turned in her resignation last month because of an out-of-state move and that Scott Schultz was chosen as her successor. He has already been sworn in.

A motion was made by Alderperson Sittser to accept the Minutes. Alderperson Shea seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Mrs. Mary Swearingen, a resident of Clarkson Farm, thanked Mayor Douglass for attending the meeting hosted by the attorney involved in the Ellisville purchase and rezoning of the CitiCorp property and also those Members of the Board of Aldermen who attended the Ellisville Planning and Zoning Hearing. She wanted all Alderpersons of the City to be aware that this was a tremendous project and she stated some concerns, the biggest being how this would affect the retention pond in Clarkson Farm. She also mentioned that demolition noises begin at 6:30 a.m. Mayor Douglass stated he would check their code to see if that is an appropriate starting time.

Ballwin Police Report: Captain Schicker handed out the Police Summary for July 2005.

Court Report: The total amount collected for traffic fines and court costs for the month of July 2005 was $16,200.73.

Update on CitiCorp Property: Mayor Douglass reported that last month he met with residents of Clarkson Farm and attended Ellisville’s Planning and Zoning Hearing regarding the rezoning proposal for the CitiCorp property. On the chalkboard, he drew the lot and marked the three main areas being planned. The largest being the residential area (attached units starting at $225,000) with the good news being that a retention pond is being planned for the front portion of that district. The other good news is the attorney representing the partnership of this development has promised they are going to measure the Clarkson Farm retention pond now, then measure it upon completion of the project. In the middle of the lot, closer to Clarkson Road and running parallel will be a retail strip with a small grocery store, hopefully utilized by the residents within the complex. Two banks and a restaurant are planned for the outer perimeter. The buffer between the complex and Clarkson Farm is a stand of trees proposed by the developer – requested by Clarkson Farm residents to be built into the ordinance. Apparently there is an existing fence between the two properties, which was requested to remain.

St. Johns Medical Building: Mayor Douglass stated that he spoke with Mr. Doug Pope of the Discovery Group, instrumental in bringing this project forward, and he indicated the project was some-what on hold. A new administration and all the hiccups that come with that, being the reason mentioned.

Marquette High School – Temporary Emergency Entrance: Mayor Douglass briefed those present that Alderperson Shea reported that people were using the entrance. Mayor Douglass made a phone call to David Blickenstaff and within minutes, barrels were placed at Kehrs Mill Road halting further ingress/egress. After discussion, it was determined the Building Commissioner would review the plans in an attempt to get the gate as close to Kehrs Mill Road as possible. Mayor Douglass further reported the project to eliminate the curve and hill at the Marquette service entrance has been scheduled for bidding in February 2007.

Wildlife Management Ordinance: Mayor Douglass reported that upon passage of Ordinance 04-20 last year, he made a statement that each year we would revisit the issue. He commented that he thought the ordinance is a good one and well-needed in the community, but this month we will disseminate data regarding the outcome of last year’s culling and discuss the pro’s and con’s at the September meeting.

Dead Tree along Kehrs Mill Road: Mayor Douglass stated he spoke with the resident owning the property containing a dying pine tree. The resident was aware of the problem and stated his intention to cut it in the fall, when the weather is cooler.

West St. Louis Count Deer Task Force: Alderperson Shea stated that the committee’s report was released with a recommendation for area communities to strive to reduce the deer population to twenty (20) per square mile, which can be accomplished with a long-term deer management plan coordinated with neighboring municipalities. The City of Chesterfield is incorporating our ordinance and the committee’s recommendation is that other municipalities adopt a similar management plan. She said the report is on the website and asked if our website could create a link. Everyone agreed that was a good idea. She thanked everyone for allowing her to serve on this committee and for helping her with the ordinance we passed. She concluded that it was extremely beneficial that we joined the committee.

Mayor Douglass stated that Erin Shank with the Missouri Department of Conservation has been invited to attend the Lafayette Area Mayors Organization (LAMO) along with the task force’s co-chair. He invited Alderperson Shea to attend the September LAMO meeting.

Setting Tax Rate: City Clerk, Michele McMahon, read the Notice of Public Hearing printed July 19, 2005. Mayor Douglass explained the City was authorized to collect 13.4 cents per $100 valuation for real estate and personal property tax but this year were told it can be no higher than 12.8 cents. Technically, he said, because of higher property values, it should be awash and the City should not notice a decrease in revenue. In order to verify the figures, he placed a call to Jefferson City; however, he feels there is nothing to be done.

Welcome Signs: Alderperson Sittser stated that he has collected a substantial amount of data, which the Alderpersons have in front of them, and that hopefully a vote will be taken tonight to move this issue forward.

Berm Update: Alderperson Mixson reported that the berm has approximately a half dozen dead bushes that Dowco offered to remove – for an additional charge. His response to Dowco was…”No thank you”.

Patrick Butler reported that he attended a hearing on July 28 along with MoDOT and Federal attorneys for the purpose of obtaining a ruling from the Judge. The efforts, however, were overshadowed by Mayor Douglass’s attempt and efforts to resolve this issue through cooperation, mediation and common sense. The Judge gave this latest attempt six week’s time for resolution.

Mayor Douglass called for a motion, made by Alderperson Sittser, to temporarily adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen and convene to a Working Session. Alderperson Schultz seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Welcome Signs: Alderperson Sittser had a packet of information for each alderperson along with an outline of what was available for the City’s Welcome Signs. The packet contained photos of existing signage from other businesses or churches/synagogues; material compound of each of the four types of signage available; costs; size; potential text; etc. After discussion, it was determined the most favored sign was cost-prohibitive, however, the consensus liked the polyurethane signage and felt the cost was within the budget.

Alderperson Sittser made a motion that the Board of Aldermen approve the polyurethane sign, designated Exhibit A (attached). Alderperson Schultz seconded the motion. Discussion ensued regarding size. Alderperson Sittser withdrew the motion. Alderperson Schultz withdrew his second. (Knowing that changes were being made to the original quote, the Board went forward with discussion. The final vote for passage will be determined upon receipt of the price revision.)

After further discussion, Alderperson Sittser made a motion to approve a 4’ x 6’ polyurethane sign as shown on Exhibit A. Alderperson Schultz seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with the following result: Ayes: Mixson, Shea, Sittser and Schultz. Nays: Schiller. The motion was declared as having passed.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schiller for script to read: City of Clarkson Valley. Alderperson Shea seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with the following result: Ayes: Mixson, Schiller, Shea, Sittser and Schultz. There were no nays. The motion was declared as having passed.

Alderperson Shea made a motion for color consideration to be exactly as shown on Exhibit A and the sign’s location to be essentially the same as existing signs. Alderperson Schultz seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with the following result: Ayes: Schiller, Shea, Sittser and Schultz. Nays: Mixson. The motion was declared as having passed.

Alderperson Sittser concluded that lead-time is approximately one month. He stated that he would not be able to attend the September meeting. Final vote would take place at the Open Meeting to be held Tuesday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall.

The Working Session closed at 8:45 p.m. The Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen was called back to order.

BILL NO. 0312 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI, IN TITLE III: TRAFFIC CODE, BY DELETING SCHEDULE III. RESTRICTED PARKING, PROHIBITED RIGHT, LEFT OR U-TURNS AND ADDING A NEW SCHEDULE III. RESTRICTED PARKING, PROHIBITED RIGHT, LEFT OR U-TURNS.

A motion was made by Alderperson Shea to discuss and pass Bill No. 0312. Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion. Mayor Scott Douglass read Bill No. 0312 the first time. Mayor Douglass explained that St. Louis County installed the new signage on Kehrs Mill Road and passed their ordinance. They asked us to change our current code to eliminate the times during which left turns are prohibited, making it prohibited at all times. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0312 the second time. A voice vote was taken with the following result: Yeas: Mixson, Schiller, Shea, Sittser and Schultz. There were no nays. Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0312 as passed and it became Ordinance No. 05-10.

BILL NO. 0313 - AN ORDINANCE LEVYING AND ESTABLISHING THE ANNUAL RATE OF TAXES ON ALL RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE, AGRICULTURAL REAL ESTATE, COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY TO BE COLLECTED AND USED FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES IN THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI, FOR THE YEAR JULY 1, 2005 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2006.

A motion was made by Alderperson Shea to discuss and pass Bill No. 0313. Alderperson Schiller seconded the motion. Mayor Scott Douglass read Bill No. 0313 for the first time. There was no discussion. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0313 for the second time. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results. Ayes: Mixson, Schiller, Shea, Sittser and Schultz. Whereupon Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0313 as having passed and is now Ordinance 05-11.

Audit: Alderperson Schiller made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Shea to have invoices in the amount of $76,660.80 approved for payment. Mayor Douglass explained that the City pays annual dues of $100 to the code council, which is on the audit this month. We will be purchasing the International Code Council (ICC) 2003 book for approximately $50 this week. The City is currently reviewing plans under the auspices of BOCA 1999, however the County just passed ICC 2003 and we will try to do that next month. A voice vote was then taken for passage of the audit with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Alderperson Schultz made a motion for the Board of Aldermen of Clarkson Valley to adjourn, seconded by Alderperson Schiller. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk