CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2009
I.
CALL TO ORDER
A
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Liberty, Missouri was held
in the Council Chambers at City Hall on January 12, 2009
with Mayor Robert T. Steinkamp presiding. Mayor Steinkamp called the meeting
to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
The invocation
was given by Harold Phillips, who then led the pledge of allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
Roll
call was answered by Paul Jenness and Harold Phillips, Ward I; Greg Duncan and
Anna Marie Martin, Ward II; John Parry, Ward III; and Fred Foster and Nick
King, Ward IV. Also in attendance were Curt Wenson, City Administrator; Dan
Estes, Assistant City Administrator; Steve Hansen, Public Works Director; Craig
Knouse, Police Chief; Linda Tyree, Finance Director; Gary Birch, Fire Chief;
Steve Anderson, Development Director; Karan Johnson, Planning & Development
Manager; Tony Sage, Information Services Director; Dennis Dovel, Acting Parks
& Recreation Director; Anna Slocum, Assistant Parks & Recreation
Director; Dave Tedesco, Police Captain; Shawnna Funderburk, Assistant to the
City Administrator; Janet Pittman, Deputy City Clerk; Angie Borgedalen, Liberty
Tribune; and 11 members of the public.
IV. APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT
AGENDA)
V. CITIZENS’
PARTICIPATION
Mayor
Steinkamp recognized Boy Scout Adam Grace with Troop 376, who is currently
working on his citizenship in the community in merit badge.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OF THE BLUE JAY
CROSSING (FORMER CLAYVIEW COUNTRY CLUB SITE) COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (CID) –
ORDINANCE
Staff reviewed the application to establish the Blue
Jay Crossing Community Improvement District. On October 27, 2008, Council
approved a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District for the former Clayview Country Club site
(Blue Jay Crossing) as an amendment to the Liberty Triangle TIF. The TIF Plan and
Agreement call for the creation of a Community Improvement District (CID) within the
same area to allow for an additional 1% sales tax on all sales within Blue Jay
Crossing. A CID is a type of special purpose district in which
property owners voluntarily tax themselves to fund a broad range of public
improvements and/or services to support business activity and economic
development within specified boundaries. The TIF financing contract, to be
considered by Council on January 26, specifies that 50% of the CID revenue
will be deposited into the Special Allocation Fund to be used to pay for TIF/CID
reimbursable expenses and the remaining 50% will be used to pay any remaining TIF/CID
reimbursable expenses as needed, other onsite improvement costs identified
within the budget included in the Redevelopment Plan not covered by the Special
Allocation Fund and administrative costs of the District. Since filing the
petition to establish the CID, Star Development has sold a portion of the property
to CVS.
In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that
other CIDs in Liberty are the Triangle CID, Rogers Plaza and the Liberty Shopping Center CID. The 1%
voluntary sales tax is passed along to customers of the District.
Mayor Steinkamp opened the public hearing and asked if
anyone wished to speak in favor of the application. Chase Simmons, legal council
for the developer, stated that they wanted to establish the CID prior to CVS opening.
In response to Council’s questions, Mr. Simmons noted that CVS had not
signed the CID petition as the sale closed after the petition was
filed; however, the agreement with CVS does outline the formation of the CID. Mayor
Steinkamp asked if anyone wished to speak in opposition to the application.
Seeing no one, he closed the public hearing.
Document No. 6958 was read. Council Member King moved
to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member
Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Martin moved to approve the ordinance.
Council Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. It was
approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9401.
IX. ORDINANCES,
CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM DECEMBER 5, 2008
THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2009.
1. EXCLUDING KCP&L PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6959 was read. Council Member King moved
to approve the vendor payments. Council Member Phillips seconded the motion. Vote
on the motion was as follows: Council Member Phillips – yes; Council Member
Martin – yes; Council Member Foster – yes; Council Member Jenness – yes;
Council Member Duncan – yes; Council Member Parry – yes; Council Member King –
yes. The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and
inscribed in Ordinance No. 9402.
2. KCP&L PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6960 was read. Council Member Martin
moved to approve the vendor payments. Council Member King seconded the motion.
Vote on the motion was as follows: Council Member Phillips – yes; Council
Member Martin – yes; Council Member Foster – yes; Council Member Jenness – yes;
Council Member Duncan – yes; Council Member Parry – yes; Council Member King –
yes. The motion carried unanimously. It was approved by the Chair and
inscribed in Ordinance No. 9402.
B. SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
LIBERTY, LIBERTY SPECIAL ROAD DISTRICT #5 AND CLAY COUNTY (Second Reading) – ORDINANCE
Council Member Martin moved to approve the ordinance.
Council Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. It was
approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9403.
C. APPROVAL OF A TWENTY-FIVE DOLLAR FEE
FOR CONDUCTING A CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS AND ADDING THE
USER FEE TO THE SCHEDULE OF FEES – ORDINANCE
In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that
the fee would be charged per application, not per person. A fee is charged in
other instances where a criminal history check is conducted.
Document No. 6961 was read. Council Member Phillips
moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council
Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Martin moved to approve the ordinance.
Council Member King seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. It was
approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9404.
D. AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 8940 ESTABLISHING
TERMS AND APPOINTING INDIVIDUALS TO THE LIBERTY PARKS AND RECREATION
CHARITABLE FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE – ORDINANCE
In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that
if in the future Park Board members did not wish to serve on the Advisory
Committee those positions could then be filled by community members. The
proposed addition of two additional committee members would be filled by
community members, appointed by the Mayor.
Document No. 6962 was read. Council Member Martin
moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council
Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Jenness moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried
unanimously. It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9405.
E.
AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 20 OF THE
LIBERTY CITY CODE, MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC – AMENDING SPEED
LIMIT ON RUTH EWING ROAD – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6963 was read. Council Member Phillips
moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council
Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member King moved to approve the ordinance.
Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. It was
approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9406.
F.
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH KCP&L
GREATER MISSOURI OPERATIONS COMPANY – ORDINANCE
In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that
this agreement changes the name to KCP& L Greater Missouri Operations Company. The
agreement, for a period of six years and four months, gives them the authority
to construct, operate, maintain and extend a power utility distribution system
(ie. lines, substations and poles) and grants right to use of the City
right-of-way. The agreement does not allow them to build a power plant.
Document No. 6964 was read. Council Member Martin
moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council
Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Martin moved to approve the ordinance.
Council Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. It was
approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9407.
X. OTHER BUSINESS
A.
2009 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM – MOTION
In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that
the legislative program is comprised of two sections. The first section
provides specific actions requested of our legislators, and the second provides
information on the general direction of the City. The City is working with the
City of Gladstone and North
Kansas City on a joint position paper to
be brought forward to our legislators and senators.
Council Member Jenness expressed concern that the
legislative program was not provided to Council at a study session so that they
would be able to provide input. He also expressed concern regarding some of the
City’s proposed projects for the Economic Stimulus Package. Staff stated that
the projects were submitted as part of a regional effort coordinated by the
Mid-America Regional Council. Mayor Steinkamp noted that the criteria for
projects being submitted included public buildings; water/sewer infrastructure;
roads and bridges; schools/university infrastructure, and are shovel ready
projects that can begin within 90 days. Staff stated that the City still has a
short period of time in which to add projects and requested that Council
contact staff should they wish to add additional projects to the list.
Council Member Phillips moved to approve the program.
Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which failed 3-4-0. Council
members King, Jenness, Parry and Foster voted in opposition. Staff stated that
the legislative program would be added to the January 20 study session for
Council to discuss.
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM CITY
ADMINISTRATOR
Mr. Wenson stated that the 2009
Legislative Program and an update on South
Liberty Parkway would be on the January
20th study session agenda.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Phillips stated he appreciated the work of IT staff on behalf of the
City.
Council
Member Martin requested that a no smoking ordinance be brought forward for
Council consideration quickly.
Council
Member King expressed his appreciation for the change in lighting, making the
presentations easier to see.
Mayor
Steinkamp stated there would be a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the
Gano Chapel, William Jewel College on Monday at 10:00
a.m. He also noted that the Liberty
Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet will be held on January 22 and the
Northland Regional Chamber is holding their annual banquet on January 24.
Mayor
Steinkamp apologized to Pat Miller that her request to speak occurred after the
Citizen’s Participation portion of the meeting had closed, and he stated that
she would have an opportunity to speak at the January 20 study session.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:30
p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk