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CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 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 26, 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 Nick King, who then led the pledge of allegiance.

 

III.       ROLL CALL

 

Roll call was answered by Paul Jenness, Ward I; Greg Duncan and Anna Marie Martin, Ward II; Lyndell Brenton and 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;  Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Steve Anderson, Development Director; Tony Sage, Information Services Director; Karan Johnson, Planning & Economic Development Manager; Dennis Dovel, Parks & Recreation Director; Anna Slocum, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director; James Simpson, Deputy Police Chief; Dave Tedesco, Police Captain; Denny Persall, Parks & Open Space Manager; B.J. Staab, Sr. Recreation Coordinator; Sara Cooke, Communications Manager; Shawnna Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator; Janet Pittman, Deputy City Clerk; and 11 members of the public.

 

IV.       APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT AGENDA)

 

A.        REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 2009

 

Council Member King moved to approve the minutes as distributed.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried 6-0-1.  Council Member Brenton abstained due to absence.

 

V.        CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION

 

Chris Veach, Tree Liberty Communications Officer, presented the Annual Report for Tree Liberty.  Tree Liberty is a volunteer organization that cares for the community’s forest, and supports the City’s Tree City designation by arranging the annual Arbor Day celebration.  The organization reported they had received a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation to plant forty-two trees in partnership with the Withersfield Neighborhood.  In addition, a total of 427 trees were pruned and a free tree pruning class was offered to raise awareness about tree topping.  In 2008, Tree Liberty volunteer Michael Cheek was the recipient of the Missouri Arbor Award of Excellence for his contributions to tree care in Liberty.

 

VI.       MEETING SCHEDULE

 

VII.      CONSENT AGENDA

 

A.                 SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 5, 2009

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as distributed.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

 

B.                 STUDY SESSION SUMMARY OF JANUARY 5, 2009

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the meeting summary as distributed.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

C.                 APPOINTMENT OF DENNIS DOVEL AS PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR - MOTION

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the appointment.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

VIII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

A.        AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30, “UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE”, OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF LIBERTY, CLAY COUNTY – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6965 was read.  Mayor Steinkamp opened the public hearing.  Council Member King moved to continue the public hearing to February 9, 2009.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

IX.       ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A.        ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM JANUARY 2, 2009 THROUGH JANUARY 16, 2009

 

1.         EXCLUDING KCP&L PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE

 

In response to Council’s questions, staff stated they would follow up as to why a paycheck was cashed through petty cash.  The laptop repair was for a police car laptop that had a broken screen and also required a hard drive repair.  The police car laptops are on a two year replacement cycle and are specialized to withstand rugged conditions.

 

Document No. 6966 was read.  Council Member King moved to approve the vendor payments.  Council Member Brenton seconded the motion.  Vote on the motion was as follows:  Council Member Martin – yes; Council Member Brenton – 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. 9408.

 

2.         KCP&L PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6967 was read.  Council Member King moved to approve the vendor payments.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion.  Vote on the motion was as follows:  Council Member Martin – yes; Council Member Brenton – abstain; Council Member Foster – yes; Council Member Jenness – yes; Council Member Duncan – yes; Council Member Parry – yes; Council Member King – yes.  The motion carried 6-0-1; with Council Member Brenton abstaining, due to a potential conflict of interest.  It was approved by the Chair and inscribed in Ordinance No. 9408.

 

B.                 APPROVAL OF A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIBERTY, MISSOURI AND STAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE LIBERTY TRIANGLE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN PROJECT AREA I – CLAYVIEW COUNTRY CLUB SITE  – ORDINANCE

 

Staff reviewed the redevelopment contract for the project area.  The contract identifies the project improvements; financing and development schedule; duties and conditions; and standard TIF contract obligations.  The contract includes provisions regarding tenant approvals and use restrictions, including limits on the number of fast food establishments and low or non-sales tax generating businesses.

 

Document No.6968 was read.  Council Member Martin moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member Duncan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member King moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9409.

 

C.                 APPROVAL OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LIBERTY, MISSOURI, BLUE JAY CROSSING COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, AND STAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AMENDMENT TO THE LIBERTY TRIANGLE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN – ORDINANCE

 

Staff reviewed the cooperative agreement for the Blue Jay Crossing Community Improvement District.  The District intends to impose a 1% District Sales Tax in order to assist in funding public project improvements.  The City would collect and administer the funds in accordance with State statute.  Upon completion of the CID project, the developer will submit a Certificate of Completion to the City for approval.  Once the City approves the Certificate the developer may submit a Reimbursement Certificate along with itemized invoices etc. that confirms that the submitted costs have been incurred and qualify as a CID reimbursable project expense.  The City will collect 1% of the total CID Sales Tax Revenue collected annually for administering and accounting for the CID Sales Tax. Of the CID Sales Tax Revenues, 50% will be distributed to the Special Allocation Fund as EATs (to be used to pay bonds and/or TIF reimbursable costs), and the remaining 50% will be deposited into the CID Revenue Fund Account for repayment of the bonds.  Once the bonds have been paid in full and until termination of the TIF Plan, 50% of the CID Sales Tax Revenues will be deposited into the Special Allocation Fund as EATs and the other 50% will be used, as directed by the District, to pay for or reimburse any authorized costs or expenses.

 

In response to Council’s questions, the mix of proposed businesses has not changed significantly since the project was first presented to Council.  The developer has sold a portion of the property to CVS, and is in discussions with a bank, fast food restaurant and a hotel.  If a hotel is built in the project area, the CID would apply and the sales tax imposed on room rentals could be captured. As projects come forward for final approval they will include specific landscaping plans.

 

Mayor Steinkamp offered an opportunity for public comment.  No one wished to speak to the application.

 

Document No. 6969 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 King moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Duncan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9410.

 

Council Member Parry stated a conflict of interest with regard to the next matter on the agenda and left the meeting.

 

D.                 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AND APPROVING A FINAL PLAT OF LIBERTY POINTE, FIRST PLAT, A SUBDIVISION OF LAND IN LIBERTY, CLAY COUNTY, MISSOURI - ORDINANCE

 

Staff presented the application for the final plat of Liberty Pointe, First Plat.  The plat creates Lots 1 through 15 as well as Tracts A, B and C.  The fifteen lots are to contain four-plexes for the Liberty Pointe senior housing project.  Tract A is to be open space, Tract B is the future site of the development’s club house and Tract C will be the site of a detention pond to hold stormwater.  The buildings are one-story, and somewhat of a traditional neighborhood design, with a reduced front setback and garage access via an alley.  The development is being proposed as senior housing; however, there is nothing in the covenants that stipulates an age restriction.

 

Mayor Steinkamp offered an opportunity for public comment.  No one wished to speak to the application.

 

Document No. 6970 was read.  Council Member King 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 Jenness seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1. Council Member Foster abstained due to a potential conflict of interest. It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9411.

 

E.                  A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIFTEEN BUILDINGS CONTAINING FOUR UNITS EACH LOCATED ON 10.7 ACRES EAST OF THE WITHERS ROAD AND OLD WITHERS ROAD INTERSECTION, LIBERTY, CLAY COUNTY, MISSOURI – RESOLUTION 

 

In response to Council’s questions, staff stated there is a landscape requirement in addition to a tree replacement requirement. Based on the tree replacement calculation, if twenty-seven trees are removed then 54 replacement trees are required to be put back into the development.   The developer provides a survey of the number of trees to be removed and then the City’s Parks staff will review and verify.  The final landscape design still needs to be submitted and must be on file before the final development plan is recorded.  Staff stated that the other stipulation is that every reasonable effort should be made to remove the retaining wall from the northern end of the property to preserve the site’s natural topography and enhance future connectivity.  The property owner is currently in discussions with the adjacent property owner to obtain the necessary property.

 

In response to Council’s questions, Darren Sanders and Thomas Nolte, representing the Parry Group, stated that the buildings are not designed with basements.  The market may dictate differently for future phases.  It is anticipated that the clubhouse, located within the development, will have a shelter for residents to use during severe weather.  It was noted that the units are designed with an ADA adaptable design, and a number of the units will be built ADA compliant.

 

Council Member King moved to approve the resolution with the stipulations.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1. Council Member Foster abstained due to a potential conflict of interest. It is inscribed in Resolution No. 2395.

 

            Council Member Parry returned to the meeting.

 

F.                  AGREEMENT WITH MARRS HURRICANE BAY FOR WASHING OF CITY VEHICLES – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6971 was read.  Council Member Brenton 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. 9412.

 

G.                 ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT AND EXECUTION OF THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM AGREEMENT WITH THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO SPEED MONITORING AWARENESS RADAR TRAILERS FROM KUSTOM SIGNALS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $9,563.00 – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6972 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 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. 9413.

 

H.                 AGREEMENT WITH TOWN & COUNTRY BUILDING SERVICES FOR CITY HALL CLEANING SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,420. – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6973 was read.  Council Member Martin moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member King seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member King moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9414.

 

I.                    CONTRACT WITH THE BRICKMAN GROUP LTD., LLC FOR 2009 MOWING OF THE CITY’S THREE CEMETERIES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $44,000 – ORDINANCE

 

In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that the contract outlines that the contractor is responsible for any damage done to the headstones that results from the mowing of the cemetery.  Staff will work with the contractor to mitigate past issues, and request that ruts caused by the lawnmowers are filled so that the swells won’t cause damage to the headstones.

 

Document No. 6974 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 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. 9415.

 

X.         OTHER BUSINESS

 

A.                 APPROVAL OF SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM WITH LOGISTIC SYSTEMS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,675 – MOTION

 

In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that included with the annual maintenance support, the City also receives enhancements such as updated reports to comply with State requirements.  Staff stated that support services are utilized numerous times each month in addition to the enhancements/upgrades received.

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the purchase.  Council Member Brenton seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

B.                 PURCHASE OF FOUR DIGITAL IN-CAR VIDEO CAMERAS FOR POLICE PATROL VEHICLES FROM WATCHGUARD DIGITAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,508 – MOTION

 

In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that included in the price is a one year extended warranty.

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the purchase.  Council Member Duncan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

C.                 APPROVAL OF A PURCHASE ORDER WITH PETROLEUM TRADERS CORPORATION FOR VEHICLE FUEL IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $368,500 – MOTION

 

In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that this purchase order will lock in a fixed delivery charge however the fuel charge is at market rate.  Staff will continue to explore alternatives, including the opportunity for cooperative bids with other metro-area cities.

 

Council Member Brenton moved to approve the purchase.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

D.                 ADOPTION OF THE 2009 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM – MOTION

 

Council Member Martin moved to postpone consideration of the legislative program to the February 9 Regular session so that all Council Members could be present.  Council Member Duncan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

XI.               MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR

 

XII.            MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Members congratulated Dennis Dovel on his appointment as Parks and Recreation Director.

 

Council Member Martin thanked the volunteers of Tree Liberty for their efforts in caring for the City’s trees.

 

Mayor Steinkamp reminded Council that there are two upcoming LIFE graduations.  He also noted there is a MARC Board of Directors meeting tomorrow, and prior to the meeting there will be a report from congressional staff regarding the status of the economic stimulus package.

 

XIII.     ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    Mayor

Attest:

 

 

_____________________________________

Deputy City Clerk