View Other Items in this Archive | View All Archives | Printable Version

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 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 February 23, 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 Greg Duncan, 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; 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; Jonna Wensel, Community Development Manager; Tony Sage, Information Services Director; Sara Cooke, Communications Manager; Donna Kay Taylor, Community Center Manager; Dennis Dovel, Parks and Recreation Director; Anna Slocum, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director; BJ Staab, Sr. Recreation Coordinator; Janet Pittman, Deputy City Clerk; Gene Hansen, The Kansas City Star; Angie Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune; and 38 members of the public.

 

IV.       APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT AGENDA)

 

V.        CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION

 

Mayor Steinkamp stated that the two items under Other Business were going to move up under item E. and that consideration of the smoking ordinance would be the last item on the agenda.

 

VI.       MEETING SCHEDULE

 

VII.      CONSENT AGENDA

 

A.                 STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF FEBRUARY 2, 2009

 

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

 

B.                 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES  OF FEBRUARY 9, 2009

 

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

 

C.                 APPOINTMENTS

 

Liberty Parks & Recreation Charitable Fund Advisory Committee

Appoint Jodi Capps to a term to expiring 1-1-2011

Reappoint Julie Casel to a term expiring 1-1-2012

 

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

 

VIII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

IX.       ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A.                 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM JANUARY 30, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 13, 2009

 

Council Member Jenness asked for check number 111935 to be removed and voted on separately.

 

1.         EXCLUDING KCP&L PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6981 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 Phillips – yes; 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. 9423.

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve check number 111935.  Council Member Duncan seconded the motion, which carried 7-0-1 and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9423.  Council Member Jenness abstained, due to a potential conflict of interest.

 

2.         KCP&L PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6982 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 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 7-0-1; with Council Member Brenton abstaining, due to a potential conflict of interest.  It was approved by the Chair and inscribed in Ordinance No. 9423.

 

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

 

B.         CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AND DETACHED GARAGE AT 438 E. FRANKLIN STREET - RESOLUTION

 

In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that zoning allows for an apartment over the garage if the dwelling is owner occupied.  The outdoor stairway provides access to the garage apartment.

 

Council Member King moved to approve the resolution.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2398.

 

Council Member Phillips returned to the meeting.

 

C.         AGREEMENT WITH TREMCO/WTI FOR THE RESTORATION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER ROOF IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $558,469 - ORDINANCE

 

Staff stated that in 2007 Tremco was contacted by the City’s Public Works department to inspect the roofs of all City owned facilities.  The two largest Community Center roof areas were categorized as poor (replace at failure); the roof system over the pool has been damaged by moisture from vapor drive up through the roof.  The remaining roof areas fell into the fair category (restore as soon as possible).  Over the past two years, several leaks have been observed throughout the facility.  The majority of the roof was installed in 1991 and a portion over the meeting rooms was added with the 2003 expansion project.  The portion of the roof that was added and/or refurbished in the 2003 expansion will be restored with a 10-year renewable warranty.  The remaining roof system will be replaced with a 15-year warranty.

 

Tremco/WTI is the successful low, responsive bidder on the pre-competed national contract for roofing services through the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies.   The Citizen Sales Tax Committee reviewed this intended purchase and found it to be consistent with voter intent.

 

Patrick Evans, Tremco Sr. Field Advisor, stated there is severe leaking over the theatre and pool areas, and there is a need for a vapor barrier to be installed over the pool area.  Tremco representatives outlined the materials that will be used for the new roof construction and restoration of the remaining roof.

 

In response to Council’s questions, the Tremco representatives stated there is a 2% fee associated with the cooperative purchasing contract and that amount is included in the price quoted.  The warranties offered for commercial roofs compared to residential roofs are because commercial roofs generally have a lower slope resulting in more wear and tear.  As part of the warranty, Tremco will inspect the roof every two years.

 

Document No. 6983 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. 9424.

 

D.        AGREEMENT WITH METRO OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION FOR OFFICIATING SERVICES FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL GAMES AT FOUNTAIN BLUFF SPORTS COMPLEX – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6984 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 Phillips 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. 9425.

 

E.         EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY

 

1.         ACCEPTING A WARRANTY DEED TO EXCHANGE PROPERTY – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6985 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 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. 9426.

 

            2.         ACCEPTING AN ACCESS EASEMENT – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6986 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. 9427.

 

F.         PURCHASE OF PEPSI PRODUCTS WITH PEPSIAMERICAS FOR FOUNTAIN BLUFF SPORTS COMPLEX AND LIBERTY COMMUNITY CENTER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $53,000 - MOTION

 

In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that although this is the second year of a five year contract, Council authorization is required because of the purchase order amount.  The per case rebate received from Pepsiamericas is returned to the Sports Complex/Community Center operating budget to offset expenditures.

 

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

 

G.         PURCHASE OF CONCESSION FOOD FROM US FOODSERVICE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $33,000 - MOTION

 

In response to Council’s questions, staff stated that sales are not going down.  The purchase order amount was adjusted to reflect historical sale levels.

 

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

 

H.        ESTABLISH SECTION 22-66, “SMOKING PROHIBITED”, CHAPTER 22, “OFFENSES – MISCELLANEOUS”, OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF LIBERTY - ORDINANCE

 

Council Member Jenness presented the proposed smoking ordinance he drafted.  He stated that the ordinance he proposes differs from the Mayor’s in that bars, restaurants and places of amusement can apply for a smoking license.  The business would be required to post a sticker notifying patrons that it is a smoking establishment.  The proposed fee charged for the sticker cannot be higher than the associated costs to produce without being considered a new tax, which would require a vote of the people.

 

Mayor Steinkamp presented the proposed smoking ordinance he drafted.  He stated that the ordinance is based on a similar ordinance drafted by Blue Springs.  He noted that Council Members and residents have asked for a total ban and this ordinance attempts to find a middle ground.  Council discussion of the ordinances followed.  Several Council Members stated that they would be presenting amendments to the proposed ordinances.  Mayor Steinkamp advised that Council will meet in a study session on March 2 to review the proposed amendments.

 

Mayor Steinkamp offered an opportunity for public comment. 

 

Amy Hearst, 7520 NE 85th Terrace, spoke in support of a smoking ban.  Kim Plumb, 405 Thornton Street, spoke in support of a smoking ban.  Jason Ransom, 7609 NE 87th Street, stated that as a business owner allowing some locations to be exempt is in essence a customer transfer situation and was in support of either a permit system or a total smoking ban.  Kreg Reid, owner of the Landing, stated that he started the business with one set of rules and this would be asking him to continue with a new set.  He noted that smoking is part of their business plan and for him this is an economic issue.  Jim Anderson, 959 Yancy Street, stated that he is concerned that smoking is allowed in family restaurants.  Valerie Furrow, 112 E. Franklin, stated she liked the concept of not allowing smoking in public places but that businesses should be given a choice.  Rebekah Anderson, 901 Cambridge Circle, spoke in support of a smoking ban.  Richard Warren, 119 N. Leonard, stated that customers have a choice of whether or not to go into an establishment and it would make more sense to have public places and restaurants in different smoking ordinances.  Harry Boggess, 1901 H. Highway, spoke in support of allowing business owners to have the freedom to choose.

 

The ordinances were heard on first reading.  Mayor Steinkamp stated that he would allow further public comment from those who did not speak this evening on March 9, when these ordinances would be on the agenda for second reading.

 

X.         OTHER BUSINESS

 

XI.               MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR

 

Mr. Wenson invited Council to attend the promotion ceremony for Police Officers on March 2 at 5:30 p.m.

 

XII.            MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Member Foster stated he had received a complaint and requested that staff check into the road condition of Hillview, from LaFrenz to the city limits.

 

Council Member Jenness thanked staff for their assistance in drafting the proposed smoking ordinances, and encouraged those individuals in attendance this evening to return for the next meeting.

 

Mayor Steinkamp noted that MARC will be discussing allocation of the economic stimulus funds at their March 3 meeting.  Public Works Director Steve Hansen noted that approximately $27 million of sub-allocated funds will be given to the Missouri side of the MARC area.  Approximately 80% of those funds will be allocated to the larger cities of Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Independence and MoDot.  The remaining 20%, approximately $380,000 is proposed to be spread equally amongst the 15 remaining cities for transportation projects.

 

Mayor Steinkamp noted that Council will further discuss the proposed smoking ordinances at the March 2 study session.

 

XIII.     ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    Mayor

Attest:

 

 

_____________________________________

Deputy City Clerk