CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

MONDAY, JULY 13, 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 July 13, 2009 with Mayor Greg Canuteson presiding.  Mayor Canuteson 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 Jeff Moore, Ward II; Jeff Watt, 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; Dennis Dovel, Parks and Recreation Director; Karan Johnson, Planning and Economic Development Manager; Jonna Wensel, Community Development Manager; Tony Sage, Information Services Director; Denny Persall, Parks & Open Spaces Manager; Shawnna Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator; Janet Pittman, Deputy City Clerk; Angie Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune; and 25 members of the public.

 

IV.       APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT AGENDA)

 

A.        STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF JUNE 15, 2009

 

Council Member King moved to approve the meeting summary as distributed.  Council Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried 6-0-1.  Council Member Duncan abstained due to absence.

 

            B.         SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES OF JUNE 22, 2009

 

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

 

V.        CITIZENS? PARTICIPATION

 

Mayor Canuteson stated that earlier today it was announced that the City of Liberty was ranked 29 this year on CNN/Money Magazine?s Best Places to Live list.

 

Council Member King recognized Boy Scout Mikhail Mihalko with Troop 134, who is currently working on his citizenship in the community and communications merit badges.

 

Carolyn Head, 12223 Hills Road, questioned why the fireworks stands in Liberty were able to sell fireworks that were prohibited in the City.  Staff stated that the special use permit governing each stand states that an informational flyer is to be distributed with each sale, noting the dates and times that fireworks are permitted, and that restrictions apply to aerial fireworks.  Ms. Head also noted that since the City provides a public fireworks display is it really worth it to the City to allow the use of fireworks.

 

Mayor Canuteson read a congratulatory proclamation and presented it to Emily Duncan.  Mayor Canuteson read a congratulatory proclamation and presented it to Bradley Dice.

 

VI.       MEETING SCHEDULE

 

VII.      CONSENT AGENDA

 

A.                 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF JUNE 22, 2009

 

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

 

B.                 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF JUNE 22, 2009

 

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

 

C.                 APPOINTMENTS

 

Citizen Sales Tax Oversight Committee

Appoint Dennis Davidson to a term expiring 5-15-2010

 

Liberty Parks & Recreation Charitable Fund Advisory Committee

Appoint Bill Niffen to a term expiring 1-1-2012

 

Liberty Arts Commission

Reappoint Donna Knold to a term expiring 5-15-2012

 

Parks & Recreation Board

Reappoint Steve Schwegler to a term expiring 6-15-2012

Reappoint Neil Kanning to a term expiring 6-15-2012

Reappoint Jerry McCaslin to a term expiring 6-15-2012

 

                        Liberty Housing Authority

                        Reappoint Thelma Bigley to a term expiring 7-1-2013

 

Council Member King moved to approve the appointments.  Council Member Foster seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

 

VIII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

IX.       ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A.                 AN ORDINANCE ACKNOWLEDGING VENDOR PAYMENTS FOR THE PERIOD OF  JUNE 12 THROUGH JULY 2, 2009 ? ORDINANCE

 

Document No.7039 was read.  Council Member Phillips moved to approve the vendor payments.  Council Member Foster seconded the motion.  Vote on the motion was as follows:  Council Member Phillips ? yes; Council Member Moore ? yes; Council Member Foster ? yes; Council Member Jenness ? yes; Council Member Duncan ? yes; Council Member Watt ? yes; Council Member King ? yes.  The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and inscribed in Ordinance No. 9473.

 

B.                 RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR RON REID

 

Council Member Phillips moved to approve the resolution.  Council Member Moore seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2421.  Mayor Canuteson presented the resolution to Mr. Reid.

 

C.                 RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION FOR NEITA GEILKER

 

Council Member Phillips moved to approve the resolution.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2422.  Mayor Canuteson presented the resolution to Ms. Geilker.

 

D.                 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CERTAIN CONTRACT WITH PATTI BANKS ASSOCIATES FOR NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING SERVICES (SECOND READING)

 

Council Member King stated that when the previous Council approved applying for this grant the City was in a better financial position than it is today.  Although supportive of this effort, he stated he would be voting in opposition of the ordinance because he objected to spending these funds at this time.

 

Council Member Duncan noted that it wouldn?t be prudent for the City to turn its back on a grant, and taking advantage of grant funding is a wise way to extend the City?s purchasing power.  In addition, it was noted that funds for this project had been encumbered from the 2008 budget.

 

Council Member Phillips moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Duncan seconded the motion, which carried 6-1-0.  Council Member King voted in opposition. It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9469.

 

E.                  A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RELOCATION OF THE UPS STORE INTO THE LIBERTY TRIANGLE TIF DISTRICT

 

Council discussed the relocation of an existing Liberty based business into a tax increment financing district.  It was noted that only 30% of the business they conduct is taxable. The Triangle location has a City issued bond obligation, and the Council noted the goal should be to have sufficient revenue generating businesses located within this area.

 

Jerry Lee, owner of the UPS Store, stated their lease is up at their current location and they are looking for a location that would enable them to expand the document services portion of their business.  It is projected that this location, with the increased square footage and visibility, will result in approximately 25-30% growth within the first two years.

 

Council Member Phillips moved to approve the resolution.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried 5-1-1 and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2423.  Council Member King voted in opposition and Council Member Moore abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.

 

F.                  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES

 

Council Member Moore moved to approve the resolution.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2424.

 

G.                 WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

 

1.                   AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

 

Document No. 7036 was read.  Council Member Phillips moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member King seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member Jenness moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Watt seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9470.

 

2.                   AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH CLAY COUNTY SANITARY AND DITCHING SERVICES, INC FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER MAIN ALONG DONIPHAN STREET IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $73,712.50

 

Document No. 7037 was read.  Council Member King 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 Foster seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No.9471.

 

H.                 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING STORM DRAINAGE AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS FOR STORM DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AT 500 NASHUA

 

Document No. 7038 was read.  Council Member Phillips moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member Moore 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. 9472.

 

X.         OTHER BUSINESS

 

Mayor Canuteson noted the Clay County Archives, along with Ray Brock, are sponsoring a gravestone preservation workshop at Mt. Memorial Cemetery on July 21.  Those interested in participating in the restoration of the vandalized gravestones at Fairview Cemetery are encouraged to attend this workshop for proper training and repair techniques.  The volunteer clean-up day at Fairview Cemetery is scheduled for Saturday, July 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  The Mayor stated that donations for the maintenance and repairs to cemeteries within the City of Liberty are being accepted.  Individuals wanting to contribute can do so through the Liberty Parks and Recreation Charitable Fund.

 

Mayor Canuteson announced that the City will be forming a Cemetery committee to address the long term upkeep of the City?s cemeteries.

 

XI.               MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR

 

XII.            MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Member Phillips stated that he would be out of town for the cemetery workshop, but commended the Mayor, the Clay County Archives and staff for their efforts to address the vandalism issue.  He also referred to a recent newspaper article that talked about picking three establishments within your city and supporting them by spending $50.00 there each month.  He noted this would be nice to keep in mind for Liberty.

 

Council Member Moore asked about the street repair work being done on N. Morse.  He noted that patching the road is nice, but additional work is needed in that area.  Staff will follow up on the matter.

 

Council Member Foster asked if there is anything that staff can do to address the stench in the southeast part of the City that is coming from a business located outside of the City limits.  Staff stated that they have been in discussions with the owner of the business.

 

Council Member Jenness presented the 2008 Liberty Parks and Recreation Annual Report and noted that he was glad to see that information on goals and fiscal responsibility were included.  He stated this is information to be proud of and wished that other entities would incorporate such information into their annual reports.

 

XIII.     ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    Mayor

Attest:

 

 

_____________________________________

Deputy City Clerk