CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 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 September 14, 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 Mark Buhlig. Council Member Moore then led the pledge of
allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
Roll
call was answered by Paul Jenness, Ward I; Greg Duncan and Jeff Moore, Ward II;
Lyndell Brenton and 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; Karan Johnson, Planning and Economic Development Manager; Brian
Hess, Assistant Public Works Director; Steve Anderson, Planning and Development
Director; Craig Knouse, Police Chief; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Anna Slocum, Assistant
Parks and Recreation Director; Jo Ann Mudge, Police Lieutenant; James Simpson,
Deputy Police Chief; Tony Sage, Information Services Director; Shawnna
Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator; Sara Cooke, Public Relations
Manager; Janet Pittman, Deputy City Clerk; legal counsel George Kapke; Angie
Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune; and 20 members of the public.
IV. APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT
AGENDA)
V. CITIZENS?
PARTICIPATION
Mary
Cravens, 300 Manor Lane, spoke on behalf of the Cemetery Advisory Committee.
She advised Council that the committee had a work day at the cemetery on
Saturday, and that they had also received a donation of 8 gallons of monument
repair compound from Johnson Granite Supply Co. in addition to sand donated by
Wal-mart and gravel by a private donator. Johnson Granite Supply Co. has also
offered to assist with lifting of heavy stones and providing epoxy specialized
for older, broken headstones. The Council was invited to stop by the
Committee?s table at the upcoming Fall Festival, where individuals can sign up
to volunteer or make donations.
Twila
Ferguson, 511 Sara Lane, spoke regarding safety concerns for bicyclists riding
at night. She suggested that the City host a bike safety day and hand out
reflectors to bicyclists and skateboarders.
LeRoy
Coe, 719 W. Brown, invited Council to attend the girls and boys state night on
Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion and show their support for
what the kids are doing.
Mayor
Canuteson read the Constitution Week Proclamation and presented it to Carol
Olson, Regent, Alexander Doniphan Chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution.
Mayor
Canuteson read the International Walk to School Day Proclamation and presented
it to Deputy Police Chief James Simpson.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
IX. ORDINANCES,
CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM AUGUST 14, 2009
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 - ORDINANCE
In response to Council?s questions, staff stated that
the payment for security system repairs was to repair the video security system
at the water treatment plant that was damaged during the May rainstorm. The
voided checks to Mayfair Cleaners were for incorrect invoices that were paid,
and new payments were processed. The UMB Bank pay agent fee was for a trustee
fee associated with sewer bonds.
Document No. 7061 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 Moore ? yes; Council Member
Brenton ? 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. 9500.
B.
ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.
8893 APPROVING A CITY ADMINISTRATOR EMPLOYEMENT AGREEMENT
Mayor Canuteson stated the amendment cleared up
ambiguity in the contract language related to contract term and severance.
Document No.7062 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 King 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. 9493.
C.
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4,
?ANIMALS AND FOWL?, OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF LIBERTY, CLAY COUNTY, MISSOURI
Document No. 7063 was read. Council discussed the
proposed ordinance. The Mayor stated that though this was not a public hearing
he would allow an opportunity for public comment.
Jeanne Ralston, 300 Don Allen, stated that the limits
on cats and dogs should also be based on acreage size. If a property is
located in a rural area, and other livestock is permitted based on the size of
the property, then possibly more than four cats or dogs should be allowed.
Delmar Ford, 1116 S.
Missouri, stated he was against
increasing the number of dogs allowed. For properties with small yards it is
inappropriate to allow four dogs, and disturbances relating to barking and
nuisance issues will increase.
Urban Miller, 410 Bancroft, stated he was against
increasing the number of dogs allowed, especially since residents weren?t
currently adhering to the limit. Also, barking at night is a problem.
LeRoy Coe, 719 W. Brown, stated he was in support of
increasing the number of dogs allowed. He noted that he had surveyed a number
of other cities and 15 of the 17 allowed at least 4, and the other two cities
were in the process of increasing the number.
The Mayor stated the ordinance would be heard on
second reading at the October 12, 2009 meeting.
D.
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY?S
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES POLICY SPECIFICALLY RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT BONDS
Council discussed the proposed amendment.
Document No. 7064 was read. Council Member Jenness
moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council
Member Duncan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council
Member Brenton requested that Exhibit A ?Chapter 100 Industrial Development
Bonds? Item B. 2. e. be amended to reflect that it is B. 2. d.
Council Member Jenness moved to approve the ordinance
with the amended Exhibit A. Council Member Brenton seconded the motion, which
carried unanimously. It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in
Ordinance No. 9494.
E.
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20,
?MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC? OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF LIBERTY, CLAY COUNTY, MISSOURI
Document No. 7065 was read. Council Member King moved
to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member
Foster seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Watt moved to approve the ordinance.
Council Member Moore seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. It was
approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9495.
F.
ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A RIGHT-OF-WAY
AND ACCESS EASEMENT FOR A PUBLIC ROADWAY WITH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA AND
EASTERN RAILROAD CORPORATION
Council discussed the proposed ordinance.
Document No. 7066 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 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. 9496.
G.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE OAK PLAZA, 5TH
PLAT PROJECT
Council Member Brenton moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member King seconded the motion, which carried unanimously
and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2433.
H.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE ROGER?S
PLAZA PROJECT
Council Member King moved to approve the resolution.
Council Member Moore seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is
inscribed in Resolution No. 2434.
X. OTHER BUSINESS
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM CITY
ADMINISTRATOR
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Moore stated there would be a Budget Committee meeting on Thursday
morning.
Council
Member Brenton noted the ?Walk to School? walkability checklist and bike safety
appear to be a public relations opportunity.
Council
Member Foster noted that he had participated in the cemetery clean-up day and
hoped they would be able to get a few more volunteers next time.
Council
Member Jenness wanted to clarify that contrary to the Kansas City Star article,
stating that the Liberty portion of the stimulus funds have been spent, this
project has not yet been completed.
Council
Member Watt discussed Kearney?s free building permits and suggested that the City
of Liberty offer a reduced building permit program to encourage residential
growth. He also requested that Council revisit the impact fees that the City
charges.
Council
Member King stated that the Mayor had requested that he coordinate the 4th
of July parade. There is a lot of work to be done, but it should be a fun
event. Mayor Canuteson stated there was a meeting with the Liberty Area
Chamber of Commerce and the organizers of the Liberty4thFest to discuss
enhanced 4th of July activities.
The
Mayor stated that there would be a meeting on Wednesday at the Community Center
to discuss fundraising efforts for a dog park. Three potential sites, that already
have water service and parking facilities, have been identified: Withers Road,
Fountain Bluff and Stocksdale Park.
In
response to Council?s questions, staff stated that plans for a sidewalk to Franklin School, funded
through the Safe Routes to Schools grant, have been presented to MODot. The
City is currently awaiting an agreement with the railroad in order to obtain
the necessary access across the railway tracks.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:30
p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk