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

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

MONDAY, OCTOBER 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 October 26, 2009 with Mayor Pro Tem Greg Duncan presiding.  Mayor Pro Tem Duncan 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 Harold Phillips, 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; Steve Hansen, Public Works Director; Karan Johnson, Planning and Economic Development Manager; Steve Anderson, Planning Director; Craig Knouse, Police Chief; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Dennis Dovel, Parks and Recreation Director; Tony Sage, Information Services Director; Brad Boone, Information Specialist III; Laurie Sutton, Information Specialist II; Shawnna Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator; Janet Pittman, Deputy City Clerk; Legal Counsel George Kapke; Angie Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune; and 13 members of the public.

 

IV.       APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT AGENDA)

 

V.        CITIZENS? PARTICIPATION

 

Craig Porter, Clay County Commissioner, presented Council with a copy of the November 3rd ballot language regarding the extension of the 1/8 cent law enforcement tax.  He noted how important passage of the tax is to the ongoing operation of the Clay County Detention Center, and requested City Council?s support.

 

Marty and Linda Martin, 241 W. Franklin, spoke regarding the Tour of Missouri, a professional cycling race.  They participated this year as volunteers and said the race draws thousands of spectators, resulting in an economic impact of approximately $38 million.  They urged the City of Liberty, because of the economic impact and exposure for the City, to explore being a host City for the 2011 race.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Duncan read and presented proclamations to Rachel Lindsay and Kristen Wright, congratulating them on being named Commended Students by the National Merit Scholar Program.

 

VI.       MEETING SCHEDULE

 

VII.      CONSENT AGENDA

 

A.                 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 12, 2009

 

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

 

B.                 APPOINTMENTS

 

License Tax Review Committee

Reappoint Nick King to a term expiring 11-1-2011

Reappoint Joe Duffey to a term expiring 11-1-2011

Reappoint Paul Ferrell to a term expiring 11-1-2011

 

Council Member Brenton requested that staff review with the License Tax Review Committee members which segment of the community they each represent, as outlined in the City Code.

 

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

 

VIII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

Council Member Brenton stated he would recuse himself from the next item on the agenda due to a potential conflict of interest and left the meeting at this time.

 

A.        AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF LIBERTY, MISSOURI BY REZONING 8.14 ACRES LOCATED AT 2250 NORTH CHURCH FROM R-1A, SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO BP, BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT

 

Mayor Pro Tem Duncan opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak in favor of the application.   Mayor Pro Tem Duncan asked if anyone wished to speak in opposition to the application.

 

William Sieker, 2280 N. Church Road, stated his property is adjacent to the property being rezoned and is concerned that the legal description may be incorrect.  He noted he is supportive of the application; however, he would like assurance that the survey is correct prior to Council approval of the rezoning.  Staff stated that there was previously an error in the legal description, but that it had been corrected and verified.

 

 Seeing no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Pro Tem Duncan closed the public hearing.

 

Document No. 7075 was read.  Mayor Pro Tem Duncan stated that this item would be on second reading at the November 9, 2009 meeting and requested that staff provide Mr. Sieker with a copy of the survey for his review.

 

Council Member Brenton returned to the meeting at this time.

 

B.                 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN IN A HOME BASED BUSINESS AT 1553 CHAUNCEY AVENUE

 

Staff presented Council with a petition signed by the applicant?s neighbors, noting their support of the application.  Staff stated that the application does not meet the standards of review for a special use permit and recommended denial.  Though building code allows, commercial kitchens in home based businesses such as this are prohibited in the City?s Uniform Development Ordinance (UDO).  The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval with a vote of 8-0 with the stipulation that the approved special use permit shall sunset two years after the opening of the business, at which time the applicant could reapply for the special use permit to ensure that if the use is found to be not compatible, it can be reevaluated.  The Planning Commission further requested that the UDO be amended to allow for commercial kitchens in home based businesses.

 

Larry Madson, 1553 Chauncey Avenue, stated he is requesting the commercial kitchen so that he may obtain certification from the Clay County Health Department which would allow him to sell his breads at the local farmers markets.

                       

Mayor Pro Tem Duncan opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak in favor of the application.   Mayor Pro Tem Duncan asked if anyone wished to speak in opposition to the application.  Seeing no one, he closed the public hearing.

 

Council Member Phillips moved to approve the resolution.  Council Member Brenton seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2440.

 

C.         SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A BUSINESS USE IN THE FORM OF OFFICES AT 202 W. FRANKLIN

 

Staff stated that the applicant had withdrawn his application.  Mayor Pro Tem Duncan opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak.    Seeing no one, he closed the public hearing.

 

Council Member Brenton moved to dismiss the case.  Council Member King seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 

 

D.        AMENDMENTS TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE

 

Staff requested that the case be dismissed to allow for further review. Mayor Pro Tem Duncan opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak.   Seeing no one, he closed the public hearing.

 

Council Member Phillips moved to dismiss.  Council Member Moore seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 

 

IX.       ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

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

 

1.                   EXCLUDING KCP&L PAYMENTS ? ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 7076 was read.  Council Member King 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 Brenton ? yes; Council Member Foster ? 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. 9506.

 

2.                   KCP&L PAYMENTS ? ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 7077 was read.  Council Member King moved to approve the vendor payments.  Council Member Watt seconded the motion.  Vote on the motion was as follows:  Council Member Phillips ? yes; Council Member Moore ? yes; Council Member Brenton ? abstain; Council Member Foster ? yes; Council Member Duncan ? yes; Council Member Watt ? 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. 9506.

 

B.         AN ORDINANCE DISCLAIMING AND ABANDONING SANITARY SEWER EASEMENTS - OAKWOOD BUSINESS PARK, TRACT 11

 

Document No. 7078 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 Moore seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9507.

 

C.                 CITY OF LIBERTY TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

 

Council discussed issues related to the installation of a replacement phone system.  Staff noted that the current service provider had been unable to fulfill the terms of the contract as promised, resulting in negative and reduced service delivery to residents.

 

1.       AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH KEY GOVERNMENT FINANCE, INC. OF SUPERIOR, COLORADO IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $284,550.72 FOR TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT AND NETWORK EQUIPMENT RELATED TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE PHONE SYSTEM

 

Document No. 7079 was read.  Council Member Phillips moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member Watt seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member Phillips 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. 9508.

 

2.       AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH ALEXANDER OPEN SYSTEMS OF OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $45,000 FOR INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION SERVICES RELATED TO THE PHONE SYSTEM

 

Document No. 7080 was read.  Council Member Phillips moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member Watt seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member Phillips moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Brenton seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9509.

 

3.       AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH UNITE PRIVATE NETWORKS OF KEARNEY, MISSOURI  FOR AUTHORIZATION OF A MASTER TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE AGREEMENT AND PRICING SCHEDULES FOR SERVICES RELATED TO THE VOICE AND DATA TELECOMMUNICATIONS

 

Document No. 7081 was read.  Council Member Phillips moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member Brenton seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member Brenton 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. 9510.

 

X.         OTHER BUSINESS

 

CITIZEN SALES TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ? GRADE CARD PRESENTATION

 

William Walker, Chair of the Citizen Sales Tax Oversight Committee, presented the 2008-09 Grade Card compiled by the committee.  Mr. Walker thanked staff and fellow committee members for their efforts.  Mr. Walker stated that all items reviewed by the committee met with voter intent.  A copy of the Grade Card will be made available on the City of Liberty?s website.

 

XI.               MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR

 

XII.            MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

 

City Council thanked the members of the Citizen Sales Tax Oversight Committee for their diligent work.

 

Council Member Phillips noted that on November 3, 2009 Liberty residents will have the opportunity to vote for a smoke-free Liberty.  He also noted that the Jewell neighborhood recently completed a neighborhood planning process, and if successful, is hopeful that the process can be duplicated in other neighborhoods.

 

Council Member Moore requested that staff obtain further information regarding the Tour of Missouri.

 

Council Member Duncan expressed concern regarding the Westover Commons project. He noted that the project seems different from what was presented to Council for approval.  He asked for clarification of what can transpire with developments from the time they are approved until they are built out.  Staff stated they are compiling a report that will be provided to Council next week.

 

XIII.     ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    Mayor

Attest:

 

 

_____________________________________

Deputy City Clerk