CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Split Session of Outgoing and Incoming City Council
MINUTES
APRIL 11, 2005
1st
SESSION
I.
CALL TO ORDER
The
first session of a split session of outgoing and incoming City Council of the
City Council of the City of Liberty, Missouri was held in the Council Chambers
of City Hall on April 11, 2005 with Mayor Stephen P. Hawkins presiding. Mayor Hawkins called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The
invocation was given by Council Member Coni Hadden, who then led the pledge of
allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
Roll
call was answered by Mayor Stephen P. Hawkins; Ed Collins and Coni Hadden, Ward
I; LeRoy Coe and Anna Marie Martin, Ward II; Lyndell Brenton and Juarenne
Hester, Ward III; and Bill Parker and Jim Robertson, Ward IV. Also in attendance were Patty Gentrup, City
Administrator; Cynthia Boecker; Assistant City Administrator; Steve Hansen,
Public Works Director; Steve Anderson, Planning & Development Director;
Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Rich Cunningham, Deputy Fire Chief; Craig Knouse,
Police Chief; Linda Tyree, Finance Director; Chris Deal, Parks & Recreation
Director; Sara Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator; Mary Towse, Human Resources
Director; Lyndsay Heal, Management Assistant; Janet Pittman, Executive
Secretary; Brenda Uhl, Administrative Secretary; Jane Sharon, Deputy City
Clerk; Angie Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune, Janese Heavin, Sun News and 57
members of the public.
IV. APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES
A.
SPECIAL SESSION
MINUTES OF MARCH 28, 2005
Council Member Robertson moved to approve the minutes
as distributed. Council Member Coe
seconded the motion, which carried 7-0-1.
Council Member Hadden abstained due to absence.
B.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MINUTES OF MARCH 28, 2005
Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Brenton
seconded the motion, which carried 7-0-1.
Council Member Hadden abstained due to absence.
C.
REGULAR SESSION
MINUTES OF MARCH 28, 2005
Council Member Coe moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried 7-0-1.
Council Member Hadden abstained due to absence.
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
Mayor
Hawkins recognized boy scouts present from Troop 134, working on their
Citizenship and the Community badges.
Present were Michael Mihalko, Cody Kesler, Matt Kesler, Toby McHardy, and
Dalin Russel. Evan Russel and Mike Mundy were also present in support of the
scouts.
Neeley
Schmitz, 2096
Red Oak Lane,
asked if the Unified Development Ordinance was going to be considered at this
meeting. Mayor Hawkins stated it is on
the agenda for the second session.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
City
Administrator Patty Gentrup stated that a joint session of the City Council and
Planning & Zoning Commission would occur at a community forum, Monday,
April 18, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Liberty Community
Center. The
Future Land Use Plan would be the topic for review.
VII. ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
A. APPROPRIATION
OF FUNDS FROM MARCH 25, 2005 THROUGH APRIL 8, 2005 – ORDINANCE
Council Member Robertson asked for check number 88233
to be removed and voted on separately.
Council Member Hadden requested that check number 88266 be removed and
voted on separately.
Document No. 6346 was read. Council Member Martin moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Robertson
seconded the motion.
Vote on the motion was as follows: Council Member Collins – yes; Council Member
Martin – yes; Council Member Hester – yes; Council Member Parker – yes; Council
Member Hadden – yes; Council Member Coe – yes; Council Member Brenton – yes;
Council Member Robertson - yes. The
motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and inscribed in
Ordinance No. 8803.
Council Member Martin moved to approve check number
88233. Council Member Parker seconded
the motion.
Vote on the motion was as follows: Council Member Collins – yes; Council Member
Martin – yes; Council Member Hester – yes; Council Member Parker – yes; Council
Member Hadden – yes; Council Member Coe – yes; Council Member Brenton – yes;
Council Member Robertson - abstain. The
motion carried 7-0-1; it was approved by the Chair and inscribed in Ordinance
No. 8803.
Council Member Coe moved to approve check number
88266. Council Member Martin seconded
the motion.
Vote on the motion was as follows: Council Member Collins – yes; Council Member
Martin – yes; Council Member Hester – yes; Council Member Parker – yes; Council
Member Hadden – abstain; Council Member Coe – yes; Council Member Brenton –
yes; Council Member Robertson - yes. The
motion carried 7-0-1; it was approved by the Chair and inscribed in Ordinance
No. 8803.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
A.
CERTIFICATION OF
RESULTS OF MUNICIPAL ELECTION APRIL 5, 2005 – MOTION
Council Member Hadden moved to certify the election
results. Council Member Collins seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
B.
OATH ADMINISTERED
TO ELECTED OFFICIALS
The oath of office was administered by Deputy City
Clerk Jane Sharon to the following elected officials:
Robert
T. Steinkamp, Mayor
Harold
A. Phillips, Council Member, Ward One
Anna
Marie Martin, Council Member, Ward Two
John
M. Parry, Council Member, Ward Three
S.
Nick King, Council Member, Ward Four
C.
Jane DeWees, City Clerk
Dennis
E. Patton, City Auditor
Murray Graber, City Treasurer
Mayor Hawkins stated that Harvey Seely, Constable,
would be sworn in at a later time.
Ed Collins thanked the City for the opportunity to
serve for twelve years. He said Liberty is a good town and he is proud of it. He said this is a great place to raise a
family. He also thanked his wife.
Lyndell Brenton thanked his wife and children for
their sacrifice while he served. He
thanked the citizens of the third ward and of the City of Liberty. He said this
is a great place to live.
Jim Robertson thanked all the citizens of the City for
the opportunity to serve for twelve years.
He thanked the members of the Council with whom he has served and the
City staff. He said this is a good
experience and encouraged everyone to get involved. He thanked his wife and said he chose not to
run again so he could spend more time with his family.
Steve Hawkins noted that between them, the members of
the council and he had 102 years of experience working in city government. He said the departing members would take 56
years with them. He added he had worked
with LeRoy Coe the longest amount of time and with Bill Parker for the fewest
number of years. For six years, there
had been no changes to the makeup of the City Council. He said there is a lot to be said for consistency,
when it is enlivened with active, open minds.
He added that change is good and welcome, when tempered with patience
and an appreciation for the past. He
said some walking away were doing so with glee and others with respect for the
democratic process. He noted all would
retain close ties and offered a positive pledge that those departing were among
the most-interested and, for a time, the most informed about City processes and
plans.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
OF 1ST SESSION
The
first session adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
2nd SESSION
I. CALL
TO ORDER
The second session of a
split session of outgoing and incoming City Council of the City Council of the
City of Liberty, Missouri was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall on April 11, 2005 with Mayor Robert T. Steinkamp presiding. Mayor Steinkamp called the meeting to order
at 8:00 p.m.
II. ROLL
CALL
Roll
call was answered by Mayor Robert T. Steinkamp; Harold Phillips and Coni
Hadden, Ward I; LeRoy Coe and Anna Marie Martin, Ward II; Juarenne Hester and
John Parry, Ward III; and Nick King and Bill Parker, Ward IV. Also in attendance were Patty Gentrup, City
Administrator; Cynthia Boecker; Assistant City Administrator; Steve Hansen,
Public Works Director; Steve Anderson, Planning & Development Director;
Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Rich Cunningham, Deputy Fire Chief; Craig Knouse,
Police Chief; Linda Tyree, Finance Director; Chris Deal, Parks & Recreation
Director; Sara Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator; Mary Towse, Human Resources
Director; Lyndsay Heal, Management Assistant; Jane Sharon, Deputy City Clerk;
Angie Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune, Janese Heavin, Sun News and 36 members of
the public.
A. RESOLUTIONS
OF APPRECIATION TO OUTGOING ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Steinkamp welcomed all to the second session of
the Council meeting.
1. STEPHEN
P. HAWKINS
Mayor Steinkamp read the resolution of appreciation
and commendation to Steve Hawkins.
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Coe seconded the motion, which
carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2204.
Steve Hawkins again expressed his thanks and said he
enjoyed his service and is jealous of those on the Council for the chances they
will have.
2. CLIFTON “ED” COLLINS
Mayor Steinkamp read the resolution of appreciation
and commendation to Ed Collins. Council
Member Phillips moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Parker seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2205.
Council Member Phillips said the residents of Ward I
are indebted to Ed Collins for the leadership he has provided.
3. LYNDELL
W. BRENTON
Mayor Steinkamp read the resolution of appreciation
and commendation to Lyndell Brenton.
Council Member Hester moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Parker seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2206.
Lyndell Brenton again thanked his family and the
citizens, but said he wanted to offer thanks and his best wishes to the city
staff and to the council members and mayor with whom he had the pleasure to
serve. He said there are great things in
store for the City and a lot of the “heavy lifting” had already been done. Mr. Brenton said he knows the new Council
will enjoy their work.
4. JIM
ROBERTSON
Mayor Steinkamp read the resolution of appreciation
and commendation to Jim Robertson.
Council Member Coe moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Parker seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2207.
Jim Robertson said he would miss the City.
Mrs. Gentrup noted that the next three items on the
agenda were sent for second reading to this agenda by the previous
Council. The amendment to the City Code
adopting a Unified Development Ordinance required a public hearing, which was
opened, conducted and closed at the March 28, 2005 meeting.
Mrs. Gentrup reviewed the Council’s options with
regard to these ordinances, including considering the ordinances and voting or
continuing consideration to a date certain.
If any of the ordinances are continued, Mrs. Gentrup requested the
Council provide direction about any information staff should provide.
Mayor Steinkamp asked for clarification that the first
available date for next consideration of the ordinances would be May 9. Mrs. Gentrup said information could be
reviewed in a study session on May 2 and then considered formally on May 9.
B. AMENDMENT
TO THE LIBERTY CITY CODE BY ADOPTING A UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
[P&Z CASE NO. 05-008A] – ORDINANCE (SECOND READING)
Mayor Steinkamp noted that, while the public hearing
had been held on March 28, 2005, he understood there were people present wishing to
speak to the ordinance and an opportunity to do so would be provided. He asked those speaking to confine their
remarks to no more than ten minutes.
Neeley Schmitz, 2096 Red Oak Lane, stated that he was there to support the hard work
that had been done by the previous Council in reviewing the proposed Unified
Development Ordinance (UDO). He said
there had been ample opportunity for input and he asked that the Council vote
on and adopt the UDO this evening.
Mayor Steinkamp asked if others wished to address the
Council on this matter. Seeing none, he
brought the discussion back before the Council.
Document No. 6334 was read. Council Member Martin moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Coe seconded
the motion. Council Member Hadden stated
quite a bit of time had been spent reviewing the UDO, by Council, Planning
& Zoning Commission, Parks &
Recreation Board, citizens and the development community. She said this came about in an effort to
implement the Blueprint for Liberty
in which the Code was streamlined to make it easier to understand. She said she would vote in favor of the
ordinance.
Council Member King said, as a new member of the
Council and one who doesn’t have as much experience, he had been given ample
opportunity to study and review the UDO.
He said in the recent review conducted by the Community Housing
Assessment Team (CHAT), the UDO was described as a permissive document. He added it brings focus to a confusing set
of codes. Mr. King said he is ready to
vote in favor of the ordinance.
Council Member Martin said she echoes the other
council members’ statements and believes it should be passed to reinforce all
it stands for. She said she would vote
in favor of the ordinance.
The motion carried, 7-0-1. Council Member Parry abstained. The ordinance was approved by the Chair and
is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8804.
Mrs. Gentrup said this ordinance is on second reading
and is a recommendation out of the Parks & Open Space Master Plan to change
the fee in lieu of parkland dedication from $8,000 per acre to $12,000 per
acre. She noted the $8,000 per acre fee
had been in effect since 1987.
Document No. 6338 was read. Council Member Martin moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Coe seconded the motion. Council Member Parker asked if there was a
way to distinguish the value of the ground dedicated as parkland as some has
included creeks. Planning &
Development Director Steve Anderson said there is currently no distinction made
between functional parkland and greenway.
In 1987, the $8,000 per acre figure was based on appraised value. Mrs. Gentrup said when the land is dedicated,
the City looks at how it fits in with the park plan.
Mr. Parker asked about the maintenance of creek beds
and mowing near the creeks. Parks &
Recreation Director Chris Deal said land has been accepted along creeks and can
be incorporated into the trails system.
He said City staff works with the State with regard to leaving creeks in
their natural state and the areas where the parks develop are manicured. He said that, while staff maintains creeks in
parkland areas of the City, there are miles of creek in the 500 acres of
parks. Staff works to clean out as much
as they can. Mrs. Gentrup noted that the
issue with creeks is not just in parks, but throughout the city, and affects
private property as well.
Mr. Parker asked if any of the fee in lieu of parkland
is set aside to provide maintenance in storm drainage areas. Mrs. Gentrup said the fee is typically set
aside for parks in the specific zone in which the development is located. She said storm water is another issue. Mr. Parker said the City tells property
owners they must do certain things to maintain their areas and would like to see
the City have the wherewithal to take proper care of its parkland, including
creeks.
Mr. Deal said staff does work in creek areas from time
to time. He said the staff also works
with civic groups, such as Kiwanis, which have adopted trails for cleanup. Mr. Deal said the staff tries to use the
resources available. Mr. Parker said he
believes the staff does a great job and he would like the funds to be available
in the future to hire contractors when needed, in order to keep the waterways
looking nice.
Council Member Hester clarified that parkland
dedication is already a part of development requirements and only the dollar
amount of the fee in lieu of parkland dedication is being changed with this
ordinance. Mrs. Gentrup said that is
correct.
Mayor Steinkamp asked how the $12,000 per acre fee
compares to other communities. Mr. Deal
said the process used for parkland dedication is similar to what most cities
use. He noted that a survey conducted by
the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) looked at 16 cities. Area realtors provided estimates of land
value. He said the increase from $8,000
to $12,000 per acre for the fee is consistent with the Kansas City area. He said
the comparison is not an easy one because some use lot price and others a
percentage, but generally it is comparable.
Mr. Deal said the fee increase was recommended by the consultants
because the $8,000 per acre fee is not consistent. Mayor Steinkamp said he is familiar with the fee
and wanted to make sure the City’s change was not at odds with area communities.
The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the
Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8805.
D. CONTRACT
WITH BURNS & MCDONNELL ENGINEERING CO. INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$218,824 FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF STORM WATER FINANCING – ORDINANCE (SECOND
READING)
Mrs. Gentrup said this ordinance will address the
second phase of storm water financing and took some time to negotiate, as there
are $24 million in storm water needs and this phase will identify financing
strategies. She added there is $325,000
annually available through the remainder of the capital improvement plan. Public Works Director Steve Hansen said it is
critical for the citizens to have an understanding of these needs, so City
actions are not subject to challenge. He
said the focus of this phase is on funding strategies and public involvement to
develop strategies leading up to a potential election, should it go to the
voters. If a particular strategy is
developed, the planning goes to a third phase.
Document No. 6339 was read. Council Member Martin moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Hester seconded the motion. Council Member Martin asked if the services
needed in this contract would be provided, given the amount has been reduced by
$42,000. Mr. Hansen said staff was very
careful to ensure the services needed to carry out the intent of the contract
would be provided. He said City staff
would provide some in-kind services with this change, but the City is getting
what is needed.
The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the
Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8806.
Mrs. Gentrup thanked the Council for its consideration
of this ordinance and said staff would be scheduling a study session this
summer to review this issue with the Council in more detail.
IV. MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Mrs. Gentrup stated that City employees are looking
forward to working with the new City
Council and asked the management staff to introduce themselves. Mayor Steinkamp said the members of the City
Council were looking forward to working with the staff.
V. MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Phillips said he appreciated the
opportunity to move to more comfortable chairs.
Mrs. Gentrup stated that there is a possibility that a request for new
furniture in the chambers will be included in the 2006 proposed budget.
Council Member Martin commended the staff that had
participated in and coordinated the docudrama on drinking and driving. She said the full importance may not be
known, but with prom coming up, the timing was good. She thanked the fire and police staff for
what they do in this regard. Mrs.
Gentrup stated that Deputy Fire Chief Rich Cunningham, Police Officer Mike
Snider, School Resource Officers Jeanice Corum and Bob Kumpost had all
participated. She offered to obtain the
tape for the Council to view.
Council Member Martin also noted the great
announcement that Liberty has been designated as a Tree City USA and thanked the Tree Board members for their efforts
in making successful application.
Council Member Hester thanked the staff for working on
the lights in the Chambers so the heat they generated was not as intense. She noted the Kansas City Arts Council is
having a program on Thursday night, April 14, at the Johnson County Community
College and
she had details for anyone interested in attending.
Council Member Hadden said it was a pleasure taking
part in the regeneration of the Council and she was looking forward to working
on the new challenges ahead.
Council Member Coe said he looked forward to working
with the new mayor and council members.
Council Member Parry said it was good to be here.
Council Member King said it had been an interesting
election and a good experience. He
complimented the quality of the people in Liberty who recognized the candidates were running for a seat
and not against each other. He said they
were all headed toward a mutual goal to benefit the City.
Mayor Steinkamp said this has been a fun and
interesting experience and he is looking forward to the next two years. He referred to upcoming events for the newly
elected officials – one in Jefferson City on June 10 put on by the Missouri Municipal League and the other
sponsored by MARC on May 11. He
encouraged all the newly elected officials to consider attending one or both of
these sessions.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
OF 2ND SESSION
The second session
adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk