CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2005
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 June 27, 2005 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 Council Member Harold
Phillips who then led the pledge of allegiance.
III. 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,
Ward IV. Also in attendance were Patty
Gentrup, City Administrator; Steven Hansen, Public Works Director; Brian Hess,
City Engineer; Steve Anderson, Planning & Development Director; James
Simpson, Deputy Police Chief; Dennis Dovel, Sports
Complex Manager; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Marcella McCoy, Assistant Finance
Director; Diana Adams, Financial Analyst; Mary Towse, Human Resources Director;
Sara Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator; Lyndsay Heal, Management Assistant;
Jane Sharon, Deputy City Clerk; Angie Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune, Janese Heavin, Sun News, and 9
members of the public.
IV. APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES [SEE CONSENT AGENDA BELOW]
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
Mayor
Steinkamp said those wishing to comment on specific
agenda items should wait until those items are being discussed. He asked those speaking to keep their
comments brief and that they not duplicate comments made by other speakers.
Mayor
Steinkamp also noted that Council discussion and
questions take place after a motion and second are on the floor.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
Council Member King asked that the meeting summary from
June 6 be removed and voted on separately.
Council Member Hadden asked that the meeting summary from June 20 be
removed and voted on separately.
A. MINUTES
AND MEETING SUMMARIES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1. REGULAR
SESSION MINUTES OF MAY 23, 2005
Council Member Coe moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
B.
APPOINTMENTS
Parks
& Recreation Board
Appoint
John Sprugel to a term expiring 06-01-08.
Reappoint
Bob Burks to a term expiring 06-01-08.
Reappoint
Bill Niffen to a term expiring 06-01-08.
Historic
District Review Commission
Reappoint
John Carr to a term expiring 07-01-10.
Reappoint
Susan Goertz to a term expiring 07-01-10.
Municipal
Prosecutor
Reappoint
Thomas McGiffin to a term expiring 07-01-09.
Council Member Coe moved to approve the
appointments. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
C.
AUTHORIZE
EXECUTIVE SESSION TO BE HELD ON JUNE 27, 2005 IN THE COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
THE REGULAR SESSION TO DISCUSS LITIGATION MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 610.021(1)
RSMo – MOTION
Council Member Coe moved to authorize the executive
session. Council Member Hester seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
D.
JOINT STUDY
SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF JUNE 6, 2005
Council Member King requested the language in the
meeting summary be revised to more accurately reflect what was stated regarding
the City’s park fees compared to tax support.
Council Member Martin questioned whether the context of the meeting
summary could be changed. Mayor Steinkamp said he believed the recommended changes would
address the intent and not change the context.
Council Member Hadden offered additional wording. Mayor Steinkamp
asked the Council to postpone its consideration of this meeting summary until July 11, 2005, so that changes could be made. City Administrator Patty Gentrup agreed to
submit a revised meeting summary incorporating the proposed changes for the July 11, 2005 meeting.
E.
STUDY SESSION MEETING
SUMMARY OF JUNE 20, 2005
Council Member Martin moved to approve the meeting
summary as distributed. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion, which carried 6-0-1.
Council Member Hadden abstained due to absence.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
A.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM MAY 20, 2005 THROUGH JUNE 24, 2005 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6371 was read. Council Member Hadden moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion.
Council Member Martin asked about check number 89178
ESRI, Inc. Public Works Director Steve
Hansen stated the check was for an additional license to allow a second staff
member to access ArcView. This would allow greater access to aerial
photos for staff. Mrs. Martin asked
about check number 89684 to Dollar General.
Deputy Police Chief James Simpson stated that Municipal Court had held
the funds, taken as evidence, which were now being returned upon disposition of
the case.
Council Member Hadden asked about check number 89491
for street accident reduction zone signs.
She asked if there was a potential the signs would be placed in other
areas of Liberty. Deputy Chief
Simpson said 152 Hwy. was the highest accident zone and the goal of this
program was to reduce accidents by 20% this year. The accident rate is 10% below last year’s so
far. Mrs. Hadden asked how the
determination is made on where to place such signs. Deputy Chief Simpson said it is a local
decision coordinated through the court and police.
Vote on the motion was as follows: Council Member Phillips – yes; Council Member
Martin – yes; Council Member Hester – yes; Council Member Hadden – yes; Council
Member Coe – yes; Council Member Parry – yes; Council Member King – yes. The motion carried unanimously; it was
approved by the Chair and inscribed in Ordinance No. 8831.
B.
*ISSUANCE OF
TRANSPORTATION GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS – ORDINANCE
Mrs. Gentrup stated this bond issuance is necessary
for continuation of the South Liberty Parkway Phase I project, and to cover the
City’s costs for the I-35/291 Hwy. and M-33/M-69 Hwy. interchanges. Todd Goffoy, with
Piper Jaffray, stated this is a second series of
bonds approved by the voters. The first
series were completed in December 2001.
The half-cent sales tax and roadway development tax will be used to
repay the bonds. The final details for
the ordinance will be available for second reading on July 11, including the
bond insurance and the City’s underlying rating and bond prospectus. The terms will be set next Thursday. Closing will be on or about July 20.
Document No. 6372 was read. Mayor Steinkamp
said the ordinance would go to second reading on July 11.
C.
*AMENDMENT TO
SECTION 29-49.1, SANITARY SEWER RATES, IN THE LIBERTY CITY CODE – ORDINANCE
Assistant Finance Director Marcella McCoy commented on
the changes to the sewer rate which had been reviewed by Council at the June 6, 2005 study session.
She noted that the City could save $2.2 million on the Rush Creek sanitary sewer project by using the State Revolving
Fund (SRF).
Ms. McCoy reviewed the City’s current rate structure,
which charges different rates for residential and commercial service. A requirement of being eligible for SRF is to
revise the rates so the same charges are applied for the same service. The staff evaluated the rates and proposed a
single rate of $5.45 per 1,000 gallons.
This rate would bring in the same revenue as budgeted. The rate would be a reduction for residential
service while the 935 commercial customers would see an increase for service,
based on usage.
Mrs. Gentrup asked Council for direction with regard
to exploring how the new rate might be phased in and still meet
the State’s requirements. She
recommended the ordinance be continued to the July 25 meeting if further
research is requested.
Council Member Phillips asked how many residential
customers there are. Ms. McCoy said
there are approximately 9,200 residential customers. Council Member Hester asked for clarification
of residential customers’ bills being estimated by winter usage. Ms. McCoy said that is correct. Mrs. Hester asked if commercial customers pay
for irrigation systems in place. Ms.
McCoy said that cannot currently be identified but could include a mechanism to
remove this usage from sewer charges.
Council Member Hadden asked if there is any
possibility of changing the outcome.
Mrs. Gentrup said the way the proposed rate is structured is still
revenue neutral. Mrs. Hadden asked if
that would mean higher debt service, paying on an installment basis. Mayor Steinkamp
said the City would not be doing that.
He asked if the rates would be revenue neutral throughout the life of
the bonds.
Mayor Steinkamp asked for
clarification that, had the State not required the change for SRF, the City
would not be considering a change in the rate structure. Ms. McCoy said that is correct. The State requires the rates to be
proportional. Mayor Steinkamp
said it appears the Department of Natural Resources would allow a phasing-in of
the change in rate structure.
Council Member Hester asked if the new rate is phased
in would that mean it would take longer to pay off the bonds, thereby reducing
the savings available by using SRF. Mrs.
Gentrup said that would be true if the rates do not remain revenue
neutral. Ms. McCoy said the 2005
budgeted revenue must be maintained.
Document No. 6381 was read. Council Member Parry moved to continue
consideration of the ordinance to the July 25, 2005 meeting to allow for a review of the options. Council Member King seconded the motion. Mayor Steinkamp
asked those present to speak to this matter defer their comments until July 25,
given there may be changes to what is being considered at that time. The motion carried unanimously.
D.
AMENDMENT TO
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS – ORDINANCE
Mrs. Gentrup stated these amendments appear regularly
for new development or existing locations.
Document No. 6373 was read. Council Member Hadden moved to waive the
rules and consider on first reading.
Council Member Coe seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Hester moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion. Council Member
Martin asked for clarification of a listing on one street to the same
street. City Engineer Brian Hess stated
this is a long cul-de-sac with a median in the middle and this location is
where the street comes together on the median side. The motion carried unanimously; it was
approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8832.
E.
ABANDONMENT OF RIGHT OF WAY ON FRANKLIN STREET – ORDINANCE
Mrs. Gentrup stated the previous building on this site
was a victim of the 2003 tornado. When
planning to construct the new building in the footprint of the previous
structure, it was discovered the building would encroach about two feet into
the right-of-way. Mayor Steinkamp asked if the building would have the same
dimensions. Mrs. Gentrup said it would.
Document No. 6374 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 Hadden 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. 8833.
F.
STREET LIGHTS
Mrs. Gentrup said a study had been conducted and it
had been determined that the current arrangement for street lighting was the
most cost effective for the City. The
five-year contract includes performance standards, requiring more timely
responses. A companion issue is for the
public works’ director to handle authorization of street light
installation. This will allow the City
to expedite installation requests. Staff
recommends approval of both the contract and the authorization.
1.
CONTRACT WITH AQUILA
– ORDINANCE
Document No. 6375 was read. Council Member Martin moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member King seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council Member Hester moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion. Council Member
Hadden asked if this includes adding lights to the downtown area. Mr. Hansen said it does not. The design has been submitted by Aquila
and the existing lighting is being reduced by half. This is due to the old lighting fixtures no
longer being manufactured and the new ones, while similar in appearance, being
more efficient. More lights are being
considered for the area.
Council Member Phillips asked how information about
the toll free number to call reporting street light outages is being
disseminated. Management Assistant
Lyndsay Heal said if a call is received by City staff, it is forwarded to Aquila
by fax. The toll free number is given
out to callers, is on the City’s website and is in the phone book as the
general customer service line. The
motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in
Ordinance No. 8834.
2.
AUTHORIZATION FOR
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO ADMINISTER STREET LIGHT INSTALLATION – RESOLUTION
Council Member Coe moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member Hadden
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution
No. 2216.
G.
ACCEPTANCE OF
STORM DRAINAGE EASEMENTS FOR HOLT ESTATES PROJECT – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6376 was read. Council Member Martin moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Coe seconded the motion, which
carried unanimously.
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the ordinance. Council Member Coe seconded the motion, which
carried unanimously. It was approved by
the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8835.
H.
ACCEPTANCE OF
EASEMENTS FOR UPPER RUSH CREEK PROJECT – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6377 was read. Council Member Coe moved to waive the rules
and consider the ordinance on first reading.
Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion. Council Member
Parry asked why the City has to pay for some easements. Mr. Hansen stated that the City initially
asked for dedication of some property directly adjacent to the sewer
system. These will tie into the new
system in return for the easements. The
properties on which the pump station and access drive will be located can’t be
tied in to the sewer system. They were
appraised and amounts offered as stated.
There will be additional easements coming forward to Council as they are
negotiated. Council Member King asked if
the amounts paid are within the budget.
Mr. Hansen said they are and are based on the fair market value provided
by an independent appraisal firm. Mr.
King asked how many additional easements need to be acquired. Mr. Hess said there were about 26 more. Mr. King asked if the project will be
completed within the project budget. Mr.
Hansen said they anticipated the project to be completed within budget and the
time frame established, because the permit expires August 2006. The motion carried unanimously; it was
approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8836.
I.
OVERLAY PROJECTS
Mrs. Gentrup stated that the 2004 overlay project was
started later in the year and carried over into 2005. The 2004 project exceeded the amount budgeted
for it and the 2005 project came in under budget. Staff recommends approval of the contract
amendments and acceptance of both the 2004 and 2005 overlay projects.
1.
2004 OVERLAY
PROJECT
a.
AMENDMENT TO
CONTRACT WITH SUPERIOR BOWEN ASPHALT CO. LLC – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6378 was read. Council Member Hadden moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Martin seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council Member Phillips moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8837.
b. ACCEPTANCE
OF PROJECT – RESOLUTION
Council Member Martin moved to accept the
project. Council Member Hester seconded
the motion. Council Member Coe asked if
the remaining funds would be carried over into the next year. Mrs. Gentrup said the unused funds would go
into the 2010 capital fund and be reallocated by Council. The motion carried unanimously and is
inscribed in Resolution No. 2218.
2.
2005 OVERLAY
PROJECT
a.
AMENDMENT TO
CONTRACT WITH SUPERIOR BOWEN ASPHALT CO. LLC – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6379 was read. Council Member Martin moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Hadden seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8838.
b. ACCEPTANCE
OF PROJECT – RESOLUTION
Council Member Martin moved to accept the
project. Council Member Hadden seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2217.
J.
LIBERTY
MANOR WEST STORM DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
1.
AMENDMENT TO
CONTRACT WITH DENNIS JOHNSON CONSTRUCTION, INC. – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6380 was read. Council Member Martin moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Hadden seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion. Council Member King
asked what minor changes were made to allow the project to be reduced to come
closer to the amount budgeted. Mr.
Hansen explained that initial bids for the project came in over budget, due to
significant increases in the cost of concrete and steel. The only way to get within budget for the
project was to modify the plans, removing Holt Estates. That project was rebid
later. Mr. King asked about what was
approved for the costs of this project.
Mr. Hansen said the contract was approved in a not to exceed amount,
based on engineering estimates. The actual
costs must be determined upon completion of the project, which included additional
paving, curb work and two additional inlets.
The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and is
inscribed in Ordinance No. 8839.
2.
ACCEPTANCE OF
PROJECT – RESOLUTION
A.
APPROVAL OF FINAL
PAYMENT FOR KCP&L UTILITY RELOCATION COSTS PERTAINING TO CONSTRUCTION OF SOUTH LIBERTY PARKWAY – MOTION
Mrs.
Gentrup reviewed the City’s responsibility to cover the costs to move utilities
associated with construction of the Parkway.
The Council approved relocation earlier, based on estimated costs. The actual costs are now presented and staff
recommends approval.
Council
Member Martin moved to approve the expenditure.
Council Member Hester seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
B.
PURCHASE OF FIRE
DEPARTMENT VEHICLE– MOTION
Council
Member Martin moved to approve the vehicle purchase. Council Member Phillips seconded the
motion. Council Member Parry asked what
type of vehicle was being purchased.
Fire Chief Gary Birch said it was a Dodge Durango. Council Member King asked if it was a new
2004 vehicle. Chief Birch said it
is. The motion carried unanimously.
C.
PURCHASE OF
VAN-MOUNTED SEWER INSPECTION CAMERA SYSTEM FROM KEY EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY IN
THE AMOUNT OF $113,250 – MOTION
Mrs.
Gentrup stated that this camera will assist in viewing new and existing
lines. Council Member Hadden moved to
approve the purchase. Council Member
Phillips seconded the motion. Council
Member Hadden asked if the City has had this equipment in the past. Mr. Hansen said a van had been purchased in
the 1970s and both it and the camera wore out.
This is a purchase of a new truck with the vehicle-mounted camera. Mrs. Hadden asked about a warranty. Mr. Hansen said it would be a standard
one-year warranty on the camera. Council
Member Martin confirmed the purchase includes the vehicle.
Council
Member King asked if the camera would be used to inspect lines for approval
during the construction process. Mr.
Hansen said that would not immediately be the use, but it could be added as a
component at a later date. The intent is
to TV all lines. Council Member Parry
asked what alternative the City had to purchasing equipment. Mr. Hansen said the City could outsource the
services but they would not always be available when there was a problem. Council Member Phillips asked who operates
the equipment. Mr. Hansen said utility
maintenance staff is trained in its use.
Mr. Parry asked how long the old one lasted. Mr. Hansen said the camera was replaced twice
since 1970. The motion carried
unanimously.
D.
SUPER SERIES
NATIONAL TOURNAMENT AT FOUNTAIN BLUFF SPORTS COMPLEX
Mrs.
Gentrup said this is the second year for the super series tournament and last
year there was a good discussion about the tournament and the purchase of
souvenirs. All the costs are included in
the registration fees and, with the exception of the t-shirts, unsold inventory
can be returned for a refund.
1. PURCHASE OF SOUVENIRS
IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $30,000 – MOTION
Council Member Martin moved to approve the purchase. Council Member Hester seconded the
motion. Council Member Parry asked what
the markup was on the souvenirs. Sports
Complex Manager Dennis Dovel said the markup ranges
from 75% to 200% depending on the item.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. PURCHASE OF ROYALS
TICKETS FOR OPENING CEREMONY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $36,000 – MOTION
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the purchase. Council Member King seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Mrs.
Gentrup noted the open house at South Valley Middle
School on
June 28 related to the Flintlock flyover.
She noted that HNTB staff will be coordinating the open house.
Mrs.
Gentrup said the police department’s 50th anniversary activities last
Saturday afternoon at City Hall went well.
Mary Bittner was honored for her 50 years of service. Celebration Liberty was also a good event that evening and she thanked
Hallmark for hosting the event on its grounds.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Phillips mentioned the chip & seal project on Franklin Street had revealed brick underneath. He asked if there is any way to know which
streets have brick. Mr. Hansen said some
information is available in the City’s database, but there are very few brick
streets left. The condition is not
always known until a project occurs.
Council
Member Martin reported a street light out at 1104 Blueberry Lane. She asked why
the traffic regulations have to be amended by Council. Deputy Chief Simpson confirmed the
regulations have to be part of the Code of Ordinances as a legal basis for
enforcement.
Council
Member Hester asked for consideration of changes to the median by the post
office to make it more attractive.
Council
Member Hadden reported she had attended the National League of Cities annual
small cities committee meeting and several committees joined them in an
economic summit. She said she had good
information to share.
Council
Member Parry asked why the ball tickets had to be approved by Council. Mrs. Gentrup said the cost exceeded her
approval authority.
Council
Member King thanked the staff for providing the map showing South Liberty Parkway property owners.
He commended the staff for its efforts in improvements that had brought
the favorable feedback from developers working with the City.
Mayor
Steinkamp mentioned the developer survey results and
joined in thanking staff for its efforts in regard to responding to developers
and new businesses. He reminded the
Council of the Boards & Commissions event, Saturday, July 9, at the Community
Center and also mentioned the opportunity to provide more information to the
public on the Flintlock flyover.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk