CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, JULY 25, 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 July 25, 2005 with Mayor Robert T. Steinkamp presiding. Mayor Steinkamp called the meeting to order
at 7:01
p.m.
II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The invocation was given by Council Member John Parry
who then led the pledge of allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
Roll
call was answered by Mayor Robert T. Steinkamp; 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; Brian Hess, City Engineer; Steve
Anderson, Planning & Development Director; Rebecca Wymore, Planner; Dan
Fernandez, Planner; Craig Knouse, Police Chief; Greg Powell, Police Officer;
Donna Kay Taylor, Community Center Manager; LeAnn Lawlor, Aging Services
Coordinator; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Marcella McCoy, Assistant Finance Director;
Mary Towse, Human Resources Director; Sara Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator;
Lyndsay Heal, Management Assistant; Jane Sharon, Deputy City Clerk; Angie
Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune, Patrice Holderbach, Kansas City Star, and 11 members
of the public.
IV. APPROVE
MINUTES AND SUMMARIES
A. SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES OF JULY 11, 2005
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1.
Council Member Hester abstained due to absence.
B. FIRST EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF JULY 11, 2005
Council Member Coe moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1.
Council Member Hester abstained due to absence.
C. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF JULY 11, 2005
Council Member King requested that the word “septic”
be inserted on page 5, in the first full paragraph, clarifying the reference to
what happens when septic systems become inoperable. Council Member Martin moved to approve the
minutes as amended. Council Member
Hadden seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1. Council Member Hester abstained due to
absence.
D. SECOND EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF JULY 11, 2005
Council Member Coe moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1.
Council Member Hester abstained due to absence.
E. STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF JULY 18, 2005
Council Member Martin moved to approve the meeting
summary as distributed. Council Member
King seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1.
Council Member Coe abstained due to absence.
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT PROCLAMATION
Mayor Steinkamp read the proclamation declaring August 2, 2005 as National Night Out in Liberty, which he presented to Police Officer Greg Powell.
Cecil O’Dell, 464 N. Morse, expressed concern about
the condition of the City’s streets. He
said the public works director had estimated it would cost $30,000,000 today to
fix the streets. With only $500,000
budgeted annually, it will take 60 years to fix them all. He noted that in the 2004 Direction Finder
survey, 73% of those responding said maintenance of streets and facilities was
the highest priority, but he feels that rating is being ignored.
Mr. O’Dell distributed maps to the Council that he
believes will assist the group in reviewing the TCE issue. He said the ground cannot be sold and it is
on the record books in Clay County.
Mr. O’Dell then asked if the citizens are going to
have to pay for what’s going on in Rush Creek. He said he
did not understand what was published in the paper and asked how it was not
going to cost more.
Mayor Steinkamp thanked him for his comments.
VI. REVIEW OF MEETING SCHEDULE – None.
A.
APPOINTMENTS
Board
of Ethics
Appoint
J. Kent Froman to a term expiring 06-15-10.
Liberty Housing Authority
Appoint
Thelma Bigley to a term expiring 07-01-09.
Council Member Martin moved to approve the
appointments. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
A.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM JULY 8, 2005 THROUGH JULY 22, 2005 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6388 was read. Council Member Hadden moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Coe seconded
the motion.
Council Member Martin asked about check number 90269
and its relationship to Commerce Bank.
Assistant Finance Director Marcella McCoy said she would look at the
check and clarify who it was to and what expense was being paid.
Council Member King asked about check number 90347 for
petty cash related to the national tournament.
He asked how the petty cash is accounted for. Ms. McCoy said the $600 was counted back to
the person in charge and was returned with the total receipts. Mr. King asked if there is a cash register
tape or receipts that document the sales.
Ms. McCoy said she would get an answer for Council.
Vote on the motion was as follows: 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. 8847.
B.
*HEARTLAND
MEADOWS, TENTH PLAT, WEST OF HEARTLAND DRIVE AND NORTH OF SHEPHERD ROAD
Planner Rebecca Wymore reviewed the final
plat application, stating that this was one 6.5 acre lot in the Heartland Meadows Industrial
Park. The site, zoned M-1, Light Industrial, is
adjacent to Continental Disk and open space.
Access is available via Heartland Drive. She stated
that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the final
plat.
Ms. Wymore reviewed the final development
plan application. She stated the 60,000
sq. ft. facility would house a veterinary supply business, which is a permitted
use in M-1 zoning. She stated the plan
meets the adequate public facilities ordinance requirements, there is a
landscape plan and the application conforms to the Unified Development
Ordinance. She stated that the Planning
& Zoning Commission recommended approval of the final development plan.
1. FINAL PLAT FOR LOT
3A [P&Z CASE NO. 05-026FP, APPLICANT: GEORGE BUTLER ASSOCIATES] – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6389 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 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. 8848.
2. FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR A 60,000 SQ.
FT. WAREHOUSE FACILITY, OFFICE SPACE, PARKING LOT AND DOCK AREA [P&Z CASE
NO. 05-027FDP, APPLICANT: DAVIDSON DESIGN GROUP] – RESOLUTION
Council Member Hester moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member King seconded
the motion. Council Member Parry asked
about the 60,000 sq. ft. floor plan.
Planning & Development Director Steve Anderson said that the
footprint of buildings in M-1 do not have the same restrictions as those in the
Central Business District.
The motion carried unanimously and is
inscribed in Resolution No. 2221.
C.
*FINAL
DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR A 20,200 SQ. FT. INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AT THE SOUTHEAST
CORNER OF KENT AND BROWN STREETS IN LIBERTY INDUSTRIAL PARK [P&Z CASE NO. 05-030FDP, APPLICANT: Tim Harris/AGC
ENGINEERS – RESOLUTION
Ms. Wymore stated the application is for a 20,200 sq.
ft. building to house office and storage space on the southeast corner of Kent
and Brown Streets in the Liberty Industrial
Park. The property is zoned M-1, Light Industrial District
The plan conforms to the Unified Development Ordinance and the Planning &
Zoning Commission recommended approval.
Council Member Coe asked how far the Brown Street access would be from the intersection with Kent Street. Ron Cowger,
AGC Engineers, 2120
West College Street, said the entrance would be about 250 feet from the corner. He said they have proposed that a portion of
the median be removed and the plan calls for a replanting of the remaining
median. Mr. Coe asked if the applicant
would maintain the median. Mr. Cowger
said the median is in the right-of-way and is maintained by the City.
Council Member Parry asked if the Brown Street entrance would have a turn lane. Mr. Anderson said it is not a defined turn
lane. City Engineer Brian Hess said the
median is being rounded and would allow for access to the site off Brown Street.
Council Member Martin moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member Hester seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2222.
D.
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT WITH CYNTHIA BOECKER FOR INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6390 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 King 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. 8849.
Mayor Steinkamp noted that he, City’s Legal Counsel
George Kapke and Ms. Boecker had reviewed the agreement before Ms. Boecker left
for the Senior Executive Institute.
E.
*ISSUANCE OF SEWER
SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS – ORDINANCE (FIRST READING)
Ms. McCoy stated that this is the first reading for an
ordinance to issue sewer system revenue bonds.
She noted that the bond issuance had been approved by voters in April
2004, which included $9.4 million in bonds to cover system improvements for Rush Creek, an Inflow and Infiltration program and repayment of
the loan to the Missouri Development Finance Board. She stated that the balance on the bonds
issued for Cates Creek and Town Branch amounted to $3 million. Refunding that balance
would save about $187,000 and would allow early payoff in 2014. The bond issuance would be for $6,290,000 and
final details would be available for second reading of the ordinance.
Council Member King asked if the City had been
approved for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan. Mrs. Gentrup said the only outstanding issue
is the next item on the agenda. Mr. Hess
said that issue addresses the State’s requirement for proportionality of sewer
rates.
Document No. 6391 was read. Mayor Steinkamp said the Missouri Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) has approved the installment options to address
proportionality.
Mrs. Gentrup stated the ordinance would go to second
reading on the August 22 meeting.
G.
ACCEPTANCE OF
SANITARY SEWER EASEMENTS – UPPER RUSH CREEK SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6393 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 Hadden moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member King seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8851.
H.
SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH HUNTINGTON RIDGE, LLC, PERTAINING TO THE SOUTH LIBERTY PARKWAY – ORDINANCE
Mrs. Gentrup stated this is for one of four remaining
parcels needed for construction of the South Liberty Parkway.
Document No. 6394 was read. Council Member Coe 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
Hester asked for clarification of the section that gives Huntington Ridge LLC
an out to the agreement. Mr. Hess stated
that if the property owner determines the costs for the improvements it has
agreed to pay are too high, it would be in default. Council Member Martin asked why the parties
can’t finalize the steps before the settlement agreement is approved. Mrs. Gentrup stated that if Huntington Ridge
LLC doesn’t pay the costs it has agreed to pay, it would be in default of the
agreement, but the terms have been agreed to by both parties. Mr. Hess stated that preliminary cost
estimates have been provided to Huntington Ridge LLC and are acceptable. Mrs. Martin asked for clarification of the
turns that would be included. Mr. Hess
said traffic would be able to turn from either direction. Mrs. Martin asked if those improvements could
cost more than estimated. Mrs. Gentrup
said they could, but that is not anticipated.
The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the
Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8852.
I.
*CONTRACT WITH
GEMS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $88,575 FOR HUMAN RESOURCES AND PAYROLL
AUTOMATION PROJECT – ORDINANCE
Human Resources Director Mary Towse introduced Joe
Mudrock, Regional Sales Manager, with Government E-Management Solutions (GEMS),
a St. Louis-based company. She said the
City does not have an integrated system that addresses human resources and
payroll. The City currently uses a
customized database, using Lotus Notes for human resources, but that system is
not accessible to department directors and is not integrated with the payroll
system. The system being proposed is
web-enabled and accessible 24-hours-a-day/seven-days-a-week. This will increase efficiency and
communications with employees and provide more information to managers for
decision-making processes.
Ms. Towse reviewed the process, which began a year ago
with a selection team. The information
services manager and finance director worked with her to identify twelve
firms. Of those, four firms submitted
bids. Two of the bids submitted did not
meet the specifications and only one of the two remaining bids came in within
the amount budgeted.
Council Member King asked for more information about
the need for and benefits of going to this system for human resources and
payroll. Ms. Towse said it would reduce
duplication of information entry, and currently benefit information for
employees is not tracked electronically.
Paper records must be accessed for that information. In addition to being a labor-saving and cost
saving system, Mrs. Gentrup said human resources operates with a staff of two
and this would free up the director’s time to address other human resource
issues such as policy development.
Council Member Parry asked how much of the amount
budgeted for this project would be spent beyond this vendor’s costs. Ms. Towse said the amount projected for this
part of the project and additional hardware and software customization would
bring the cost of the overall automation project up to $129,800. Mr. King asked about the annual maintenance
cost. Mr. Mudrock said it is $10,030. Mr. Parry asked if maintenance is included in
the first year’s expenses. Mr. Mudrock
said it is. Mr. King asked about the
necessity of implementing this system at this time. Ms. Towse said it was very necessary and the
need is only growing as the number of employees increases and record
requirements include more detail.
Mr. King asked how many people the City employs. Ms. Towse said there are about 200 full time
employees. Mayor Steinkamp asked if the
payroll would be improved with this system.
Ms. Towse said the current payroll is automated, but is not tied into
the human resources database. The new
system would offer less possibility of error with payroll.
Council Member Martin confirmed this project was
budgeted for this year. She asked if there
was any difference in service between this vendor proposal and the bid from New
World Technologies. Ms. Towse said there
are slight differences in technology.
Mr. Mudrock said they are both web enabled so they can be viewed from
multiple locations. GEMS offers upgrades
at no additional charge, as long as the maintenance agreement is in place. He added that he is still providing service
to clients he acquired in 1983.
Council Member Parry asked about additional
charges. Ms. Towse said the City will
purchase hardware directly at a lower cost, and GEMS will help integrate its
software onto these servers.
Council Member Martin said the cost for the system is
very high, but she agreed that the system was necessary.
Document No. 6395 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 Hester 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. 8853.
J.
AGREEMENT WITH
MAUREEN A. MCDONNELL, FOR CONSULTING SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$5,500.00 FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A CITY RECORDS MANAGEMENT PLAN – ORDINANCE
Mrs. Gentrup stated the deputy city clerk had applied
for this state grant, which would include $790 in cash match and an in-kind
match of $1,240.
Document No. 6396 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. 8854.
K.
*FY2006 AGREEMENTS
WITH MID-AMERICA REGIONAL COUNCIL
Aging Services Coordinator LeAnn Lawlor reviewed the
grants received annually from the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). She stated that MARC subsidizes City senior
transportation services for site rides, reserve rides and lift ramp rides. In FY2006, which began July 1, 2005, the contract estimates 6,764 one-way trips. Monthly invoices are sent to MARC for
reimbursement under this grant.
Ms. Lawlor said the senior center is subsidized
annually at the maximum of $25,000 for the type of center and number of
participants. Subsidies for a maximum of
eleven individuals are available annually for the Meals on Wheels program. Invoices are again sent to MARC and the City
is reimbursed for the actual meals served.
Forty-nine people pay full price for Meals on Wheels.
Council Member King asked how the number of trips to
be funded is determined. Ms. Lawlor said
the number of trips is determined by MARC, based on funds available for that
year and that there has been a slight increase, but rides have been in the high
9,000 range with only small increases.
Mr. King asked if it could then be said that the number of rides are
proportional to the aged citizens in the community. Ms. Lawlor said that was correct.
Council Member Parry asked how the funds come from
MARC. Ms. Lawlor stated MARC serves as
the Area Agency on Aging and receives state funds that are distributed in the
metropolitan area. Mrs. Gentrup added
that the City must make application each year for the next year’s funds.
Council Member Hester asked how the eleven individuals
eligible for Meals on Wheels are identified.
Ms. Lawlor said there is a Meals on Wheels coordinator who asks the
individuals how much they can pay for the meals. If they can’t pay, there is an application
process. Food is prepared for Meals on
Wheels by Liberty Hospital and the Senior Center gets its meals from Eurest.
Council Member Martin asked what assistance is
available to those who can’t afford the meals after the limit has been
reached. Ms. Lawlor said Meals on
Wheels, Inc. has funds with which others can be subsidized. Council Member Parry asked about the meals at
the senior center. Ms. Lawlor said the
$25,000 grant is for senior center operating costs. Senior center participants are asked for a $1
donation and contributions are anonymous.
She added that the vendor providing food for the senior center changed
from Swanson to Eurest because MARC couldn’t afford the increase in prices Swanson’s
instituted last year.
1. AGREEMENT
FOR SENIOR TRANSPORTATION TRIPS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $79,464.99 –
ORDINANCE
Document No. 6397 was read. Council Member Martin moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Hester seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council Member Coe moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Hadden
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8855.
2. AGREEMENT FOR SENIOR CENTER ADMINISTRATION/MEALS ON WHEELS IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000
– ORDINANCE
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Mrs.
Gentrup introduced Planner Dan Fernandez, who worked in Chicago for awhile before returning to the Kansas City area. He had
also worked for a few years at the Mid-America Regional Council.
Mrs.
Gentrup stated there were no items scheduled for the August 1 study session and
there would be no meeting unless something came up in this week’s planning
session.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Hadden reported a pothole on the east side of the intersection at
Franklin and Lightburne. She noted that
the current issue of Missouri Municipal
Review contained good articles regarding the recent Supreme Court ruling
pertaining to eminent domain.
Council
Member Coe said he had been approached about the design of the intersection at
I-35 and Pleasant Valley. Mr. Hess said
the design is based on MoDOT’s requirements and the City of Pleasant Valley had
input. He noted there would be a turn
lane for those heading eastbound to turn onto Stewart Road. Council
Member Parry asked if the owners of the Valley One Stop had been advised of
this. Mrs. Gentrup said there are
representatives in Pleasant Valley working on behalf of the Kincaids, who own that
store. Mr. Hess said he had met recently
with the Pleasant Valley police chief, mayor and an alderman and they were
aware of the intersection design. He
added that there had been a detour Saturday while a pipe was being installed
but there was still access to the convenience store. Council Member King asked if eastbound
traffic would be able to turn directly into the store parking lot. Mr. Hess said they could turn onto Stewart Road and would have to enter the convenience store from
the north side of the building.
Council
Member King again suggested the City consider acknowledging the official name
of M-152 and Kansas, which is Alexander Doniphan Memorial Highway, including
placing the name on road signs.
Mayor
Steinkamp invited those present to a reception honoring City Administrator
Patty Gentrup from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00
p.m. on Thursday, August
4, 2005. There will be light refreshments and a
program at 5:15
p.m.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk