CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 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 November 14, 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 Nick King
who then led the pledge of allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
Roll
call was answered by Mayor Robert T. Steinkamp; Coni Hadden and Harold
Phillips, Ward I; LeRoy Coe and Anna Marie Martin, Ward II; John Parry, Ward
III; and Nick King and Bill Parker, Ward IV.
Also in attendance were Cynthia Boecker, Acting City Administrator;
Steve Hansen, Public Works Director; Brian Hess, City Engineer; Chris Deal,
Parks & Recreation Director; Dennis Dovel, Sports Complex Manager; Bruce
Hickam, Marketing and Special Events Coordinator; Craig Knouse, Police Chief;
Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Mike Snider, Deputy Fire Chief; Linda Tyree, Finance
Director; Marcella McCoy, Assistant Finance Director; Mary Towse, Human
Resources Director; Sara Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator; Lyndsay Johnson,
Management Assistant; Tony Sage, Information Services Manager; Janet Pittman,
Executive Secretary; Brenda Uhl, Administrative Secretary; Jane Sharon, Deputy
City Clerk; Angie Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune; Tanya Fogg Young, The Kansas
City Star; and 13 members of the public.
IV. APPROVE
MINUTES AND SUMMARIES [SEE CONSENT AGENDA]
A. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 24, 2005
Council Member Martin moved to
approve the minutes as distributed.
Council Member King seconded the motion.
Council Member Phillips asked to amend the minutes to reflect he had
attended the preservation conference with Historic District Review Commission
member Susan Goertz. The motion, as
amended, carried 6-0-1. Council Member
Coe abstained, due to absence.
B. STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF OCTOBER 24, 2005
Council Member Hadden moved to
approve the meeting summary as distributed.
Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried 6-0-1. Council Member Coe abstained, due to absence.
IX.
B. APPROVAL OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT – ORDINANCE
Without objection, the mayor then took the next item
out of the order of the printed agenda.
He asked that the Council consider a contract with Curtis Wenson and his
appointment as city administrator. If
approved, Mr. Wenson would begin his duties January 3, 2006.
Document No. 6434 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 King moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Hadden
seconded the motion. Mayor Steinkamp read
a letter from Council Member Hester, who supported the appointment of Mr.
Wenson, even though she was unable to attend the meeting this evening and cast
her vote. The motion carried
unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No.
8893.
Mayor Steinkamp then formally welcomed Mr. Wenson and
his family, stating Mr. Wenson would be a good leader and addition to the
staff.
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
Mayor
Steinkamp recognized Brandon Lean from Troop 376, who is working on his citizenship
in the community badge and attended the meeting with his father, Jeff Lean.
He
asked if anyone wished to speak on an item not on the agenda. Brian Parker, 449 Miller, stated he lives
across from William Jewell College campus and is confronted with availability of parking
on his street. He stated he calls the
police at least once a week and asked the City Council to consider the petition
submitted earlier by residents in the area and to look for a solution to the
problem of students using available on-street parking. Mayor Steinkamp stated that the petition had
been received and staff is looking into the matter and is discussing the
parking issue with college staff. A
response will be forthcoming.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
A. AUTHORIZE
EXECUTIVE SESSION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 14, 2005 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE
REGULAR SESSION IN THE COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM TO DISCUSS LITIGATION MATTERS AS
AUTHORIZED BY SECTIONS 610.021(1) RSMo AND CONTRACT NEGOTIATION MATTERS AS
AUTHORIZAED BY SECTION 610.021(13) RSMo – MOTION
Council Member Hadden moved to authorize the executive
session. Council Member Martin seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
B. EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 2005
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
C. FIRST EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 2005
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
D. SECOND EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 2005
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
E. THIRD EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 2005
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
F. EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5, 2005
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
G. EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 7, 2005
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
H. STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF NOVEMBER 7, 2005
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the meeting
summary as distributed. Council Member
Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM OCTOBER 21, 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 10, 2005 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6435 was read. Council Member King moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Martin seconded
the motion.
Council Member Martin noted a check to a landscape
company in Kearney for top soil, and asked if staff was not able to
purchase the top soil from a Liberty vendor. Public
Works Director Steve Hansen stated he would look into the purchase and provide
an answer. Mrs. Martin also asked about
two notations for the same amount for write-on tags and asked if there had
possibly been a duplicate payment.
Finance Director Linda Tyree stated she would research the question and
respond. Council Member Phillips noted
that a check he had received from the City was for reimbursement for expenses
associated with attending a City conference.
Vote on the motion was as follows: Council Member Phillips – yes; Council Member
Martin – yes; Council Member Parker – 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. 8894.
B.
ADOPTION OF
COUNCIL GOALS – RESOLUTION
Acting City Administrator Cynthia Boecker noted the proposed
goals are the result of the Council retreat last August. Council Member Martin moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member Hadden
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution
No. 2229.
C.
ESTABLISHMENT OF LIBERTY PARKS & RECREATION FOUNDATION WITH NORTHLAND COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION – ORDINANCE
Ms. Boecker stated the Council has previously reviewed
this matter. Council Member King asked
for clarification that if there are no funds, there will be no fee. Parks & Recreation Director Chris Deal
stated that there would be no charge until the funds were activated. Mr. King asked if there was any chance all
the funds could be withdrawn. Mr. Deal
stated there would always be funds left in the account to be able to pay the
fee. Council Member Hadden asked for
clarification that the fee was for the entire account, not each individual
fund. Mr. Deal said that was correct.
Council Member Martin asked when the funds could be
activated. Mr. Deal stated the next step
following establishment of the foundation would be appointment of the advisory
board. Ms. Boecker stated the advisory
board appointments were anticipated by the end of the year. Mayor Steinkamp added that the appointments
are to be made by both he and the president of the parks board. Mrs. Martin stated this might mean missing an
opportunity by not getting this moving this year. Mayor Steinkamp stated that, after the
appointments, which would likely be made before the end of the year, the
advisory board would need time to organize and to solicit funds.
Document No. 6436 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 Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8895.
D.
ACCEPTANCE OF
SANITARY SEWER EASEMENT – UPPER RUSH CREEK SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT – ORDINANCE
Ms. Boecker stated that there is one remaining
easement to be acquired following acceptance of this one.
Document No. 6437 was read. Council Member King moved to waive the rules
and consider the ordinance on first reading.
Council Member Coe seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Martin 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. 8896.
E.
*CONTRACT WITH
CLARKE WELL & EQUIPMENT, INC. FOR WELL FIELD EXPANSION PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $800,800 – ORDINANCE
Ms. Boecker stated this was briefly discussed during
the review of utility budgets. Mr.
Hansen stated that with the expansion of the water treatment plant, it was
anticipated that the well fields would also be expanded to accommodate future
growth. The well field expansion,
however, had been delayed, due to the higher than anticipated cost of the plant
expansion. Originally, three wells were
to be added, but the new proposal includes two to keep the cost within budgeted
funds. He stated it is anticipated the
water treatment plant will meet water supply needs to the year 2030. Mr. Hansen stated Clarke Well &
Equipment, Inc. is recommended for this project.
Council Member Parry asked where the well fields will
be located. Mr. Hansen said they will
run parallel to New 210 Highway, and extend to the northeast. Mr. Parry asked if these will be anywhere
near the contaminated site. Mr. Hansen
stated that the Lee Chemical site has been completely remediated, and that the
new wells will be well away from that location.
Council Member Hadden asked for clarification of the needs being met to
2030. Mr. Hansen said the plant is
expected to meet needs through that date.
The wells will not supply water at capacity with the two new wells and
that a third will need to be added in the future.
Council Member Coe asked how many wells are working
now. Mr. Hansen said there are 10 active
wells working with a minimum capacity of 200-300 gallons per minute. Mr. Coe asked if the plant runs 24 hours a
day. Mr. Hansen said it does not but has
the capacity to do so.
Council Member King asked if the project cost includes
connecting to the new wells. Mr. Hansen
said it does and there is no concern about water availability, because a
secondary line was run in 1994 to address capacity and to provide for
redundancy in the raw water supply.
Document No. 6438 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 King seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8897.
F.
AMENDMENT TO
CONTRACT WITH GEOTECHNOLOGY, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $18,952 –
ORDINANCE
Council Member Phillips asked for clarification of the
statement in the action report regarding testing and additional
observation. Mr. Hansen stated that the
level of project testing is estimated. During
the course of the work, additional testing may be required due to revisions in
the scope of the project. Council Member
Parry asked if there was any problem identified with the materials. Mr. Hansen stated some material had to be
removed, but no other problems were identified.
Document No. 6439 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 King 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. 8898.
G.
HOLT ESTATES
STORM DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
1.
AMENDMENT TO
CONTRACT WITH HOLTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION LLC IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $65,487.50
– ORDINANCE
Council Member Martin asked the age of the Holt
Estates subdivision. Mr. Hansen
estimated it at 20 years or more. Mrs.
Martin asked if the drainage remains adequate.
Mr. Hansen stated that there has been some change in the criteria over
the years, but reducing the length of the system doesn’t present a problem.
Document No. 6440 was read. Council Member Hadden moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Coe seconded the motion, which
carried unanimously.
Council Member Martin moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Phillips
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8899.
2.
ACCEPTANCE OF
PROJECT – RESOLUTION
Council Member Martin moved to accept the project. Council Member King seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2230.
H.
AMENDMENT TO
CHAPTER 20, “MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC”, LIBERTY CITY CODE – ORDINANCE
Ms. Boecker noted the bulk of the changes in this
amendment are pertaining to areas near schools, which were discussed with
school district staff.
Document No. 6441 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 Phillips
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8900.
I.
*AUTHORIZATION TO
QUITCLAIM A CERTAIN SECTION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG STEWART ROAD IN CONNECTION WITH THE LIBERTY TRIANGLE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT – ORDINANCE
Mr. Hansen stated this deed transfers property, which
is a remnant of State right-of-way property located to the north of the Super 8
Motel and Gold Bank building. In
exchange for this transfer of excess right-of-way, the redeveloper has agreed
to dedicate right-of-way for the Blue Jay extension to the City.
Document No. 6442 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 Coe 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. 8901.
A.
AUTHORIZATION FOR
PURCHASE OF VEHICLE FUEL – MOTION
Ms. Boecker stated there have been significant
increases in fuel and mileage, both of which are included in the 2006
budget. This action will increase the
purchase order for fuel through the end of 2005. Council Member Martin asked if this will be
purchased from the same supplier. Mr.
Hansen stated this will extend the existing purchase order, with the same
supplier.
Council Member Martin moved to approve the
purchase. Council Member King seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Ms.
Boecker noted the Community Christmas Tree lighting at the Community Center
Friday at 5:45
p.m.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Phillips stated he appreciated the comment from Brian Parker regarding
parking in neighborhoods near William Jewell College and looked forward to the City working with the
neighbors and college to find a solution.
Council
Member Hadden pointed out the new striping of the pavement near the Square.
Council
Member Coe asked about the crosswalk area that had faded out at South Wales and Liberty
Drive. Mr. Hansen stated an experimental reflective material
was used and is not the normal material.
Mayor
Steinkamp requested the Council remove the November 4, 2005, second executive session, from the earlier approved
minutes and reconsider it in a separate vote, as Council Member Parker was not
present at that meeting.
Council
Member Martin moved to remove the November 4, 2005, second executive session minutes, from those
previously approved and reconsider them by separate vote. Council Member King seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council
Member Martin moved to approve the November 4, 2005, second executive session minutes, as
distributed. Council Member Coe seconded
the motion, which carried 6-0-1. Council
Member Parker abstained, due to absence.
Mayor
Steinkamp reiterated that he was looking forward to working with the new city administrator.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting adjourned to executive session at 7:46 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk