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

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2006

 

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 February 13, 2006 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 Anna Marie Martin 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; Juarenne Hester and John Parry, Ward III; and Nick King and Bill Parker, Ward IV.  Also in attendance were Curt Wenson, City Administrator; Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Administrator; Steve Hansen, Public Works Director; Brian Hess, City Engineer; Craig Knouse, Police Chief; David Tedesco, Police Captain; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Chris Deal, Parks & Recreation Director; Donna Kay Taylor, Community Center Manager; Linda Tyree, Finance Director; Steve Anderson, Planning & Development Director; Jonna Wensel, Preservation Planner; Sara Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator; Jane Sharon, Deputy City Clerk; Tanya Fogg Young, The Kansas City Star; and 8 members of the public.

 

IV.       APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES

 

A.        REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2006

 

Council Member King requested the minutes reflect his comments regarding the use of volunteers by the City of Independence, and include that there are 717 volunteers that saved the city $930,000 in expenses.

 

Council Member Hadden moved to approve the minutes as amended.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried 7-0-1.  Council Member Parker abstained, due to absence.

 

B.         EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2006

 

Council Member King moved to approve the minutes as distributed.  Council Member Hester seconded the motion, which carried 7-0-1.  Council Member Parker abstained, due to absence.

 

C.         JOINT STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF FEBRUARY 6, 2006

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the meeting summary as distributed.  Council Member King seconded the motion, which carried 6-0-2.  Council Member Phillips and Council Member Coe abstained, due to absence.

 

V.        CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION

 

            Mayor Steinkamp recognized Scout Cody Cash, with Troop 376, who is working on his communications’ badge.  He attended the meeting with his mother, Victoria Dunfee.

 

            A.        PROCLAMATION FOR RAY BROCK

 

Mayor Steinkamp read a proclamation declaring Ray Brock, Jr. day on February 15, in honor of Ray Brock’s service to the community and his being named 2005 Northlander of the Year.  The proclamation was then presented to Mr. Brock, who thanked the Mayor, City Council, and City for this recognition.

 

B.         PRESENTATION OF CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLAY COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL COMMITTEE

 

Mayor Steinkamp formally presented a $10,000 donation for the Clay County Veterans Memorial to Pete Hall and Marvin Mendenhall, members of the Memorial Committee.  Mr. Hall accepted the donation on behalf of the committee and expressed appreciation for this recognition of the 420 individuals who lost their lives in service to their country and whose names appear on the memorial.  Mr. Mendenhall thanked the Mayor, City Council and City for the generous donation.  He added that Liberty, which has been his home since 1978 has been good to him and his family.

 

VI.       MEETING SCHEDULE

 

VII.      CONSENT AGENDA

 

A.                 APPOINTMENTS

 

Clay County Extension Council

Appoint Vern Windsor to a term expiring 2-29-08

 

Council Member Hester moved to approve the appointment.  Council Member Hadden seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member King requested information on the Clay County Extension Council and its purpose.  City Administrator Curt Wenson stated that information would be provided to Council with the next packet.

 

VIII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.

 

IX.       ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A.        ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM JANUARY 13, 2006 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2006 – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6483 was read.  Council Member Hester moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion.

 

Council Member King asked about check number 93237, for fire registration fees.  Fire Chief Gary Birch stated several City paramedics had recently taken classes at the hospital for relicensure.

 

Mr. King asked if the purchase of road salt, paid with check number 93136, would result in a reduction of what had to be purchased for next year.  Public Works Director Steve Hansen stated the same amount is purchased every year, which is about 600 tons.  That is a combination of road salt and sand.  Even when it is hoped the additional amount will not be needed, even a small event such as what occurred last week, can use significant quantities of salt or sand.

 

Council Member Martin asked about payments to the Partnership for Community Growth & Development.  Assistant City Administrator Cynthia Boecker stated there are benchmarks in the contract which determine payment and the City may also reimburse the Partnership, if sharing a table at a dinner meeting, such as was the case recently with the Kansas City Economic Development Council.  Planning & Development Director Steve Anderson stated there are also additional costs, in addition to those set out in the agreement, such as the comparative fee study and marketing materials, which may also require payment by the City to the Partnership.  Ms. Boecker confirmed that the general payments to the Partnership are made over time.

 

Vote on the motion was as follows:  Council Member Phillips – yes; Council Member Martin – yes; Council Member Hester – 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. 8942.

 

B.         CONTRACT WITH CONTINENTAL POOLS, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AN INDOOR POOL LINER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $67,575 – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6484 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 King moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion.  Council Member Martin asked about the timing for shutting down the pool.  Community Center Manager Donna Kay Taylor stated that there is no good time, but that school starts August 16 and after September, the outdoor pool is not available.  In winter, the pool is scheduled for use by the School District.  Council Member Coe asked if this is a budgeted expense.  Ms. Taylor said it is.  Council Member Parry asked if projects have been identified for the funds remaining.  Ms. Taylor stated they are looking to purchase more equipment for youth fitness.

 

The motion carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8943.

 

C.         *SIDE YARD VARIANCE – SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MAPLE AND GENTRY STREETS – ORDINANCE

 

Mr. Anderson stated that, when a final plat was approved for Gentry Place, the platted direction for this lot was toward Gentry Street.  With the infrastructure added, the developer is requesting a reorientation of the lot so that the home will face Maple Street.  This is similar to action taken by City Council in the past and legal counsel has indicated this is an appropriate way to address the request.

 

Council Member Phillips asked for clarification of the location.  Mr. Anderson stated that Maple has been extended past Mississippi Street and this lot is on the southwest corner of Maple and Gentry Streets.  Mr. Phillips asked if there has been any response from the neighbors.  Mr. Anderson stated this will not make a difference to adjacent property owners and they are probably not aware this is occurring.  Council Member Hadden asked if this is near Preston Acres.  Mr. Anderson stated he was not familiar with Preston Acres and would have to check on that.  Council Member Coe asked about the size of the lot.  Mr. Anderson stated it conforms to City standards and this is a unique infill project.  The developer decided it was worth the expense to extend Maple Street to develop the four lots.  Mr. Coe asked if any work was being done to the creek as a result of this project.  Mr. Anderson stated there is and that was part of the reason for the change in orientation being proposed.

 

Document No. 6485 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 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. 8944.

 

D.        *STREET RENAMING ALONG SOUTH LIBERTY PARKWAY – ORDINANCE

 

City Engineer Brian Hess stated that the first phase of South Liberty Parkway is nearing completion and the old roadway infrastructure has been removed.  The bisecting of existing streets by the new roadway has resulted in new intersections and street segments.  Some streets have been renamed in order to maintain an understandable grid pattern and addressing scheme.  The changes will take effect 60 days after approval by Council, to allow time for notification of property owners.  Mr. Hess noted there are not many property owners affected by these name changes.

 

Council Member Hadden asked if any objections had been received about the proposed renaming.  Mr. Hess said there had been none.  He added that City staff worked closely with Our Lady of Mercy, Immacolata Manor and Precious Blood Seminary to ensure the private streets on their properties were appropriately named.  Council Member Martin asked about the swan near the South Liberty Parkway construction area.  Mr. Hess said the swan is alive and well.

 

Document No. 6486 was read.  Council Member King moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member Martin 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. 8945.

 

E.         MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH LOGISTICS INC. FOR PUBLIC SAFETY COMPUTER SYSTEM – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6487 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 Coe seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8946.

 

X.         OTHER BUSINESS

 

A.        PURCHASE OF LOGISTICS SOFTWARE CONVERSION UPGRADE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY COMPUTER SYSTEM – MOTION

 

Council Member Phillips moved to approve the purchase.  Council Member Coe seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  Council Member Parry asked for clarification of the encumbered funds for this account.  Finance Director Linda Tyree stated that $38,000 for the computer aided dispatch program had been encumbered from 2005.  That is in addition to the $25,000 budgeted in 2006.

 

B.         AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATION FOR AUTOMATED FINGER PRINTING EQUIPMENT – MOTION

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the application for the grant.  Council Member Hadden seconded the motion.  Council Member Phillips asked if the commitment to $2,500 in maintenance fees for this program is an expense that can be absorbed into the police budget.  Police Chief Craig Knouse stated that the fingerprint equipment is very useful technology and would not be affordable without the grant.  Participation in this grant program will allow the City’s equipment to tie in to the State’s system, which is operated by the Highway Patrol.  Mayor Steinkamp asked if this meant there would be no more need for ink and pads.  Chief Knouse said that was correct.

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

B.                 RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT WITH TARGET DIRECT MARKETING FOR 2006 PARKS AND RECREATION BROCHURES – MOTION

 

Council Member King moved to approve the renewal of the printing agreement.  Council Member Coe seconded the motion.  Council Member Hester asked about previous discussions considering removing the Liberty Citizen from the program brochure.  Ms. Boecker stated that the staff continues to research that option and the upcoming citizen survey will ask questions about how people like to receive information.  That feedback will be incorporated into the review.

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

XI.               MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR

 

Mr. Wenson noted the City Hall would be closed Monday, February 20, in observance of Presidents’ Day.  There will be no Council meeting on Tuesday, February 21.

 

XII.            MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Member Phillips stated he had heard high compliments about working with the City from the marketing manager at the new Popeye’s Chicken in Liberty.

 

Mayor Steinkamp noted there would be a study session following this meeting in the conference room.

 

XIII.     ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

Mayor

Attest:

 

 

 

_____________________________________

Deputy City Clerk