CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 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 27, 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 Nick King
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, 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;
Craig Knouse, Police Chief; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Mike Snider, Deputy Fire
Chief; Dustin Paddock, Fire Captain; Chris Deal, Parks & Recreation
Director; Dennis Dovel, Sports Complex Manager; Steve Rulo, Parks & Open
Space Manager; Marcella McCoy, Finance Manager; Kathy Goode, Finance Manager;
Dee Mizell, Financial Analyst; Steve Anderson, Planning & Development
Director; Val Drogt, Special Projects Manager; Dan Fernandez, Planner; Sara
Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator; Jane Sharon, Deputy City Clerk; Angie
Borgedalen, Liberty Sun Tribune; Tanya Fogg Young, The Kansas City Star; and 11
members of the public.
IV. APPROVE
MINUTES AND SUMMARIES
A. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 13, 2006
Council Member Hester moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Hadden
seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
B. STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF FEBRUARY 13, 2006
Council Member Coe moved to approve the meeting
summary as distributed. Council Member
King seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
A.
PROCLAMATION FOR
STACIE COOLEY – MISS MISSOURI 2005
Mayor Steinkamp read and presented a proclamation to
Stacie Cooley, declaring March 1 to be Stacie Cooley day in Liberty. Ms. Cooley
and her parents, Stephen and Paula Cooley, thanked the Mayor and City Council
for the recognition.
B.
PRESENTATION OF
EXCELLENCE AWARD FROM GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Mayor Steinkamp presented the Government Finance
Officers Association award of excellence to Finance Manager Marcella McCoy for
the City’s 2004 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Ms. McCoy thanked the Mayor and City Council
and introduced Finance Manager Kathy Goode and Financial Analyst Dee Mizell,
who were also present. She stated that
the award would not be possible without them, Financial Analyst Diana Adams and
the rest of the finance team.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
Mayor
Steinkamp turned the meeting over to Mayor Pro Tem LeRoy Coe at this time.
A.
APPOINTMENTS
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the
appointments. Council Member King
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Parry asked for information about Dr.
Reynolds. City Administrator Curt Wenson
stated that this was a reappointment and the staff would be providing
information about new appointees.
Council Member Hadden stated that Dr. Reynolds is a professor of history
at William Jewell College and lives in the older part of town.
Mayor Steinkamp returned to the meeting and again
began presiding at this time.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM FEBUARY 3, 2006 THROUGH FEBRUARY 17, 2006 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6488 was read. Council Member Hester moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Hadden
seconded the motion.
Council Member Hadden asked about terminology used on
checks – “assessment change refund”.
Financial Analyst Dee Mizell stated that Clay County provides the City with updates on assessments and
when the personal property is no longer owned by the taxpayer, the City refunds
that portion.
Vote on the motion was as follows: 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. 8947.
Council Member King asked why there are not two
readings for appropriations. Deputy City
Clerk Jane Sharon stated that the City Code states that appropriations are the
exception and do not require two readings.
B. *FINAL
DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 12-UNIT MULTI-FAMILY BUILDING AND GARAGE/STORAGE BUILDING
WEST OF 291 HWY. AT MISSOURI COURT IN JEFFERSON PARK [P&Z CASE NO. 05-042; APPLICANT: MAXUS PROPERTIES]
– RESOLUTION
C.
*AMBULANCE
SERVICES
1. COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENT WITH NEW LIBERTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES – ORDINANCE
Fire Chief Gary Birch stated that the City and the
Hospital District have had a working relationship for some time, in which the
City provides emergency medical services for those outside the city limits but
residing in the Hospital District. The
hospital has, in turn, provided funds for purchasing ambulances. The City currently has two units with a third
in ready reserve. In 2005 the City
requested funds from the Hospital District for purchase of a new ambulance.
The City and the Hospital District have had no formal
agreement for purchasing ambulances in this manner, with the exception of the
specific cooperative agreement entered into with each purchase. In former agreements, the Hospital District
still owned the ambulances at the end of the agreement period. In 2005 the Hospital District notified the
City that the funding for a new ambulance would be both reduced and
delayed. The City received three bids
for a new ambulance, all of which were more than the $113,000 offered by the
Hospital District. It was determined
that, under these circumstances, it would be better for the City to wholly own
the ambulance at the end of a five-year agreement.
Council Member King asked for information about
response outside the city limits. Chief
Birch stated that a fire vehicle may be dispatched to accompany the ambulance,
depending on where the call is from.
When there is other coverage in the area, such as with Glenaire or west
of I-35 in Kansas
City, Missouri, it is less likely a fire vehicle is also sent on a
call. The Hospital District area served
by the City through this agreement is mostly east of the City along EE Highway.
Council Member Parry asked for clarification of the
funding identified in the budget for the ambulance through the fire sales
tax. Ms. McCoy stated the ambulance
funds are in the capital fund budget.
Chief Birch stated the fire sales tax noted in the general fund is for
the payment of personnel covered by the fire sales tax.
Council Member Hadden asked if this agreement would
have any effect on ownership of the existing ambulances. Chief Birch said it would not, but that the
City now holds the title on one of the three ambulances. Mrs. Hadden asked if this process would
continue until the City owns all ambulances in service here. Chief Birch said that would be his
recommendation.
Document No. 6489 was read. Council Member Hadden moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Hester seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council Member Hester 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. 8948.
2. CONTRACT
WITH EXCELLANCE FOR PURCHASE OF AMBULANCE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $178,694 –
ORDINANCE
Document No. 6490 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 King
asked for more information about the difficulty surrounding getting only one
bid. Chief Birch clarified that more
bids were received, but only one of the three met the majority of the
specifications. The committee that
developed the bid specifications was concerned about the durability, longevity
and safety issues. An example given was
that only Excellance met the specification that the ambulance be built under
one roof so that only one warranty would apply.
Other specifications included aluminum cabinets welded into the body;
body skin welded to the frame. There
were 72 exceptions, but the only one that all bidders requested was bidding on
a 2006 chassis, instead of a 2005 chassis.
Mr. King asked what the difference in cost was with these
exceptions. Chief Birch stated it was
about $20,000. The motion carried
unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8949.
D. CONTRACT
WITH GRASS ROOTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $38,980 FOR MOWING OF CITY CEMETERIES
– ORDINANCE
Parks & Open Space Manager Steve Rulo provided a
brief history, noting that Grass Roots was first hired to mow cemeteries in
2002 with a price of $1,350 per mow and $1,250 per spray for chemical
sprays. In 2003, the contractor agreed
to renew the agreement at the same rates and through negotiation this was
expanded to a three-year agreement, which went through December 2005. The working relationship with this vendor has
been very good and the contractor has worked with City staff on scheduling and
has generally responded within 24-hours when necessary. Six requests for bid were sent out and only
Grass Roots responded. Staff contacted
each of the other five and three declined to bid due to the liability of mowing
in cemeteries. The other two declined
because they did not have sufficient staff to do the work.
Mr. Rulo noted that the budgeting for this service is
based on a 24-mow schedule. In previous
years, however, 26 mows are the average number needed and the schedule has been
adjusted to keep within what is budgeted.
Most vendors bid based on a 28-mow schedule, which would be
$40,800. Twenty-six mows would cost
$38,100. Because last year was a
terrible year for clover, the cemetery didn’t look its best on Memorial Day,
but that issue will be addressed this year.
The mow schedule will be adjusted to ensure that the cost does not
exceed budgeted funds of $38,980.
Council Member Coe asked if Grass Roots had ever been
held accountable for damage to headstones when mowing. Mr. Rulo stated the documentation is not
available to determine damage was the result of the mowing at the cemeteries. Grass Roots’ staff, however, does call and
ask City staff to help replace markers whenever they have fallen off their
bases or vandalism occurs. He added that
Grass Roots would be held responsible when the documentation is there for the
City to do so. Mr. Coe acknowledged the
contractor does a good job for a reasonable price.
Council Member Parry asked where in the budget the
cemetery funds are located. Ms. McCoy
stated there is a separate cemetery fund in a section of the budget identified
as special revenue funds.
Document No. 6491 was read. Council Member Hadden moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Hester seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council Member Hester 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. 8950.
E. SPORTS
COMPLEX
1. AGREEMENT
WITH GREATER KANSAS
CITY UMPIRES
ASSOCIATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $20,000 FOR SOFTBALL OFFICIATING
SERVICES – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6492 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 Parry asked about the difference in
cost for the officiating services approved in January versus the cost for these
being considered this evening. Parks
& Recreation Director Chris Deal stated that the $110,000 approved in
January was for recreational league officials and fees are charged to the teams
to cover the costs. Mr. Parry asked why
there is less cost for the recreational leagues than for those at the sports
complex. Sports Complex Manager Dennis
Dovel stated that the officiating for tournament play and competitive leagues
at the sports complex must be sanctioned and certified, which adds to the
cost. They must also be at least 18
years of age.
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. 8951.
2. AGREEMENT
WITH METRO OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $105,000 FOR
BASEBALL OFFICIATING SERVICES – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6493 was read. Council Member Coe 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 Hadden
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8952.
3. PURCHASE
OF CONCESSION PRODUCTS FROM US FOOD SERVICE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $55,000 –
MOTION
Council Member King moved to approve the
purchase. Council Member Hadden seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Mr.
Wenson stated there would be no meeting on Monday, March 6. Council Member Parker asked if there would be
a packet. Mr. Wenson said there would
be.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Hester said she had been contacted by citizens who had received billings
for the yard waste program from Allied Waste and on some an administrative fee
of $0.95 was included. Also, there was
no provision mentioned for full payment for the ten months. Assistant City Administrator Cynthia Boecker said staff would
follow-up and would provide an update to Council.
Mrs.
Hester noted that she had been contacted about the need to replace wood chips
that have worn off the trail across from Bennett Park. Mrs. Hester also asked what, if anything, is
being considered to address the parking on the square. Police Chief Knouse stated that the computer
system used for issuing parking citations does not recognize vehicles that
leave and return on the same street.
Staff can look further to see if changes can be made, but the system was
designed to follow the existing ordinance.
Mrs. Hester asked if there are any plans for the City parking lot west
of the square to be resurfaced.
Council
Member Parker thanked staff for adding information on reporting street light
outages to the water bills.
Council
Member Hadden said she had been asked the same question about yard waste
billing and would appreciate receiving information.
Council
Member Parry asked about the status of clearing out a creek behind a citizen’s
house. Mr. Rulo stated that staff had
confirmed access to the creek with a property owner and she accepted that the
task had been added to a City work list.
Ms. Boecker added that the staff wanted to ensure that no damage was
done to the citizen’s property in removal of the trash from the creek. Mr. Parry also noted again the ongoing
problems with power outages in the Westboro area.
Council
Member King stated he and others had attended a presentation by ULI which
projected population growth in the United States of 9.4 million by the year 2030. In the metropolitan area, the population was
expected to grow by 550,000. The changes
will affect Liberty as it will the rest of the metropolitan area. Mr. King noted that Tim Bussey, with Whitaker
Homes participated by making a presentation.
Referring
to parking on the square, Mr. King stated there is a need to find a human way
to override the computer and find a resolution to the problem.
Mayor
Steinkamp stated a study session would follow the regular session and would
begin at 8:10
p.m., to allow setting up of
tables and chairs. He also noted that
Ms. Cooley had provided an autographed picture as a thank you to the City
Council for the proclamation.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk