CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 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 June 12, 2006 with Mayor Robert T. Steinkamp presiding. Mayor Steinkamp called the meeting to order
at 7:02
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; Anna Marie Martin, Ward II; 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; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Linda Tyree,
Finance Director; Chris Deal, Parks & Recreation Director; Donna Kay
Taylor, Community Center Manager; Dennis Dovel, Sports Complex Manager; Steve
Rulo, Parks & Open Space Manager; Steve Anderson, Planning &
Development Director; Sara Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator; Tony Sage,
Information Services Manager; Janet Pittman, Executive Assistant; Jane Sharon,
Deputy City Clerk; Jason Noble, The Kansas City Star; and 9 members of the
public.
IV. APPROVE
MINUTES AND SUMMARIES
A. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF MAY 8, 2006
Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Hadden
seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1.
Council Member King abstained due to absence.
B. EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF MAY 8, 2006
Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Phillips
seconded the motion, which carried 4-0-2.
Council Member King and Council Member Parry abstained, due to absence.
C. STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF MAY 15, 2006
Council Member Martin moved to approve the meeting
summary as distributed. Council Member
King seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1.
Council Member Phillips abstained, due to absence.
D. SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES OF MAY 18, 2006
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member King
seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1.
Council Member Phillips abstained, due to absence.
E. STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF JUNE 5, 2006
Council Member Phillips moved to approve the meeting
summary as distributed. Council Member
Hadden seconded the motion, which carried 5-0-1. Council Member King abstained, due to
absence.
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
PRESENTATION OF 2005 TRIM GRANT
Helene
Miller with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDOC) reviewed the
department’s grant program, in which the City has participated. Most recently, the City received a “TRIM”
grant to conduct a tree inventory of street trees in the older part of
town. She noted this planning tool
identified 741 trees of 47 different species.
Ms. Miller also noted that TreeLiberty volunteers provided an in-kind
contribution to the survey by inventorying planting spots. She stated this inventory can assist in a
maintenance function, by removing dead trees prior to a storm event, which can
reduce damage and clean-up. The total
project costs of $13,000 were covered in part by an outlay of $9,060 in grant
funds. Ms. Miller then presented the
check for MDOC grant funds to Mayor Steinkamp.
Mayor Steinkamp thanked the Tree Board for its hard work on the project.
Mike
Jones, 833 Kings
Highway, expressed
concern about the traffic on 152 Highway in Liberty. He said he
has had several conversations with Steve Hansen and the problem is getting
worse. He asked the City to work with
the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to improve the timing of the
lights on Kansas, particularly around the high school.
Don
Longfellow, 1224
Downing Street,
expressed frustration with trying to navigate 152 Highway. He asked for information about whether the
problem is with MoDOT or with the City and stated the roadway does not leave a
good impression of Liberty for visitors.
He asked for the problem to be addressed and resolved.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
IX. ORDINANCES,
CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM APRIL 28, 2006 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6530 was read. Council Member King moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion.
Council Member Martin stated this was the largest
volume of vendor payments seen in some time and the staff did a fine job
putting it together.
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 Parry – yes; Council Member King – yes.
The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and inscribed
in Ordinance No. 8989.
B. *APPEAL
OF HDRC CASE NO. 06-005LS FOR CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOR A SIGN AT 11
EAST KANSAS – RESOLUTION
Mayor Steinkamp stated a request had been received
from the applicant to continue consideration of the appeal. The applicant is continuing to meet with
members of Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc. (HDLI) to resolve the sign issue.
Council Member King moved to continue consideration of
the appeal to the July 10 meeting.
Council Member Hadden seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
C. AMENDMENT
TO LIBERTY ARTS COMMISSION IN THE LIBERTY CODE OF ORDINANCES – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6531 was read. Council Member King 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 Phillips
seconded the motion. Council Member
Parry asked for clarification of the number of council members to serve on the
committee. Mayor Steinkamp stated there
would only be one. The motion carried
unanimously. It was approved by the
Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8990.
D.
LIBERTY
TRIANGLE DEVELOPMENT
1. AMENDMENT
TO AGREEMENT WITH ZIMMER REAL ESTATE SERVICES, LLC/ZIMMER MANAGEMENT COMPANY
FOR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING SERVICES IN THE LIBERTY TRIANGLE – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6532 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 Phillips moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion. Council Member
Parry asked if the City had been working with these consultants for the last
three years. City Administrator Curt
Wenson said that was correct. Public
Works Director Steve Hansen stated that the original agreement had expired or
was near expiration. Payment is based on
$0.20 per square foot of land plus 1.5 percent commission for property
sales. The Triangle project would have
been difficult to handle without the consultants’ assistance. As most of the property has been acquired,
there will be little paid out in the future and expenditures are reimbursed
through the Triangle TIF.
The motion carried unanimously. It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed
in Ordinance No. 8991.
2. AMENDMENT
TO AGREEMENT WITH IRR CORPORATE & PUBLIC FINANCE, LLC, (INTEGRA REALTY
RESOURCES) FOR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING SERVICES IN THE LIBERTY TRIANGLE – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6533 was read. Council Member Phillips 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 Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8992.
E.
STREET
MAINTENANCE
1. CONTRACT
WITH SUPERIOR BOWEN ASPHALT COMPANY LLC IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $588,000 FOR
2006 OVERLAY PROJECT – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6534 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 stated there were many numbers listed under Financial Considerations and
asked how many council members understood them.
She suggested, if the numbers are going to be reported, the Council should
be able to understand what they are. Mr.
Wenson stated that additional information could be provided to Council about
the numbers.
Council Member Parry asked why APAC had not submitted
a bid. Mr. Hansen stated the staff could
only speculate as to the reason, which could be that Superior Bowen has always
underbid APAC or that APAC is working on a number of projects for the State and
could be too busy to take this on at this time.
Mr. Parry asked is the City is required to accept the only bid received. Mr. Hansen stated the City sent bid packages
specifically to APAC and Superior Bowen, but that the request for bid was
advertised in the newspaper and with contractor plan distribution centers. These are the only two contractors known to
have their own asphalt plants. Also, to
work for the City, the contractors must not only have an occupation license but
must have a performance bond. Many
contractors do not have such a bond. Mr.
Hansen stated that the quality of Superior Bowen’s work is good and the
contractor has worked on many City projects.
Mr. Parry asked if the bond is required.
Mr. Hansen stated it and other bonds are statutorily required.
Council Member Hadden asked if asphalt prices were
also up. Mr. Hansen stated they were
double what they had been two years ago.
The motion carried unanimously. It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed
in Ordinance No. 8993.
2. CONTRACT
WITH VANCE BROTHERS, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $21,654.30 FOR 2006 CHIP
& SEAL PROJECT – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6535 was read. Council Member King moved to waive the rules
and consider the ordinance on first reading.
Council Member Hadden seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Martin moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member King seconded
the motion. Council Member Parry asked
for a list of the chip and seal projects under this contract. Mr. Hansen clarified that the list in the
staff report provided to Council contained a complete list of this year’s
projects. The motion carried
unanimously. It was approved by the
Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8994.
F. A
HIGHWAY WATER MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT
1. FINAL
AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH CLAY COUNTY SANITARY & DITCHING, REDUCING THE CONTRACT BY
$1,020 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6536 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. Council Member
Martin stated it was good to see a reduction in cost to a contract for the
project. The motion carried
unanimously. It was approved by the
Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8995.
2. ACCEPTANCE
OF PROJECT – RESOLUTION
Council Member Hadden moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution
No. 2250.
G. AMENDMENT
TO CONTRACT WITH KAT EXCAVATION, INC. PERTAINING TO THE UPPER RUSH CREEK INTERCEPTOR SEWER PROJECT – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6537 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 Martin moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member King seconded
the motion.
Council Member Parry asked if the City was giving up
quality and capacity with the reduced pipe size. Mr. Hansen stated that only a portion of the
gravity main pipe was reduced in size.
Before doing so, staff looked at the design criteria and calculated the
flow rate for the pipe size. In this
area, Stocksdale Park and Martha LaFite-Thompson Nature Sanctuary cover 100
acres and could be removed from the pipe capacity calculations. Mr. Hansen added that the pump station will
be eliminated and gravity sewers or a new plant could possibly be added in the
next 20 years, so the reduction in size of this small area of pipe was
acceptable.
Council Member Phillips asked if pipe could have been
reduced in size in other parts of this project.
Mr. Hansen stated the only other larger pipe size is under a drainageway
and has a lesser slope which is not conducive to a reduction in pipe size.
The motion carried unanimously. It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed
in Ordinance No. 8996.
H. CONTRACT
WITH HAINES & ASSOCIATES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $246,500 FOR SOUTH LIBERTY PARKWAY WATERLINE EXTENSION – ORDINANCE
Mr. Hansen reviewed the recent condemnation settlement
with the Fergusons, part of which requires the City to extend water mains along
the west end of the South Liberty Parkway from Swan Avenue to Plummer Road and along the new section of Flintlock Road near Immacolata Manor. He noted there is a greater benefit beyond providing
water service to this developer as the extension will facilitate development to
the east along the South
Liberty Parkway
corridor. Mr. Hansen stated that bids
were opened May 25 and that the engineer’s estimate was in the middle of the
bids received.
Mr. Hansen stated the $246,500 project cost is not in
the 2006 budget, but an account has been created. Funds for the project are available by
reducing the number of wells to be constructed and with savings from not
expanding the garage at the water treatment plant. This cost will not be borne solely by the
City, as a tax increment financing (TIF) district is being considered and a
revenue stream created by the development will provide an opportunity for
reimbursement of this expense down the road.
Council Member Hadden asked about the contractor. Mr. Hansen stated the contractor had worked
on a number of projects in the City and is located off Church Road. He stated
that staff had no concerns about the contractor’s qualifications.
Council Member Parry stated that accounts should be
cleaned up, if encumbered funds were not going to be used for projects. Finance Director Linda Tyree stated that
encumbered funds not used were returned to the general fund or, in this case,
to the utility fund. Mr. Parry asked for
the account number. Ms. Tyree stated it
would be provided to Council.
Council Member Phillips asked if there is any way to
project when the City might be reimbursed for the project expense. Mr. Hansen stated it could be two to three
years at the earliest. Mr. Phillips
asked for clarification that the projects which would not be done to fund this
project are not needed. Mr. Hansen
stated that there is not an immediate need for the additional well and, while
it would be good to have the expanded garage, it is of less importance than
this project right now. Mr. Wenson added
that reimbursement will be possible when development comes forward after a TIF district
is established; but it will take awhile.
Document No. 6538 was read. Council Member King moved to waive the rules
and consider the ordinance on first reading.
Council Member Phillips 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. 8997.
I. DISCLAIMING
AND ABANDONING OF UTILITY EASEMENT FOR LIBERTY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6539 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 Phillips 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. 8998.
Document No. 6540 was read. Council Member Phillips 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 Phillips
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 8999.
C. NATIONAL
TOURNAMENTS AT FOUNTAIN BLUFF SPORTS COMPLEX
1. PURCHASE
OF SOUVENIRS FOR SUPER SERIES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $35,000 – MOTION
Council Member Martin moved to approve the
purchase. Council Member Phillips
seconded the motion. Council Member
Parry asked if the City makes money on these tournaments. Sports Complex Manager Dennis Dovel stated
there is a small profit on the Super Series souvenir sales and all events break
even or make a profit. The motion
carried unanimously.
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Mr.
Wenson reviewed upcoming Council meetings in June and July.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Phillips stated that recent articles about Liberty in the newspaper and Mr. Hansen’s recognition among
the Top 10 Public Works’ Directors have made him feel lucky to live in Liberty.
Council
Member Martin thanked the staff for the good information received about HDLI
and said she particularly liked the organization’s logo. Mrs. Martin asked what response staff would
be making to concerns about 152 Highway traffic. Mr. Hansen stated the situation has been
frustrating for staff as well as for the citizens. He stated options would be outlined in a memo
to Council. Mr. Hansen noted that the
State had recently changed signal controllers and they are not working
properly. He added that the
signalization will be coordinated by the State as part of the regional
Operation Green Light project, but that is many years off. Mr. Wenson stated businesses have expressed
concerns about the signals as well. Mrs.
Martin asked if this was addressed when the interchange improvements were
made. Mr. Hansen stated that only two
intersections (at Conistor and on the I-35 overpass) were addressed during that
project. He noted that, despite the
citizens comments, City staff and MoDOT staff continue to work together on cost
effective solutions to resolve the issues.
Council
Member Parker stated there is a tree which now obscures the speed limit sign on
33 Highway toward Hallmark. He also
asked staff to do something about a car on Murray Road that appears to be abandoned.
Council
Member Hadden noted she had attended a CMAQ meeting at which it was noted that
no Operation Green Light (OGL) proposals got through because the money ran out
before they were considered. She
suggested making application for funding, to get in line, even if the money
isn’t currently available, because Liberty’s air quality monitor readings are much worse than other
cities. Mr. Hansen stated it had been
anticipated those funds would be used for other projects but could not because
of the earmarks. If the City had projects
for which this funding is available, staff would apply. MoDOT has the Green Light project in its
budget, but other corridors have priority.
Mrs.
Hadden stated she visited Fredrick, Maryland, when traveling to the NLC Small Cities
conference. Fredrick has been cited as a
great example of downtown revitalization.
She recommended a site visit to see the 50 blocks that are wonderfully
improved.
Council
Member Parry asked for an update on when Liberty Drive would be available again. Mr. Hansen stated the base asphalt is on and
curbing on Flintlock is nearing completion.
He anticipated it would be another two to three weeks before it is
opened up for new construction. He noted
the contractor is working as quickly as possible. Mr. Parry asked about Blue Jay into the
Triangle. Mr. Hansen stated that is a
private contract. City Engineer Brian
Hess stated there is no detection yet for the signal controller and work
continues. Mr. Parry said it looks
horrible.
Council
Member King referred to a recent KCADC meeting he had attended along with
Assistant City Administrator Cynthia Boecker.
He said there were a number of demographics reviewed that would be very
useful and could be used for the Liberty area.
Council
Member Martin stated that the pigeons have again taken over the shelter off the
Canterbury Trail and the playground equipment is in need of repair. Parks & Recreation Director Chris Deal
stated the bird problem results, in part, from the design of the shelter and
there is another one at Clay Ridge with the same problem.
Mayor
Steinkamp asked the staff to follow-up with both Mr. Jones and Mr.
Longfellow. Mr. Hansen said staff would
do that.
Mayor
Steinkamp noted the Juneteenth celebration Saturday at St. Luke AME Church and
encouraged all who could attend to do so.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk