CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2006

COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 7:00 p.m.

 

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 September 11, 2006 with Mayor Pro Tem Coni Hadden presiding.  Mayor Pro Tem Hadden called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

II.         INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

The invocation was given by Council Member LeRoy Coe who then led the pledge of allegiance.

 

III.       ROLL CALL

 

Roll call was answered by 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; Craig Knouse, Police Chief; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Linda Tyree, Finance Director; Tony Sage, Information Services Manager; Chris Deal, Parks & Recreation Director; LeAnn Lawlor, Senior Services Coordinator; Donna Kay Taylor, Community Center Manager; Steve Anderson, Planning & Development Director; Sara Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator; Shawnna Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator; Jane Sharon, Deputy City Clerk; Jason Noble, The Kansas City Star; Angie Borgedalen, Liberty Tribune; and 6 members of the public.

 

IV.       APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES

 

A.        REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 28, 2006

 

Council Member King asked for the minutes to reflect his follow-up questions and Planning & Development Director Steve Anderson’s response with respect to the timing of amendments to the City Code once the Council reviews regulatory matters at an upcoming Study Session.  Council Member Coe moved to approve the minutes as amended.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

B.         STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2006

 

Council Member Coe moved to approve the meeting summary as distributed.  Council Member Hester seconded the motion, which carried 7-0-1.  Council Member Phillips abstained due to absence.

 

V.        CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION

 

Mayor Pro Tem Hadden recognized Boy Scout Evan Russell of Troop 318, who is working on his Communications badge.

 

A.                 PROCLAMATION FOR CONSTITUTION WEEK – SEPTEMBER 17 – 23, 2006

 

Mayor Pro Tem Hadden read the proclamation for Constitution Week for the week of September 17 through September 23, 2006 and presented it to Ann Sizemore, Chapter Regent for the Alexander Doniphan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.  Ms. Sizemore thanked the Council for partnering with the Alexander Doniphan Chapter in recognizing this most important part of United States history.

Twyla Ferguson, 511 Sarah Lane, stated that she appreciates restaurants like the Sonic in Liberty and would like to be able to eat at a picnic table at the site.  Ms. Ferguson said she was told by the Sonic manager that the City did not permit tables in that location.  She asked the Council to review its policies to permit picnic tables at restaurants like the Sonic in Liberty.  City Administrator Curt Wenson stated the staff would look at the issue for Council and would contact Ms. Ferguson with a response.

 

VI.       MEETING SCHEDULE

 

Mr. Wenson stated that the Council would meet in executive session both before and after the study session on September 18.

 

Council Member King brought up a procedural question, asking whether Council Member Hadden could cast a vote on issues while serving as Mayor Pro Tem.  Mayor Pro Tem Hadden stated she had been advised that she could continue to cast a vote on issues in her capacity as council member.

 

VII.      CONSENT AGENDA

 

A.        AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE SESSION TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 IN THE COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM AT 6:00 P.M. TO DISCUSS LITIGATION MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 610.021(1) RSMo, REAL ESTATE MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 610.021(2) RSMo AND CONTRACT MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 610.021(12) RSMo – MOTION

 

Council Member King moved to authorize the executive session.  Council Member Hester seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

B.         AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE SESSION TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 IN THE COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE STUDY SESSION TO DISCUSS LITIGATION MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 610.021(1) RSMo, REAL ESTATE MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 610.021(2) RSMo AND CONTRACT MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 610.021(12) RSMo – MOTION

 

Council Member King moved to authorize the executive session.  Council Member Hester seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

VIII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.

 

IX.       ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A.        ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM AUGUST 18, 2006 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 2006 – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6567 was read.  Council Member Coe moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member King seconded the motion.

 

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. 9027.

 

B.         *FY2007 MID-AMERICA REGIONAL COUNCIL GRANTS

 

1.         CONTRACT FOR SENIOR TRANSPORTATION TRIPS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $96,580 – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6568 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 Martin moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Hester seconded the motion.  Council Member King asked for clarification of the numbers showing 10,000 trips in previous years and only 7,500 for 2006-07.  Senior Services Coordinator LeAnn Lawlor stated that transportation is based upon demand for service.  While this year’s numbers are lower, they reflect the funding currently available for the program.  When a review of the program takes place later in the funding year, the numbers may be amended if additional funding is available.  It is anticipated that may happen as it has in previous years.  Council Member Martin stated that this should have been presented to Council earlier in the year but the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) operates on a different schedule.  Ms. Lawlor added that the funding year is July through June and that amendments to the program funding come forward in late spring.

 

Council Member Parry asked how long this program has been receiving funding.  Ms. Lawlor said it has been funded for about 20 years.  Mr. Parry asked if it is possible the City will receive less funding because the State provides the funds to MARC, which distributes the funds for this and other Clay County senior services.  Ms. Lawlor said that is possible but about the same funding has been provided for the program for many years.  Council Member Phillips clarified it could be the same amount as in previous years.  Ms. Lawlor said that was correct.  Council Member Parry asked about funding for the senior center and meals on wheels.  Ms. Lawlor stated the senior center receives a flat amount of $25,000 for its administration and that has been the same for years.  Mr. Wenson stated that funding for the senior programs could be a concern down the road but is not at this time.  Ms. Lawlor added that the funds originate as federal funding, which is dispersed through the states to regional agencies.

 

The motion carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9028.

 

2.         CONTRACT FOR SENIOR CENTER ADMINISTRATION/MEALS ON WHEELS IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000– ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6569 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 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. 9029.

 

X.         OTHER BUSINESS

 

A.                 PROCLAMATION FOR SWIM TEAM

 

Mayor Pro Tem Hadden read the proclamation for the Liberty Storm Swim Team and presented it to one of the team’s coaches, Bonnie Sue Russell.  Ms. Russell thanked the Council for this recognition.  She stated this team had 165 members from Liberty this season and all competed on the same team, though in different age brackets.  She noted that recreation programs in other communities split the teams up and she appreciates the opportunities this swim team has to forge lasting friendships as they compete together.

 

B.                 PURCHASES TO INITIATE ON-LINE REGISTRATION FOR PARKS PROGRAMS – MOTION

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the purchase.  Council Member Phillips seconded the motion.  Council Member King asked if this is the same software used now.  Information Services Manager Tony Sage said it is and that the funds would purchase an additional module to allow the on-line registration feature.  Mr. King asked how registration is handled currently.  Community Center Manager Donna Kay Taylor stated that people can register for programs in person, by fax, mail and phone.  Mr. Sage added that on-line registration would extend the hours when people can register to accommodate their personal schedules.  Council Member King stated he is in favor of upgrading the software but asked if there is a possibility the purchase could be delayed until next year.  He expressed concern that funding is needed for many programs and services.  Mr. Sage said the purchase could be delayed.  Mayor Pro Tem Hadden asked for clarification that the purchase is already budgeted in 2006.  Mr. Sage said it is.

 

Council Member Parker asked what numbers are expected to register on-line.  Ms. Taylor stated other communities have noted initial on-line registration at about 25 percent of program registrations.  Those that have used on-line registration for a few years, however, report as many as 60% register on-line when able to do so.  She stated that it is also anticipated that on-line registration will increase the numbers registering for programs overall.

 

Council Member Parker asked about the cost of putting the program in place.  Mr. Sage said the initial module expense is about $18,000 and there would be additional expense for security pertaining to sending credit card information on-line and training.  Ms. Taylor added that the on-line application is specifically for program registration and does not include purchase of passes or memberships to the community center.  Council Member Coe asked if this is a one-time expense.  Mr. Sage said it is but, as with most applications, there could be a need to upgrade in four to five years and this is something planned for in the budget process.  Mr. Coe asked if the increased registrations could almost pay for the expense.  Ms. Taylor said it could and there will also be a reduction in the costs to have staff covering during busy registration times.

 

Council Member Parry asked if savings from the pool liner installation could be used for this purchase.  Mr. Wenson stated that project savings go back into the fund balance and are used for the following year.  This is included as an identified project in the capital 2010 fund in 2006.  Finance Director Linda Tyree stated that this purchase is the first step toward on-line bill payment being available.  This smaller project gives the City an opportunity to see how it works as a customer service tool.  Parks & Recreation Director Chris Deal stated that when the City started the automatic bank draft payments and began accepting credit card payments, membership soared.  He anticipated this expense being returned many fold.  This is seen as a pilot project to have recreational services on the Internet.

 

Council Member Martin stated she believes this purchase brings the City program registration into the 21^st Century with the idea of moving into utility bill payment.  She stated she was pleased to see it proposed and is very much in favor.  Council Member King stated he is very much in favor of the on-line registration as well but has concerns about being able to get the traffic signal in at 291 Hwy. and Claywoods.  Mr. Wenson stated that funds have been identified for that project.  Mr. King stated he wants to ensure that it happens without reducing the quality of the intersection.  Mr. Wenson stated the project is being rebid, but funds have been identified for the project.

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

C.                 AMUSEMENT LICENSE FOR JONES & CO. CARNIVAL TO OPERATE DURING FALL FESTIVAL – MOTION

 

Deputy City Clerk Jane Sharon asked Council to consider adding a stipulation to the motion, that approval would be contingent upon receipt by the City of the necessary background checks prior to issuance of the amusement license.

 

Council Member King moved to approve the amusement license with the contingency stated above.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion.  Council Member Parry asked how safety issues are addressed.  Ms. Sharon stated that the carnival operation is inspected by the City’s fire marshal and building inspections staff prior to the license being issued.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

XI.               MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR

 

XII.            MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Member King referred to a letter from the Missouri Municipal League (MML) regarding HB209 being found unconstitutional by the Missouri Supreme Court and asked what impact that might have on the City’s revenues.  Mr. Wenson stated that Assistant City Administrator Cynthia Boecker is working with MML on that and the impact is not yet known.  Ms. Sharon added that the Supreme Court hasn’t yet issued its final order in the case.  Once that is issued, staff will be able to provide additional information.

 

Council Member King thanked staff for continuing to respond to citizen service requests in Ward IV.

 

XIII.     ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

Mayor

Attest:

 

 

_____________________________________

Deputy City Clerk