CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2007
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 January 22, 2007 with Mayor Robert T. Steinkamp presiding. Mayor Steinkamp called the meeting to order
at 7:00
p.m.
II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – LEROY COE
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, Ward IV. Also in attendance were
Curt Wenson, City Administrator; Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Administrator;
Steve Hansen, Public Works Director; Brian Hess, City Engineer; Gary Birch,
Fire Chief; Mike Snider, Deputy Fire Chief; Linda Tyree, Finance Director;
Chris Deal, Parks & Recreation Director; Steve Anderson, Planning &
Development Director; Rebecca Wymore, City Planner; Dan Fernandez, Planner;
Jonna Wensel, Preservation Planner; 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. SPECIAL SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2007
Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion, which carried 6-0-1.
Council Member Hadden abstained due to absence.
B. EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2007
Council Member Coe moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member King
seconded the motion, which carried 6-0-1.
Council Member Hadden abstained due to absence.
C. REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 2007
Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member Phillips
seconded the motion, which carried 6-0-1.
Council Member Hadden abstained due to absence.
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION – None.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ms. Wymore reviewed the application for a three-year
special use permit to allow recreational vehicles (RVs) in the Liberty Village
Mobile Home Park. She stated the park is
at the corner of US69 and B Highways in Liberty. The
application would be approved according to the business plan which is Exhibit B
in the packet. Ms. Wymore stated the
application meets all six findings for special use permits and the Planning
& Zoning Commission recommended approval.
Council Member Phillips asked for more information
about the safety plan for shelter. Ms.
Wymore stated the applicant could provide that information and that the City
requires that a safety plan be in place.
Council Member Martin asked if a large number of the lots would be
changed to allow RVs. Ms. Wymore stated
the lots would be changed as needed, because there are modifications required
to change from mobile homes to RVs. Mrs.
Martin asked if residents of the park had offered any comments about the
plan. Ms. Wymore stated that no comments
had been received.
Council Member Hester asked for clarification of the
difference between mobile homes and recreational vehicles. Planning & Development Director Steve
Anderson stated there wasn’t much significant difference between the two though
mobile homes are secured with a base and permanent connections are required to
electricity or gas.
Mayor Steinkamp opened the public hearing and asked if
the applicant wished to speak to the application. Robert Marsonett, 2425 Catalpa St., stated that he owns the park and has decided to try
this option of providing space for transient construction workers who stay on
the job for a few weeks or months and then move to the next job site. An RV park cannot accommodate these
intermediate stays and he has no plans to convert to become an RV park for
snowbirds and others wanting to park RVs for a night or two.
Mr. Marsonett responded to the earlier question about
a safety plan, stating it was his understanding that a key to the old Chandler Baptist Church had been made available to a resident of the park by
In As Much Ministries, which now occupies the old Chandler Baptist Church. That person
is know to the other residents in the mobile home park and the church is a few
blocks from anywhere in the mobile home park.
There is no shelter in the park.
Mr. Marsonett stated he will not be displacing any
current residents in the park. There are
some vacant lots available now within the defined area. He didn’t want the RV area to be unsightly to
other residents or to those driving through and this section is not visible
from the street. He added that one
difference between mobile homes and RVs is that RVs can cost a lot more.
Council Member Phillips stated this is an interesting
plan and asked if it is known where these workers that are expected to consider
this option live now. Mr. Marsonett
stated there is a small RV Park in the Triangle now but he does not know if it
has considered this market. He stated
one of his tenants has said there is not much available. Mayor Steinkamp stated that an extended stay
hotel has opened in Liberty west of I-35.
Mr. Marsonett stated that some workers own their own RVs and being able
to stay in them costs less. Council
Member King stated there is a small RV park off Southview, which is mostly
full. He asked how many lots would be
available. Mr. Marsonett stated he would
have to replace the electrical service and prepare the sites so he would see
what interest there was before getting too many converted due to the cost.
Council Member Martin stated she appreciated his
addressing the need and realizing it could become a greater need without the
development. She also thanked the
applicant for considering the screening of the area. Council Member Coe asked how the rate
structure would be set up and if someone could stay there for as short as two
weeks. Mr. Marsonett stated that would
be a possibility. It would cost him $200
per site to prepare and that is why he decided to ask for the three year trial
period. The cost to the tenants would be
less than staying in a hotel.
Mayor Steinkamp asked if anyone else present wished to
speak in favor or in opposition to the application. Seeing none, he closed the public hearing.
Council Member King moved to approve the special use
permit for a three-year period as recommended.
Council Member Coe seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is
inscribed in Resolution No. 2276.
IX. ORDINANCES,
CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM DECEMBER 22, 2006 THROUGH JANUARY 12, 2007 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6624 was read. Council Member King moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion.
Council Member Martin asked about the payment to
Powell Concrete for sidewalk repairs and asked if the person on Wildbriar with
sidewalk issues had been included in that repair. Public Works Director Steve Hansen stated
that the repairs done by Powell Concrete had nothing to do with that home on
Wildbriar but pertained to a sewer repair.
Vote on the motion was as follows: Council Member Phillips – yes; Council Member
Martin – yes; Council Member Hester – 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. 9084.
B. *FINAL
PLAT REPLAT OF TRACT A AND B, LOCATED AT 336 N. MAIN ST. – ORDINANCE [P&Z CASE NO: 06-059FP]
Planner Dan Fernandez reviewed the application for a
lot split on a property at 336 N. Main. Both tracts have access to adequate public
facilities. This lot split proposes to
move the lot line south approximately 12 feet, widening the second lot. There is an existing single family dwelling
on the Tract B. A house could be built
on Tract A with this lot split, but the lot would require variances for lot
width and lot area. Mr. Fernandez noted
that the Comprehensive Plan encourages in-fill development. The Planning & Zoning Commission
recommended approval.
Council Member Hadden asked if there would be any
changes for access to the existing house, given the mention of a garage on the
side of any house built on Tract A. Mr.
Fernandez said there would not be any changes for the existing house. Mrs. Hadden stated this is a good use of
extra footage. Mayor Steinkamp asked
about the square footage of the existing house.
Mr. Anderson stated it was about 1,000 square feet.
Document No. 6625 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 Phillips 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. 9085.
C. APPLICATION
FOR PRESERVE AMERICA DESIGNATION – RESOLUTION
Council Member Hadden asked if only a city could apply
for the Preserve America grants.
Preservation Planner Jonna Wensel stated the City would be the
applicant, but staff intended to work with Historic Downtown Liberty Inc.
(HDLI) and like groups in determining what grants could benefit the City. Mrs. Hadden asked how long this initiative
has been in place. Ms. Wensel stated it
is an initiative of the current White House administration.
Council Member King moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member Hester
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution
No. 2277.
D. AMENDMENT
TO LIBERTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, “TRAFFIC REGULATIONS”, PERTAINING
TO WILSON STREET, JEWELL STREET, McCLELLAN DRIVE, BLUE JAY, COLLEGE AND CONISTOR – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6626 was read. Council Member Coe 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 Hadden
seconded the motion. Council Member
Hester asked how this provides more parking in the Jewell neighborhood. City Engineer Brian Hess stated an area of no
parking had been shrunk adding more parking on both Wilson and Jewell
Streets. The motion carried
unanimously. It was approved by the
Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No.9086.
E. CONTRACT
WITH SHAFER, KLINE & WARREN FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES PERTAINING TO H
HIGHWAY WATER MAIN EXTENSION IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $49,200 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6627 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 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. 9087.
F. CONTRACT
FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH OLSSON ASSOCIATES FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES
PERTAINING TO TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION - KANSAS STREET IN AN AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED $28,417 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6628 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 Hester moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion. Council Member
Martin asked about the timeline for the project. Mr. Hansen stated it would happen quickly but
requires coordination with Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and
Operation Green Light (OGL). It would be
completed by the first of next year.
Council Member Phillips asked which lights would be
included. Mr. Hansen stated the
synchronization would include lights at Clayview, Forest,
Conistor and Blue Jay, continuing up to those at the I-35 interchange. The signals will work as a group and could
allow OGL implementation sooner than planned.
Council Member Hadden asked how this is tied into the Mid-America
Regional Council (MARC) project. Mr.
Hansen stated this has already been designated as an OGL corridor, but that was
not planned for activation for some time.
Communication equipment for this node was just approved. A timing plan must be developed and if it can
be built into OGL sooner as a result, that would be a side benefit.
Council Member Coe asked if the budgeted amount
includes engineering and installation.
Mr. Hansen said it does. Contracting
with this engineering firm would ensure coordination with MoDOT and OGL as
Olsson Associates’ staff has experience with this type of project, the connections
and knowledge to complete it. The motion
carried unanimously. It was approved by
the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9088.
G. CONTRACT
WITH CH2M HILL OMI, INC. FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF WATER/WASTEWATER
TREATMENT FACILITIES – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6629 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 Hadden moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Coe seconded
the motion. Council Member Parry asked
why the five year period was proposed for the contract. Mr. Hansen stated that the 5.3% increase in
2007 (the first year of the five year agreement) was due to an increase in
costs of chemicals. Over a five-year
period that is expected to even out and benefits the City with OMI agreeing to
pre-established amounts for each year’s services. The motion carried unanimously. It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed
in Ordinance No. 9089.
H. INTERGOVERNMENTAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN MID-AMERICA REGIONAL COUNCIL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
RELATING TO THE REGIONAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM –
ORDINANCE
Document No. 6630 was read. Council Member Coe 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
Hadden asked about for information about participation in the program. Mr. Hansen stated that 300 vehicles went
through the 2006 event and that is among the top participation in the
region. Liberty’s is considered one of the most successful and in
last week’s committee meeting, Liberty was asked to consider having an annual event by
itself. Kearney would then alternate hosting an event every other
year with another city. Liberty would have the ABOP (Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil and
Paint) collection one year and another type of household hazardous waste (HHW)
collection in alternate years.
Council Member Martin asked if Kearney residents could participate in the Liberty events. Mr.
Hansen stated that all HHW events are open to residents in all participating
communities. Mrs. Martin stated it would
be good to get the word out to increase usage.
Council Member Hadden clarified that the communities are charged on a
per capita basis. Mr. Hansen stated that
was correct and that the ABOP event is charged at a lower per capita rate than
other HHW events, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9090.
I. ESTABLISHMENT
OF INITIATING COMMITTEE FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS – RESOLUTION
Mr. Wenson stated this is a big step for the organization
and the community and the initiating committee would begin the strategic
planning process.
Council Member Phillips moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion. Council Member
Parry asked if there would be Council participation as mentioned in a previous
staff memo. Mayor Steinkamp stated that
he would name a council member to the initiating committee at a future
meeting. Council Member Phillips said he
had been asked by a business owner in town, who lives elsewhere, how to get
involved. Assistant City Administrator Cynthia Boecker stated that business
owners should be encouraged to submit interest forms as input from all
perspectives is desired in this process.
Mayor Steinkamp stated that he had waited to see which
current council members would be seeking reelection before naming a council
member to the committee. He said he
would have that appointment by the next Council meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the
resolution is inscribed in Resolution No. 2278.
X. OTHER BUSINESS – None.
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Mr.
Wenson stated that construction to prepare for televising Council meetings
would occur over the next two weeks. A
bid for equipment is anticipated in February to be followed by installation.
He
referred to the New Town at Liberty charrette wrap-up meeting at 7:00 p.m. on January 23.
He stated there has been a good turnout and Whittaker has four different
ideas in place.
Mr.
Wenson noted the annual Chamber dinner scheduled on January 25 and an executive
session is now scheduled for February 5.
Mr.
Wenson stated as of this past weekend, he is officially a Liberty resident.
Mr.
Anderson stated that Whittaker Group asked him to invite the Council, the
design team and the Planning & Zoning Commission to Cupini’s following the
end of tomorrow night’s charrette.
Ms.
Boecker stated that an electronic survey regarding the farmer’s market is
available through February 5. Council
Member Hadden asked if more than one resident could respond using the same
computer. Public Relations Coordinator
Sara Cooke stated that only one survey could be completed per computer, but
surveys were available in the kiosk at City Hall.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Phillips stated the charrette was a great experience and he thanked the
staff and Council for bringing it to the City.
Council
Member Hadden stated she would not be in town for the February 5 study session.
Council
Member Coe commended the Public Works staff for its work on the streets during
the recent ice and snow events.
Council
Member Parry asked when the 2007 budget books would be available. Finance Director Linda Tyree stated they were
received from the printer today and will be distributed this week.
Council
Member King asked about the status of annexation of Area A. Mr. Wenson stated that the petition has to go
to the Secretary of State’s office in Jefferson City and the Secretary of State directs the Election Board
to conduct the recount. He stated it is
his understanding that the attorneys for the petitioner and the Election Board
are discussing the matter.
Mr.
King asked for a status report on Claywoods Drive. Mr. Hess
stated that it would remain as is until asphalt could be placed in the
interior. That would probably occur in
March and it was anticipated MoDOT might have the signals at the same time.
Mayor
Steinkamp welcomed Mr. Wenson to Liberty. He encouraged
all to attend the last New Town at Liberty charrette to see what is
going on. He stated this project is very
important to Liberty.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk