CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 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 December 10, 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 – ANNA MARIE MARTIN
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 Paul Jenness and Harold Phillips, Ward I; Greg Duncan and
Anna Marie Martin, Ward II; Lyndell Brenton and John Parry, Ward III; and Fred
Foster and Nick King, Ward IV. Also in
attendance were Curt Wenson, City Administrator; Dan Estes, Assistant City Administrator;
Steve Hansen, Public Works Director; Craig Knouse, Police Chief; Marcella
McCoy, Finance Manager; Diana Adams, Special Project Manager; Kathy Goode,
Accounting Coordinator; Celia McBride, Finance Analyst; Chris Deal, Parks &
Recreation Director; Donna Kay Taylor, Community Center Manger; Dennis Dovel,
Sports Complex Manager; Steve Rulo, Parks & Open Space Manager; Gary Birch,
Fire Chief; Steve Anderson, Planning & Development Director; Amy Brusven,
Human Resources Director; Tony Sage, Information Services Director; Shawnna
Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator; Jane Sharon, Deputy City
Clerk; and 10 members of the public.
IV. APPROVE
MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT AGENDA)
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION – None.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
A.
SPECIAL SESSION
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007
Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member King
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
B.
REGULAR SESSION
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007
Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member King
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
C.
SPECIAL SESSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3, 2007
Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member King
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
D.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 3, 2007
Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as
distributed. Council Member King
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Planning
and Zoning Commission
Reappoint Detlef
Lehnardt to a term expiring 1-1-2011
Reappoint Amy Howard
to a term expiring 1-1-2011
Reappoint Tom Cole to
a term expiring 1-1-2011
Tree
Board
Council Member Martin moved to approve the
appointments. Council Member King
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Martin moved to authorize the
meeting. Council Member King seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
G. EXECUTIVE
SESSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007
Mayor Steinkamp noted that the minutes were to be
corrected to reflect that Council Member Duncan was in attendance. Council Member Martin moved to approve the
minutes as amended. Council Member
Phillips seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
H. STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF DECEMBER 3, 2007
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. *AMENDMENT
TO LIBERTY TRIANGLE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN – ORDINANCE
Staff reviewed the proposed amendment to the Triangle
Tax Increment Financing Plan, which: revises the legal description of the
Redevelopment Area to clarify the location of the southern boundary as a result
of the State vacating right-of-way in that area and reconfigures the boundaries
of Redevelopment Project Areas E, F, and H to conform to current plans for
redevelopment in those areas. The TIF
Commission reviewed the amendment on November 19 and recommends its approval.
In response to Council questions, staff noted that
bringing forward a proposal to add the Clayview Country Club area to the
Triangle TIF District would require a significant amendment and update to the
current plan, including the blight study and budget. That proposal would require both TIF
Commission and City Council review and approval. The adjustment to the southern boundary of the
current TIF District is not a step toward that proposal. The map in the proposed Plan amendment
reflects current right-of-way.
Mayor Steinkamp opened the public hearing and asked if
the applicant wished to address the Council.
Ryan Cook, Polsinelli Law Firm, stated he represents LTD Enterprises and
noted the boundary of the TIF District was initially comprised of I-35, 291
Highway and 152 Highway. With the State transferring
right-of-way along 152 Highway to the City, the boundary of the TIF District
needed to be amended to reflect the changes.
He also noted that the area in the southwest corner of the Triangle is
not being amended, because it has already been developed. Amendments to the northern tier better define
the project areas and allow Blue Jay to be extended to 291 Highway through the
Triangle without further amendment.
Mayor Steinkamp asked if anyone else present wished to
speak in favor or in opposition to the amendment. Seeing no one, he closed the public hearing
and returned discussion to the Council.
Document No. 6773 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 Brenton 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. 9231.
IX. ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
Mayor
Steinkamp noted that, with the exception of the acknowledgement of vendor
payments and the legislative program, the rest of the items on the agenda were
budget-related and could be continued or sent to second reading to be
considered with the budget at the special session on December 17. City Administrator Curt Wenson asked that
Council provide staff with any questions so they could be addressed prior to
the next meeting.
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM NOVEMBER 16, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2007 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6774 was read. Council Member King moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion. Responding to
Council questions, staff confirmed two individuals had attended the recent
police chief’s conference.
Vote on the motion was as follows: Council Member Phillips – yes; Council Member
Martin – yes; Council Member Brenton – yes; Council Member Foster – yes;
Council Member Jenness – yes; Council Member Duncan – yes; Council Member Parry
– yes; Council Member King – yes. The
motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and inscribed in Ordinance
No. 9232.
B. *ADOPTION OF 2008 BUDGET – ORDINANCE
Finance Manager Marcella McCoy reviewed the budget
planning process which begins with mid-year with a review of the current
revenues and expenditures. Following
departmental review, presentations of each section of the budget were made to
City Council in study sessions, which began in October. A final recap was presented to Council in
November. Closure is still needed on
water rates.
In response to Council questions, staff offered to
provide further clarification of the percentages reported by staff and in the
proposed budget related to projected sales tax revenues, noting comparisons were
made between the 2007 budget and the 2008 budget as well as projected 2007 sales tax revenues compared
to what is proposed in the 2008 budget.
Clarification of franchise fee revenues and fund balances were also
requested by Council.
Document No. 6775 was read. Mayor Steinkamp stated this would be
considered on second reading at the December 17 special session.
C. ADOPTION OF 2008-2010 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS PLAN – RESOLUTION
Council Member Phillips moved to continue
consideration of the capital improvement plan to December 17. Council Member Martin seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
D. AMENDMENT TO CITY CODE CHAPTER 29 PERTAINING TO WATER SERVICES
AND SEWER RATES
1. AMENDMENT
PERTAINING TO DELINQUENT ACCOUNT NOTIFICATION – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6776 was read. Mayor
Steinkamp stated this would be considered on second reading at the December 17
special session. Staff requested that
any Council questions be forwarded to staff in advance so that responses could
be provided before the December 17 meeting.
2. AMENDMENT
TO SEWER RATES – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6777 was read. Mayor
Steinkamp stated this would be considered on second reading at the December 17
special session.
E. ESTABLISHMENT
OF SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE CHARGES –
RESOLUTION
Mayor Steinkamp noted that a revised resolution had
been provided to Council, which now states the correct rates, spelled out and
in number form.
Council Member Parry moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member King seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2326.
F. MODIFICATION
OF CITY USER FEES – RESOLUTION
Council Member Duncan moved to continue consideration
of the fees to the December 17 meeting.
Council Member Martin seconded the motion. In response to Council questions, staff
stated a comparison of the existing fees with those proposed following an
increase of 2.6 percent would be provided to Council. The motion carried unanimously.
G. PUBLIC
FACILITIES AUTHORITY LEASES
1. RENEWAL
OF LEASE AGREEMENT FOR COMMUNITY
CENTER –
ORDINANCE
Document No. 6778 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 King seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9233.
2. RENEWAL
OF LEASE AGREEMENT FOR SPORTS COMPLEX – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6779 was read. Council Member King moved to waive the rules
and consider the ordinance on first reading.
Council Member Duncan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member Jenness 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. 9234.
3. MODIFY
THE BOND RESERVE REQUIREMENT FOR 2003 PFA BOND DOCUMENTS – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6780
was read. Mayor Steinkamp stated the
ordinance would go to second reading on December 17.
H. FEE FOR SERVICES CONTRACT WITH HISTORIC
DOWNTOWN LIBERTY, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,000 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6781
was read. Mayor Steinkamp stated the
ordinance would go to second reading on December 17.
I. FEE FOR SERVICES CONTRACT WITH THE
PARTNERSHIP FOR COMMUNITY GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 –
ORDINANCE
Document No. 6782
was read. In response to Council
questions, staff stated that typographical errors in the agreement would be
corrected. It was also noted that the
service area was intentionally referenced to include Liberty, not the Liberty area. Mayor Steinkamp stated the ordinance would go
to second reading on December 17.
J. CONTRACT WITH KANSAS CITY AREA
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (KCATA) FOR LIBERTY EXPRESS SERVICES
– ORDINANCE
Document No. 6783
was read. Council Member Phillips moved
to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Parry seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council Member Jenness
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. 9235.
K. CONTRACT WITH MID-AMERICA REGIONAL
COUNCIL SOLID WASTE DISTRICT FOR HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE COLLECTION IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $24,256.42 – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6784
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 King
moved to approve the ordinance. Council
Member Jenness seconded the motion. In
response to Council questions, staff stated that Liberty is one of the
heaviest users of the program in the metropolitan area. The motion carried unanimously. It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed
in Ordinance No. 9236.
L. AGREEMENT WITH A. M. PYROTECHNICS IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $12,500 FOR LIBERTY 4thFEST FIREWORKS
AND DISPLAY – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6785
was read. Council Member Phillips moved
to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Jenness seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
Council Member Martin
moved to approve the ordinance. Council
Member King seconded the motion. In
response to Council questions, it was noted that the vendor has offered to
renew at the same price for one year or three years, after both parties review
the 2008 display. Council suggested
higher percentage of private contributions in the future. While it was noted that was a possibility,
the private contributions of an estimated $15,000 in 2007 allowed more
activities to be added to the celebration, with $2,500 supporting the cost of
the fireworks display. The motion
carried unanimously. It was approved by
the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9237.
X. OTHER BUSINESS
B. ADOPTION OF 2008 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM – MOTION
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Mr.
Wenson noted that a hearing in Clay County Circuit Court on annexation of Area
A is scheduled for December 19. Council
was also asked to leave their binders for staff as much of the information for
next week’s meeting would duplicate what has already been provided in this
week’s packet.
Mr.
Wenson noted that Public Works Secretary Linda Shanks’ husband, Jay, had been
killed in a car wreck over the weekend.
Information about the services would be forwarded to Council.
It
is anticipated that the City will switch over to the new telephone system on December
20 and a newsflash will be issued when that occurs.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Foster thanked staff for responding by letter to a citizen’s complaint
about noise issues related to nearby trains being switched in early morning
hours.
Council
Member Duncan requested clarification of the packet process, now that Council
receives a binder.
Council
Member King requested staff look into the possibility of removing the stop sign
on Ruth Ewing, which doesn’t appear to work efficiently with the nearby traffic
signal on 291 Highway.
Mayor
Steinkamp stated that the executive session might be postponed, due to the
weather. He also noted a recent meeting
with Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton, in which it was noted that state
transportation funds are drying up due to a decrease in federal funding. He added that the state is adding
approximately $36 million to its wish list for the Kearney/I-35 interchange.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk