CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2008
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 June 9, 2008 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 John Parry, 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; 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; Linda Tyree, Finance
Director; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Tony Sage, Information Services Director; Chris
Deal, Parks & Recreation Director; LeAnn Lawlor, Aging Services
Coordinator; Shawnna Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator; Jane
Sharon, Deputy City Clerk; David Knopf, The Kansas City Star; Angie Borgedalen,
Liberty Tribune; and 4 members of the public.
IV. APPROVE
MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT AGENDA)
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
Mayor
Steinkamp welcomed Austin Salmon with Troop 376, who is working on his
Citizenship in the Community badge.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
IX. ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
Council
Member Brenton entered the meeting at this time.
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM MAY 16, 2008 THROUGH MAY 30, 2008
1. EXCLUDING
KCP&L AND AQUILA PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE
In response to Council questions, staff provided the
following information: purchase card use
is being encouraged because it provides an efficient invoice payment system;
larger amounts charged are still subject to the purchase policy, which may
require a bid process; light repairs
paid included the Manor Hill tennis courts and traffic signals on Kansas
Street; the City is required to participate in the One Call system and
increasing expenses related to that have occurred with AT&T working in the
right-of-way on placement of utility boxes.
Council discussed options with regard to identification of vendors when
purchase card payments are being acknowledged.
Staff suggested a supplemental report would have to be provided but
would encourage the use of purchase cards, with proper controls, because they
provide an ability to obtain better pricing.
Document No. 6862 was read. Council Member King moved to approve the
vendor payments. Council Member Phillips
seconded the motion. 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. 9317.
2. KCP&L
AND AQUILA PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6863 was read. Council Member Phillips moved to approve the
vendor payments. Council Member Jenness
seconded the motion. Vote on the motion
was as follows: Council Member Phillips
– yes; Council Member Martin – yes; Council Member Brenton – abstain; Council
Member Foster – yes; Council Member Jenness – yes; Council Member Duncan – yes;
Council Member Parry – yes; Council Member King – yes. The motion carried 7-0-1; with Council Member
Brenton abstaining, due to a potential conflict of interest. It was approved by the Chair and inscribed in
Ordinance No. 9317.
B. AMENDMENT
TO 2008 BUDGET INCORPORATING TELECOM SETTLEMENT FUNDS – ORDINANCE
Staff reviewed the additional changes that were made
to allow more to be retained in the general fund balance, projected to increase
it to 14 percent. In response to Council
questions, staff reviewed the sewer backup and stormwater mitigation programs
discussed in previous meetings. Fifty
properties have been designated as eligible for a backflow preventer with the
City covering 100 percent of the cost up to $3,000. There is no cost share proposed. With regard to overlay projects, staff noted
that the materials used, weather and problems encountered dictate whether roads
overlaid at the same time would have the same service life or be in need of
next overlay at the same time.
Assessment of street condition is a useful tool in determining which
streets make the first cut. Visual
inspection of those roads then allows final prioritization to be established.
Council Member Martin stated the proposed use of the
funds is a great compromise; moves the fund balance closer to the desired 15
percent and provides more funds for overlay.
Document No. 6864 was read. Council Member Phillips moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Martin seconded the motion,
which failed due to lack of a unanimous vote.
Mayor Steinkamp stated the ordinance would go to second reading on June 23, 2008.
C. AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES WITH KAPKE &
WILLERTH – ORDINANCE (SECOND READING)
Document No. 6857 was
read. Council Member Phillips moved to approve
the ordinance. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion. Council Member
Brenton asked for clarification that during discussions for the 2009 budget an
audit of legal services would be included.
Staff stated that would be part of the 2009 budget discussion. Also, the amended rate is a good rate. The vote resulted in a 4-4-0 tie. Council
Member King, Council Member Parry, Council Member Jenness and Council Member
Foster voted in opposition. Mayor
Steinkamp cited this being a fair rate in today’s economy and a full review,
which hasn’t been conducted in some time, being part of the 2009 budget
development as reasons to vote in favor of the contract amendment. Mayor Steinkamp voted in favor of the
ordinance resulting in the motion carrying 5-4-0; it was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in
Ordinance No. 9318.
D. AGREEMENT WITH KCATA TO PROVIDE ADA
ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION – ORDINANCE (Continued from May 27, 2008 regular
session)
In response to Council questions, staff confirmed that
this provided additional funding from KCATA to the City for the program.
Document No. 6865 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, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9319.
E. AMENDMENT TO 2008 MARC CONTRACTS
1. TRANSPORTATION FUNDING – ORDINANCE (Continued
from May 27, 2008 regular
session)
In response to a Council question, Staff confirmed the
program funds are included in this year’s budget and these amendments will
provide additional funding to cover the additional program expenses.
Document No. 6866 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 King seconded
the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9320.
2. SENIOR CENTER ADMINISTRATION (MEALS ON WHEELS) FUNDING – ORDINANCE
Council Member Phillips stated Meals on Wheels is a
great program with caring citizens volunteering and helping their neighbors.
Document No. 6867 was read. Council Member King moved to waive the rules
and consider the ordinance on first reading.
Council Member Jenness seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Council Member King 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. 9321.
F. ACCEPTANCE
OF GLENN HENDREN WATER LINE REALIGNMENT PROJECT – RESOLUTION (Continued from May 27, 2008 regular session)
Council Member Brenton moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution
No. 2361.
G. AMENDMENT
TO CONTRACT WITH UHL ENGINEERING, INC. FOR STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENT OF PINE
STREET CULVERT IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,000 – ORDINANCE
In response to Council questions, staff noted that the
budgeted project was different from the Safe Routes to Schools grant project
that was requiring this work to be done.
But the project nearing completion has sufficient funds to allow their
use for this culvert project. The
culvert is the least expensive option for this project. The grant is paying for the actual construction
of the culvert.
Document No. 6868 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 Martin
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9322.
H. CONTRACT
WITH GEORGE BUTLER ASSOCIATES, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $39,000 FOR
WATER TREATMENT FACILITY LIME SLUDGE DISPOSAL STUDY – ORDINANCE
In response to Council questions, staff provided the
following information: this study is necessary in order to provide the Missouri
Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) information required in connection with
the City’s application for a permit to pipe lime sludge directly to the Missouri River. The sludge is
mixed with wash water and transmitted.
Lime sludge can be recycled, but Liberty is a small city and does not have a market for the
sludge in close proximity. The City
would give it away if anyone would come and get it.
Document No. 6869 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 King moved to approve the
ordinance. Council Member Jenness
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9323.
X. OTHER BUSINESS – None.
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
The
next Mayor’s Forum is set for June 12.
The Sales Tax Oversight Committee is scheduled to meet on June 11. There will be no study session on June 19 and
the smoking survey review has now been moved to a July meeting in order to see
what happens with legal action taken in Kansas City, Missouri recently.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Phillips thanked staff for responding to a service request.
Council
Member Foster asked if there is anything that can be done to add buses, noting
he had received several calls from citizens complaining about crowded
buses. Staff noted that a memo is being
prepared about the issue, but an estimated $100,000 would be needed to expand
service. Mayor Steinkamp suggested this
may need discussion and decisions about costs by Council.
Council
Member Jenness noted a utility box proposed for Ridgeway and Nashua would block sight lines and should be checked in
advance of approval. Staff said it would
look into that matter.
Council
Member Parry asked staff to respond to a service request.
Council
Member King thanked staff for responding to a service request. Staff noted it is looking into the Chasteen
stormwater issue and is preparing a response.
Mr. King asked when the duties of the Board of Utilities would be
reviewed. Mr. Wenson stated that staff
would schedule a study session in July or August to look at the functions of
all boards, commissions and committees.
Mayor
Steinkamp noted the process of reviewing rapid transit continues with a meeting
at the Mid-America Regional Council on June 20.
A council member in Kansas City
is now in agreement with a starter line concept. Many issues remain to be resolved and it is
not likely it will be ready for a ballot soon.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk