CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 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 August 25, 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 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; John Parry and Lyndell Brenton, 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; Steve Anderson, Development Director; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Dennis Dovel, Acting
Parks & Recreation Director; Diana Adams, Special Projects Manager; Katherine
Sharp, Planner; Karan Johnson, Planning & Economic Development Manager;
Celia McBride, Finance Analyst; Sara Cooke, Public Relations Coordinator; Shawnna
Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator; Janet Pittman, Interim Deputy
City Clerk; Gene Hansen, The Kansas City Star; Angie Borgedalen, Liberty
Tribune and 11 members of the public.
IV. APPROVE
MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT AGENDA)
V. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION
Mayor
Steinkamp welcomed Boy Scout Andrew Nason with Troop 376 who is working on his
Communications Badge.
Fay
Bedinger, 232 W. Franklin, stated that everyone should bow their heads, and be
grateful for what Cecil O’Dell did for the City of Liberty.
VI. MEETING SCHEDULE
B.
FINAL DEVELOPMENT
PLAN FOR NEW 45,966 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING IN ROGERS PLAZA (SLEEP INN) –
RESOLUTION
Council Member King moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Martin seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2376.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A.
SPECIAL USE
PERMIT TO ALLOW THE PLACEMENT OF A UTILITY BOX AT 1320 SOUTHVIEW DRIVE AND 1525 BIRMINGHAM ROAD – RESOLUTION
Staff reviewed the application for placement of
utility boxes at two Liberty locations by the applicant. Having met the requirements for special use
permits, staff recommended approval with the stipulation that the proposed
utility box for 1320 Southview Drive must be placed three feet west of
AT&T’s proposed location and in alignment with the existing facility. The
Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval 5-0. In response to Council questions, staff stated
that the landscaping for these boxes will utilize native grasses as they
provide screening while being low-maintenance and durable.
Mayor Steinkamp opened the public hearing and asked if
anyone wished to speak to the application.
Mike Chambers, representing AT&T, 500 E. 8th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri, stated that planting of native grasses is preferable
however, at other locations different plantings have been utilized at the
owner’s request.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Chambers stated
that the placement of the box at 1320 Southview Drive was chosen due to the proximity of the existing box
within the right-of-way, and should development occur in this area, AT&T
would not move the box. Mr. Chambers
noted that upkeep and complaints are generally addressed with the property
owners, and that AT&T would not come back to replant unless directed to do
so by Council.
Council Member Duncan asked how many more utility
boxes are expected to be placed within the City. Mr. Chambers stated there isn’t a specific
number and that it also depends on capital available. He noted that Liberty is the only city in the area that requires a Special
Use Permit and that the process does have a role in the number of boxes that
are able to be placed.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Chambers stated
AT&T is working with staff regarding a public access channel. He noted that the City would be responsible
for administrative costs associated with such a channel.
Mayor Steinkamp asked if anyone else wished to speak
to the application. Seeing no one else
wishing to speak, Mayor Steinkamp closed the public hearing.
Council Member Martin moved to approve the
resolution. Council Member Jenness
seconded the motion. The motion carried
unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2377.
B.
ESTABLISH 2008
PROPERTY TAX LEVY – ORDINANCE
Staff presented information on the proposed 2008
property tax levy, which is one source that provides revenue in the 2009 budget
year for the City’s General Fund and Park Fund.
The property tax revenue will fund basic services such as public safety,
public works, general services and planning/development functions, as well as
the maintenance of all playgrounds, trails, and open park spaces in the City of
Liberty. The 2008 tax
levy ordinance must be filed with the county by September 1, 2008. Due to this
requirement, staff requests approval of this ordinance on first reading.
In response to Council questions, staff stated that
the preliminary information provided in June did not include numbers regarding State
railroads and utilities. Staff advised
they would follow up with Council regarding increases associated with State
properties.
Mayor Steinkamp opened the public hearing and asked if
anyone wished to speak to the application. Seeing no one, Mayor Steinkamp closed the
public hearing.
Document No. 6901 was read. Council Member Martin moved to waive the
rules and consider the ordinance on first reading. Council Member Brenton seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously
Council Member Duncan 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. 9354.
IX. ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS
A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM AUGUST 1, 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 15, 2008
1.
EXCLUDING
KCP&L AND AQUILA PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6902 was read. Council Member King moved to approve the
vendor payments. Council Member Martin
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. 9355.
2.
KCP&L AND AQUILA
PAYMENTS – ORDINANCE
Document No. 6903 was read. Council Member King moved to approve the
vendor payments. Council Member Martin
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. 9355.
B. AMENDMENT
TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS – SPEED LIMIT – KANSAS STREET, FROM RIDGE AVENUE THROUGH
GALLATIN STREET– ORDINANCE
In response to Council questions, staff stated that a speed
limit sign for trucks had been in place during the 90 day temporary period,
however, staff does not have any data to verify that the signage has been
effective.
Document No. 6904 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 Jenness
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. It was approved by the Chair
and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9356.
C.
AMENDMENT TO CITY
CODE, ARTICLE IV. SEWERS – PRIVATE STORM WATER MITIGATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION
– ORDINANCE
In response to Council’s questions, staff noted that
the initial appropriation of $200,000 to the program would be used to fund the
costs of sanitary lateral inspection equipment; inspections; administration of
the program; and reimbursement to property owners for improvements, to prevent
back-ups and reduce entry of storm water into the sanitary system. Staff stated there are approximately 50
properties within the City that have been identified from sanitary sewer data as
having sanitary back-up histories. The
program would provide up to $3,000 per property in reimbursement costs for
improvements deemed eligible, coordinated and approved by the Public Works Department. Contractors completing the work would be
required to have a City occupation license and all required permits. Staff noted that information regarding the
pre-approval process will be distributed to eligible property owners.
In response to Council’s questions, staff stated there
are a variety of storm water needs in the City and future appropriation of
funds to this program would be at Council’s discretion.
Document No. 6905 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 Brenton 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. 9357.
X.
OTHER BUSINESS
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
City Administrator Curt Wenson noted there would be no
meeting on September 2 and no packet would be delivered this week.
XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Phillips asked when the connection of
Hwy. 291 into the Liberty Triangle would be completed. Staff stated they are working with the
property owners; the shopping center owners; the State in regards to
right-of-way work; and anticipate that it should be open in the next month or
so.
Council Member Phillips stated that the Hoops for Hope
tournament held this past weekend shows what a difference one person who wants
to give back to the community can make.
Council Member Martin asked when the outdoor pool at
the Community Center will close. Staff
stated the outdoor pool will close on Monday, and the indoor pool is currently
closed for repairs and maintenance.
Staff advised that there will be one week where all pools will be closed
however, with school back in session, this is not generally a busy season.
Council Member Brenton asked about the recent
vandalism done to the bridge on South
Wales. Staff stated that the bridge is constantly
being vandalized and that staff has contacted Joe Duffey, developer of the
area, to discuss options for removing the decorative concrete. At Council’s request, staff will address the
increase in vandalism with the Police Department.
Council Member Foster thanked staff for their efforts
to address water problems at the property located on Butternut.
Council Member Parry asked if the home owner’s
association can be contacted to get their assistance with residential policing
to try to address the vandalism issue.
Council Member Parry stated that Cecil O’Dell did a lot for the City.
Council Member King thanked staff for the work on
repairing the masonry in front of City Hall.
Mayor Steinkamp noted that Will Smith did an excellent
job with the Hoops for Hope tournament; the event seemed to go well; and had
been well received by the neighborhood.
Mayor Steinkamp stated that the residents were happy with the Police and
Fire Departments for their assistance and participation in the tournament.
Mayor Steinkamp noted that the Clay County
Coordinating Committee meeting is scheduled for this week and asked Council
Members to contact staff if they would like to attend.
Mayor Steinkamp stated that Cecil O’Dell was a value
to the community and that he will be missed.
He was also sorry to note that Harry Dugdale passed away earlier this
month. He stated that Harry enjoyed going
antiquing and scouting for items to sell at the auction house. Mr. Steinkamp said Harry was a delight to
talk to and he is another person who will be missed in this community.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
__________________________________
Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
Deputy City Clerk