City of Clarkson Valley
Missouri

Minutes of November 2004 Meeting
Board of Aldermen

RECORD OF PROCEEDING


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Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley at City Hall (Fru-Con Center), November 2, 2004.
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The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. A roll call was taken with the following results:

PRESENT

Ward

ABSENT

 Mayor Scott Douglass

 

 

Alderperson Susan Shea

Ward 1

Alderperson Jim Sharp  

Alderperson Honora Schiller

Ward 2

 

Alderperson Wendell Sittser Ward 2    

Alderperson Walter Mixson

Ward 3

 

Alderperson Melinda Twichell  Ward 3 

Also in Attendance:

City Attorney: Patrick Butler
City Clerk: Michele McMahon 

A motion was made by Alderperson Sittser to accept the Minutes.  Alderperson Schiller seconded the motion.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

 
REMARKS, PETITIONS AND COMPLAINTS:

Mrs. Laurie Engleman, a resident of Kehrs Mill Trails Subdivision, shamed the Alderpersons who voted affirmatively for the Deer Control Policy and Hunting Regulations Ordinance.  She also stated that she was not happy with the answers she received from Mayor Douglass regarding her e-mails.  She brought up an issue, which she stated was second-hand information, whereby a deer was in the back of a pickup truck and at this time, no hunting is authorized to take place.  She would like to see this investigated. 

Mr. Doug Adams, President of Trustees of Kehrs Mill Trails Subdivision, spoke about a phone call he received from Mrs. Engleman, saying how she was going to have him impeached as President of Trustees.  She said things about the City that he is not going to repeat.  He concluded by saying he feels the City's ordinance is too stringent.  He would like to see the rules more relaxed like that of Wildwood's.  

Mrs. Janet Young described herself as a previous Trustee to the Kehrs Mill Trails Subdivision.  She said she would like to see a study done to find an accurate count on those residents in favor of the ordinance versus those opposed.  She informed those present in strong words - there would be a referendum to recall the ordinance.  Mayor Douglass suggested that if one feels strongly about this issue, you should have a voice-to-voice discussion with your ward representative.  He said that this is not the format you should use to call people names, complain continually and tell us how we went wrong. 

REPORTS

Ballwin Police Report: Captain Steve Schicker disseminated the Police Summary for October 2004.  He reported there were seven motor vehicle accidents, all with no injuries.  One left the scene at Kehrsdale and Kehrsboro.  He also reported that an elderly resident employed a contractor to power wash her house and they reportedly stole jewelry and cash.  This is under investigation.  There was one DWI arrest.  He reported on the incident Mrs. Engleman spoke of earlier and said that on Sunday morning, October 31, an officer observed the vehicle in Kehrs Mill Trails Subdivision - twice.  He ran the license plates and issued two tickets - one for expired tags, the other lack of proof of insurance.  In the bed of the truck he found a bow and deer stand.  There was no deer.  Mayor Douglass and the Alderpersons thanked Captain Schicker for the pro-active approach Ballwin Police took.  

Mayor's Report:

Court Report:  The total amount collected for traffic fines and court costs for the month of October 2004 was $15,216.50.

Building Permit Updates:  Mayor Douglass reported that there was a building permit issued to a project that showed a 15' side yard on the site plan when actually the side yard is 25'.  The resident is going to go before the Board of Adjustment with a request for a variance.  He gave an update to the Byrne project in Westhampton Subdivision by saying a Stop Work Order remains in effect.  He explained the finished basement and how the County did not make inspections nor did it grant a permit.   

Alderpersons’ Reports: 

West St. Louis County Deer Task Force:  Alderperson Shea said she attended the Deer Task Force meeting again this month.  As an aside, she said she wanted people to know how much time Mayor Douglass and the Board Members expend in attending meetings.  She then reported that the task force has finally come up with a preliminary report and she believes it will support the actions Clarkson Valley took.  She would like to see that the Clarkson Valley website add a link to the Department of Conservation.  All agreed. 

Near Misses:  Alderperson Shea reported a near collision with four deer running in front of her vehicle on Kehrs Mill Road.  She also reported that her husband was eastbound on Kehrs Mill Road approaching Clarkson Road when he experienced a near miss with a very slow moving trash truck egressing the Marquette parking lot.  Between certain hours, one cannot make left turns onto Kehrs Mill Road.  She thanked Captain Schicker for assigning someone to that area the next day. 

Diminished Decibel Levels:  Alderperson Sittser reported that while driving on Route 10 in Phoenix, he experienced a significant decrease in road noise due to the rubberized asphalt.  He said he was going to follow up with a phone call to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

Two Messy Situations:  Alderperson Twichell asked about the solicitation issue at Clarkson and Clayton Roads and if the County would ever formally relinquish control to the City of Ellisville?  Mayor Douglass reported that he understood it should happen within a month.  Her other question regarded the new subdivision along Kehrs Mill Road, called Kehrs Mill Glenn, and asked if the mud problem from siltation had abated?  Mrs. Engleman said that is had been a mess in the past and the shoulder of Kehrs Mill Road near the entrance to her subdivision still appears to be silted.  Mayor Douglass said he would have the Building Commissioner investigate. 

St. John's Mercy Medical Office Building:  Alderperson Schiller asked Mayor Douglass if they were going to begin building the doctor's building soon?  Mayor Douglass reported that he spoke with Doug Pope, who told him he was ready to begin; but that was a while ago.

City Attorney’s Report 

Patrick Butler said he met with the Judge regarding the sound wall issue and the whole timeframe with MoDOT was pushed back.  He spoke of tentative plans for holding a public hearing toward the end of the year, maybe as late as January or February.  Alderperson Sittser asked if MoDOT is still considering using rubberized asphalt to which Mr. Butler responded that MoDOT does have a "rubberized asphalt specialist" and they are looking at the technology of rubberized asphalt in this climate.  Mayor Douglass referred to the report in their packets and suggested that after the Alderpersons have an opportunity to read the material, we hold a meeting to decide what we will do going forward.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was no Unfinished Business

NEW BUSINESS

BILL NO. 0295 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI, IN TITLE V: BUILDING CODE, ARTICLE V. MISCELLANEOUS BUILDING REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 505: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ADDING A NEW SUB-PARAGRAPH "G" TO SECTION 505.040 CONCERNING THE EXEMPTION OF "HUNTING SEASON NO TRESPASSING SIGNS"

A motion was made by Alderperson Twichell to discuss and pass Bill No. 0295.  Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion.  Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0295 for the first time.  Alderperson Twichell said her belief is this is a fair way to allow people to post signs.  She further stated that it is reasonable to charge $50.  Mayor Douglass explained to those present that $50 covers the expense of the Building Commissioner's review.   

Alderperson Schiller stated she has a problem with the placement of these proposed signs.  She said it would be a deterrent if she were contemplating buying a house and the surrounding properties were posted with the types of signage being discussed tonight.  She feels that Clarkson Valley has always supported the "no trespassing" policy and the police enforce it.  Alderperson Shea spoke of the universal sign all hunters know, which is purple paint on interior lot trees.  Alderperson Schiller explained that the Ordinance states that no one can enter a property without having first been granted permission.  There was no further discussion. 

Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0295 for the second time.  A roll call vote was taken, with the following results.  Ayes: Sittser and Twichell.  Nays:  Mixson, Schiller and Shea.  Whereupon Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0295 as being defeated. 

Alderperson Twichell asked if the deer hunting season ends and the number harvested were miniscule, would the City consider recalling the Ordinance?  Alderperson Shea replied that it takes at least four years to show a significant decline in deer population when one allows hunting.  Alderperson Sittser asked how difficult it would be to make periodic reports of the number culled?  Alderperson Twichell asked the City Clerk for a monthly report, toward the time of the Board Meeting.  She also asked for a monthly report on open building permits. 

Audit:  Alderperson Twichell made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Schiller to have invoices in the amount of $80,492.16 approved for payment.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. 

Alderperson Twichell made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderperson Schiller.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.  The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

  
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Scott Douglass, Mayor

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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk



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