RECORD OF PROCEEDING 

Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley at City Hall (Fru-Con Center), April 3, 2007.

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 Meyer                       Ward 1

Alderperson Honora Schiller                  Ward 2

Alderperson Wendell Sittser                 Ward 2

Alderperson Paul Young                           Ward 3  Alderperson Scott Schultz 

Also in Attendance: 

City Attorney:    Patrick Butler

City Clerk:         Michele McMahon  

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

REMARKS, PETITIONS AND COMPLAINTS 

A resident of the Kehrs Mill Trails Subdivision, Jack Hauser, asked Mayor Douglass if he could shed light on what is happening with the property in Chesterfield known as Linda Vista?  

REPORTS 

Ballwin Police Report:  Captain Schicker presented the March Police Report.   

Mayor’s Report 

Court Report:  The total amount collected for traffic fines and court costs for the month of March 2007 was $19,297.10. 

Trustee Meeting:  Mayor Douglass said he met with representatives of seven of the city's thirteen subdivisions March 20, 2007.  He said the meeting was informational and helpful to all.   

St. Louis County Assessment Notices:  Mayor Douglass related that he spoke with many residents who are upset about their new assessments.  He said the assessor came by his house that day and stated that 17% to 18% are requesting re-evaluations.  The Mayor then gave a few tips on the appeal process.   

Ever-Increasing Expenses:  Mayor Douglass suggested that residents take a look at the Clarkson Valley Website (www.clarksonvalley.org) to review the budget.  He explained that 77% of the city's expenses cover police and trash removal.  He also said the Budget Committee will be meeting soon to discuss next year's budget; fiscal year beginning July 1. 

Building Commissioner:  Mayor Douglass said he interviewed a candidate for the position of building commissioner.  Several members of the Board also had an opportunity to meet him and it appears he'll be signing a contract soon. 

Alderpersons' Reports 

Planning and Zoning Hearing:  Alderperson Shea said she attended a Planning and Zoning Hearing this past month, which will be discussed later in the meeting.   

West St. Louis County Deer Task Force:  Alderperson Shea said she would be attending the meetings of the West St. Louis County Deer Task Force again this year.  Everyone thanked her for serving.   

Dandelions:  Alderperson Schiller commented about dandelions on Marquette property and other properties in the city.   

City Attorney’s Report 

City Attorney, Patrick Butler, gave an update on the sound wall.  He will appear at the Appellate Court to argue one last time in our effort to prevent sound walls from being erected on Clarkson Road.  The court date is on April 12 and he said all are welcome.   

Audit:  Alderperson Shea made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sittser to have invoices in the amount of $79,304.01 approved for payment.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.   

Newsletter:  Mayor Douglass expounded on the newsletter, explaining the first edition should be in the mailboxes soon.  He said we were going to have an advertising section for young teens looking for income through chores but we decided, based on the climate of the day, that it was not a good idea.  He asked the residents present to let your alderperson know if you like the newsmagazine or don't like it. 

City Clerk Give Thanks:  The City Clerk thanked those present for allowing her to attend the City Clerks Financial Officers Seminar. 

Board of Adjustment Member Needed:  Mr. Butler mentioned that since Paul Young is on the Board of Aldermen, he could no longer serve on the Board of Adjustment.  Mayor Douglass invited anyone with a desire to serve to please give us a call. 

At 7:50 p.m. Alderperson Sittser made a motion to move the Public Hearing ahead of schedule to 7:55 p.m. and to have a 5-minute recess.  Alderperson Shea seconded the motion.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. 

PUBLIC HEARING 

City Clerk, Michele McMahon read the public notice for the first agenda item heard at the Planning and Zoning Hearing:  Notice is hereby given, that the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, Missouri, will at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at the Fru-Con Center, 15933 Clayton Road, hold a public hearing to discuss the proposal initiated by Midwest Music to change the zoning on property known as 15977 Clayton Road from "A" Semi-Rural District Regulations to "PC" Planned Commercial District and to change the "PC" Planned Commercial District Code to include "Education Institutions with Ancillary Sales. Signed Scott Douglass, Mayor, City of Clarkson Valley. 

The Associate Pastor of Ellisville United Methodist Church spoke, saying he was pleased with the efforts of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  He said there were five-to-six congregation members present, three of which are residents of Clarkson Valley. 

The City Clerk read the public notice for the second agenda item:  Notice is hereby given, that the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, Missouri, will at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at the Fru-Con Center, 15933 Clayton Road, hold a public hearing to discuss an application received for a Type B, Group Home Special Use Permit in the Manors of Clarkson Valley Subdivision at property known as 16435 Wilson Creek Ct.  Signed, Scott Douglass, Mayor, City of Clarkson Valley. 

As there were many speakers, Mayor Douglass stated the requirements and asked that each person speak no longer than three minutes.   

Mr. Stan Green, President of the Manors of Clarkson Valley Homeowners Association presented the Board of Aldermen with a petition signed (by virtue of a few late submittals) with a total of 30 of the 39 households (one of which is inhabited by the group) to disagree with the City of Clarkson Valley's Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation for approval of the Group Home, Type B permit for 16435 Wilson Creek Ct.  There were eight additional speakers.  Concerns ranged from the upkeep and maintenance, which brings about lower property values to the precedent that is being set. 

The City Clerk read the public notice for the last agenda item:  Notice is hereby given that the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, Missouri, will at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at the Fru-Con Center, 15933 Clayton Road, hold a public hearing to review and possibly change the attached garage ordinance regarding the requirement for a 16' minimum depth connecting roof element.  Signed, Scott Douglass, Mayor, City of Clarkson Valley. 

Mayor Douglass closed the Public Hearing portion of the meeting at 8:20 p.m. 

NEW BUSINESS 

BILL NO. 0349 - AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE RE-ZONING OF A CERTAIN 3.89 ACRE PARCEL SITUATED WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 15977 CLAYTON ROAD (ST. LOUIS COUNTY LOCATOR NO. 22T430451). 

Alderperson Shea made a motion to consider and pass Bill No. 0349.  Alderperson Meyer seconded the motion.  Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0349 the first time.  One Alderperson said the new definition as proposed in the "PC" portion of the code, sounds like it's retail.  Another statement from a member of the group said that within the definition, the word ancillary is incorrect.  Their belief is the company is strictly about retail sales, not secondary.  Alderperson Meyer stated there is a low market for this type of inventory and that it is almost a demonstration site.  Signage was discussed.  Mayor Douglass asked the City Attorney if this opens the City up to retail?  Patrick Butler responded that if other companies meet the criteria placed within the few added paragraphs to the "PC" code, it could.  Further stating that the hours of operation referred to in their proposal would be the gatekeeper of this ordinance.  Alderperson Shea stated that she has lived in the City a long time and has heard from many people that they like the fact there is no retail.  Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0349 for the second time.  A roll call vote was taken with the following result:  Yeas:  Meyer and Young.  Nays: Schiller, Shea and Sittser.  Whereby Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0349 as having failed.   

Alderperson Schiller made a motion to remove Bill Numbers 0350 and 0351 from the agenda.  Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion to amend the agenda was declared passed.   

BILL NO. 0352 - AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A TYPE B GROUP HOME AT THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS 16435 WILSON CREEK COURT, IN THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI.  

Alderperson Sittser made a motion to consider and pass Bill No. 0352.  Alderperson Young seconded the motion.  Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0352 the first time.  Alderperson Meyer made a motion to allow the attorney, realtor and pastor who represent the occupants of the group home to speak, and the motion was seconded.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous, affirmative result.  They now had the opportunity to speak.  Alderperson Shea stated that discussion at the Planning and Zoning Hearing from the three ladies living in the group home said there were six ladies living full time in the house and two living part-time and that other missionaries stayed overnight as needed.  This is not conducive to single family residences.  Alderperson Meyer asked procedurally, isn't this supposed to be approved before they move in?  Further stating, "he sees bad actions by these parties".  The City Attorney said, yes, procedurally they should have a permit first and that "mistakes were made."  Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0352 the second time.  A roll call vote was taken with the following result:  Yeas:  There were none.  Nays: Meyer, Schiller, Shea, Sittser and Young.  Whereby Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0352 as having failed.   

BILL NO. 0353 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING REGULATIONS IN SECTION 405.040 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI, BY DELETING THE REQUIREMENT FOR DEPTH OF THE CONNECTING ELEMENT TO THE DEFINITION OF AN ATTACHED GARAGE. 

Alderperson Schiller made a motion to consider and pass Bill No. 0353.  Alderperson Young seconded the motion.  Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0353 the first time.  Alderperson Schiller said she asked for this because the 16' depth of the connecting element was an arbitrary figure.  She said it is too specific for the proposals that might come along.  She gave the history of Andy Bender's request before the Board of Adjustment because his connecting roof element was narrower than 16'.  However, he lives on three acres and no one sees his garage.  Alderperson Shea said she would also like to see that removed.  Alderperson Meyer called for the question.  Mayor Scott Douglass read Bill No. 0353 the second time.  A roll call vote was taken with the following result:  Yeas:  Meyer, Schiller, Shea, Sittser and Young.  Nays:  There were none.  Whereby Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0353 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 07-04. 

Alderperson Meyer made a motion for the Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen meeting to adjourn.  Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Scott Douglass, Mayor