Minutes of December 2006 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), December 5, 2006.
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The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. A roll call was taken with the following results:

Also in Attendance:

City Attorney: Patrick Butler
City Clerk: Michele McMahon 

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

REMARKS, PETITIONS, COMPLAINTS

There were no remarks, petitions or complaints. 

REPORTS

Ballwin Police Report: In Captain Schicker's absence, Lt. Godefroid handed out the November Police Report.

Mayor’s Report 

Court Report: The total amount collected for traffic fines and court costs for the month of November 2006 was $16,720.91. 

Straightening Boundary Lines:  Mayor Douglass explained that discussions continue regarding the boundary lines of properties touching in Ballwin, Clarkson Valley and St. Louis County along Clarkson Road between (north of) Trowbridge and extending to Marquette High School. 

Construction Site at 17 Chippenham Lane:  Mayor Douglass reported he had an opportunity to look at the property at 17 Chippenham and the previous issues should have found resolution.

Open Building Permits:  Mayor Douglass said he reviewed the open building permits with the City's Building Commissioner.  He said the status of those permits that remain open appears to be good.

Personnel Committee:  He reported the Personnel Committee met today.  The items that were discussed will be mentioned later in tonight's meeting.

Alderpersons’ Reports: 

Deer Harvest - Update:  Alderperson Shea mentioned that she received several calls asking how this year's hunt was compared to last?  The City Clerk apologized for not having an updated spreadsheet but there were approximately thirty deer harvested thus far.  Of those thirty, only two were bucks. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Bill No. 0340 - 2003 International Building Code and 2003 International Residential Code:  Alderperson Mixson made a motion to consider and pass Bill No. 0340.  Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion.  Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0340 the first time.  Mayor Douglass said the Bill changed from that of last month regarding certain wording in the portion dealing with demolition.  He said the terminology used originally in the Site Restoration Plan stated, "sod of bare dirt".  This has since been changed to "sodding of disturbed areas". 

Alderperson Shea had questions regarding the necessity of issuing permits when rebuilding structures such as decks and retaining walls; concluding that all building permits cause an additional assessment, which places an additional financial burden on homeowners. 

Alderperson Schiller had a question regarding Day care facility which shows the amending phrase, "to be deleted" from the 2003 International Building Code.  Because it was unclear if it should or should not be deleted, Alderperson Sittser withdrew his second to the motion to discuss and pass Bill No. 0340.  Alderperson Mixson withdrew his motion.   

BILL NO. 0345 - AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE 96-18 TO PROVIDE FOR THE COLLECTION OF ADDITIONAL COURT COSTS TO BE USED IN THE TRAINING OF PEACE OFFICERS AND PASSING A NEW ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE COLLECTION OF ADDITIONAL COURT COSTS TO BE USED IN THE TRAINING OF PEACE OFFICERS.  

NEW BUSINESS

Employee Health Insurance:  Mayor Douglass gave a brief explanation of the current coverage the two full-time employees are receiving from Mercy.  He said Mercy is proposing to raise this year's price with the same coverage, by 6%.  Blue Cross quoted a price that is actually 6% lower than the 2006 price currently being paid.  He said the Personnel Committee is asking the Board to approve the Blue Cross proposal, provided the quote is accurate.  If, when all paperwork is submitted and Blue Cross comes back with a revised, higher cost, the City can then look at Mercy for its coverage.  Alderperson Sittser made a motion to approve the BCBS10 plan for its employees unless a higher price is forthcoming.  Alderperson Shea seconded the motion.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.  City Clerk, Michele McMahon, thanked the Members of the Board for their continued support to provide health insurance for its employees.

Contract for Newsletter:  Mayor Douglass asked Reese Hale, the St. Louis Area Director of Sales for Neighborhood Network Publishing (N2), to introduce himself and to tell about his publication.  He said the newsmagazine is delivered free to residents, and is possible because of the advertising contained within.  There is no exclusivity to advertisers with the exception of offensive ads.  He said the format is 1-on-1; e.g. for every page of the newsletter, the magazine contains a page of advertising.  He said the magazine would print articles from the Mayor, Board Members, Trustees or articles from residents.  N2 has articles they routinely include containing senior spotlights; animals; fashion; food; kids-to-kids, just to name a few.  They will not print anything considered to be in poor taste and certainly, no gossip.  He said they appoint someone to determine if an article is appropriate, then an editor reviews it.  From there it goes to their national editor and is published and mailed from North Carolina.  He stated they currently publish quarterly but are contemplating publishing monthly.  He also said there is a residential service guide whereby one can logon to a website and list items for sale.  This is a free service. 

Frank Hodgdon mentioned Paragraph 6 in the contract stating North Carolina is the state of governing law.  City Attorney, Patrick Butler, asked if the contract could be amended to indicate Missouri instead of North Carolina?  To which Mr. Hale said he would attempt to see that change made.

Alderperson Schultz made a motion to authorize the Mayor to negotiate a contract with Neighborhood Network New Publishing for a six-month trial of the newsletter.  Alderperson Mixson seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken with the following results:  Yeas:  Meyer, Mixson, Schultz and Shea.  Nays:  Schiller and Sittser.  Whereby Mayor Douglass declared the motion as having passed for a six-month trial period. 

Audit:  Alderperson Schiller made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Sittser to have invoices in the amount of $88,686.84 approved for payment.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. 

Alderperson Schultz made a motion for the Board of Aldermen of Clarkson Valley to adjourn, seconded by Alderperson Shea.  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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