City of Clarkson Valley Missouri

Minutes of January 2009 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), January 6, 2009.
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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 Schultz 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 

There were no remarks, petitions or complaints.   

REPORTS 

St. Louis County Police Report:  Officer Thom Taylor of the St. Louis County Police handed out the December Police Report.  Alderperson Schultz mentioned there appear to be more accidents listed on the police reports at the two intersections of Forest Club Drive and Clarkson Road.  Officer Taylor explained the accidents were more from inattention and vehicles bumping into the next one when traffic backs-up, opposed to residents attempting to pull out onto Clarkson Road. 

Lawn Jobs:  Officer Taylor stated he sent e-mails to the city’s subdivision trustees asking them to report lawn jobs as soon as they are discovered. 

DWI Checkpoint:  Alderperson Meyer requested that Captain Coreless add Clarkson Valley to the short-list of cities requesting the Highway Safety Unit to conduct a DWI checkpoint. 

Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety:  Officer Taylor reminded the Board Members that last month’s meeting contained a topic of conversation about the Missouri Safety Council asking the City to consider supporting a change to the current secondary safety belt law and to advocate PSB, Primary Safety Belt.  At that time, he said, the discussion was tabled because it was not known who could be pulled over if found not to have on their seat belt.  He researched the Bill and said the way it is written, it would affect the driver and any front seat passenger.  Mayor Douglass stated the Board could bring this up at a later time, if they so desired. 

Mayor’s Report 

Court Report:  The total amount collected for traffic fines and court costs for the month of December 2008 was $12,978.00.   

Electric Signal and Other Issues at Kehrs Mill Road/Clarkson Road Intersection:  Mayor Douglass spoke of a meeting held last week in our attempt to alleviate the traffic backups at the intersection across from the high school.  At this time, he said, it appears the morning traffic allows ten or more cars to go through the green light and MoDOT is working on the afternoon/early evening backup problem.  It looks like we’ve made progress, but it’s going to be April or May before they finish.  We will keep monitoring the situation.   

Planning & Zoning Hearing:  Mayor Douglass said John King contacted us regarding the St. John’s Medical Building project.  It will be necessary to make a change to the PC code to allow patients to spend the night at a newly proposed sleep disorder clinic.  Mayor Douglass also stated that Donald Toone requested a hearing to change the property on Kehrs Mill Road from one lot to two – although he has not formally applied.  The Mayor said he’s been advised that Mr. Toone has been telling people he approves of his plan, which he has never stated. 

Budget Discussions:  Mayor Douglass said that he and Jim Meyer, President of the Board of Aldermen, would meet this month to take a look at the first half of the year and review the budget.  This is the first time in a long time where the revenue exceeds our projected budgeted amount. 

UPS Packages:  Mayor Douglass stated the City heard from a resident whose UPS packages were left at the garage door next to the trash cans and apparently were picked up by the trash man.  You may want to warn your neighbors to have an understanding with UPS where they should or should not leave packages should you be away from home when they attempt to deliver.  

Fiscal Year Change:  Mayor Douglass explained the City’s trash and police contract come due at different times of the year and in order to work with all entities in an easier fashion, it might be time to consider changing our fiscal year of June 30th-July 1st to that of a calendar year, January through December.  He said he would research this to see if there are other ramifications. 

Kudos to St. Louis County Police:  Mayor Douglass thanked St. Louis County Police for the good job they do for our city and informed Captain Coreless he was able to pass on a good word to a smaller municipality who inquired about their performance. 

Alderpersons' Reports 

Forest Club Drive – North Entrance:  Alderperson Schultz stated the north entrance to Forest Club Drive would be closed for three-to-four hours for repairs, but there would be three men placed at the entrance to direct traffic. 

Irate Residents Calling About Kehrs Mill Road:  Alderperson Shea said she received numerous calls about the Kehrs Mill Road construction project, stating there were near misses and the belief that ten cars were not getting through the traffic light at 8:15 a.m. on school days.  She said there must have been 35 cars in the queue. 

Lawn Job in Kingspointe:  Alderperson Shea reported that her neighbor was upset about the lawn job. 

Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety:  Alderperson Schiller stated she believes the Board could vote on the seat belt issue.  Mayor Douglass said it would be added to next month’s agenda.  

City Attorney’s Report 

There was no report.   

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Employee Health Insurance:  Alderperson Schiller made a motion to renew the insurance with the current carrier for the employee’s health insurance.  Alderperson Schultz seconded the motion.   There was further discussion.  A motion was then made by Alderperson Shea, seconded by Alderperson Sittser to amend the motion to state: “as long as it keeps within the budget”.  A roll call vote was taken for the amended motion with the following result:  Ayes: Meyer, Shea and Sittser.  Nays:  Schiller and Schultz.  Mayor Douglass declared the amendment to the motion as having passed.  A roll call vote was then taken to approve the employee’s health insurance as long as it keeps within the budget with the following result:  Ayes:  Meyer, Schiller, Schultz, Shea and Sittser. 

NEW BUSINESS 

Filling Vacancy in Ward 3:  Mayor Douglass introduced Barbara Hethcote and asked if everyone had an opportunity to read her biography.  Alderperson Meyer made a motion to approve Mayor Douglass’s appointment, to be made effective February 1.  Alderperson Schultz seconded the motion.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared as having passed.  Everyone congratulated Mrs. Hethcote. 

Planning and Zoning Members:  Mayor Douglass reminded those present there are two vacancies that need to be filled on the P&Z Commission.  He said to please call him with names of possible candidates. 

Audit:  Alderperson Shea made a motion to approve the audit as presented, seconded by Alderperson Schultz to have invoices in the amount of $92,319.95 approved for payment.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.   

Alderperson Sittser made a motion to adjourn.  Alderperson Meyer seconded the motion.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. 

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Scott Douglass, Mayor

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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk

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