City of Clarkson Valley Missouri

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Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley at City Hall (Fru-Con Center), May 3, 2005.
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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
Jim Meyer	Ward 1
Alderperson Honora Schiller	Ward 2
Alderperson Wendell Sittser	Ward 2
Alderperson Melinda Twichell	Ward 3
Alderperson Walter Mixson	Ward 3

Mayor Douglass stated that he received a request to change the Agenda to discuss the Kehrs Mill Road emergency entrance to Marquette High School. He would also like to see that an agenda item is added for discussion of the northeast corner of Clarkson Road and Clayton Road within the City of Ellisville. Alderperson Twichell made the motion to add those two agenda items. Alderperson Shea seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

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

Former Citicorp Site - Possible New Owner, Possible New Proposal: Mayor Douglass introduced and welcomed Ada Hood, City Planner for the City of Ellisville. Mrs. Hood handed out a preliminary site development plan and architectural drawing from Centrum Development depicting their latest proposal. She stated that Ellisville has not received a formal petition at this time but she understands Centrum is considering building a medium density residential district along the north and east property lines with retail along the front. Several upscale restaurants were mentioned as well as two banks. Tri-Star LLC currently owns the site but Centrum is attempting to purchase it, she said. She pointed out that the drawings handed out at this meeting were conceptual proposal drawings and she stated that this potential buyer is aware of the requirements placed upon the previous developer, i.e. berm and 150' buffer. A resident and Trustee of the Subdivision abutting the Citicorp site, Mr. Clay Otto, commented that the conceptual plan he is looking at tonight is considerably different from the one given him several weeks earlier. Upon review, Mrs. Hood realized that she brought drawings to this meeting that were obsolete, for which she apologized. Several questions were posed. Alderperson Schiller asked if the new developer is going to make any traffic improvements, to which Mrs. Hood responded they were not. Mrs. Mary Ann Gatto asked how tall the proposed condominiums would be? Ada Hood stated this is being proposed as a C5 District, which basically gives a blank slate to the Ellisville City Council. She reported that she has heard they are considering building it three to four stories tall. Mayor Douglass thanked Mrs. Hood for attending the meeting.

Mrs. Laurie Engleman, a resident of the Kehrs Mill Trails Subdivision, spoke regarding the Kehrs Mill Glen Subdivision being constructed by Rick Raleigh. She complained about the siltation problem. "The muck has to be six feet to eight feet wide", she said. She further stated that even though he seeded the property, he should place sod. Mayor Douglass said the City would send the Building Commissioner to review the situation. Alderperson Twichell agreed that the situation has continued for longer than two years and further commenting that, environmentally speaking, Rick Raleigh should be reported.

Mr. Tom Dickens, a resident of Westhampton Subdivision, asked if there would be a report tonight regarding the request for a group home in that subdivision. Mayor Douglass responded there would.

Ballwin Police Report: Captain Schicker handed out the Police Summary for April 2005. He gave a summary of all the coverage Clarkson Valley receives from Ballwin Police, including the two resource officers. Another issue he said regards emergency operations, which they handle for us. He said that on July 17, the Lafayette Municipalities would hold a spin-off exercise of a Lafayette Area evacuation plan. There is an important need for a multi-city evacuation policy and he is happy they have been working on this together.

Court Report: The total amount collected for traffic fines and court costs for the month of April 2005 was $16,094.50.

Building Commissioner: Mayor Douglass announced that the City is still looking to replace its Building Commissioner. He explained that we are currently utilizing a Ballwin plan reviewer/inspector and if anyone knows a qualified person to do the job, please call City Hall. He also said we would be placing ads in the Post Dispatch and the Suburban Journal.

Soundwall Update: Mayor Douglass briefed those present that City Officials met with MoDOT and Federal representatives about the soundwalls. He reported that no conclusions were reached. Trial is set for January 2006.

Meeting with Ballwin Police: Mayor Douglass reported he met with Chief Biederman and Captain Schicker regarding the number of cars assigned to Clarkson Valley and coverage in general.

Meeting with St. Louis County Highway Department - Kehrs Mill Road Signage: Mayor Douglass explained that on a routine drive on Kehrs Mill Road, County Highway Department officials noticed signage that was neither placed nor permitted by their entity. They requested a meeting attended by their traffic specialists, Dr. Paige Muench, Principal of Marquette High School; Captain Schicker and Mayor Douglass. They conducted a study of Kehrs Mill Road and found that the signage currently posted that states Left Turn Prohibited - Certain Hours should be changed to read Left Turn Prohibited (at all times). St. Louis County Highway Department will request that County Council Members pass an ordinance and that we should pass a similar ordinance. It does not look like it will happen during this current school year, Mayor Douglass said.

West St. Louis County Deer Task Force: Alderperson Shea reported that she attended another West St. Louis County Deer Task Force meeting. She said the group is in the process of finalizing their report. She also said Missouri Department of Conservation representative, Erin Shank, is interested in making a report to the Lafayette Area Mayors Organization.

Comments Regarding Recent Board of Adjustment Hearing: Alderperson Twichell commented that she was not able to attend the recent Board of Adjustment Hearing, but would like to piggyback on statements she heard from the President of Forest Hills Club Estates Homeowners Association, Scott Schultz. She explained the request before the Board of Adjustment that evening was for a large addition to the side of a home. She said her understanding was there was a Board Member that almost never votes against a request. She said there appeared to be a problem that no plans for a retaining wall were received. There was no plan for handling the water run-off issue. The letter of opposition from the next-door neighbor was not read into the minutes. She said that it occurred to her that this "was just a rubber stamp" and she was "very disappointed with the Members of the Board of Adjustment".

Proposal For Berm Maintenance: Alderperson Walt Mixson made a motion to approve the proposal from The Greenwood Group to maintain the berm for 2005-2006 season. Alderperson Melinda Twichell seconded the motion. Alderperson Schiller asked Alderperson Mixson what he is proposing The Greenwood Group do this year? Alderperson Mixson responded that generally, they service the landscaping of the berm on a monthly basis, between April and November. Alderperson Schiller asked if they were going to maintain it one time per month or twice? Alderperson Mixson stated one time per month. Alderperson Schiller stated that she felt that was a "little high". She also stated, "They used to go more often than that. They used to pick up trash on the berm several times per month." Alderperson Mixson said he would talk to representatives of the Greenwood Group to get the number of visits narrowed down and he asked the Board Members to postpone further discussion until next month. Alderperson Twichell withdrew her second of the motion and Alderperson Mixson withdrew his motion.

Proposal For Spraying Two Applications of Insecticide - Blue Spruce, Arborvitae and Berm: Alderperson Mixson made a motion to contract for services of Chesterfield Landscaping for twice annual spraying of the blue spruce, arborvitae and evergreens on the berm, all of which are on the north side of the south entrance to Forest Hills Club Estates. Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion. Mention was made of the fact that the price has not changed from that of the original contract date of April 1997. A past Alderperson, Mary Ann Gatto, was in the audience and was asked a few questions by the Board Members. Mrs. Gatto, who now serves on the Board of Adjustment, played an integral role in the maintenance of the berm beginning with her involvement with Boy Scout Troop 677. A roll call vote was taken to have the evergreens sprayed twice annually on Clarkson Road with the following result: Ayes: Mixson, Schiller, Shea, Sittser and Twichell. Nays: Meyer. Whereby the motion was declared passed.

Definition/Prohibiting Motorized Scooters: Mayor Douglass explained our continued discussion of state law regarding motorized scooters and the state definition of motorized bicycles, further explaining that the reason we are moving slow on this is because we want to get it right. Alderperson Schiller asked the City Attorney, Patrick Butler if a scooter is classified as a motorized bicycle, to which Mr. Butlers said it is. "Therefore you would need a driver's license to operate a scooter", asked Alderperson Schiller? Patrick Butler responded, "Yes - on public streets." Regarding the definition of bicycle/motorized bicycle, Alderperson Schiller pointed out to the group that our code does not include mention of required insurance, as does the State Statute. She further stated that when checking her personal insurance carrier, she found that an individual would need liability insurance specifically for the motorized scooter. Mayor Douglass instructed the City Attorney to check into public roads versus private roads.

Marquette High School Emergency Entrance: Alderperson Shea handed out the CBB Traffic Study, which was first presented to the Members of the Board at the April 6, 2004 Board Meeting. She explained that construction began on the emergency entrance and indicated the driveway would be located in the area of the existing Winding Road/Change in Horizontal Alignment chevron warning signs. She expressed her concern regarding several issues: that the County Highway Department has removed the signs; she mentioned the construction company has removed trees; she thought the entrance was going to be farther to the east; because of the grade and the winding that occurs at the site of this entrance, an accident could happen if an emergency vehicle were using it. Alderperson Schiller said that it is a gated emergency entrance/exit and will continue to be gated until the time Kehrs Mill Road is straightened. She further stated the only reason the emergency entrance is there is if there is an accident on the Clarkson Road side.

Alderperson Shea said the reason she handed out the traffic study is for the newer Alderpersons to review the material, which she said is biased. She also stated they used outdated traffic-count information that was on file, pointing out the study states "no additional traffic from the west". We have to consider 450 homes off Kehrs Mill Road that will be affected by this. She said that after the road is widened, possible signage should warn people of the emergency entrance ahead. She also said the chevron warning signs should remain or be replaced. She then stated that Marquette High School requested the emergency entrance based on the aspect of "safety". Alderperson Shea said that for the purpose of safety, she would like to make the following motion: A Resolution in support of maintaining the Kehrs Mill Road entrance to Marquette High School as a permanent "emergency entrance" until further notice. Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. Alderperson Schiller stated that she does not feel the Board should do anything regarding this until the road is widened and the promised traffic study is complete. Alderperson Sittser suggested the traffic study presented in April 2004 was not representative. City Attorney, Patrick Butler reminded those present that, "your jurisdiction begins at Kehrs Mill Road." A roll call vote was taken with the following result: Yes: Meyer, Mixson, Shea and Sittser. Nay: Schiller and Twichell. Whereupon the motion was declared passed.

President of Board of Aldermen: Alderperson Twichell made a motion to nominate Alderperson Shea for President of the Board of Aldermen. Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. Everyone congratulated Alderperson Shea.

Reappointment of Members of Planning and Zoning: Alderperson Twichell made a motion to reappoint Dennis Ahal for a four-year term and to reappoint Susan Shea to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a one-year term. Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Reappointment of Board of Adjustment Member: Alderperson Schiller made a motion to reappoint Phyllis Newmark to serve another five-year term on the Board of Adjustment. Alderperson Shea seconded the motion. Discussion took place regarding the voting pattern of Mrs. Newmark. Alderperson Twichell said she has heard it said that Mrs. Newmark always votes in favor of a request for variance. Alderperson Schiller said she witnessed Mrs. Newmark vote against the request heard in March. Mayor Douglass stated he heard the same vote in opposition of the proposal. There was no further discussion. A roll call vote was taken with the following result: Yea: Schiller, Meyer and Shea. Nay: Twichell. Mixson and Sittser abstained from voting. The motion was declared passed.

Reappointment of Members of Tower Commission: Mayor Douglass explained the necessity for having a Tower Commission. Alderperson Shea made a motion to reappoint the three members, Artie Ahrens, Brad Castanho and Scott Douglass for a two-year term. Alderperson Meyer seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Citizens Petition to Hold Special Event: Alderperson Twichell made a motion to discuss the request for a Special Use Permit for Mr. and Mrs. Vern DuPree to hold a Special Event at 7 Greenbank Drive in the Forest Hills Club Estates in honor of the marriage of their daughter, Lindsey to Kyle. Alderperson Schiller seconded the motion. Captain Steve Schicker handed out his written recommendation (DuPree's received two copies) and explained that the width of Greenbank Drive with cars parked on one side of street actually leaves a two-foot deficit for the widest emergency vehicle to pass. Alderperson Meyer congratulated the young couple. He suggested that the DuPree's consider valet parking, saying that way they could control the parking. After further discussion, Alderperson Twichell made a motion to approve the Special Event if the DuPree's agree to adhere to the stipulations listed in Ballwin Police Department's Recommendation letter. Alderperson Meyer seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Group Home: Mayor Douglass apologized for stating at the onset of the meeting that the issue of group homes would be discussed tonight; it was not listed on the Agenda. He updated those present that the City is researching the provisions under which a group home would be appropriate. He said there are state and federal laws and we have to be careful that we do not unwittingly break the law. He concluded by saying that the city will have more information at the next meeting.

Audit: Alderperson Twichell made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Shea to have invoices in the amount of $114,380.04, which includes the agreed-upon snow removal invoice amount, approved for payment. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Alderperson Twichell made a motion for the Board of Aldermen of Clarkson Valley to adjourn, seconded by Alderperson Sittser. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk

Minutes of May 2005 Meeting Board of Aldermen

Minutes of May 2005 Meeting
Board of Aldermen