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 1, 2007.
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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 Meyer	Ward 1
Alderperson Honora Schiller	Ward 2
Alderperson Wendell Sittser	Ward 2
Alderperson Scott Schultz	Ward 3
Alderperson Paul Young	Ward 3

Alderperson Shea conducted the swearing-in of Mayor Douglass and congratulated him on his twenty years of service to the City of Clarkson Valley. Mayor Douglass said that both he and Alderperson Shea began serving in 1987 and that brought about a round of applause. Alderpersons Meyer, Schiller, Young and Shultz were sworn-in and everyone congratulated them.

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

A resident of Kehrs Mill Estates West Subdivision, Ashish Upadhyay, asked the Board Members if they were aware of any code that prohibited placement of a dish antenna facing the street? Mayor Douglass explained that subdivision indentures could be more restrictive than municipal codes, but he was not aware of any specific rules about front-facing antennae. Mr. Upadhyay left his e-mail address and was promised the existing code regarding satellite dishes would be electronically sent to him.

Ballwin Police Report: In Captain Schicker's absence, Captain Saulters presented the April Police Report and a copy of the Ballwin Police Annual Report.

Items mentioned: Kehrs Mill Trails request to Ballwin Police to survey lake area for the presence of non-residents; trustees are considering lake permits and stickers; a follow-up report was given regarding Paul Young's phone call to police about a pothole in the middle lane on Clarkson Road; mention was made of the new $200k state-of-the-art, computer aided dispatching system with ability to DVR monitor and new radio system with backup; the Report on Crime was incomplete due to the records clerk attending a seminar that week and Captain Saulters will have it faxed to city hall as soon as it is updated; an Alderperson asked if the police could better monitor the center turn-lane abuse that occurs in the morning; an inquiry presented from an Alderperson relating to a phone call received from a resident of Forest Hills regarded the possibility of an electric signal at the south entrance of Forest Club Drive to which Mayor Douglass said when in discussion with MoDOT about extending the signal for southbound lanes on Clarkson Road at Kehrs Mill, the possibility was discussed.

Court Report: The total amount collected for traffic fines and court costs for the month of April 2007 was $18,550.50.

Budget Discussions: Mayor Douglass said the first draft of the 2007-2008 Budget is in the Alderperson's packet. He thanked Alderperson Schultz and the City Clerk for their help.

Update on Group Home in the Manors of Clarkson Valley: Mayor Douglass informed the City Attorney he will need to write a letter to the consecrated women giving them until August 1 to vacate the leased house.

Pump House Re-visited: Mayor Douglass reminded those present that in 1995, Forest Hills Country Club built a pump house that came with controversy. Through Planning and Zoning Hearings and Public Hearings, amends were made with landscaping and it was determined a bathroom facility would not be located in the pump house building. With the increasing number of youths playing golf, the club has learned that a bathroom facility is necessary. The club spoke to the residents adjoining the pump house and they have approved the project. Alderperson Schultz said the Trustees also approved it.

Fru-Con: Mayor Douglass said he met with the vice-president of Fru-Con this past month and thanked them for allowing us to remain in the building for twenty years with no increase in rent.

Clarkson Valley Chronicles: Mayor Douglass stated the Alderpersons should have received a mock-up of this month's newsmagazine. He asked for articles relating to pets, recipes and trustee information.

It's Against the Law! Alderperson Schultz asked Mayor Douglass and the City Attorney what could be done with the swimming pool in his ward that does not have a fence? Mayor Douglass said his frustration level is about as high as it can get regarding this issue. To further his frustration he said, neither the defendant nor his attorney showed up at court last month. Judge Lusser directed the court clerk to write a letter to the defendant in the case.

Board of Adjustment Hearing: Alderperson Schultz stated there was a Board of Adjustment Hearing slated for May 10 and he would be out of town and unable to attend. He indicated his desire that because the project at 2028 Kingspointe Drive extended 9' beyond the building line on one side and 19' on the west side, he would like to see the project turned down. It was explained that the lot is unique in that it has three, 75' building lines. The City Clerk said she would mail copies of the site plan to interested parties.

West St. Louis County Deer Task Force: Alderperson Shea said she attended the wildlife conservation meeting. She stated that most members were the same as the previous year and that nothing really has changed. Erin Shank said the Missouri Department of Conservation is attempting to schedule additional bow hunting classes. There are now three groups hunting in this area instead of the two from previous years. She reported to the group that the numbers harvested in Clarkson Valley were down this year. Everyone agreed that might be because Chesterfield now allows hunting, which took away from our numbers. She concluded by saying she was disappointed that other cities send employees to this task force meeting, who aren't necessarily affected by deer the way residents would be. The cities are sending parks department personnel and public works people. Skip Mange also attends, she said, but he is not appointed.

Nuisance Complaint: An Alderperson commented about the complaint received from a resident regarding lighting directed at property on Chippenham and asked if the Building Commissioner was going to visit the property?

Newly Elected Officers Conference: Alderperson Young stated he attended the MML Newly Elected Officers Conference and received good information. He said they also received a brief overview of the sunshine law.

City Attorney, Patrick Butler, gave an update on the sound wall saying that four Board Members attended the presentation of the case to the Appellate Court. He gave his opinion that one judge seemed to understand the case completely; one judge seemed to not care; and one was attempting to stay along with the presentation. He said the judges requested a twenty-five page brief from both sides stating why and how they failed to comply with the procedures as mandated by law in our case, or how they complied - in MoDOT's case.

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

Reappoint Members of Planning and Zoning: Alderperson Schiller made a motion to reappoint Alderperson Shea to the Planning and Zoning Commission for another one-year term. Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. Alderperson Shea was thanked for her dedication. Alderperson Shea made a motion to reappoint Artie Ahrens to the Planning and Zoning Commission for another four-year term. Alderperson Schultz seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Reappoint Member of the Board of Adjustment: Alderperson Schultz made a motion to approve the reappointment of Darryl Brody to the Board of Adjustment for another five-year term. Alderperson Shea seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Appoint New Member of the Board of Adjustment: Mayor Douglass asked if everyone had a chance to read the bio on Stan Green, to which all responded affirmatively. He explained that Stan Green is currently serving as President of Trustees of the Manors Subdivision and because of his involvement with the group home, everyone knew who he was. Alderperson Schultz made a motion to accept Mayor Douglass's appointment Stan Green to the Board of Adjustment for a five-year term. Alderperson Meyer seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Reappoint City Clerk: Alderperson Sittser made a motion to reappoint Michele McMahon as City Clerk. Alderperson Young seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Reappoint Two Members to the Tower Commission: Mayor Douglass said he would review the ordinance pertaining to the tower commission to ensure it is not obsolete. But because the ordinance calls for a two-year term, the tower commission members require reappointment. Alderperson Schiller made a motion to reappoint Artie Ahrens and Darryl Brody to another two-year term. Alderperson Schultz seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

BILL NO. 0355 - AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE OF CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT I, LLC d/b/a CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS IN THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1, 2007.

Alderperson Shea made a motion to consider and pass Bill No. 0355. Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0355 the first time. He said that legislature has been wrestling with the issue for quite some time. The Public Service Commission will regulate the video franchises but issues concerning rights-of-way along with other issues keep coming up. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0355 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. 0355 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 07-05.

Audit: The City Clerk mentioned that two residents who were to receive refunds from the lateral sewer fund were not pulled aside on the Audit. Additionally the report should include the total amount of funds received from the lateral sewer tax and the total amount spent since its inception. She said she would send the Alderpersons an amended statement later in the week. Alderperson Shea made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Schultz to have invoices in the amount of $93,883.71 approved for payment. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Revenue/Expense: Discussion took place about the Revenue and Expense report and the comment was that year-to-date, the City has spent almost $80,000 more than it has taken in. Several issues account for that, said Mayor Douglass. The biggest being the lawsuit, which we thought would have been over a long time ago. Trash costs also presented a problem because even though we knew we were going out for bids, we did not anticipate such an increase. It might be time, he said, to start looking at once-weekly service. The way our good citizens recycle should help that scenario.

Alderperson Shea 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 8:40 p.m.

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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk

Minutes of May 2007 Meeting Board of Aldermen

Minutes of May 2007 Meeting
Board of Aldermen