Minutes of February 2008 Meeting Board of Aldermen

______________________________________________________________________
Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley at City Hall (Fru-Con Center), February 5, 2008.
______________________________________________________________________

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
	Ward 1	Alderperson Susan Shea
Alderperson Jim Meyer	Ward 1
Alderperson Honora Schiller	Ward 2
Alderperson Wendell Sittser	Ward 2
Alderperson Scott Schultz	Ward 3
Paul Young	Ward 3

Alderperson Schultz 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.

Lou Salamone, Suburban Bowhunters, spoke regarding this year’s deer season and the possibility of Town & Country passing an ordinance similar to that of Clarkson Valley’s.

REPORTS

St. Louis County Police Report: Sergeant Jeff Burk of the St. Louis County Police handed out the January Police Report.

Mayor’s Report

Court Report: The total amount collected for traffic fines and court costs for the month of January 2008 was $17,208.50.

Sound Wall Update: Mayor Douglass gave the best news heard in months… Karen Yeomans, the area engineer with MoDOT, sent a letter to a Ballwin resident, one who backs up to Clarkson Road that would be affected by the sound walls, stating the bids to construct the sound wall continue to be higher than what is allowed and they are no longer going to pursue building the sound wall. Patrick Butler, the City Attorney, stated that there is still no response from the Federal Court. Alderperson Meyer asked if the case is dismissed, could Clarkson Valley recover the fees spent on the lawsuit? Under ADA, Mr. Butler responded, the answer is, no.

Audit Report: Mayor Douglass stated the City’s books were audited and everything looks straightforward. The audit firm said that because of increased demands of GASB (the governmental auditing requirement) it would be necessary for them to nearly double the amount previously charged. Everyone agreed it would be best to go out to bid. Mayor Douglass also asked the City Clerk to make a separate line item for the auditor instead of listing the cost along with professional services, which is where the city attorney’s costs are shown.

Land Disturbance Ordinance: Mayor Douglass said everyone should have received a copy of the Land Disturbance Ordinance in the mailed packet. He asked that everyone review it for next month.

Health Care Insurance: Mayor Douglass was happy to report that bids received from Anthem, which is the old Blue Cross – Blue Shield, came in equal to the bid, which is highly unusual. The increase to the City for its two employees is only $500 for the year over that of last year.

Deer Harvest 2007-2008: Mayor Douglass reported that a total of 74 deer were harvested this past bow hunting season. Four of those were bucks and the remainder were does. These figures have been fairly consistent over the four years since Clarkson Valley initiated bow hunting within city limits.

Response to Resident’s Letter on the City’s Budget: Mayor Douglass reported he drafted a response to Tina Price’s letter regarding the Mayor’s Corner on our budget difficulties and the possibility of setting a new tax. He asked everyone to look it over and make comment if they saw a need to change anything.

Entrance Monument Pillars: Alderperson Schiller asked Mayor Douglass why the issue of the entrance monument pillars went back to the subdivision for them to handle even though it is against the city code? Patrick Butler, the City Attorney, explained that the subdivision is handling it because the pillars are on subdivision property. Mayor Douglass then said if the subdivision has no issue with the pillar monuments being there, the alternative would be to go to the Board of Adjustment for a variance request.

Property Marker: Alderperson Schiller then asked what the City is doing about the property marker on Gene Mlezko’s property. Patrick Butler than explained that he, Mayor Douglass and Dick Fox met for several hours regarding this issue. The Prosecuting Attorney does not feel it is within his jurisdiction. Mr. Mlezko can, at his discretion, take his complaint to St. Louis County or to the State.

Entrance Monument Pillars: Alderperson Schultz reported he spoke with the subdivision’s attorney regarding the two properties on Chippenham and as of yet, no decision has been made.

Resurfacing Entranceway: Alderperson Schultz reported the Forest Club Drive South Entrance would be closed approximately one week while they resurface from Clarkson Road to the guardhouses.

Lawn Jobs: Alderperson Meyer stated several properties within his subdivision received lawn jobs. Sgt. Jeff Burke and NPO, Thom Taylor said they have made patrolmen aware and they are being watchful.

Non-Renewed License Tags: Alderperson Meyer asked Sgt. Burke about the state’s procedure for notification when license tags are ready to expire? Sgt. Burke said that as far as he is aware, nothing changed.

Larger Recycling Bins: Alderperson Sittser mentioned receiving one of the new 65-gallon recycling toters and said it is a great way to go. He mentioned that it would be ideal if we could get the word out about these. Alderperson Schultz said he has one too, and they filled theirs to the top.

RESOLUTION 08-01 - A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE OFFER OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC TO PAVE THE INITIAL TWENTY-FIVE (25) FEET OF THE DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE OFF KEHRS MILL ROAD IN ORDER TO LOCATE A STAGING AREA FOR THE KEHRS MILL ROAD WIDENING AND STRAIGHTENING PROJECT SLATED FOR CONSTRUCTION IN 2008.

Alderperson Schultz made a motion to discuss and pass Resolution No. 08-01. Alderperson Schiller seconded the motion. Mayor Douglass read Resolution No. 08-01 the first time. There was no discussion. Mayor Douglass read Resolution No. 08-01 the second time. A roll call vote was taken with the following result: Ayes: Schiller, Schultz and Young. Nays: Meyer and Sittser. Whereby Resolution No. 08-01 was declared as having passed and will be mailed to Mr. D. Dreisewerd with St. Louis County Highway Department.

2008-2009 Budget: The Board Members reviewed the Drafted 2008-2009 Budget. Questions were asked relating to trash pickup and it was determined we would ask the hauler if we were to go to one-time-per-week pickup with several residents willing to pay for the second pickup date, would Meridian be willing to do that? Alderperson Schiller asked Mayor Douglass if we could conduct a survey in the Chronicle asking residents how they feel about this? City Attorney, Patrick Butler, mentioned the city might be in a position to float a ½ cent or even a ¼ cent sanitation tax/fee with the State Primary in August. If that is the case, Mayor Douglass stated the deadline to include it on the ballot would be May 29. Mayor Douglass asked everyone to think about it and discuss it further at our next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Stream Buffer Ordinance: Alderperson Schiller made a motion to discuss this ordinance next month along with the Land Disturbance ordinance. Alderperson Meyer seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with the following result: Ayes: Meyer, Schiller, Schultz, Sittser, and Young. There were no nays. Mayor Douglass announced the motion as having passed and Bill No. 0371 will be discussed at next month’s meeting.

BILL NO. 0372 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI, IN TITLE VI: BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION, CHAPTER 600: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY DELETING SECTION 600.070: MINORS PROHIBITED TO PURCHASE OR POSSESS, AND ADDING A NEW SECTION 600.070: MINORS PROHIBITED TO PURCHASE OR POSSESS.

Alderperson Young made a motion, which was seconded by Alderperson Schultz. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0372 for the first time. Alderperson Schiller asked if we were adopting this to go along with State requirements? Sergeant Burk and NPO, Thom Taylor responded that this was a request of Marquette High School’s SRO (school resource officer) stating that it is becoming more and more a problem for the school and also for state compliance. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0372 for the second time. A roll call vote was taken with the following results. Ayes: Meyer, Schiller, Schultz, Sittser and Young. There were no Nays. Whereby, Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0372 as having passed and is now considered Ordinance No. 08-01.

West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce Request: Mayor Douglass mentioned the letter in everyone’s packet from the Chamber Director requesting money for a salary for a staff position to coordinate the Manchester Road commercial corridor action plan. They are asking the municipalities located within their jurisdiction to contribute an amount based upon the population and the number of business permits issued within the cities. Alderperson Schiller made a motion that Clarkson Valley not participate in that funding. Alderperson Sittser seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Rockwood Speakers Bureau: Mayor Douglass referred to the letter from Dr. Craig Larson, Superintendent of Rockwood School District expressing the importance of collaborating with community members in order to strengthen our schools, families and local businesses. They are offering the Speakers Bureau as a resource for educational news. Mayor Douglass asked everyone if they would be interested? Alderperson Sittser agreed that it was a great idea as Rockwood’s bond issue is pending and this might be an opportunity for all to understand. He wanted to know what kind of lead-time the district would require? Mayor Douglass said we would call the school district to find out and asked everyone to list his or her preferences in an e-mail response to him.

Sound Wall Litigation Expenses: Alderperson Schiller asked the City Attorney, Patrick Butler, if this is the last time we will have an expense associated with the sound walls, to which Mr. Butler responded that it would continue because we have not received the Judge’s response.

Audit: Alderperson Schultz made a motion, seconded by Alderperson Meyer to have invoices in the amount of $95,206.50 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. Alderperson Meyer seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.