RECORD OF PROCEEDING
Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, October 3, 2023
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
A roll call for the meeting was taken with the following result:
Present:
Mayor Sue McNamara
Alderman Andrew Low – Ward 1
Alderman Jeff Schweig – Ward 1
Alderman Honora Schiller (arrived late) – Ward 2
Alderman Brock MacDonald – Ward 2
Alderman Lin Midyett (Virtually) – Ward 3
Alderman Gregg Bogosian – Ward 3
Also in Attendance:
City Attorney: Patrick Butler
City Clerk: Michele McMahon
Alderman MacDonald made the Motion to amend the Agenda under New Business to add a new item to the Agenda: to rename the existing Item D to be Item E and to add a new Item D to read Resolution 23-16 – ARPA Proposal – Forest Hills Club Estates. Alderman Schweig seconded the Motion. A voice vote was taken to accept the amended Agenda with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
The City Administrator said the Minutes sent to the Aldermen contained an error, which has been corrected, to which Alderman Low made a motion to accept the Minutes of the September 5 meeting, as amended, seconded by Alderman Schweig. A voice vote was taken to accept the Minutes with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
REMARKS, PETITIONS AND COMPLAINTS
Resident Tom Beck of Forest Hills Ridge introduced himself and discussed the parking situation on their street which is directly across from Marquette High School. This street has historically had short-term parking situations with parents picking up their students after school. The Board requested continued surveillance beginning at 3:05 to 3:30. This will also be discussed later in the Agenda.
REPORTS
Chesterfield Police Report
Lt. Connelly gave the September Police Report.
Mayor’s Report
ARPA Update: Mayor McNamara reported that we’ve made a lot of progress with ARPA distribution and a lot of work done by the ARPA Committee. She thanked Aldermen Midyett, Low and MacDonald.
Sewer Smells in Kehrs Mill Estates: Mayor McNamara said that the City has received several complaints regarding sewer smells in Kehrs Mill Estates. She reported there are four or five houses involved and she had asked Aldermen Schweig and Low to investigate finding a solution for these residents. They will report later in the meeting.
Livestreaming City Meetings: She thanked Aldermen Low and MacDonald for getting us up and running with livestreaming the City’s meetings and said they have put much time and effort to this. However, she has asked the City’s Assistant, Andrea, to take the lead in learning how to do the equipment setup along with the City Administrator’s help. In the event the two Aldermen are not able to come early to set this up, the two employees would know how to set up the equipment.
Choosing an Outside Source for Computer Administration: Mayor McNamara said since we are now beginning to see an end to setting up and transitioning over to a new computer system, she has asked the two Aldermen responsible for this, Aldermen Low and MacDonald, to find sources of vendors who could serve as administrators of our computer system and hopefully, along with David Grabel who also serves on this committee, they can find someone within the next few months.
Liability Insurance: Mayor McNamara reported that Alderman Midyett is in the process of receiving bids for liability insurance, further stating that our new Building Commissioner will be starting soon and should not only be insured with Workers Compensation but that he should also have liability insurance. She concluded by saying that all he will need to begin working for us are a few shirts, an ID lanyard, and some business cards.
MML Conference in Kansas City: Mayor McNamara reported that she attended the 3-1/2 day MML Conference and had an opportunity to interact with many Mayors from our region. One of whom was Mayor Hatfield from Frontenac who gave her useful information on dealing with particularly difficult nuisance violators.
Attending Municipal Board Meetings: Mayor McNamara reported that she is going to try to attend other cities Board/Council Meetings and this month she and the City Administrator attempted to attend Frontenac’s meeting, however, they had changed the date of their monthly meeting to accommodate the lateness of the tax information and we were unaware of the change. They were, however, able to attend Town and Country’s Board Meeting and it was extremely informative.
Chesterfield’s Biennial Meeting of Subdivision Trustees: She reported that she and the City Administrator attended Chesterfield’s Subdivision Trustees Meeting, which they hold every other year and we received a lot of good information and advice from doing that. They are obviously quite different then us, as they have over two hundred subdivisions. She concluded by saying our second Subdivision Trustee Meeting held this year will be the night of October 25.
Ballwin’s Safety Town Hall Meeting: She reported that she and the City Administrator also attended a Town Hall Safety Meeting sponsored by Mark Harder and held this past month at Ballwin’s Golf Club. There were Chiefs from seven police precincts and four fire departments representing this area and we received valuable information from them, but specifically there were several who mentioned Flock Cameras stating how great they were for the community. I will have more to say on this later in the Agenda.
Recodification Update: She reported that the final copy just came in this morning, and we have not had a chance to review it but will do so in the coming months. She mentioned that Alderman Schiller had said she would be willing to help with this, too.
Court Services Agreement: Mayor McNamara asked the City Administrator to speak about the letter we received this week, to which Ms. McMahon said the Ordinance is necessary to pass every year to acknowledge that Chesterfield is holding our City’s court for us and within the document, the increase is listed which is tied to the CPI. This year the increase is 2.4% and increases the monthly amount by approximately $100. She concluded by saying this must be approved either in November or December and takes effect January 1.
Flock Cameras: Mayor McNamara reported that at the Safety Town Hall Meeting, four of those seven police chiefs spoke on the efficacy of these cameras. She reported that last week the City’s Assistant, Andrea, put together a great spreadsheet showing all the locations that she gleaned after placing calls to our neighboring cities. The Administrator, Michele, then called the Flock representative this morning asking the nearby locations of these cameras that were owned by public entities, i.e. MoDOT, County Highway, etc. and found there are three additional cameras at Kehrs Mill at Clarkson; Wilson at Clarkson; and Strecher at Kehrs Mill. She concluded by saying that financially, we are off the hook – all gates are closed, and we get to do this for free.
Aldermanic Reports
MSD Smelly Sewer Issue: Alderman Schweig said he and Alderman Low met with Mrs. Chesky, who is one of the five, and they walked the property to find where the smell was emanating. She also reported to the two Aldermen that one of her manhole covers was sinking. Alderman Schweig said they did not necessarily see that but there was a smell. He said they found a subdivision plat with the help of the Subdivision President indicating the MSD sewer lines which will aid in this issue.
ARPA Update: Alderman MacDonald said he had no report specific to his ward but asked permission to give an update on the ARPA money. He said the City has obligated $101,000 and we’ve distributed money to two subdivisions thus far and those checks have been cashed. We have $328,246 available to the subdivisions; with $225,374 on the Agenda for Resolution passage tonight, which leaves $102,871 remaining for the four subdivisions that for whatever reason, we have no Resolution yet. Mention was made of Kehrs Mill Glen Subdivision, to which Alderman Schweig reported they recently reached out to the HOA President and never heard back.
Insurance Update: Alderman Midyett said he is working on both the liability insurance and cyber insurance and should have more information and prices within the next few weeks. There was discussion about the importance of cyber insurance.
Question Regarding Flock Cameras: Alderman Midyett asked if Clarkson at Clayton Roads contained Flock Cameras and Alderman MacDonald reported there was one at Clarkson facing in a northwesterly direction. Mayor McNamara reported there is also a camera at Clarkson Jewelers in Ellisville. She concluded by saying we will continue to look at it and if it seems advisable, she would be in favor of closing whatever gaps we have. – it is an expense she’d rather not go to if we don’t have to.
City Attorney Report:
The City Attorney, Patrick Butler, reported all was good in the City and he had no report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 23-12 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY APPROVING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (“ARPA”) FUNDS TO THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OF DUNHILL FARM (“DUNHILL FARM”).
A motion to discuss and pass Resolution No. 23-12 was made by Alderman MacDonald and seconded by Alderman Schweig. The City Administrator read the Resolution. There were no questions and there was no discussion and Mayor McNamara called for the vote. A voice vote was taken to approve ARPA funding to Dunhill Farms with an affirmative result (with one abstention); the motion to approve Resolution No. 23-12 was declared passed.
Discuss Parking/Stopping Situation on Forest Hills Ridge Court: Alderman MacDonald reported that he would like to draft an ordinance for No Parking, No Standing, No Stopping for one side of the street only on Fores Hills Ridge Court, but to allow parking on the other side. Alderman Low mentioned there is no crosswalk and asked if we would be encouraging students to walk across Kehrs Mill Road if we allow this parking. Mayor McNamara said she would guarantee that if you allow parking on one side of the street, the students will fill that street in the morning with their vehicles to avoid purchasing parking passes. She asked again if the police could pay special attention to this daily. There were mentions of parking permits; painting the curbs; neon signs; passing an ordinance to double fines if they are caught parking during school hours.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION NO. 23-13 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY APPROVING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (“ARPA”) FUNDS TO THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OF FOREST HILLS RIDGE (“FOREST HILLS RIDGE”).
A motion to discuss and pass Resolution No. 23-13 was made by Alderman Schiller and seconded by Alderman Schweig. The City Administrator read the Resolution. There were no questions and there was no discussion and Mayor McNamara called for the vote. A voice vote was taken to approve ARPA funding to Forest Hills Ridge with an affirmative result (with one abstention); the motion to approve Resolution No. 23-13 was declared passed.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-14 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY APPROVING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (“ARPA”) FUNDS TO THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OF KINGSPOINTE (“KINGSPOINTE”).
A motion to discuss and pass Resolution No. 23-14 was made by Alderman Schiller and seconded by Alderman Midyett. The City Administrator read the Resolution. There were no questions and there was no discussion and Mayor McNamara called for the vote. A voice vote was taken to approve ARPA funding to Kingspointe with an affirmative result (with one abstention); the motion to approve Resolution No. 23-14 was declared passed.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-15 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY APPROVING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (“ARPA”) FUNDS TO THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OF KEHRSWOOD (“KEHRSWOOD”).
A motion to discuss and pass Resolution No. 23-15 was made by Alderman Midyett and seconded by Alderman Schweig. The City Administrator read the Resolution. There were no questions and there was no discussion and Mayor McNamara called for the vote. A voice vote was taken to approve ARPA funding to Kehrswood with an affirmative result (with one abstention); the motion to approve Resolution No. 23-15 was declared passed.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-16 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY APPROVING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (“ARPA”) FUNDS TO THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OF FOREST HILLS CLUB ESTATES (“FOREST HILLS CLUB ESTATES”).
A motion to discuss and pass Resolution No. 23-16 was made by Alderman Midyett and seconded by Alderman MacDonald. The City Administrator read the Resolution. There was discussion regarding the creek and because of this discussion, Mayor McNamara called for a roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken to approve ARPA funding to Forest Hills Club Estates with the following results. Ayes: MacDonald, Midyett, Schiller and Schweig. Abstention: Low. There were no nays Whereby, Mayor McNamara declared the motion to approve Resolution No. 23-16 passed.
BILL NO. 0535 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI, IN TITLE III: TRAFFIC CODE, CHAPTER 340: MISCELLANEOUS DRIVING RULES, BY REMOVING AGE LIMITATIONS IN SECTION 340.250 PARAGRAPH A.
A motion was made by Alderman Low and seconded by Alderman Schiller to discuss and pass Bill No. 0535. The City Administrator read Bill No. 0535 for the first time. There was no discussion. The City Administrator read Bill No. 0535 the second time. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results. Ayes: Low, MacDonald, Midyett, Schiller and Schweig. There were no nays. Whereby, Mayor McNamara declared Bill No. 0535 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 23-15.
Audit: Alderman Low made a motion to approve the payment of invoices for $142,068.81 seconded by Alderman Midyett. Mention was made by the Administrator that we just received the invoice for the City’s two new computers which came in less than anticipated and under $1,000 each; how grateful the employees were to have these; and thanked the Tech Committee. A voice vote was taken to approve the audit with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
Adjourn: Alderman Low made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Schweig. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. The Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
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Sue McNamara, Mayor
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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Administrator/City Clerk