RECORD OF PROCEEDING:
Amended Meeting Minutes: Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, April 2, 2024.
Mayor McNamara led everyone with the Pledge of Allegiance.
A roll call for the meeting was taken with the following result:
PRESENT Ward ABSENT
Mayor Sue McNamara
Alderman Andrew Low Ward 1
Alderman Jeff Schweig Ward 1
Alderman Honora Schiller Ward 2
Alderman Brock MacDonald Ward 2
Alderman Lin Midyett Ward 3
Alderman Gregg Bogosian Ward 3
Also in Attendance:
City Attorney: Patrick Butler
City Administrator: Michele McMahon
City Building Commissioner: Brad Holmes
Alderman Low made the Motion to accept the Agenda which was seconded by Alderman MacDonald. A voice vote was taken to approve the Agenda and the motion passed.
Alderman Schiller made a motion to waive the reading of the March 5, 2024 Minutes and accept the Minutes as posted. The motion was seconded by Alderman Schweig. A voice vote was taken to approve the motion and it passed.
REMARKS, PETITIONS AND COMPLAINTS
Scott Ottenberg presented Caulks Creek Erosion Issues
REPORTS
Chesterfield Police Report:
Lt. Connelly presented the March 2024 Police Activity Report.
Mayor’s Report:
- The amount collected from fines for March 2024 was $4,051.64.
- Upcoming Board of Adjustment Hearing; date TBD.
- Discussed circumstances regarding the upcoming Housing Court case scheduled for April 9, 2024
- Meet the Mayor event will be held April 14, 2024, at the Forest Hills Country Club from 2-4pm
- Requested suggested dates from the Alderman for the next Trustee meeting.
- All but three subdivisions have submitted their reimbursement for snow removal.
- Headshots of the Alderman to be displayed in City Hall was discussed. Alderman Schiller was offered to spearhead the project, which she declined *because she felt the project was unneccessary.
- Information was presented to utilize Square to accept credit cards for payments in City Hall.
Aldermanic Reports:
- Alderman Low introduced the technician from Absolute Computer Systems, the City’s new IT services.
- Alderman Bogosian stated he would like to see a consent agenda committee formed. Alderman Low, Alderman Schiller, and Alderman Bogosian volunteered to form the committee.
City Attorney Report:
The City Attorney, Patrick Butler, had nothing to report at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Cyber Insurance:
Alderman Midyett reviewed the three quotes he received for cyber insurance. Alderman MacDonald expressed interest in cyber training for staff as a first line of defense in cyber-attacks. Alderman MacDonald will collect information and present it later. Alderman Midyett made a motion to accept the Charles L. Crane Cyber Insurance quote, as underwritten by Beazly Insurance. Alderman Bogosian seconded, a voice vote was taken to accept the quote with an affirmative result and the motion passed.
Grant for Community Events:
Mayor McNamara asked the Board if they would be interested in submitting grant applications to host a Recycling Event and a Paper Shredding Event for the residents of Clarkson Valley. The proposed location for the event is the City Hall parking lot, or the Masonic Lodge as a backup location. Alderman Bogosian recommended that non-essential projects come before the Board first for presentation and review before preliminary work is undertaken by staff. Alderman Low made the motion to apply for the grant and schedule the event on 11/9/24 for the City’s recycling event. Alderman Schweig seconded the motion, a voice vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: Low, Schweig. Nays: Bogosian, MacDonald, Midyett, and Schiller. Mayor McNamara declared that the motion did not pass.
Chapter 215 Nuisances; Section 215.010 Enumeration, Item 15:
Patrick requested clarification for the ordinance since it combines “the glare” of holiday lights versus the time frame in which they can be left up. After a lengthy discussion between the Board and the audience Alderman Bogosian suggested the Board create a committee, and revisit the matter next month. Alderman Low, Alderman Midyett, and Alderman Schweig volunteered for the committee. The matter was tabled for the May 2024 agenda.
Depository Policy Discussion:
Patrick suggested that the City may want to have two formal written financial policies; one to determine which elected City Officials have access to information about the City’s financial accounts and the second to outline the number of signatories required for checks and identify the signatories. Alderman Low proposed that the names on the financial accounts be the Mayor, Board President, and the Chairman of the Finance Committee. Alderman Bogosian and Mayor McNamara both agreed. Alderman Bogosian suggested that a formal Investment Policy should be created for the City to address the second policy issue. Patrick and Alderman Bogosian agreed to collaborate and draft the policy, which will be presented to the Board at the May 2024 meeting.
City Hall Updates:
Mayor McNamara presented four different floor plans for review by the Board. The group also discussed matters related to office safety, office space for the City Administrator, and a conference room. The City’s Building Commissioner, Brad Holmes, provided comments on these topics. Mayor McNamara will tentatively meet with EyeCare Partners April 25 or 26, 2024, and present the findings at the next Board meeting, scheduled for May 7, 2024.
Increasing Building Permit Fees:
Patrick raised the past agenda item of increasing Building Permit Fees. Alderman Bogosian pointed out that the topic had been put on hold during a prior meeting at which time a committee was formed with Aldermen Bogosian and MacDonald, Brad Holmes and Michele McMahon. Alderman Bogosian added that at this time the committee is in the process of drafting a proposal and plans on presenting it at some point.
NEW BUSINESS
Code Contradiction regarding Gate Latches:
The Board discussed the Clarkson Valley code contradiction regarding gate latches on pool fences. The St. Louis County/International Code standard requires the latch height to be 54 inches, while the City of Clarkson Valley Code currently indicates the height should be 48 inches. Alderman Schiller made a motion to discuss the matter, which was seconded by Alderman Schweig. Brad Holmes was invited to the floor to discuss the impact of this contradiction. He explained that the City of Clarkson Valley code book mentions the height of the latch in two areas: one where the code requires the latch to be 48” and the other where the code indicates the height must comply with the International Building Code. After discussion, Mayor McNamara suggested bringing the issue back to the Board in May, in which Patrick agreed.
Bill No. 0544 – Adopting Ordinance for 2023 Annual Statutory Update:
A motion was made by Alderman Low and seconded by Alderman Schweig to discuss and vote on Bill No. 0544. The City Administrator read Bill No. 0544 for the first time. Alderman Schiller made the motion to table the discussion of Bill No. 0544 to the May meeting. Alderman Low seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken to table the discussion until the May 2024 meeting with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.
Code of Conduct Discussion:
Patrick emphasized the importance of implementing a code of conduct policy that would apply to employees and City Officials. This code would establish a clear set of guidelines and expectations for behavior, including specific do’s and don’ts, as well as updates to job descriptions and policies. Patrick suggested hiring an HR firm on a consulting basis; Alderman Bogosian proposed drafting a policy by the HR committee to review in May’s BOA meeting.
AUDIT
Alderman Low made a motion to approve the payment of invoices for $81,492.79 seconded by Alderman Bogosian. A voice vote was taken to approve the March 2024 audit with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Alderman Bogosian stated the HR Committee at this time requests to cancel the closed meeting scheduled at the end of today’s BOA monthly meeting.
- Connelly announced to the Board and audience the National Drug Take Back event scheduled for 4/27/24 from 10-2 at Clarkson Valley City Hall parking lot.
- Michele stated she would send out reminders to the residents regarding both the National Drug Take Back event and the Coffee with the Mayor event.
CLOSED MEETING
As stated under Miscellaneous, Alderman Bogosian requested to cancel the closed meeting scheduled for today.
ADJOURN
Alderman Bogosian made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Schiller. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed to adjourn. The Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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Sue McNamara, Mayor
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ATTEST: Andrea Burns, Assistant City Clerk