RECORD OF PROCEEDING
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Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, April 4, 2023
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The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. This was a special meeting because after serving as mayor for 34 years, Mayor Douglass did not seek reelection and is officially retiring from politics. It was also Jim Meyer’s last night, as he did not seek reelection.
A roll call for the meeting was taken with the following result:
PRESENT Ward ABSENT
Mayor Scott Douglass
Alderperson Jim Meyer Ward 1
Alderperson Sue McNamara Ward 1
Alderperson Honora Schiller Ward 2 Alderperson Julie Blanner
Alderperson Lin Midyett Ward 3
Alderperson Gregg Bogosian Ward 3
Also in Attendance:
City Clerk: Michele McMahon
City Attorney: Patrick Butler
Alderperson Schiller made a motion to accept the March 2023 Minutes. Alderperson Midyett seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken to accept the Minutes with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
REMARKS, PETITIONS AND COMPLAINTS
The Councilmember from District 7, Mark Harder, read the Resolution passed by the Members of the County Council and shared kind words about Mayor Douglass along with a humorous story. He also read a Proclamation from the State Representative from the 110 District, Justin Sparks, saying that Justin could not attend because he was in session until Friday but truly wanted to be here to help Mayor Douglass celebrate.
Municipal League Metro St. Louis President, Patrick Kelly, spoke and gave several statistics about how the Mayor is currently the longest-standing mayor in Missouri and the fourth longest-serving mayor in Missouri history. He also mentioned how Mayor Douglass helped the group, at which time was called Mayors of Small Cities, develop and implement certain minimum standards for running these small communities professionally and in accordance with all statutes governing these communities.
Ellisville Mayor, Mike Roemerman, spoke saying how Mayor Douglass has mentored the Lafayette Mayor’s Association for all these years and how much he will be missed.
Alderperson Gregg Bogosian read a letter to Mayor Douglass and surprised us all in the end when he said the words, “signed by Governor Michael L. Parson.”
Alderperson Jim Meyer handed Mayor Douglass his well-used gavel presented in a shadow box and engraved with the following message on the brass plate: “May the legacy of wisdom imparted under this gavel stand as a shining example for all those who follow.” Mayor Douglass had been missing his gavel all evening.
Mayor Douglass introduced those family members attending this evening which included his wife, June, daughter Pam and her husband Kevin, and granddaughter, Ashley.
Valerie Denton, President of Forest Hills Club Estates, said she wanted to convey to the Board of Aldermen that the Trustees of her subdivision are in favor of the Club’s safety net proposal, which is on tonight’s agenda.
Mr. Alan Dorch who is a resident of Forest Hills Club Estates spoke in favor of the safety net proposal but more importantly, said he spoke with Mr. Bomkamp who lives directly across the street from this proposed net and who would see it every day. Mr. Bomkamp received the letter inviting him to attend tonight’s meeting but was unable to attend. He stressed his approval upon Mr. Dorch, and wanted these words conveyed: that it will not be a visual detriment and it is important that it be approved tonight.
REPORTS
Alderperson McNamara made a motion to add an item to tonight’s agenda; seeking approval to contract for a second opinion of ARPA spending and approve passage of a proposed Ordinance for Special Legal Counsel. This was seconded by Alderperson Meyer. City Attorney, Patrick Butler, said this was similar to an insurance policy and he was in total favor of it. A voice vote was taken to approve the motion to add an item to tonight’s agenda for a second opinion with an affirmative unanimous result and the motion was declared passed.
Chesterfield Police Report
Lt. Connelly gave the March Police Report.
Mayor’s Report
Court Report: Mayor Douglass said the amount received in March 2023 for court receipts was $2,645.03.
Recodification: Mayor Douglass explained to the crowd that the process begins with the codifying company, in this case, General Code, compiling our present code alongside a model code. Any state statute that has been passed since our last recodification which took place in 2000 is inserted into the model code. If the state statute wording indicates ‘you “may” use this as your ordinance’, General Code gives us that choice. It also puts the model code up against our more specifically crafted ordinances such as our golf cart ordinance. We have answered all those questions leaving a few that require the Board’s vote, e.g., “parking on the street” violations, which in some instances in our current code, lists 24 hours, but in other instances lists 72 hours. There are other issues that require the Board’s decisions along with the Court matters which are in the process of being answered by the Prosecuting Attorney. He concluded by saying all the information has been disseminated to the Board twice now, and the Board should consider having an informational meeting to discuss everything before it goes to General Code for the final steps.
Alderpersons’ Reports
Political Signage Missing: Alderperson Bogosian reported that he was upset by certain political signs that went missing and asked why more wasn’t done to prohibit that and to find the culprits.
ARPA Committee Update: Alderperson Midyett updated those present on how the Committee is waiting for these finer legal components to come together and touched briefly on the Kehrs Mill Trails dam issue.
City Attorney Report:
The City Attorney, Patrick Butler, reported this month he conducted further research on ARPA fund spending and responded to questions asked by the ARPA Committee and Mayor Douglass along with answering questions relating to a Sunshine Law Request.
Farewell to Alderperson Meyer after 18 Years: Mayor Douglass then presented Alderperson Meyer with a plaque honoring him for serving our community for the past 18 years and thanked him. He said Alderperson Jim Meyer has always lent stability to the Board he has served through all those years of service.
PUBLIC HEARING
Forest Hills Country Club’s Request to Replace the Existing Safety Net, Increasing the Height to the Tree Line: City Clerk, Michele McMahon, read the Notice of Public Hearing. A Planning and Zoning Hearing was held March 29 and Alderperson Schiller, who is present tonight, served as one of the Commission Members at the P&Z Hearing. There was an affirmative recommendation to this Board for Forest Hills Country Club’s request to locate a safety net at the driving range.
Emma Gore, General Manager for FHCC, spoke briefly about the necessity of the net saying the net was originally constructed in the early 1990s for the first LPGA tournament held there. Since that time, golf equipment has advanced and the current 12’ net no longer provides the necessary safety. She concluded by saying the Club is requesting the Board’s approval to change the net to a 40’ tall net in the same location as the present netting.
The Public Hearing closed at 7:10 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Recodification Report: Mayor Douglass mentioned again that the Board received a copy of the work accomplished so far and the progress made to date with recodification was given in his report tonight.
NEW BUSINESS
BILL NO. 0521 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI, IN TITLE IV: ZONING REGULATIONS, ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS BY ADDING A DEFINITION OF SAFETY NET AND ARTICLE IV. SPECIAL USE REGULATIONS; PARAGRAPH B, BY ADDING A NEW SUB-PARAGRAPH 18.
A motion was made by Alderperson Meyer and seconded by Alderperson McNamara to discuss and pass Bill No. 0521. The City Clerk read Bill No. 0521 for the first time. There was no discussion. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0521 along with the definition the second time and a roll call vote was taken for passage of Bill No. 0521 with the following result: Ayes: Bogosian, McNamara, Meyer, Midyett, and Schiller. There were no nays. Whereby, Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0521 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 23-02.
BILL NO. 0522 – AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO FOREST HILLS COUNTRY CLUB AUTHORIZING THE LOCATION OF A SAFETY NET AT THE DRIVING RANGE ON PROPERTY KNOWN AS 36 FOREST CLUB DRIVE IN THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI.
A motion was made by Alderperson Schiller and seconded by Alderperson McNamara to discuss and pass Bill No. 0522. Mayor Scott Douglass read Bill No. 0522 for the first time. There were several questions: reassurance the net would be no longer than what is currently there to which the response was the length remains the same as it is today; and, the color of the net and color of posts it would be mounted upon, which is green netting and Class 3 Utility Poles made of wood. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0522 the second time and a roll call vote was taken for passage with the following result: Ayes: Bogosian, McNamara, Meyer, Midyett, and Schiller. There were no nays. Whereby, Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0522 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 23-03.
BILL NO. 0523 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES WITH SPECIAL COUNSEL AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE SAME ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI.
A motion was made by Alderperson McNamara and seconded by Alderperson Midyett to discuss and pass Bill No. 0523. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0523 for the first time. Alderperson McNamara explained to those present the reason for the special counsel was to better identify the allowable distribution of ARPA Funds. She said that Patrick Butler and Mayor Douglass have supplied us with good advice, but we wanted another opinion because Mayor Douglass has a different opinion than the Committee’s opinion. She concluded by saying this action we would be taking is not in doubt of any advice given or doubting the abilities of the City Attorney. A question from Valerie Denton was if there would be a cap on the number of hours, to which all Board Members said that would be counter-intuitive and could defeat the entire purpose of contracting for such service; however, they believe it will be five hours or less. Mayor Douglass read Bill No. 0523 the second time and a roll call vote was taken for passage with the following result: Ayes: Bogosian, McNamara, Meyer, Midyett, and Schiller. There were no nays. Whereby, Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0523 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 23-04.
Discuss Deer Protection Fencing: Marcia Trein, a resident of Kehrs Mill Estates Subdivision, introduced herself and handed pictures to the Board Members of her house (before and after her remodeling) along with pictures of the trees she planted and fenced. She said she is from Brazil and is finding in her new environment that not everything you want to plant is survivable due to the deer. She said she has 3 hawthorn trees that are dying and due to the fence ordinance, she will not be able to grow any new trees in her front yard because they would not survive. She respectfully requested that the Board consider changing its ordinances to allow this type of fencing. Alderperson Midyett asked how long she thinks she would require the fencing to which she responded 5 years.
Frances Babb from the same subdivision spoke, saying she supports Marcia Trein, further stating she agrees there should be established stipulations regarding size, height, etc.
Mayor Douglass mentioned our current ordinance that allows these fences through the deer rut season, stating the code prohibits them after February 28. He further stated she is not the only one to receive a letter as we’ve sent letters to 15 other residents in her subdivision in violation of these fences. Alderperson McNamara stated that she understands where Ms. Trein is coming from but the City has established means for deer population control, and additionally, the deer have natural predators such as coyotes. There were further comments, including that she invests in more mature landscaping and Ms. Trein said she does not have the money to purchase larger trees. Alderperson Schiller requested that this be discussed at a future meeting, and everyone agreed. One suggestion from the City Attorney was for the City to consider passing a Moratorium on the Prosecution and/or enforcement of the current code.
Audit: Alderperson Meyer made a motion to approve the payment of invoices for $86,410.38 seconded by Alderperson Midyett. A voice vote was taken to approve the audit with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
In his final Call-Out, Alderperson Meyer made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderperson Midyett. 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 8:00 p.m.
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Scott Douglass, Mayor
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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk