July 2023 Board of Aldermen Meeting

The regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen was held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the Meeting Room at the Clarkson Executive Center in Ballwin, Missouri. The meeting was also accessible virtually via a Zoom link.

A roll call for the meeting was taken with the following result:

ABSENT
None

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

AGENDA APPROVAL

Mayor McNamara requested that the Agenda be amended to remove 9(e) Video Franchise Fee Change and add a new 9(e) Discuss/Pass ARPA Subdivision Requests. Alderperson Bogosian made a Motion to amend the Agenda as stated, seconded by Alderperson MacDonald. A voice vote was taken to approve the amended Agenda with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

MINUTES APPROVAL

Alderperson Schiller made a motion to accept the Minutes of the June 6, June 9, and July 7 meetings seconded by Alderperson Low. A voice vote was taken to accept the Minutes of the three meetings with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

REMARKS, PETITIONS, AND COMPLAINTS

There were no remarks, petitions, or complaints.

REPORTS

Chesterfield Police Report: Lt. Connelly gave the June Police Report.

Mayor’s Report

Court Report: Mayor McNamara said the amount received in June 2023 for court receipts was $3,007.77.

Recodification: Mayor McNamara reported that all work to date has gone to the editor and that we will hopefully have the results by the end of the year, at which time Alderperson Schiller has volunteered to review.

Alderpersons’ Reports

Alderperson Low reported that the equipment for the City Hall computer update has been ordered and we received everything except the two computers. Both Alderpersons Low and MacDonald said they intend to come into City Hall soon to investigate what is necessary to live stream our meetings.

Alderperson Bogosian reported the dead tree that has been discussed for years was finally removed. He said once they cut the base of the tree, they located the property survey marker which was truly in the middle of the tree, marking the boundaries for all four properties at that exact point.

Alderperson Midyett explained that Clarkson Valley currently does not have a code prohibiting the discharge of gutter runoff exiting so many feet from the street. We are proposing the passage of an ordinance stating this runoff should exit no closer than 10’ from the street.

City Attorney’s Report: The City Attorney, Patrick Butler, had nothing to report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

2023-2024 Budget: Mayor McNamara reported that one additional change was made to the proposed Budget stating that because there will be a slight decrease in revenue for franchise fees, we decreased that amount. Otherwise, all the figures are in, and the good news is that we are in the black. Alderperson Low made a motion to pass the 2023-2024 Budget, seconded by Alderperson Midyett. A voice vote was taken to approve the 2023-2024 Budget, as amended, with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. Mayor McNamara thanked Alderperson Midyett for his work on this committee and said next year we will begin the process sooner.

Investment Update: Alderperson Bogosian gave an update on the City’s investments, saying he has placed 91% of all available funds in high yield CD’s in high yield trust accounts and stated that we are in a much better place than we were last year. He explained that he has established 8 CD’s, evenly split and laddered. Everyone thanked him.

Subdivision and Country Club Contractual Agreement for Police Enforcement: Mayor McNamara said we received a note from the Forest Hills Club Estates Subdivision President, saying they would not sign the agreement. It was then asked of the City Attorney how this came about, and Patrick Butler explained that when new subdivisions are constructed, this is a common element when private streets are concerned. The next question arose because the Agenda includes the Country Club along with the subdivisions and Mr. Butler explained that was because their parking lot is privately owned.

Equipment Necessary to Livestream the City’s Meetings: Alderperson Low said he would have an equipment list ready for the August Meeting.

Update on City Hall’s Computer: Alderperson MacDonald reported that the municipal contract we had with HP is no longer valid because their inventory for G9’s is no longer available. He is hoping they will take responsibility and send us the G10’s. Alderperson Schiller asked if that is the best equipment, or should we put it out for bid? Various state contracts for IT equipment were discussed and, in the end, it was determined if HP consents to sending G10’s, the City would be receiving two $3,000 computers for a little over $1,000 each.

NEW BUSINESS

BILL NO. 0526 – AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO MASONIC CENTER OF ST. LOUIS AUTHORIZING THE LOCATION OF A BUILDING-MOUNTED SIGN AT 15977 CLAYTON ROAD IN THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schiller and seconded by Alderperson Low to discuss and pass Bill No. 0526. The City Clerk read Bill No. 0526 for the first time. There was no discussion. The City Clerk then read Bill No. 0526 the second time. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results. Ayes: Bogosian, Low, MacDonald, Midyett, Schiller and Schweig. There were no nays. Whereby, Mayor McNamara declared Bill No. 0526 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 23-07.

BILL NO. 0527 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI, IN TITLE IV: ZONING REGULATIONS, ARTICLE II. DISTRICTS AND DISTRICT REGULATIONS, SECTION 405.080, PARAGRAPH B USE REGULATIONS BY ADDING LANGUAGE TO SUB-PARAGRAPH 3. FARMS.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schiller and seconded by Alderperson Schweig to discuss and pass Bill No. 0527. The City Clerk read Bill No. 0526 for the first time. There was no discussion. The City Clerk then read Bill No. 0527 the second time. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results. Ayes: Bogosian, MacDonald, Midyett, Schiller and Schweig. There were no nays. Abstentions: Low. Whereby, Mayor McNamara declared Bill No. 0527 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 23-08.

Postage Machine: Mayor McNamara explained that our current model can no longer be supported because the United States Postal System has developed software to aid in cracking down on postal fraud. All metered mail will now require this software. The model that came in with the lowest price is an upgrade to our current machine and will now seal envelopes. The cost would go from $78 per quarter, up to $104.85 and not only was it the least expensive, but the postage already loaded in the current machine could be transferred to the new one. She then referred everyone to the spreadsheet with bids from FP USA, Pitney Bowes and Quadient included in their packets. Alderperson Midyett made a motion to approve the lease of a new FP USA meter and base, seconded by Alderperson Low. A voice vote was taken to approve the lease of the postage meter with Marxam Company with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Building Commissioner – Resignation Received: Mayor McNamara reported that Jack Schenck, the Building Commissioner for the past 16 years turned in his resignation, but it was later determined that he would stay on as inspector/plan reviewer but would no longer investigate complaints. She said she is thinking about hiring someone part-time from another city. Patrick Butler said we need to revamp our procedures for handling complaints and Mayor McNamara agreed that this should be in place before we hire someone. She said she received the list of procedures as set out by the City of Chesterfield. She said that our code is very subjective as it stands now and concluded by saying she would like to adopt a uniform code to be fair, consistent, and non-arbitrary. Alderperson Schweig volunteered to serve on this committee and Alderperson Midyett agreed to serve, as well. Alderperson Low tentatively agreed to serve and they said they believed they could have a first draft before the August 1 meeting.

PUBLIC HEARING

Masonic Temple’s Request to Install an Exterior, Building Mounted Sign: City Clerk, Michele McMahon, read the Notice of Public Hearing. A Planning and Zoning Hearing was held June 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 Masonic Temple’s request to install the sign.

Mr. Joe Stewart was present at this meeting and stated that he would entertain any questions the Board might have, to which there were none.

The City Clerk then read the second Notice to Discuss/Pass 405.080 Use Regulations to add three acres or more to the definition of Farms. Alderperson Schiller said that this also received an affirmative recommendation to the Board.

Alderperson Schiller made a motion that Line Items (a) and (b) on tonight’s Agenda be discussed now so Mr. Stewart can enjoy the rest of this evening. Alderperson Schweig seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken to approve the addition to the amended Agenda with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

The Public Hearing closed at 7:05 p.m.

AUDIT

Alderperson Midyett made a motion to approve the payment of invoices for $111,576.60 seconded by Alderperson Schiller. A voice vote was taken to approve the audit with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

MISCELLANEOUS

No miscellaneous matters were discussed.

ADJOURN

Alderperson Midyett made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderperson 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 8:00 p.m.

ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk