RECORD OF PROCEEDING
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Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, March 7, 2023
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The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
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 McNamara made a motion to accept the February 2023 Minutes. Alderperson Meyer 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
There were no remarks, petitions or complaints.
REPORTS
Chesterfield Police Report
Lt. Connelly gave the February Police Report.
Mayor’s Report
Court Report: Mayor Douglass said the amount received in February 2023 for court receipts was $2,684.66.
ARPA Letter: Mayor Douglass suggested we send the letter contained in tonight’s packet. He said he called the Federal Government and asked about private streets and they gave him a place to look it up, which he did and that information is contained in his letter. He then reiterated his standing on whether ARPA funds can be used on private streets, and suggests we do it this way. The Alderpersons and the President of Trustees for the Kehrs Mill Estates Subdivision, Talie Manning, had questions for the City Attorney who responded that stormwater, streets, etc. are allowable ways of spending the ARPA funds but everything must be voted on and a clear record must be available at all times.
Alderpersons’ Reports
Kehrs Mill Estates Residents Association: Alderperson McNamara reported that Kehrs Mill Estates Subdivision received bids for its lakes and KMERA President Manning contacted several governmental agencies for grants. She concluded by saying Dunhill, Kehrswood and Kehrs Mill Trails Subdivisions are all good and have nothing to report.
Flock Cameras: Alderperson McNamara reported she and Mrs. Manning attended the recent MML Monthly Membership Meeting and learned more about Flock cameras. She said she would like Clarkson Valley to consider obtaining two of these license plate-reading cameras. She said if we were to install one at Kehrs Mill Rd. near Strecker and the other at Clarkson and Kehrs Mill Roads, the city would be covered.
KMERA Subdivision Report: Alderperson Meyer said he attended the recent Kehrs Mill Estates Annual Subdivision Meeting whereupon Mrs. Talie Manning was re-elected as President and he congratulated her. He said there was much discussion and concern from those present for the roads in that subdivision, further stating that due to deferred maintenance in past years when under a different administration, the dollar amount to repair the roads today will cost $3,500,000.00.
Removing Volunteer Board Member: Alderperson Meyer asked how the City can remove a volunteer who is not abiding by the Municipal Code rules, whereupon Mayor Douglass stated he would take care of this.
Distracted Drivers: Alderperson Bogosian said during Lt. Connelly’s police report, he mentioned the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers. He said that his research shows the number of pedestrian fatalities has tripled since 2008. He asked for more police presence.
Trash Containers Visible – Violation Letters: Alderperson Bogosian stated tonight he was handed four letters that were mailed to residents in his Ward – all regarding visible trash containers. He asked the Board for their opinion concerning enforcing this since 20-40% of houses have visible trash containers. The consensus agreed they want this enforced. Mayor Douglass said the neighboring communities have the same rules for containers, and we’re not doing anything more than other municipalities.
City Attorney Report:
The City Attorney, Patrick Butler, reported this month he researched the Final Rule for ARPA fund spending and responded to questions asked by the ARPA Committee and Mayor Douglass.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Recodification: Mayor Douglass mentioned that a sample of the work accomplished so far was emailed to the Alderpersons of the progress made to date with recodification and we should have the majority accomplished within the next month. Through this process we’ve found there are several codes in conflict with each other, e.g., in several portions of the code we mention parking for longer than 24 hours, and in other portions of the code, we mention 72 hours. Upon near completion of this code, we will be sending questions to you to see your preference. Other code changes are because the state has updated its laws and we must follow suit. Still, other changes are codes that no longer apply, e.g., we’ve removed the words City Marshal, City Collector, etc. He concluded by saying he hopes we can pass this next month.
NEW BUSINESS
ARPA Committee Report: Alderperson Midyett called attention to the two items contained in the folders and said one was the Letter being considered to go to the Subdivision Trustee Presidents and other potential applicants; the other contains the application. Discussion centered on the application form. KMERA President Manning asked how many times can a proposal be submitted, further stating that if it is initially rejected, can they keep submitting? HOA Trustee Brad Johnson said it would help if a list would be sent with this letter outlining potential projects covered by ARPA funds. Alderperson Bogosian commented the letter does a good job explaining the application process, but it does not help detail how ARPA monies can be spent. Ideas on spending were discussed with “public safety” being a good example. The Kehrs Mill Trails Dam was also mentioned.
Alderperson Bogosian made a motion to include an exhaustive list of suggestions for ARPA spending but the motion was amended to add the word “possible” ways of spending. There was further discussion regarding the City going out for the bid process with any requests but this received an almost unanimous and resounding no. Alderperson Schiller asked why the applicants would get three bids when they are not sure the project would be approved and all agreed on that point. Alderperson McNamara and KMERA President Manning asked if their project proposals could be conceptually approved before they go out for bids. A motion was made for these proposals to come to the Board for initial approval but died for a lack of a second motion; whereupon Mayor Douglass asked for a motion to table until next month. Alderperson Bogosian reminded everyone there was a motion already on the floor. The amended motion was seconded by Alderperson McNamara. A roll call vote was taken to include a list of possible suggestions for ARPA project reimbursements with the following results. Ayes: Bogosian, McNamara, Meyer, Midyett, and Schiller. There were no nays. Whereby, Mayor Douglass declared the motion as having passed.
Non-Binding Tax Amount: Mayor Douglass said per state law and by the provisions of the Hancock Amendment, the City has to send a letter bi-annually identifying the non-binding tax amount it projects it will pass in September. A voice vote was taken to approve the non-binding tax amounts as shown in their packets with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
Appointing a New Planning & Zoning Commission Member: Mayor Douglass stated everyone should have received the biography submitted by candidate Jack Hauser and said Mr. Hauser has been serving on the Board of Adjustment for the past 15 years, since 2008. Alderperson Schiller asked if he can serve on both boards and Mayor Douglass said yes he can. Alderperson Meyer made a motion to approve the appointment of Jack Hauser to the Planning & Zoning Commission, seconded by Alderperson Midyett. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and Mayor Douglass declared Jack Hauser as the newest P&Z Commission Member.
Audit: Alderperson Midyett made a motion to approve the payment of invoices for $85,245.14 seconded by Alderperson Schiller. A voice vote was taken to approve the audit with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
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