May 2023 Board of Aldermen Meeting

Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, May 2, 2023

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

This was a very special meeting because a new Mayor was sworn in along with Alderpersons Andrew Low, Jeff Schweig, Honora Schiller and Gregg Bogosian. There was a round of applause and the meeting was called to order.

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

ABSENT
Vacant (2nd Ward)

AGENDA APPROVAL

Mayor McNamara explained the Agenda we will now be using, which was modified to contain new language approving the Agenda and also basic legal language of disclosures. Mayor McNamara then called for an additional line item be added regarding the recent resignation of one of our Alderpersons from Ward 2, who can no longer participate in our meetings and we will be seeking a replacement. Additionally, there were a few deletions made to the Agenda. Alderperson Bogosian made a motion to accept the revised Agenda, seconded by Alderperson Midyett. 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 April 2023 Minutes.  Alderperson Bogosian 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

Frances Babb, a resident of Kehrs Mill Estates, proposed that all future public meetings be livestreamed with Zoom call-in ability for participation. Mayor McNamara explained this is already being proposed and will be discussed at tonight’s meeting.

Mrs. Babb spoke on a second subject regarding tree protection, saying she thinks they should be allowed. Her last topic was that she feels Alderpersons should not serve in the additional capacity of subdivision trustees. Additional discussion ensued about these proposals and Mayor McNamara responded by saying if Mrs. Babb can gather enough people to change our ordinance, we could consider that.

Mr. Dale Robinson, a resident of Kehrs Mill Estates, said he too, received the letter regarding his tree protection fencing and complied with the City’s request, but now two of the three trees he uncovered have already been compromised by the deer. He then asked if there were rules for the number of signatures they would need in order to change the policy.

Marcia Trein, a resident of Kehrs Mill Estates who also received letters from the City regarding her tree protection fencing located beyond the building lines said she does not have the money to spend on larger, 15 year-old trees and spoke about the City not doing anything to alleviate the deer problem, to which Mayor McNamara reminded everyone that Clarkson Valley was the first municipality to pass ordinances allowing deer hunting.

REPORTS

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

Mayor’s Report

Court Report: Mayor McNamara said the amount received in April 2023 for court receipts was $2,267.31.

Trustees Meeting: Mayor McNamara announced the City will hold its Trustees Meeting on May 17 and highly encouraged all Board Members to attend in order to be more connected with their constituents. She also mentioned she would like to hold this meeting more than once a year.

2023-2024 Budget: Mayor McNamara reported that this month she will be working on the Budget.

Alderpersons’ Reports: There were no Alderperson reports.

City Attorney’s Report: The City Attorney, Patrick Butler, said all was quiet and he had nothing to report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Recodification: Mayor McNamara described the process she is going through with the codifier, Marge Perry with General Code. They are going through all our ordinances and this first session took four hours, but she reported they got through Title I of the code. She said they are meeting over the next two weeks to finish. She concluded by saying that in the name of transparency and accessibility, she would like to pay General Code the additional money to host our Code on our Website. It will cost additional money, but I believe this is important and we can use ARPA money towards this.

Investment Update: Alderperson Bogosian updated those present on the change of banks, moving the city’s funds eventually from Carrollton Bank to Central Bank. These investments will be safe and will yield more interest.

NEW BUSINESS

President of the Board of Aldermen: Alderperson Schiller made a motion to nominate Alderperson Lin Midyett as President of the Board, seconded by Alderperson Schweig. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and Mayor McNamara declared it approved and passed. Mayor McNamara declared Alderperson Midyett as the Board President, and everyone thanked and congratulated him.

Approval of Appointments: Mayor McNamara referred to the Appointment Schedule placed in their packets. There was a brief discussion regarding the reappointments with Alderperson Low stating he would like to reach out to his constituents. Alderperson Bogosian made a motion to approve the appointments as stated on the Agenda, seconded by Alderperson Low. These include Planning and Zoning (1 year term) Honora Schiller and (4 year terms) reappoint Karl Hussey, appoint John Orbe and Joe Mayberger to fill unexpired terms. For the Board of Adjustment (5 year term), we reappoint Rich Ulrich and appoint John Orbe, and James Schneider to fill unexpired terms, and to reappoint the City Clerk, Michele McMahon. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and Mayor McNamara declared it approved and passed.

BILL NO. 0524 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI, FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY AND THE CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE SAME ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY.

A motion was made by Alderperson Schiller to discuss and pass Bill No. 0524. Alderperson Midyett seconded the motion. Mayor McNamara read Bill No. 0524 for the first time and stated the costs for larviciding and adulticiding increased 10% since 2018. She said last year they larvicided the City which addresses standing water. There was no discussion. Mayor McNamara read Bill No. 0524 the second time. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results. Ayes: Bogosian, Low, Midyett, Schiller and Schweig. There were no Nays. Whereby, Mayor McNamara declared Bill No. 0524 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 23-05.

Request for Pyrotechnic Display: Alderperson Schiller made a motion to allow Forest Hills Club Estates to hold its annual fireworks display this 4th of July. Alderperson Midyett seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

BILL NO. 0525 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, MISSOURI, IN TITLE III: TRAFFIC CODE, BY DELETING SCHEDULE III. RESTRICTED PARKING AND ADDING A NEW SCHEDULE III. RESTRICTED PARKING.

A motion was made by Alderperson Bogosian to discuss and pass Bill No. 0525. Alderperson Schiller seconded the motion. Mayor McNamara read Bill No. 0525 for the first time. Emma Gore, General Manager of Forest Hills Country Club, spoke saying they are requesting four new signs to address potential parking situations at the new Short Game Course. They would like two signs on Fairlake and two on Hillock Lane. Since these signs address one side of the street only, Alderperson Schiller asked Mrs. Gore if they were concerned with people parking on the other side of the street, to which she said not at this time. Mayor McNamara read Bill No. 0525 the second time. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results. Ayes: Bogosian, Low, Midyett, Schiller and Schweig. There were no Nays. Whereby, Mayor McNamara declared Bill No. 0525 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 23-06.

Snow Removal Reimbursement: The budgeted amount for 2022-2023 Snow Removal was $100,000 and the invoices to be paid this year came in at $47,679.27. Alderperson Schiller made a motion to pay the invoices in the amount of $47,679.27, seconded by Alderperson Bogosian. A voice vote was taken to pay the snow removal invoices with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Computers for City Clerk and Assistant: Mayor McNamara said she is thankful to have Alderperson Andrew Low, who is very helpful with IT along with the President of The Manors at Clarkson Valley Subdivision, Brock MacDonald serve on this committee. She then added that the good news is we can use ARPA funds to pay for this and the Livestreaming platform we are considering. Alderperson Low said he and Mayor McNamara have spoken on what is needed and they feel the City needs to livestream and record our meetings. He said Phase 1 will be to purchase the new computers, and Phase 2 will be an update to the Website with shared drives and emails. Regarding the livestreaming, he would like to see a camera and microphone at each of the four tables.

We were reminded that the Assistant City Clerk’s computer was no longer working and that it should also be included. The discussion turned to whether the same proposal would work for the additional computer and Mr. MacDonald said column one for In-Office Setup would work well for the Assistant’s desk. Alderperson Low then made a motion to approve the proposal drafted by Brock MacDonald to include two office computers and one at-home setup, seconded by Alderperson Schiller. Discussion took place on whether there should be a laptop or a tower, but the consensus felt that docking was important. Mayor McNamara said she would like to move forward with this. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion to purchase two office computers and one at-home setup was declared passed.

Boundary Commission: Mayor McNamara explained that every 5 years, the Boundary Commission redraws its maps and entertains discussion regarding future annexation requests. Five Years ago, we asked Chesterfield to include us in their plan in the event our city would disincorporate. Alderperson Schiller made a motion to ask Chesterfield to consider once again accepting Clarkson Valley if that should happen, seconded by Alderperson Midyett. City Attorney, Patrick Butler, said it is how the Boundary Commission updates its maps. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

Discuss Deer Protection Fencing: The request to further discuss deer protection fencing died for a lack of a motion.

RESOLUTION NO. 23-02 – RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY DECLARING A VACANCY IN THE POSITION OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN IN THE SECOND WARD WITHIN THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY.

A motion was made by Alderperson Bogosian to discuss and pass Resolution No. 23-02. Alderperson Schiller seconded the motion. Mayor McNamara read Resolution No. 23-02 for the first time and stated this vacancy was left by Alderperson Blanner who was no longer able to serve due to health issues. Mayor McNamara read Resolution No. 23-02 the second time. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results. Ayes: Bogosian, Low, Midyett, Schiller and Schweig. There were no Nays. Whereby, Mayor McNamara declared Resolution No. 23-02 as having passed.

AUDIT

Alderperson Schiller made a motion to approve the payment of invoices for $129,085.37 seconded by Alderperson Midyett. A voice vote was taken to approve the audit with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mayor McNamara met with the Winchester Mayor who told her that each month, the alderpersons from each of their two wards in her City take turns looking at the properties to report property upkeep issues and asked the Board if there would be any interest in us doing that. Alderperson Low reminded everyone that they are the Legislative Branch and not the Administrative Branch.

ADJOURN

Alderperson Low made a motion to adjourn, 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