RECORD OF PROCEEDING
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Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, November 1, 2022
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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 Sue McNamara Ward 1 Alderperson Jim Meyer
Alderperson Honora Schiller Ward 2
Alderperson Julie Blanner Ward 2
Alderperson Lin Midyett Ward 3
Alderperson Gregg Bogosian Ward 3
Also in Attendance:
City Clerk: Michele McMahon
The City Attorney, Patrick Butler, was unable to attend.
Alderperson Blanner made a motion to accept the September 2022 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
There were no remarks, petitions, or complaints.
REPORTS
Chesterfield Police Report
Lt. Connelly gave the October Police Report and said the DEA Drug Take Back was well attended and they took back 53.7 lbs. of prescription drugs. This year’s event was staffed by Lt. Connelly, Clarkson Valley Officer Powers and three (3) Chesterfield Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS).
Mayor’s Report
Court Report: Mayor Douglass said the amount received in October 2022 for court receipts was $3,284.01.
Sidewalks on Clarkson Road: Mayor Douglass said he has been in touch with a MoDOT engineer for a potential sidewalk project along Clarkson Road and was referred to another engineer who represents this specific area. The Mayor said he wants them to keep us on their radar for a possible sidewalk.
Alderpersons’ Reports
Westhampton Water Main Upgrade: Alderperson Midyett reported that Missouri American Water was finished with the majority of the project with the exception of Kettington Road at Clarkson Roads where they are finishing with the street.
Protocol for Closed Hearings: Alderperson Bogosian asked Mayor Douglass why the Alderpersons could not hold a closed hearing unless it had full Board in attendance? Was this due to something written in our code or by state statute? Alderperson Schiller said it was she who asked for that requirement regarding this request. Through discussion, it was decided that any Alderperson requesting a closed hearing would set the perimeters, i.e. full attendance versus quorum. Mayor Douglass agreed these meetings could also be attended virtually as long as proper RSMo Sunshine Law rules were adhered to.
Concrete Slab Replacement and Asphalt Patching: Alderperson McNamara reported that concrete slab replacement began last week on one side of the road in the Kehrs Mill Estates Subdivision and will continue to the other side.
Jennycliffe Lane Water Line Replacement/Repair: Alderperson Blanner reported she heard from Missouri American Water and the line replacement on her street has been delayed and is now slated for March 2023.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
ARPA Plan: Mayor Douglass explained his memorandum emailed to the Alderpersons last week and described the difference between Internal projects – which would be funding on behalf of subdivisions, city, and employees, versus External projects – which would be outside of these areas, i.e. schools, etc. He then read a new memo regarding his recommendation of how to best facilitate the process for ARPA spending. Alderperson Blanner said her understanding was the Board was going to decide how ARPA funds were to be divided – through the means of a committee.
After some discussion, Alderperson Bogosian made a motion to create a committee comprised of one alderperson from each Ward, each agreed upon by the two alderpersons of each Ward within two weeks, to develop a plan to disperse the ARPA funds subject to approval of the Board of Alderpersons. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Midyett. Discussion ensued beginning with one alderperson stating they do not think there should be a committee and later asking, “why do we need a committee?” to which the response was, “it is necessary to get this thing moving.” Another alderperson stated a committee would allot these funds equitably and amicably. Another alderperson raised the point that the money could be divided by subdivisions along with the number of homes in each subdivision and this idea received nods of approval. In the end, it was noted when one alderperson was asked if he would be Chairman; “these issues would all be decided by the committee.” Alderperson Bogosian read the motion a second time and the discussion ended with two more points being made: as of right now, there is no structure to the spending, and the request for a committee was made clear the last time we met.
With the motion on the floor and seconded, a roll call vote was taken, with the following results. Ayes: Blanner, Bogosian, McNamara, and Midyett. Nays: Schiller. Whereby, it was declared the motion passes 4 to 1 for a committee to be formed within the next two weeks.
Westhampton Streetlight Proposal: Alderperson Midyett stated he lives in the Westhampton Subdivision. The subdivision currently has streetlights on 8’ poles that were installed 50 years ago, they give very little light and are in disrepair. The subdivision’s new proposal calls for streetlights that would be 16’ tall and shed a much larger radius of light. He further explained that what we did was to request that the trustees petition each household in Westhampton to ascertain that at least 2/3 of the residents are in favor of these lights. Alderperson Schiller asked if 2/3 vote was received, would this request then go to the committee; to which the alderpersons said yes.
Animals and Fowl: Alderperson Blanner reminded those present that at the end of the last meeting, there was discussion about the city’s codes relating to chickens. She said the city attorney stated “he believes the alderpersons should tighten its code” and went on to say that is why I asked that this be placed on tonight’s agenda. After some discussion and without the city attorney present, Alderperson Schiller made a motion to table this discussion to a future meeting, seconded by Alderperson Blanner. All ayes in agreement.
Investment Policy: Mayor Douglass stated there are two paragraphs in the Investment Policy regarding the person responsible for managing the policy, which currently gives sole responsibility to the Mayor. He said, per the Board’s request, in addition to the Mayor, it would now indicate “or a member of the Board of Aldermen as assigned by the Mayor, and as approved by the Board of Aldermen”. Alderperson Blanner stated she thought it was discussed that it is not an “either/or” option and that for accountabilities’ sake, it should be two parties who are responsible. Alderperson McNamara agreed and made the motion, seconded by Alderperson Blanner with a vote of all ayes that the two paragraphs will read: “Authority to manage the investment program is granted to the Mayor and a Member of the Board of Aldermen as assigned by the Mayor, and as approved by the Board of Aldermen.”
NEW BUSINESS
BILL NO. 0519 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR AND THE CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY TO EXECUTE A MUNICIPAL COURT SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CLARKSON VALLEY, ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI AND THE CITY OF CHESTERFIELD, ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI.
A motion was made by Alderperson Schiller and seconded by Alderperson Blanner to discuss and pass Bill No. 0519. The City Clerk read Bill No. 0519 for the first time. Mayor Douglass mentioned the increase in cost and commented he never thought the CPI would reach 9%. There was no further discussion. The City Clerk read Bill No. 0519 the second time. A roll call vote was taken, with the following results. Ayes: Blanner, Bogosian, McNamara, Midyett, and Schiller. There were no Nays. Whereby, Mayor Douglass declared Bill No. 0519 as having passed and is now Ordinance No. 22-11.
Audit: Alderperson Blanner made a motion to approve payment of invoices in the amount of $75,573.13 seconded by Alderperson Midyett. A voice vote was taken to approve the audit with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
On behalf of Alderperson Meyer who could not attend tonight, Alderperson McNamara made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderperson Bogosian. 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 7:40 p.m.
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Scott Douglass, Mayor
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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk