RECORD OF PROCEEDING
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Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley at City Hall (Clarkson Executive Center), December 1, 2020.
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The virtually-held meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. It was duly noted that in an attempt to be as open and transparent as possible, the December 2020 Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen was made available virtually to all citizens.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and was called to order at 6:30 p.m. A roll call was taken with the following result:
PRESENT
Mayor Scott Douglass
Alderperson Jim Meyer Ward 1
Alderperson Honora Schiller Ward 2
Alderperson Julie Blanner Ward 2
Alderperson Scott Schultz Ward 3
Alderperson Lin Midyett Ward 3
ABSENT
Alderperson Sue McNamara Ward 1
Also in Attendance:
City Attorney: Patrick Butler
City Clerk: Michele McMahon
Alderperson Schiller made a motion to accept the Minutes from the November 3 meeting. 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
Mayor Douglass stated that a citizen sent his concern asking for comments regarding the surge of car break-ins and thefts and he asked Lt. Connelly to speak on the subject. Lt. Connelly reported there were no repeat break-ins since the arrest of three individuals in West County last month which sent a strong message and thankfully, stalled that behavior.
REPORTS
Chesterfield Police Report
Lt. Connelly gave the November Police Report. He mentioned that Clarkson Valley Police Officers have neither suffered issues with quarantines nor with actual sicknesses due to Covid-19, but there have been six Chesterfield officers infected with the virus. All have recovered and are back on duty.
He warned everyone the car thieves coming into this area are criminals of opportunity and asked everyone not to warm their unattended vehicles in the morning unless the doors can be locked while doing so.
Mayor’s Report
Court Report: Mayor Douglass said court is still not in session and there is no telling when it might be back in-person. The amount received in October 2020 for court receipts was $5,926.06.
Ordinances: Mayor Douglass reported the City is in a position where we are now considering many ordinance changes, none of which require immediate action. We will be considering a few of these over the course of the next few months. Two of the code changes we’ll be discussing involves carports and parking which will go to Planning & Zoning in January.
Raised Vegetable Garden Beds and Protection Fences: He said the Board has held discussions regarding raised gardens and garden fences and we’ve put together these ideas in ordinance-form for further discussion and consideration. He asked Alderperson Schiller to describe the email she sent and she gave further explanation regarding the hooped dome covering two small gardens in the Forest Hills subdivision. It was agreed this is something that should be added to the ordinance.
He said another item we discussed during these meetings was how far off the ground these gardens should be and asked Alderperson Midyett to describe a raised garden with which he is familiar. Alderperson Midyett described a garden raised on stilts, 2’ to 3’ off the ground that was approximately 4’ wide by 6’ to 8’ in length. Mayor Douglass said the way this ordinance is now written, this type of structure would not be allowed and asked if we wanted to consider this?
Another question was asked if we discussed posts on these structures, to which Mayor Douglass said we talked about a wooden, box-type structure and said we will reference the necessity of conforming to the fence ordinance.
The City Attorney, Mr. Butler, posed a potential problem with the masonry aesthetically blocked material with a maximum height of 6’ as mentioned in the current bill. Theoretically, that would allow the wall to be 50’ to 60’ long and block-in an entire yard; acting as a privacy fence, which is not allowed. To which Mayor Douglass said that was a good point and we would clean that up.
Lastly, Alderperson Midyett stated he thought a limit was mentioned during these meetings of 500 square feet and he did not see this mentioned in the current draft. At this point, Alderperson Schultz was able to join virtually and agreed. Mayor Douglass said that would also be added.
No Trespassing Signs: He reported that Forest Hills Trustees will be placing signage at both subdivision entrances stating: Private Property – No Trespassing. These signs have a further inscription stating Cameras in Use. We will be working with the police and prosecuting attorney to update our code on trespassing.
Alderpersons’ Reports
There were no reports.
City Attorney’s Report
There was nothing new to report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
NEW BUSINESS
Dental Insurance: Mayor Douglass stated the employee dental insurance increased by 5% for a difference of $2.30 per month with a total monthly premium of $49.14. Alderperson Midyett made a motion to approve the employee dental insurance, seconded by Alderperson Schiller. A voice vote was taken to approve the motion with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
Proposing a New Board of Adjustment Member: Mayor Douglass said everyone should have received the bio delivered by Terry Barnes and said he is asking the Board to consider adding Mr. Barnes to the Board of Adjustment. Alderperson Schultz made a motion to approve the appointment of Terry Barnes to the Board of Adjustment, seconded by Alderperson Blanner. A voice vote was taken to approve the appointment with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
Audit: Alderperson Schultz made a motion to approve payment of invoices in the amount of $61,153.68, seconded by Alderperson Blanner. 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 meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
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Scott Douglass
Mayor
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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk