RECORD OF PROCEEDING
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Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Clarkson Valley, March 1, 2022
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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 March 2022 Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen was made available to all citizens.
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 Ward 2
Alderperson Lin Midyett Ward 3
Alderperson Gregg Bogosian Ward 3
Also in Attendance:
City Clerk: Michele McMahon
City Attorney: Patrick Butler
Alderperson Meyer made a motion to accept the February 2022 Minutes. Alderperson McNamara 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 2021 for court receipts was $2,210.07.
Forest Hills Pitch and Putt: Mayor Douglass said he met with the interim General Manager and the Grounds Supervisor with Forest Hills Country Club because they are proposing to install a pitch and putt. They originally shoe-horned the project onto a very small parcel but they scaled it down considerably in size. Once they finalize their plans, they will bring the plans to city hall for a grading permit.
ARPA Required Reporting: Mayor Douglass said we did not receive the second half of our funds, but we did receive newly updated details on the required reporting procedure. He said this month we will put together our answers on how the money will be spent and report to you in the coming weeks. The report is not due until April 30, 2022.
Solar Ordinance for Non-Residential Properties: Mayor Douglass mentioned we are in the process of reviewing the International Building Code and the Building Commissioner agreed to put the base work of the ordinance together this month. If we do not have the final draft this month, we will at least have a first draft for your review.
Alderpersons’ Reports
Car and Garage Break-Ins: Alderperson Bogosian said he continues to be alarmed by the crime in the city, especially on Forest Club Drive. He mentioned the new ordinance we passed on “Tampering”, etc. but perhaps it would be a good time for a broadcast email to the residents to explain to them the extent of which, unlocked vehicles are being opened and stolen from; buildings with unsecured garage doors are being broken into and stolen from. He continued, saying this is a problem and it’s becoming more brazen. Perhaps a reminder to the residents to lock your car doors, shut your garage doors, and to lock all doors. Alderperson McNamara reminded everyone how Alderperson Blanner alerted everyone about the garage door alarm system applications that are available for a very nominal fee of approximately $30. These systems alert you when your garage doors are inadvertently left open. Further stating she manages her neighborhood’s email and she said she has sent messages innumerable times stating the importance of locking your doors and to not keep valuables in them overnight – but you can never send that message too many times.
Mayor Douglass said we would send Alderperson Blanner’s information to the residents again and thanked Alderperson McNamara for bringing that up again. Alderperson Blanner said the app gives her so much peace of mind and not only will the app let you know when your garage door is open, her system has a default setting for it to close an open garage door automatically the same time every night. Alderperson Midyett said he has one and feels everyone should have one.
Lt. Connelly stated the garage doors being left open is the key to these thefts, saying 60% to 70% of stealing from vehicles is when they are accessed through these open garages. He said that in some cases, these open garage doors give access into the house. He concluded by saying if our residents followed that simple rule to keep them closed, that is the fix that will make the thieves go somewhere else.
Pitch and Putt – Further Discussion: Alderperson Bogosian said he is aware of residents who are not happy with the proposal. Mayor Douglass spoke about a focus group who met recently. Valerie Denton, President of Forest Hills Club Estates Trustees, spoke saying she served on the focus group. Mayor Douglass said his understanding was the original proposal was scrapped and Mrs. Denton confirmed they are looking at revising the original plans. With input from this focus group, the Club will come back with revised drawings and at that time, will secure a Grading Permit from the city.
City Attorney’s Report
City Attorney, Patrick Butler, said all was good in the city.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
NEW BUSINESS
Discuss Mercy Clinic Family Medicine (MCFM) Offer: Mayor Douglass opened the discussion by saying he is asking the Board’s approval to form a committee to investigate the offer to locate the police substation and city hall to the MCFM building, located across the parking lot from the current location. Items to consider would be the cost of moving; the terms contained within the lease, etc. Alderperson Bogosian made a motion to form a committee, seconded by Alderperson Midyett. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion to form the committee, which would consist of Alderpersons Midyett (Chair), Schiller and McNamara, was declared passed. Mayor Douglass said he would give Alderperson Midyett the contact person at MCFM’s name and number.
Discuss Street Name Signs: There was a brief discussion regarding street name signs with items mentioned such as levels of reflectivity and age of signs, which is twenty-five years. Mayor Douglass asked permission to form a committee to review options. Alderperson Schiller made the motion to form a committee. Mayor Douglass is asking this committee to gather information; figure how best to implement it working alongside the police. He asked Alderperson Bogosian to chair that committee which also consists of Alderpersons Meyer and Blanner. Alderperson Midyett seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion to form the sign committee was declared passed.
Forest Hills Club Estates President of Trustees, Valerie Denton, asked if the city would consider allowing the trustees to be part of this discussion as well. Mayor Douglass asked that Alderperson Bogosian contact the trustees of all subdivisions. Mrs. Denton also said her subdivision is in the process of purchasing black paint for their subdivision to have white signage with black lettering and black posts. Alderperson McNamara also mentioned while she drove around the city and found no wide-spread deterioration, to which Alderperson Meyer said that as a committee, which might be the report that comes back.
Several Items to Consider this Month: Mayor Douglass mentioned to the Alderpersons he will be sending them a few items this month and as they are be sent, he asked the Alderpersons to take a look at them. One item he will be sending this month is a purchasing agreement for the city. In addition to that, we will have the solar information coming to you. We will also have more information about the Federal money. He mentioned that we currently have an ordinance about golf carts which includes self-propelled, off-street vehicles and mini-motorized scooters. We will get that information out to you so you can become familiar with our rules and to decide if you are fine with the current ordinances or if you feel we should modify them going forward.
Audit: Alderperson Midyett made a motion to approve payment of invoices in the amount of $72,091.47, seconded by Alderperson McNamara. 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 Schiller. 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 7:10 p.m.