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), October 6, 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 October 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 Sue McNamara Ward 1
Alderperson Honora Schiller Ward 2
Alderperson Julie Blanner Ward 2
Alderperson Scott Schultz Ward 3
Alderperson Lin Midyett Ward 3
Also in Attendance:
City Attorney: Patrick Butler
City Clerk: Michele McMahon
Alderperson Midyett made a motion to accept the Minutes from the September 1st meeting. Alderperson Schultz seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken to accept the Minutes with an affirmative result and the motion was declared passed.
Alderperson Schultz made a motion to accept the Minutes from the September 28th special meeting to approve the Real Estate Tax legislation. 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 September Police Report. He mentioned the Clarkson Valley Police would hold a Drug Take Back on Saturday, October 24th. Discussion centered on the recent car and house break-ins and the often-mentioned number of garage doors that remain open at night. Alderperson Blanner informed everyone that she became aware of a $30 device that senses an open door and alerts the homeowner. Everyone was interested in that and she volunteered to forward information.
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 August 2020 for court receipts was $3,918. Mayor Douglass mentioned a trend, saying in April, May, and June we issued approximately 250 citations per month. In June and July they increased to 300 citations.
CARES Act Funds: He referred to the Resolution for CARES Act Funds on the agenda and described some of the provisions we’ll have to meet to receive this money. He mentioned the federal government allotted each state CARES Act money and each state is responsible for dividing that money among the counties; then the counties, in turn, divide the money between the municipalities. One of the provisions for being allowed this money is to cover police salaries and with that in mind, we will file our request. The paperwork is voluminous and we plan to get it accomplished before the deadline, which is Friday at noon. One of the requirements to receive the fund is to pass a resolution.
Sales Tax Receipts: Mayor Douglass said he can’t begin to explain the phenomenon with the tax money other than it appears people are spending their stimulus money as it was meant to be spent. He said he reviewed August and September tax monies from 2019 versus 2020 and found this year to be actually higher.
2019 2020
August Sales Tax 29,940 30,184
September Sales Tax 40,450 43,020
Alderpersons’ Reports
Raised Gardens and Fences: Alderperson McNamara mentioned adding her thoughts on the garden fence issue to Alderperson Midyett’s initial outline. Mayor Douglass thanked her and Alderperson Midyett and asked everyone else to continue thinking about this and relay any thoughts you have to the city.
Police Stepped-up Patrols: Alderperson Blanner thanked Lt. Connelly for the subdivision signs stating “Lock it or Lose it” in a campaign to make people more aware. She said this is helping allay our residents’ reasonable concerns with this rash of auto break-ins. Alderpersons Schultz and Midyett said they’ve also notice more police patrolling then in the past.
City Attorney’s Report
Patrick Butler mentioned a letter sent by Board of Adjustment Chairman, Paul Mercurio. He reported that after a long meeting, it was determined we would hold the Board of Adjustment Hearings on a set day, that being the second Monday of the month. He said we will also give a deadline for applicants with paperwork. If they do not submit it in its entirety by two weeks before the meeting, they will be postponed until the next month. Mayor Douglass stated this action is appropriate for the Board to set its own schedule. He also mentioned that he would lean towards not throwing them out if they are a day or two late, further clarifying that he would lean towards the citizen rather than government.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 20-02: Alderperson McNamara made a motion to approve Resolution 20-02, seconded by Alderperson Midyett. Discussion took place about the intent, the amount, worthiness, surplus at the end of the year, and the economy, but in the end everyone agreed we should apply. A roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: Blanner, McNamara, Meyer, Midyett, Schiller and Schultz. There were no Nays. Mayor Douglass declared Resolution 20-02 as having passed.
Audit: Alderperson Meyer made a motion to approve payment of invoices in the amount of $69,008.52, 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 the virtually-held Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen, seconded by Alderperson Schultz. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion was declared passed. The Meeting of the Board of Aldermen adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
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Scott Douglass
Mayor
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ATTEST: Michele McMahon, City Clerk