CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2007

 

I.                    CALL TO ORDER

 

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Liberty, Missouri was held in the Council Chambers at City Hall on November 26, 2007 with Mayor Robert T. Steinkamp presiding.  Mayor Steinkamp called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.

 

II.         INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

            The invocation was given by Council Member Lyndell Brenton who then led the pledge of allegiance.

 

III.       ROLL CALL

 

Roll call was answered by Paul Jenness and Harold Phillips, Ward I; Greg Duncan and Anna Marie Martin, Ward II; Lyndell Brenton and John Parry, Ward III; and Fred Foster and Nick King, Ward IV.  Also in attendance were Curt Wenson, City Administrator; Dan Estes, Assistant City Administrator; Steve Hansen, Public Works Director; Craig Knouse, Police Chief; Marcella McCoy, Finance Manager; Chris Deal, Parks & Recreation Director; Gary Birch, Fire Chief; Steve Anderson, Planning & Development Director; Rebecca Wymore, City Planner; Katherine Burr, Planner; Brad Boone, Information Services Specialist; Shawnna Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator; Jane Sharon, Deputy City Clerk; Jason Noble, The Kansas City Star; and 25 members of the public.

 

IV.       APPROVE MINUTES AND SUMMARIES (SEE CONSENT AGENDA)

 

A.                 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 13, 2007

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the minutes as distributed.  Council Member King seconded the motion, which carried 7-0-1.  Council Member Brenton abstained, due to absence.

 

B.                 STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF NOVEMBER 13, 2007

 

Council Member Brenton requested that the meeting summary be corrected to reflect his absence from the meeting.  Council Member King moved to approve the meeting summary as amended.  Council Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried 7-0-1.  Council Member Brenton abstained, due to absence.

 

V.        CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION

 

Jim Moores, 908 Scott Drive, requested the Council reconsider its plan to construct new tennis courts in Bennett Park.  If the tennis courts are reconstructed for school play, they wouldn’t be available to citizens and green space would be taken for the additional courts.  He expressed concern about parking as well.  Mr. Moores suggested other locations, including the Fountain Bluff Sports Complex, Stocksdale Park and the new high school.

 

VI.       MEETING SCHEDULE

 

VII.      CONSENT AGENDA

 

A.        STUDY SESSION MEETING SUMMARY OF NOVEMBER 19, 2007

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the meeting summary as distributed.  Council Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

VIII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

A.        *SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A STUDENT DORMITORY AT OUR LADY OF MERCY COUNTRY HOME, 2160 MERCY DRIVE – RESOLUTION

 

Planner Katherine Burr reviewed the application to use a building at Our Lady of Mercy Country Home as a student dormitory for visiting students from South Korea, while they attend school.  The application conforms to the requirements for adequate public facilities, meets the standards for special use permits and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval.

 

In response to Council questions, staff stated that this permit would be issued for an indefinite period but that any compliance issues noted by staff or Council could prompt a review of the special use permit.

 

Council Member Brenton expressed concern about setting a precedent by indicating the project would have no adverse effect, without making it clear that is due to the structure already being in place.  Staff noted that this is a finding required as part of the special use permit review and development and connection fees are a separate matter.

 

Jim Allen, Finance Manager for Our Lady of Mercy Country Home, stated the Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz are focused on providing care with dignity.  Using this facility for a student dormitory will allow a melding of two age groups and benefit both.  The first floor is an old kitchen and common area and won’t be used by the students.

 

Mayor Steinkamp opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak.  Fay Bedinger, 232 W. Franklin, said this group has done much in the community and the permit should be approved.

 

Seeing no others wishing to speak, Mayor Steinkamp closed the public hearing and returned discussion to the City Council.

 

Council Member Parry moved to approve the special use permit.  Council Member Brenton seconded the motion, which carried unanimously and is inscribed in Resolution No. 2324.

 

IX.       ORDINANCES, CONTRACTS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A.        ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VENDOR PAYMENTS FROM NOVEMBER 2, 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 16, 2007 – ORDINANCE

 

Council Member Brenton requested that checks numbered 104815, 104936 and 104996 be removed and voted on separately.

 

Document No. 6770 was read.  Council Member King moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Duncan seconded the motion.  Responding to Council question, staff confirmed that payment made with check number 104855 is for the current year’s contract.  At Council’s request, Police Chief Craig Knouse reviewed the lease arrangement with a Harley Davidson dealer allowing police to lease a motorcycle for one year for $1,000.  After purchasing the equipment to outfit the police motorcycle, it can be traded in for a new model at the end of one year and continuing the $1,000 per year lease.  All other companies have required that the first motorcycle be purchased and this arrangement offers significant savings.

 

Vote on the motion was as follows:  Council Member Phillips – yes; Council Member Martin – yes; Council Member Brenton – yes; Council Member Foster – yes; Council Member Jenness – yes; Council Member Duncan – yes; Council Member Parry – yes; Council Member King – yes.  The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and inscribed in Ordinance No. 9227.

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve checks numbered 104815, 104936 and 104996.  Council Member Jenness seconded the motion.  Vote on the motion was as follows:  Council Member Phillips – yes; Council Member Martin – yes; Council Member Brenton – abstain, due to a potential conflict of interest; Council Member Foster – yes; Council Member Jenness – yes; Council Member Duncan – yes; Council Member Parry – yes; Council Member King – yes.  The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and inscribed in Ordinance No. 9227.

 

B.         FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR A 25,000 SQ. FT. BUILDING AT HEARTLAND MEADOWS INDUSTRIAL PARK, LOT 9B – RESOLUTION

 

Council Member Phillips moved to approve the final development plan.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion.  In response to questions, staff noted the business currently has 37 employees.  The motion carried 7-0-1.  Council Member King abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.  It is inscribed in Resolution No. 2325.

 

C.         ADOPTION OF COUNCIL GOALS – RESOLUTION

 

City Administrator Curt Wenson asked that this item be removed from this agenda and placed on a study session agenda for December 17.  Council Member Martin moved to place the Council Goals on a December 17, 2007 study session agenda.  Council Member Phillips seconded the motion.  Mayor Steinkamp noted that council members had asked the goals to be discussed in a study session prior to formal consideration.

 

D.        ACCEPTANCE OF SANITARY EASEMENT – JEFFRIES DEVELOPMENT OLD 210 – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6771 was read.  Council Member Martin moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member Brenton seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member Brenton moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  It was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9228.

 

E.         AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT WITH TREKK DESIGN GROUP FOR CLEANING, EVALUATION OF SANITARY SEWERS INCREASING THE CONTRACT BY $11,278.25 – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6772 was read.  Council Member Phillips moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member Martin seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Phillips seconded the motion.  In response to Council questions, staff stated that this allows more segments to be added to the project and is covered by budgeted funds.  This project will review 161 segments in the older sections of town.  The process water jets the lines and cleans debris, followed by cameras going through to inspect the lines.  The City contains thousands of segments (which are the areas between manholes).  The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9229.

 

F.                  CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH AKIN, GORDON & COWGER ENGINEERS FOR TOPOGRAPHY AND RIGHT OF WAY SURVEY FOR THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS (SRTS) PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $30,475.00 – ORDINANCE

 

Document No. 6772 was read.  Council Member Martin moved to waive the rules and consider the ordinance on first reading.  Council Member Phillips seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

 

Council Member Martin moved to approve the ordinance.  Council Member Brenton seconded the motion.  Staff responded to Council questions, stating that the grant funds would reimburse the City for work completed, and this project is identified in the grant application to cover sidewalks in the area of Franklin Elementary.  This is the first year for the grants and the staff will evaluate this project after its completion to determine what other applications might be made for additional grants.  The motion carried unanimously; it was approved by the Chair and is inscribed in Ordinance No. 9230.

 

X.         OTHER BUSINESS – None.

 

XI.               MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM CITY ADMINISTRATOR

 

Mr. Wenson noted an executive session would be scheduled for December 3 at 6:00 p.m. preceding the study session.

 

XII.            MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS FROM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Member Phillips suggested the Partnership discuss with Council adding an effort to encourage existing businesses to expand in Liberty.

 

Council Member Martin commended planning staff for meeting with high school architectural and engineering students and was pleased to see this coordinated effort between the City and the Schools renewed.

 

Mayor Steinkamp noted the upcoming Partnership breakfast on Thursday at the Shoal Creek.

 

XIII.     ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    Mayor

Attest:

 

 

_____________________________________

Deputy City Clerk