September 3, 2013 at 7:00PM.
Regular Board Meeting.
The Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting on Tuesday night September 3, 2013 at 7:00 PM. Those present included Mayor Greg Richmond, Alderpersons Calvin Wilson, Alice Kezar, Keith Kohley and Bill Hess. Also present were City Supervisor David Brodie, Chief Curt Drake, City Clerk Paula Brodie, City Tax Collector Dawn Bunch and Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb. Guests included Roger Coe, Carol Coe, Leroy Coe, Michael Coe, Crystal Vaughan, Bud Richmond, Marshal Long, Steve Wimpey and J.R. Fisher.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the Tax Levy Public Hearing on Tuesday August 20, 2013. Ald. Hess moved to approve the minutes from the Tax Levy Public Hearing August 20, 2013. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Hess, Wilson, Kezar and Kohley voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the Annexation Public Hearing on Tuesday August 20, 2013. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the Annexation Public Hearing on August 20, 2013. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Wilson and Kezar voted aye with Ald. Kohley abstaining.
The Board of Aldermen discussed the minutes from the regular meeting on Tuesday August 20, 2013. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on August 20, 2013. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Hess, Wilson and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Citizen Business.
Crystal Vaughan asked that the City look into putting reflectors on the outer road across from the Corner Stone Bank. She noted that there was a ditch there and at night you could not see it. David stated he would contact the Highway Department to see if they would take care of it.
The Mayor acknowledged J.R. Fisher who asked if the Board was going to decide on the Coe’s variance request without addressing the 30% lot coverage.
Ald. Hess stated that Mr. Coe was placing his building on his west lot and since there were no buildings on that lot now there was no reason to address the 30% lot coverage. He said that he understood that Mr. Coe pays taxes on two separate parcels.
There was discussion on whether or not parcels of land owned by one person that lie next to each other are considered one piece of property.
The Mayor stated that he had not researched whether two lots lying next to each other should be considered one piece of property. He said that might be something the attorney would have to look at.
The Board began the business section of the meeting starting with the following unfinished business:
The Board discussed the variance request by the Coe’s. Ald. Wilson stated that his only question was why the building could not be placed facing north and south instead of facing east and west. Mr. Coe stated that he needed the building to face east as he was going to install a security camera pointing out of one of the windows of his house facing the opening.
J.R. Fisher stated that he did not see why the Board was going to approve a variance that would cause numerous headaches down the road because the Board did not follow their own codebook.
Ald. Kohley moved to give Mr. Coe his variance allowing him to place an accessory building closer than the required 5’. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Wilson and Kohley voted aye, with Ald. Kezar voting no.
The Board discussed a letter from Bobby Anglin regarding the annexation of South 59 Highway. The Mayor noted that most of the questions he was asking had already been asked and answered by the Board in letters and during the annexation public hearing.
Ald. Wilson stated that Mr. Anglin’s attorney had been present at the annexation public hearing and had asked several of the questions that were in Mr. Anglin’s letter. He said that he felt that the Board had answered most of Mr. Anglin’s questions and concerns.
The Board looked over the two response letters to Mr. Anglin. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the second letter to Mr. Anglin. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the letter to MODOT on the comment period of the annexation process. Ald. Wilson moved to send the letter and all corresponding comments to Mr. Seiler from MODOT. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Kohley, Hess, Wilson and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board discussed the request by First Community Bank to average their water/sewer bill. David explained what happened in regards to the leak and reported that it is now fixed. Ald. Wilson moved to average both water/sewer bills. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Wilson, Hess, Kohley and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
The Board began the New Business section of the meeting with the following:
The Board discussed whether or not to increase the variance fee required in the zoning code. The Clerk noted that the advertisement for the Coe’s variance request was over $50.00, with the making and placing of posters around town and posting at their property the cost to the City was more than the $20.00 fee charged now. She suggested raising the variance fee to $75.00. She also asked the Board if they wanted to charge the fee to anyone asking for a variance to allow the setting of a doublewide in the City Limits. She noted that in the past the Boards had approved doublewides on permanent foundations without requiring the variance procedure to take place. The Board agreed that anyone wanting a variance from the existing zoning code would be expected to follow the variance procedure set up in the Zoning Code.
The Board discussed Southern Union Company who has entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement whereby Southern Union sold its Missouri Gas Energy division assets to Laclede Gas Company. The Clerk noted that originally they wanted an ordinance passed approving the transfer of the franchise agreement from MGE to Laclede and a letter acknowledging the purchase. She stated that she had asked Duane whether or not the Board would need to pass a new ordinance. She noted that Mr. Cooper read the original franchise ordinance to Southern Union Company and he stated that in the original ordinance it said that if Southern Union Company sold whoever bought it would be given the franchise rights, so there was no need for a new ordinance. He did say that the Board should approve the Mayor’s signing the acknowledgement letter.
Ald. Kohley moved to approve the Mayor signing the acknowledgement letter to Laclede Gas Company. Ald. Wilson seconded. Ald. Kohley, Hess, Wilson and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Wilson told the Board that he would like to attend the Missouri Municipal League’s annual conference in Branson on September 16th and 17th. He stated the cost was $275.00 for the conference and that he would need one night in a motel
Ald. Kohley moved to pay the $275.00 conference fee and one night in a motel for Ald. Wilson to attend the conference. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess and Kohley voted aye with both Ald. Wilson and Ald. Kezar abstaining. Ald. Kezar abstained do to the fact that Ald. Wilson is her brother.
The Board discussed the need to send a letter to Jessie Brewington about the condition of the house and weeds at119 S. First St. The Board noted that they had sent Mr. Brewington letters over the years and that Timberly Condrey had come to a Board Meeting stating she would clean up the property for Mr. Brewington; however it has never been completely cleaned up. The Mayor stated ultimately it was Mr. Brewing ton’s place to clean up the property as he was the owner of the property per the County taxes. It was noted that the letter stated Mr. Brewington must either get the property cleaned up or citations for failure to follow city codes would be issued. Ald. Wilson moved to send the letter and pictures that the Clerk had prepared. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Wilson and Kezar voted aye with 0 nays.
The Department heads gave the following reports:
Chief Drake reported that Officer Cagle passed his first CSI classes and would start the second part of the classes next week.
David Brodie reported that there is a car set up on cinder blocks at the Old Ice House flea market on Main Street that is very dangerous. He stated the children walk by it each day on the way to school and he was afraid one of them would get hurt if it was not removed from the blocks. Chief Drake stated that the owner is in the process of moving everything out. David stated it was very dangerous and needed to be taken care of immediately. The Board told Chief Drake to be sure to contact the owner as quickly as possible.
Steve Wimpey asked to be acknowledged by the Board. He stated that there is not enough police presence when school is being let out. He said he realized that the officers are very busy but they need to be at the school more. Chief Drake stated that he had drawn up a letter to go out to each parent explaining to them the City’s Codes, where they can and cannot park, etc. He said he had hoped that the letter would help. The Mayor stated that the police department would take care of being around the school more in the mornings and evenings.
David reported that he was going to have to start spreading lime on the fields that he uses to spread the city’s bio-solids. He said he would get some prices together before the next Board meeting to give to the Board.
Ald. Kohley asked if there is anything that could be done about the mosquitoes. David noted that because of all the rain the mosquitoes are bad. He said that he did have some spray left over from ball season and the Board told him to try spraying around the town to see if it would help.
Denis Kolb stated he had no business for the Board
Dawn Bunch stated she had no business for the Board. (Her monthly reports were in the packets).
Paula Brodie -.noted that the Board had received a copy of the letter she had written to Duane Cooper regarding Code Books that haven’t been returned and an agreement for Board Members to sign regards the returning or replacing of the Code Book. She told the Board that she had not received a response back from Mr. Cooper.
The Board discussed the missing books and Ald. Hess asked if all keys had been returned. He was informed that the keys had been returned. It was noted that recently all of the door locks had been replaced and new keys issued out.
The Board discussed the bills including transfers in the amount of $16,446.56. Ald. Wilson moved to approve the bills including transfers in the amount of $16,446.56. Ald. Kohley seconded. Ald. Wilson, Kohley, Hess and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.
Ald. Kohley moved to adjourn. Ald. Hess seconded. Ald. Hess, Kohley, Kezar and Wilson voted aye with 0 nays.