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August 11, 2008
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 11, 2008
7:00 p.m.
The Governing Body of the City of Edwardsville, Kansas met in regular session on Monday, August 11m, 2008, at 7:07 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
The following Councilmember’s were present with Mayor Heinz Rodgers presiding:
Chuck Adams Craig Crider Doug Danner
John Eickhoff Patrick Isenhour
The following staff members were present:
Michael Webb, City Administrator
Reed Walker, City Attorney
Phyllis Freeman, City Clerk
Mark Mathies, Police Chief
Cliff Lane, Fire Chief
John Bayless, City Engineer
SPECIAL PRESENTATION TO FIRE CHIEF CLIFF LANE
Mayor Rodgers and Council presented Fire Chief Cliff Lane with a plaque for 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Edwardsville and its citizens.
MINUTES OF JULY 14, 2008
Councilmember Danner moved to approve the minutes of July 14, 2008. Councilmember Crider seconded.
Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
Minutes of July 28, 2008
Councilmember Adams moved to approve the minutes of July 28, 2008. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.
Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
$337,110.64 FOR JULY 1 – 17, 2008
$173,936.70 FOR JULY 18 – 31, 2008
Councilmember Isenhour moved to approve payment of the statement of bills. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.
After discussion Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
REQUESTS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Richard Carter, 629 S. 4th Street stated he was aware that the majority of the elected officials are new to their positions. Mr. Carter asked why there had not been any discussion regarding new development in the city.
Mayor Rodgers stated there have been new businesses; Godfather’s Pizza; new ownership of Pizzaville; Plaza West has 6 building that are full; a $10 million project, Okonite Distribution; Monosem has purchased the Lanter building on Blake Street; Coleman is building a new building on Woodend Road and JC Speedy Lube has made major improvements to the old carpet store on Kaw Drive.
Administrator Webb stated we can not control the development market. We are trying to bring in a variety of services to the city. Subway or a Quiznos chain has made inquiries; the grocery store industry has stated they need more roof tops in order to place a store in the city.
Mr. Carter stated some of those projects were in place with the old administration, what has the present administration done to bring in new businesses.
Mayor Rodgers stated we are continuing to work on attracting new businesses. Plaza West has attracted six new businesses that will be coming to Edwardsville.
Councilmember Isenhour stated in his opinion the current Governing Body is a diversified group. With a new administration things don’t happen over night. Mayor Rodgers and Administrator Webb are working very hard to get the casino located in Edwardsville.
Councilmember Adams stated he has contacted national grocery store chains and was told it takes more roof tops to attract them, we are getting closer we just aren’t there yet. When the apartments open their doors along a major interstate highway that will help attract businesses.
Mr. Carter thanked the Governing Body for the information and asked if the public could get a quarterly report regarding new businesses locating in Edwardsville.
Councilmember Adams stated Mayor Rodgers tried twice to hold community forums for the residents just for that reason, but was poorly attended.
Administrator Webb state there are long and short term goals set by the City Council. Economic development is one of the major goals as well as establishing and adopting a new comprehensive plan.
Rebecca Carter, 629 S. 4th Street stated it has been 11 months since any one has been appointed to represent Edwardsville to the Human Relations board and asked if Mayor Rodgers has made a decision
Mayor Rodgers stated he has called Mayor Reardon to get the list of appointments.
Gary Carpenter, 11030 Riverview asked why the welcome signs had new plants. Mr. Carpenter feels that could be passed on to the Chamber of Commerce. He had concerns about selling a fire truck, when the apartments are built the fire response will come from the satellite station.
Administrator Webb stated the decision to sell a fire truck was based on response time and number of calls for the unit.
Mr. Carpenter stated don’t sell a fire truck; don’t hire a police officer just buckle up. There is a need to support the casino to bring in tax dollars.
Ken Brown, 1142 S. 105th Street addressed Mayor Rodgers regarding his attire.
Mayor Rodgers state he has respect for the city and was not aware that what you wear is that important.
PRESENTATION BY COMMISSIONER TOM COOLEY
REGARDING STAE OF THE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT
Commissioner Cooley stated he was the first administrator for the City of Edwardsville twenty years ago. The county and city government of Kansas City are unified when it comes to making the annual budget decisions. The commission has been wrestling to prepare the 2009 budgets. Cost to operate has gone up 25% since April. An explanation and breakdown of the 2009 budget was presented as well as the services provided with the funds. The Unified Government has a website with updates weekly.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO
A CONTRACT WITH COOK, FLATT & STROBEL ENGINEERING
FOR PRELIMINARY PLANNING FOR 110TH STREET/EDWARDSVILLE DRIVE
After a detailed discussion Councilmember Adams moved to authorize City Administrator Michael Webb to enter into a contract with Cook, Flatt & Strobel for engineering services of the referenced project. Councilmember Isenhour seconded.
Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed 4 to 1, with Councilmember Crider opposing.
CONSIDER RENEWAL OF CONTRACT FOR SNOW & ICE REMOVAL
WITH DIRTWORKS FOR THE 2008-09 SEASON
After discussion Councilmember Adams moved to renew the contract with Dirtworks.
No second was made, the motion died.
After further discussion Councilmember Isenhour moved to table this item until the next scheduled meeting. Councilmember Danner seconded.
Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed 4 to 1, with Councilmember Adams opposing.
CONSIDER A CEREAL MALT BEVERGE LICENSE FOR
TAMARA A. FOSTER (d/b/a PIZZAVILLE) AT
104 B SOUTH 4TH STREET
Councilmember Crider moved to approve the application for cereal malt beverage license for new owners of Pizzaville. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.
Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION FROM PLANNING COMMISSION
TO APPROVE FINAL REPLAT FOR PLAZA WEST
Councilmember Eickhoff moved to accept finding of fact to approve final re-plat of Plaza West. Councilmember Isenhour seconded.
Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2008-17
REGARDING FEES TO BE PAID FOR COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS
Councilmember Eickhoff moved to adopt Resolution 2008-17. Councilmember Isenhour seconded.
Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF 2009 BUDGET
Administrator Webb stated a notice of the 2009 budget hearing must be placed in the newspaper to indicate the date, time and location of the public hearing. It is proposed to stay at the existing mill levy. In order to do that the city must sell one of the 1989 fire pumper trucks in 2008. If this is not done it will leave the city in a negative cash balance. If that happens the state will require an increase in the mill levy. In order to keep the current personnel the truck must be sold. There will not be any part-time workers. It is recommended to hire one more police officer.
After further discussion Councilmember Isenhour moved to approve the publication of the notice of 2009 budget hearing. Councilmember Danner seconded.
Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION RELATING TO GOVERANCE
OF A CITY OF 2ND CLASS
City Administrator Webb presented the Governing Body with a copy of the Proclamation issued by Governor Kathleen Sebelius declaring the City of Edwardsville be reclassified from a third class city to a second class city.
Administrator Webb stated after previous discussions it was determined not to increase the number of elected council members, to stay with a mayor and 5 council members to serve at large, not to form wards or districts. It was further determined to retain a city treasurer as an appointed official. Appointed officials will serve until retirement, termination or voluntary separation. No decision was made as to the length of term for the mayor or council members. Discussion that all serve a four year term with a staggered elected term as now exists. Councilmember’s Crider, Eickhoff and Isenhour stated it needs to remain 2 years for the mayor and 4 years for council members. Councilmember’s Adams and Danner preferred changing to 4 year terms to be served by all elected officials mayor and council members.
Administrator Webb stated discussion was needed to determine if appointed officials should have residency requirements. Staff recommended amending K.S.A. 14-205 to allow nonresidences to serve as appointed officers. The next item for discussion was the duties of the city administrator. A charter amendment would need to be established to define the general duties of the position. Staff recommended that the City Administrator be charged with the supervision of all day-to-day operations of the city. Further staff believes the hiring of police officers, fire fighters and other employees should be the responsibility of the department head in conjunction with the City Administrator and in accordance with the personnel manual and/or memorandum of agreement. The final item of discussion was regarding engineering estimates. Staff recommended the complete exemption from K.S.A. 14-440 that requires engineering estimates for any public works contract regardless of the size of the project. This section also prevents the City Council from authorizing a contract for any such work unless it is equal to or less than the engineering estimate, even if funds are available and/or the difference is only a dollar. No action was taken on any of the items addressed.
ADVISORY REPORTS
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
CHIEFS (FIRE & POLICE)
CITY ATTORNEY
CITY ENGINEER
No reports at this time.
COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS
Councilmember Isenhour requested that his daughter Tara Isenhour be placed on the next agenda to make her senior project presentation regarding recycling.
Councilmember Eickhoff thanked Mary Nell Webb for all her hard work in preparing for the hearing before the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board that is scheduled for August 14, 2008. Councilmember Adams agreed.
Mayor Rodgers stated CIFI funds are being used for re-surfacing in areas of the city. New LED lights have been installed at the intersection of 4th Street & K-32 Hwy. The lights have a ten year life span meaning less energy being used as part of the go green program. Information cards are available for the hearing scheduled for August 14th. There are specific guidelines that will be followed, there will be a presentation made by the applicant and the city.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Isenhour moved to adjourn at 9:48 p.m. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.
Mayor Rodgers declared the motion carried.
Phyllis Freeman
City Clerk
City Council Meeting
