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May 9, 2011
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 9, 2011
7:00 p.m.
The following councilmember’s were present with Mayor John McTaggart presiding:
Chuck Adams Mark Bishop Craig Crider
Garrett Mellott John Eickhoff
The following staff members were present:
Michael Webb, City Administrator
David Duckers, City Attorney
Phyllis Freeman, City Clerk
Mark Mathies, Police/Fire Chief
Kevin Schuler, Deputy Chief, Fire Department
Gerry Cullumber, Captain, Police Department
APPROVE MINUTES OF APRIL 25, 2011
Councilmember Adams moved to approve the minutes. Councilmember Bishop seconded.
Mayor McTaggart requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
STATEMENT OF BILLS - $116,847.29
Councilmember Crider moved to approve the statement of bills. Councilmember Bishop seconded.
Mayor McTaggart requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
REQUESTS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No requests or comments were presented.
DISCUSSION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (CID) POLICY
Administrator Webb stated the Community Improvement District (CID) Policy has been used in Missouri and is a new tool in Kansas. We are trying to build an over all economic development policy and have them in place so when or if those come forward we are not trying to guess as to what those are. A draft form of the Community Improvement District (CID) Policy, Attachment “A” was presented and reviewed and possibly be considered at a future meeting. The purpose of the policy, the legislative intent, consideration of eligible projects in the CID policy, if there should be any Edwardsville exclusions, the potential revenue sources to pay for financing, the CID formation process, the collection of sales tax, and fees were presented. After reviews of the IRB/EDX, CID, TIP and benefit districts have been completed they will become our overall economic development policy in one bound document. After discussion it was determined to hold a work session June 27th prior to the council meeting to consider utilizing the IRB/EDX, CID and TIF policies and benefit districts. The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policy will be presented at the May 23rd council meeting.
ADVISORY REPORTS
ADMINISTRATOR
Administrator Webb reported:
Notification has been received from Deffenbaugh that there will be a 5% garbage rate increase beginning July 1, 2011. In the contract is does allow them to raise the rate up to 5%. The city attorney has reviewed the contract and found it to be in order. Since the original acceptance of the contract in 2005 there has been one increase in May 2006. An amendment to the city rate will be brought back before the Governing Body.
A meeting was held with homeowners in the River Falls subdivision. There is a lot of common area in the development and every year there has been problems of keeping those areas mowed and maintained. The city has gone in and mowed and placed special assessments against the property. Technically there is supposed to be a homeowners association but parts of it were set up and some not. There were approximately 20 to 25 residents here, staff included Phyllis Freeman, City Clerk and Katherine Carttar our intern was here. It was a good meeting, some of those in attendance were not aware that there is a homeowners association or homeowner rules, there are and they have been filed with the county. They were not aware that some of the areas are common areas verses private areas. A process has begun with them and has had some good discussions. He has asked the City Attorney to determine what is valid and what is not valid. We don’t take care of common areas in other subdivisions because the taxpayer is paying for that and those are generally up to the home association to take care of.
CHIEF OF POLICE & FIRE
Captain Cullumber reported:
The Speedway will be hosting the Kan Rocksas in August this year that is a 2 day event that runs for twenty-four hours. Anticipated turn out of 100,000 people. He is in contact with Kansas City, Kansas as well as the Speedway trying to find out what kind of fall out it may bring to our city. The sound level has been passed on to the promoter. At this point we are not sure of what we can or can not do but he is researching it and is trying to bring some form of alternatives for the residents in the area. As he becomes aware of more information it will be passed onto the Governing Body.
Chief Mathies stated at the last two race events he did request to keep the intersection open and direct traffic through. It worked well the last racing seasons. He anticipates that they will have a similar set up for this event as well.
Chief Mathies reported:
Both deputy chiefs have been working on 204 S. 4th Street, the white house south of the railroad tracks. It has been a people nuisance and debris nuisance property. Our chiefs have found all the contacts and are working with the realtor and bank that owns the property.
Both departments are working on code violations in conjunction with the spring clean up. Notices going out to take care of violations on debris as well as vehicles and letting them know what can be brought in for the clean up.
Fire Department volunteer program will be kicked off with a volunteer training class on June 4th. There are nine volunteers mainly from Edwardsville. The training pattern starts with two days on a weekend, then six weekends in a row.
There are full-time positions open in the Fire Department and have received 20+ applicants with 18 invited for testing on May 21st. They anticipate with in 30 to 40 days after the May testing date to have a conditional offer accepted and on board in the department.
A captain promotion is coming up, there is a meet and confer in the contract, they have met with the union and settled on a fairly extensive but competitive process. There are two employees that applied for the captain position so they want to make it fair and equitable as possible. There will be a testing process an interview channel; longevity as been given some points, a chief’s review, and in basket exercises.
Contract negotiations with the fire union are going as expected. The contract expired December 31, 2010. Now the two, police and fire will parallel each other.
On the FOP side that will be coming up in June 1st.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report at this time.
COUNCIL & MAYOR COMMENTS
Councilmember Crider stated he was approached today and getting phone calls regarding access to the Dollar General Store. People that are in wheelchairs and don’t have vehicles and are walking to the store. The people in wheelchairs are going out on to K-32 to get from the convenience to the Dollar General store. One resident walks through the vacant lot to get there with her grandchildren and has concerns regarding insects and snakes if the lot is not maintained. There had been a discussion about a temporary asphalt walkway for the safety of the residents of Edwardsville. He would like to work with Mrs. Roberts and the owner of the convenience store about giving us the access to put a temporary wheelchair walkway across there until another development goes in. He requested getting the cost to do a temporary walkway.
Administrator Webb stated he spoke with the area engineer at KDOT regarding the process of getting sidewalks whether permanent or temporary within the right-of-way. There is a permitting process with KDOT and wanted to know if there was anything specifically that would prohibit it. They were open to it, if we wanted to be on the right-of-way we could do that. The question is will it be a permanent sidewalk from where to where. We will look at temporary as well and will check all options.
Councilmember Adams asked if there is something in the overlay district that the city can rely on as a requirement.
Administrator Webb stated yes, sidewalks are a part of the requirements.
Councilmember Mellott asked if there was any form of easement going from Pacific Street or see if the railroad could help out if it was built on their property.
Administrator Webb stated it was difficult trying to work with the railroad for us to get the widening of the street completed to use as a sidewalk in order to cross the tracks. A report will be given with options and cost.
Councilmember Bishop stated BPU started the work on the waterline today down 110th Street. He asked if there were going to be any road projects.
Administrator Webb stated they are working on that, there has been some work done to some really bad spots in Edgehill. The budget was reduced for general maintenance to about $25,000. Blake Street is a separate project and going out for bid soon.
Councilmember Adams asked if the repair to Kansas Avenue was done by Anderson.
Administrator Webb stated yes, work has to be done on 100th Street it is really bad. It gets down to which ones you do first. We need to do a street assessment in order for the council to give priorities as to how you want to spend those funds.
Councilmember Eickhoff asked if Bonner Springs can be contacted to fix the hole by the bridge on Riverview that’s about 12 foot deep and 3 feet into the street now. They put a cone there and it feel through.
Administrator Webb stated he will contact their public works director.
Councilmember Adams stated he reviewed the budget and commended the department heads for the way they are managing the money this year.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Bishop moved to adjourn at 8:18 p.m. Councilmember Mellott seconded.
Mayor McTaggart declared the motion passed unanimously.
Phyllis Freeman
City Clerk
May 9, 2011
7:00 p.m.
The following councilmember’s were present with Mayor John McTaggart presiding:
Chuck Adams Mark Bishop Craig Crider
Garrett Mellott John Eickhoff
The following staff members were present:
Michael Webb, City Administrator
David Duckers, City Attorney
Phyllis Freeman, City Clerk
Mark Mathies, Police/Fire Chief
Kevin Schuler, Deputy Chief, Fire Department
Gerry Cullumber, Captain, Police Department
APPROVE MINUTES OF APRIL 25, 2011
Councilmember Adams moved to approve the minutes. Councilmember Bishop seconded.
Mayor McTaggart requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
STATEMENT OF BILLS - $116,847.29
Councilmember Crider moved to approve the statement of bills. Councilmember Bishop seconded.
Mayor McTaggart requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.
REQUESTS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
No requests or comments were presented.
DISCUSSION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (CID) POLICY
Administrator Webb stated the Community Improvement District (CID) Policy has been used in Missouri and is a new tool in Kansas. We are trying to build an over all economic development policy and have them in place so when or if those come forward we are not trying to guess as to what those are. A draft form of the Community Improvement District (CID) Policy, Attachment “A” was presented and reviewed and possibly be considered at a future meeting. The purpose of the policy, the legislative intent, consideration of eligible projects in the CID policy, if there should be any Edwardsville exclusions, the potential revenue sources to pay for financing, the CID formation process, the collection of sales tax, and fees were presented. After reviews of the IRB/EDX, CID, TIP and benefit districts have been completed they will become our overall economic development policy in one bound document. After discussion it was determined to hold a work session June 27th prior to the council meeting to consider utilizing the IRB/EDX, CID and TIF policies and benefit districts. The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policy will be presented at the May 23rd council meeting.
ADVISORY REPORTS
ADMINISTRATOR
Administrator Webb reported:
Notification has been received from Deffenbaugh that there will be a 5% garbage rate increase beginning July 1, 2011. In the contract is does allow them to raise the rate up to 5%. The city attorney has reviewed the contract and found it to be in order. Since the original acceptance of the contract in 2005 there has been one increase in May 2006. An amendment to the city rate will be brought back before the Governing Body.
A meeting was held with homeowners in the River Falls subdivision. There is a lot of common area in the development and every year there has been problems of keeping those areas mowed and maintained. The city has gone in and mowed and placed special assessments against the property. Technically there is supposed to be a homeowners association but parts of it were set up and some not. There were approximately 20 to 25 residents here, staff included Phyllis Freeman, City Clerk and Katherine Carttar our intern was here. It was a good meeting, some of those in attendance were not aware that there is a homeowners association or homeowner rules, there are and they have been filed with the county. They were not aware that some of the areas are common areas verses private areas. A process has begun with them and has had some good discussions. He has asked the City Attorney to determine what is valid and what is not valid. We don’t take care of common areas in other subdivisions because the taxpayer is paying for that and those are generally up to the home association to take care of.
CHIEF OF POLICE & FIRE
Captain Cullumber reported:
The Speedway will be hosting the Kan Rocksas in August this year that is a 2 day event that runs for twenty-four hours. Anticipated turn out of 100,000 people. He is in contact with Kansas City, Kansas as well as the Speedway trying to find out what kind of fall out it may bring to our city. The sound level has been passed on to the promoter. At this point we are not sure of what we can or can not do but he is researching it and is trying to bring some form of alternatives for the residents in the area. As he becomes aware of more information it will be passed onto the Governing Body.
Chief Mathies stated at the last two race events he did request to keep the intersection open and direct traffic through. It worked well the last racing seasons. He anticipates that they will have a similar set up for this event as well.
Chief Mathies reported:
Both deputy chiefs have been working on 204 S. 4th Street, the white house south of the railroad tracks. It has been a people nuisance and debris nuisance property. Our chiefs have found all the contacts and are working with the realtor and bank that owns the property.
Both departments are working on code violations in conjunction with the spring clean up. Notices going out to take care of violations on debris as well as vehicles and letting them know what can be brought in for the clean up.
Fire Department volunteer program will be kicked off with a volunteer training class on June 4th. There are nine volunteers mainly from Edwardsville. The training pattern starts with two days on a weekend, then six weekends in a row.
There are full-time positions open in the Fire Department and have received 20+ applicants with 18 invited for testing on May 21st. They anticipate with in 30 to 40 days after the May testing date to have a conditional offer accepted and on board in the department.
A captain promotion is coming up, there is a meet and confer in the contract, they have met with the union and settled on a fairly extensive but competitive process. There are two employees that applied for the captain position so they want to make it fair and equitable as possible. There will be a testing process an interview channel; longevity as been given some points, a chief’s review, and in basket exercises.
Contract negotiations with the fire union are going as expected. The contract expired December 31, 2010. Now the two, police and fire will parallel each other.
On the FOP side that will be coming up in June 1st.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report at this time.
COUNCIL & MAYOR COMMENTS
Councilmember Crider stated he was approached today and getting phone calls regarding access to the Dollar General Store. People that are in wheelchairs and don’t have vehicles and are walking to the store. The people in wheelchairs are going out on to K-32 to get from the convenience to the Dollar General store. One resident walks through the vacant lot to get there with her grandchildren and has concerns regarding insects and snakes if the lot is not maintained. There had been a discussion about a temporary asphalt walkway for the safety of the residents of Edwardsville. He would like to work with Mrs. Roberts and the owner of the convenience store about giving us the access to put a temporary wheelchair walkway across there until another development goes in. He requested getting the cost to do a temporary walkway.
Administrator Webb stated he spoke with the area engineer at KDOT regarding the process of getting sidewalks whether permanent or temporary within the right-of-way. There is a permitting process with KDOT and wanted to know if there was anything specifically that would prohibit it. They were open to it, if we wanted to be on the right-of-way we could do that. The question is will it be a permanent sidewalk from where to where. We will look at temporary as well and will check all options.
Councilmember Adams asked if there is something in the overlay district that the city can rely on as a requirement.
Administrator Webb stated yes, sidewalks are a part of the requirements.
Councilmember Mellott asked if there was any form of easement going from Pacific Street or see if the railroad could help out if it was built on their property.
Administrator Webb stated it was difficult trying to work with the railroad for us to get the widening of the street completed to use as a sidewalk in order to cross the tracks. A report will be given with options and cost.
Councilmember Bishop stated BPU started the work on the waterline today down 110th Street. He asked if there were going to be any road projects.
Administrator Webb stated they are working on that, there has been some work done to some really bad spots in Edgehill. The budget was reduced for general maintenance to about $25,000. Blake Street is a separate project and going out for bid soon.
Councilmember Adams asked if the repair to Kansas Avenue was done by Anderson.
Administrator Webb stated yes, work has to be done on 100th Street it is really bad. It gets down to which ones you do first. We need to do a street assessment in order for the council to give priorities as to how you want to spend those funds.
Councilmember Eickhoff asked if Bonner Springs can be contacted to fix the hole by the bridge on Riverview that’s about 12 foot deep and 3 feet into the street now. They put a cone there and it feel through.
Administrator Webb stated he will contact their public works director.
Councilmember Adams stated he reviewed the budget and commended the department heads for the way they are managing the money this year.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Bishop moved to adjourn at 8:18 p.m. Councilmember Mellott seconded.
Mayor McTaggart declared the motion passed unanimously.
Phyllis Freeman
City Clerk
City Council Meeting