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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2000 Mayor Dan Bishop called the Regular November 27, 2000 City Council Meeting to order in the City Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: City Manager Kirk Davis Item 3. on the Agenda. Pledge of Allegiance. Scouts from Troop #288 sponsored by Northminster Presbyterian Church led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag in which all joined. Item 4. on the Agenda. Approval of Minutes. Councilman Bill Cross moved to approve the Regular Monday, November 13, 2000 City Council Meeting Minutes as submitted. Councilman Shirley Smith seconded. The vote: all “aye” - Smith, Nodler, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) Item 4a. on the Agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF KEY TO THE CITY to City Counselor Nancy J. Thompson. Mayor Dan Bishop advised that the Council was informed about four weeks ago that our City Attorney, Nancy Thompson, would be leaving her position with the City on December 1st to pursue other opportunities in her life. That seemed like a long time off at that time and now it is upon us. Ms. Thompson has been with the City for seven years and on behalf of the City Council, Mayor Bishop said he thanks her for her service to the City and wishes her the very best in her future endeavors and presents her with a Key to the City. Counselor Nancy Thompson told the Mayor and Council that she certainly appreciates the support given her the past seven years because it has been special. She particularly thanks Councilman Nodler and Councilman Newsom for giving her the opportunity to serve Gladstone and the opportunity to relocate to a city which has embraced them with open arms and has made them a true part of the community, It is difficult when you have a job that you truly enjoy with employees that you love to come to work with, but she feels fortunate to have the opportunity to go home and spend time with her family. When she starts weighing her job and feeling the responsibility, that family comes out on top. They are trying to re-prioritize their lives to the point where they can make a difference not just in the city of Gladstone but also in their own family. She thanked the City Council and told them she appreciates the opportunities she was given. Item 5. on the Agenda. CONSENT AGENDA Following the Clerk’s reading, Councilman Anita Newsom requested removal of Resolution 00-94, accepting the proposal of Robert’s Auto Plaza for the purchase of four patrol vehicles from the Consent Agenda for discussion under the Regular Agenda. Mayor Bishop designated the resolution as Agenda Item 5a. Councilman Anita Newsom moved to approve the Consent Agenda as amended; Councilman Nodler seconded. Councilman Bill Cross seconded. The vote: All “aye” - Smith, Nodler, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) CONSENT AGENDA DETAIL: Councilman Anita Newsom moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R-00-93, accepting the proposal of KCR International for purchase of one (1) 2001 2-1/2 ton dump truck with snow equipment for the net purchase amount of $70,150.00 from the General Fund. (Includes $5,750.00 trade-in allowance for a 1992 Chevrolet Dump Truck). Councilman Bill Cross seconded. The vote: All “aye” - Smith, Nodler, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) Councilman Anita Newsom moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R-00-95, accepting work under contract with G.C. Construction for the 2000 Curb and Sidewalk Program and authorizing final payment in the amount of $19,493.23 from the Transportation Sales Tax Fund. Councilman Bill Cross seconded. The vote: All “aye” - Smith, Nodler, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) Councilman Anita Newsom moved for APPROVAL OF LIQUOR LICENSE for Mel’s Bar & Grill, 6946 N Oak, 6 day Liquor by the Drink License. Owner/Managing Officer: Melissa A. Fry. (Change in ownership of Fire House Restaurant). Councilman Bill Cross seconded. The vote: All “aye” - Smith, Nodler, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) Councilman Anita Newsom moved for APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR MONTH OF OCTOBER, 2000. ) Councilman Bill Cross seconded. The vote: All “aye” - Smith, Nodler, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) REGULAR AGENDA Item 5a. on the Agenda. RESOLUTION NO. R-00-94, authorizing acceptance of the proposal of Robert’s Auto Plaza, Platte City, Missouri, for the purchase of (4) four 2001 Chevrolet Impala patrol vehicles at a unit price of $18,967.00 for a grand total purchase amount of $75,868.00 from the General Fund. Councilman Anita Newsom moved to adopt Resolution R-00-94; Councilman George Nodler seconded. Discussion. Councilman Newsom noted we have been purchasing nothing but Ford Crown Victoria model patrol vehicles for years and she recalls discussion that they proved to be superior vehicles, and now we are looking at the purchase of a Chevrolet which was the low bid. The difference between the low bid and the Ford bid is $1268 per vehicle, and the conversion cost per vehicle is $60/each which is $240 for all four. She asks if the conversion is going to create any problems when the city mechanic does maintenance. Director Adamo said we have had good success with the Crown Victoria and so it is a matter of economics. Ford has been creeping up their prices the last few years to the point that we have been over our budget $800- $900.00. Frankly, Ford has had the market cornered on police packages because Chevrolet was not making a police package for about 5-6 years. The Director said the change over costs are minimal compared with what they can save and the mechanic has no problem with it. Ms. Newsom said the difference is $5,000 but looking at the total picture if it were to cause more problems down the line she would be in favor of the extra funds to get what we really want and need. Director Adamo said if they felt there would be a problem they would certainly have come forward with a different recommendation. They had a Chevrolet delivered and drove it for a couple of weeks, and agree it is a fine vehicle and are happy with it. Ms. Newsom thanked Director Adamo for his comments and said she just did not want us to be penny wise and pound foolish. The vote on the Resolution: All “aye” - Smith, Nodler, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0). Item 6. on the Agenda. Communications from the Audience. Terri Hoppenthaler, 2706 NE 57th Terrace, presented a bouquet of roses to departing City Counselor Nancy Thompson and told her the flowers were a small thank you from her and her father, Dean Gromer, for all that Nancy has done for their City, for the Chamber of Commerce, and for Antioch Road. Mr. R.E. Carver, 3400 NE 68th Terrace, said he is here on a problem involving Kansas City Power and Light and explained that his mower ran over rivets that held a cable guard on KCPL equipment. He displayed the piece that flew 85’ ft. and cut his lawnmower blade in two. It fell inside his yard which is out of the easement or right of way. Kansas City Power & Light provided him with a form to replace his $24.99 mulching blade, but they have not made their own repairs yet and he would like to see something done about it. KCP&L told him their equipment is in place and he needed to go to the City Council to get any safety features fixed, he said he does not want to run into this again and asks the City to look into it. Mr. Carver said he was told that no poles could be placed in Northaven Gardens but from his view the pole would not be in the subdivision but rather in the right of way or easement. Mr. Carver said this is a safety issue that needs to be looked into. Councilman Anita Newsom said she could relate because when she had cable TV equipment installed, the company clipped some tags and let them lay in the yard rather than pick they up. She advised that the Mid America Regional Council is working with different municipalities on utility cuts in the street to see if we can tie in any kind of extra maintenance standards as far as the city with utility companies. To her, this is a maintenance issue. Mayor Bishop thanked Mr. Carver for bringing this to our attention and told him we will certainly look into it and respond back. Item 7. on the Agenda. Communications from the City Council. Councilman Shirley Smith said this is Thanksgiving Week and hopes everyone had a nice time with their families as she did. This is a time we think about how much we have to be thankful for and she is thankful for Gladstone because we are a real neat little city with great people and we don’t have nearly the problems that many other municipalities have. Councilman George Nodler said he thanks City Counselor Nancy Thompson for being such an excellent city attorney these past seven years. She has also been a very special person and an excellent member of our community. Mr. Nodler said he is proud to have been a part of the City Council that hired Nancy Thompson. Councilman Anita Newsom said she certainly echoes Councilman Nodler’s comments about Counselor Thompson. She was a part of the hiring process that brought Nancy on board and she thinks we made an excellent decision and as an educator she has to endorse Nancy’s Thompson’s decision to stay at home and spend more time with her family. Not everybody has this choice to make and when you can make that choice, it takes a lot of willpower to do it and she admires her ability to do that and wishes her well. Ms. Newsom said she noted on the Board and Commission interview sheet that almost half of the candidates are women which we have not had previously, and there are also names of people she has not met before. She is looking forward to the interviews because it is an enjoyable process finding new volunteers and people who are interested in serving the city. Ms. Newsom noted that she witnessed an ambulance pull out of Fire Station #2 and the traffic light in front of the station on M-1 stayed green for the north-south traffic the entire time and never did turn. She asked if the light is working right so they can activate it to stop traffic and get out. She mentions it because there was an awful lot of traffic at 4:00 PM today. City Manager Davis told Councilman Newsom that he is not aware of any problems and advised we will certainly check the functioning of the light. Councilman Bill Cross also echoed his fellow Council’s comments about Counselor Thompson. He certainly appreciates all she has done during their association and said as an educator he too agrees it is extremely important with two middle school young men for Mom to be there as much as possible. He told Ms. Thompson to stay home for another 5-10 years and then come back and look us up, we would love to have you again. Mayor Dan Bishop announced the Mayors Holiday Lighting Ceremony will be held this Thursday evening, the 30th of November at the entrance to Gladstone Plaza, bank Midwest, starting at 6:00 PM. Bryan Busby will be the emcee and there will be a special performance by the Antioch Middle School Choir. Also, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance to listen to requests for presents. All proceeds raised through this fundraising effort will be split evenly between the Northland Christmas Store and Gladstone Neighbors Helping Neighbors. The money is already coming in and people have an opportunity make a contribution at the lighting ceremony Thursday night or send it in to City Hall before or after the event. The City Council will be arriving by sleigh and he hopes to see everyone there. Item 8. on the Agenda. Communications from the City Manager. City Manager Kirk Davis announced that there will be a farewell reception honoring Counselor Nancy Thompson on Tuesday, November 28th, 4:30 - 6:00 and everyone is invited to attend to help us recognize Nancy. Item 9. On the Agenda. FIRST READING BILL 00-46, imposing a City Sales Tax at a rate of one-fourth of one percent for a period of five years for operation of municipal fire protection services, subject to the approval by voters of the City at a special election to be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2001; calling an election for such purpose; designating the form of the ballot; and directing the City Clerk to provide notice of said election. Councilman Anita Newsom moved to place Bill 00-46 on first Reading; Councilman George Nodler seconded. Discussion. Councilman Newsom said as mentioned in study session this evening, this has been a long, detailed process and she believes the Council has definitely done their homework, and feels they have great support from their staff. The professional design staff and Public Safety have recommended this and we have the support of all our advisory boards and commissions. Ms. Newsom said she feels we have a great deal of support already for this and when our citizens are fully educated on the benefits they will vote positively and this will be a prudent move for the City of Gladstone. She intends to vote yes on this Bill. Councilman Nodler said he certainly agrees that it is a very important issue and he is very supportive of it and hopes Gladstone voters agree with us. Councilman Smith said it is a very exciting time and although we deal with a number of routine and important matters, once in a while something like this comes along that is really special. Mayor Dan Bishop said there are a number of things that struck him during this process. Fire Station #1 is located below us here in the lower level of city hall and over the years a couple of things have happened. Obviously the city’s population has grown but we have also seen law enforcement become more sophisticated, more specialized, more technological. We have seen firefighting became more specialized and more technical. Tonight during the open study session we saw a demonstration of the thermo imaging camera and that technology was not available 25 years ago. The city has grown, public safety has become more advanced and it requires more personnel , equipment and space. The Mayor said when you go down into station #1 it is obvious that they have done the best they can with what they have but they have inadequate space. When the WRS Company came in and did the space analysis they were able to quantify that and look at it in terms of the national average of square footage per personnel member in a public safety department and realize that we are far below the natural average. Further, when our patrol officers are out in the city they are going to respond from their current location, but the fire fighting vehicles will most often remain in the station. It has always struck him that this location is kind of a strange place for a fire station because at 70th & N Holmes we are three blocks from N Oak and two long blocks off of 72nd Street. So before a firefighter vehicle can even get out to a main artery they have to go from station #1. WRS recommends a complete overhaul of station #1 and building a new fire station on the N Oak corridor and the package includes buying a new fire truck and implementing the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) System and what these recommendations are going to do is improve public safety service throughout the entire city. The question is how do you pay for it and staff wrestled with it and the city’s financial advisor provided us a lot of information and it was determined that the best option was a one-quarter percent sales tax. But the Council wanted to know if there was community support for implementing the space needs recommendation and how to pay for them, so we directed staff to take them to the Parks and Recreation Board, the Planning Commission, the Special Road District and the Capital Improvements Program Committee Board and we got a unanimous endorsement with minor changes. He believes what is being presented here tonight is a better proposal and he fully intends to work for it and Councilman Newsom is right that we have a lot of work to do in getting together a committee of citizen community leaders to tell the public what this package includes. The need for these improvements and facilities will be apparent and it is a very doable proposition and he intends to vote for this bill tonight. Councilman Cross said he is amazed at the number of board members who are present tonight and he knows that they could all give testimony as to the need and they have worked hard on this along with the city administration to come up with something very very worthwhile that started before he even came onboard. He hopes that the news media will back us with this because we need the assistance of all 30,000 residents pulling together on something that is extremely worthwhile for this city. The vote: All “aye” - Nodler, Smith, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) The Clerk read the Bill. Councilman Newsom moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 00-46 and place the Bill on Second and Final Reading. Mr. Nodler seconded. The vote: All “aye” - Nodler, Smith, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) The Clerk read the Bill. Councilman Newsom moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 00-46 and enact the Bill as Ordinance No. 3.777; Mr. Nodler seconded. The vote: All “aye” - Nodler, Smith, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. Item 10. On the Agenda. FIRST READING BILL 00-47, prohibiting operation of a truck with a licensed gross weight of less than 12,000 pounds when any person under eighteen years of age is riding in the un-enclosed bed of such truck within the city and providing penalties for violation. Councilman Newsom moved to place Bill 00-47 on First Reading; Councilman Cross seconded. Discussion. Ms. Newsom said she was not aware this Bill was coming forward nor was she aware that we did not already have this in place. City Counselor Thompson explained that this is currently a provision that is in state law but not all of our municipal ordinances mirror state law because we are not nearly as restrictive as state law. Although our officers may write a ticket for a state law violations, that ticket has to be prosecuted in Clay County and may not be prosecuted in our municipal court. This bill allows our officers to prosecute this type of violation in our own municipal court rather than forwarding that ticket on to the Clay County Prosecutor for prosecution in Clay County Circuit Court. Ms. Thompson said earlier we brought forward a seat belt ordinance which mirrored state law and we also brought forward an ordinance on motor vehicle financial responsibility within the last year which is another step to make sure that our ordinances relative to motor vehicle safety and traffic regulations are up to date to ensure that we do not jeopardize any kind of traffic grants we have. Ms. Thompson said at least one more will come forward on consumption of alcoholic while driving a vehicle and explained that currently that is a violation of state law but we desire to make it a municipal ordinance violation as well. Councilman Cross asked the amount of the fine and if it takes points from your license. Ms. Thompson advised this ordinance provides for a fine of $25.00 plus court costs. The vote: All “aye” - Smith, Nodler, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) The Clerk read the Bill. Councilman Newsom moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 00-47 and place the Bill on Second and Final Reading. Mr. Cross seconded. The vote: All “aye” - Nodler, Smith, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. (5-0) The Clerk read the Bill. Councilman Newsom moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 00-47 and enact the Bill as Ordinance No. 3.778; Mr. Cross seconded. The vote: All “aye” - Nodler, Smith, Newsom, Cross, Bishop. Item 11. On the Agenda. CITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENT of the designation of Gladstone Central Park and Old Pike Road as historical locations by the Native Sons of Kansas City. Councilman Anita Newsom moved to endorse this designation; Councilman Bill Cross seconded. Discussion. Councilman Cross said he is a member of the board of the Native Sons and this group is very proud to be working with Gladstone in erecting these signs and if other historical places are identified, they will be glad to take them under consideration. There is a strong faction of Native Sons north of the river and they are doing their best to publicize this area, so this will definitely be something worthwhile. Mayor Bishop commented that we are often referred to as a bedroom community and it conjures up images of suburban sprawl which really sells Gladstone short in that we have some very interesting and significant history right here in our community. When you read the narratives concerning Old Pike Road and concerning Old Historic Linden and the history of Central Park it puts our community into historical context. One of the things we hear so much about in terms of the need for a community center is that we need something to pull us together as a community and emphasize our community. He thinks by putting up these historical markers we can all relate to the history and share it as citizens. We have a great opportunity with this offer from the Native Sons organization for historic markers for Old Pike Road and Central Park which are two significant historic locations and he will be voting in favor of this endorsement. The vote: All “aye” - Councilman Shirley Smith, Councilman George Nodler, Councilman Anita Newsom, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Cross, Mayor Dan Bishop. (5-0) * * * There were no communications from the News Media or further business to come before the November 27, 2000 Gladstone City Council Meeting, and Mayor Dan Bishop adjourned the Regular Meeting. Respectfully submitted: Marilyn F. Ahnefeld, City Clerk |