MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
GLADSTONE,
MISSOURI
REGULAR
MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST
13, 2001
Mayor Anita Newsom called
the Regular August 13, 2001 City
Council Meeting to order in the City Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Anita Newsom
Councilman Shirley Smith
Councilman Les Smith
City Manager Kirk Davis
Assistant City Manager Laura
Gay
City Clerk Marilyn Ahnefeld
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Bill Cross
Councilman Dan Bishop
Item 3. on the Agenda. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Anita Newsom led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag in which all joined.
Item 4. on
the Agenda. APPROVAL OF JULY 23, 2001 MINUTES
Councilman Les Smith moved to approve the Regular July 23, 2001 City Council Meeting
Minutes as submitted. Councilman
Shirley Smith seconded the motion. The
vote: All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith,
Councilman Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita
Newsom. (3-0)
Item 5. on the Agenda. CONSENT AGENDA
Following the Clerks reading, Councilman Les Smith
moved to approve the Consent Agenda as read;
Councilman Shirley Smith seconded.
The vote: All “aye” - Councilman Les Smith, Councilman
Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
CONSENT AGENDA DETAIL
Councilman Les Smith moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R-01-54, authorizing execution of a contract with
Banderas Construction, Inc. for the NE 64th Street (Old Antioch Road
to Bellefontaine) Roadway Improvements
in the amount of $187,845.20 from the Capital Improvements Sales Tax Fund. Councilman Shirley Smith seconded. The vote:
All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
Councilman Les Smith moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R-01-55, authorizing execution of a contract with Ace
Pipe Cleaning, Inc., in the amount of $115,700 from the Combined Water &
Sanitary Sewer Fund for the 2001
Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising Project. Councilman Shirley Smith seconded. The vote: All “aye” –
Councilman Les Smith, Councilman Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom.
(3-0)
Councilman Les Smith moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R-01-56, authorizing execution of a contract with
Leath and Sons, Inc., for the NE 76th Terrace Street Reconstruction
Project Phase 2 (East of Oak) in the amount of $74,579.90 from the
Transportation Sales Tax Fund. Councilman
Shirley Smith seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman
Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
Councilman Les Smith moved
to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R-01-57, authorizing acceptance of work under contract with Cook Flatt
& Strobel for the design of Claymont Drainage Improvements and authorizing
final payment in the amount of $300.00 from the Capital Improvements Sales Tax
Fund. Councilman Shirley Smith
seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman
Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
Councilman Les Smith moved
to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R-01-58, authorizing execution of a contract with
McGarrah Construction Company in the amount of $338,738.04 for the N Oak Water
Main Replacement project (Englewood Road - 62nd Street) from the Combined Water and Sanitary Sewer
Fund. Councilman Shirley Smith
seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman
Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
Councilman Les Smith moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R-01-59, accepting Temporary Easements from
property owners in conjunction with the North Oak Water Main Replacement
Project. Councilman Shirley Smith
seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman
Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
Councilman Les Smith moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. R-01-60, accepting a Bill of Sale from Crown
Commercial Builders and Haines & Associates Construction Company conveying Sanitary Sewer built for
development of property at 6321 North Oak. Councilman Shirley Smith seconded. The vote:
All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
Councilman Les Smith moved to approve the FINANCIAL REPORTS for the month of
June, 2001. Councilman Shirley Smith
seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman
Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
Councilman Les Smith moved to approve the LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS for Hy Vee and Northland Elks. Councilman Shirley Smith seconded. The vote:
All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
REGULAR AGENDA
Item 6. on
the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.
There were no communications from the audience.
Item 7. on
the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.
Councilman Les
Smith noted that we had our first Community Oriented
Government meeting on July 30th and he was proud to be a Councilman
that evening. The staff showcased their
talents quite well and it got them out in the public arena where we are used to
participating. They were proud to
participate and it was nice to see so many staff there. The Management Team did an excellent job on
the presentation. He thought it was a
great program that we have initiated.
It may not always go as smoothly as the first night as we go into other
areas of the city but he has heard nothing but
positive feedback and he knows that staff has worked very hard at
responding to inquiries from residents in attendance. We should all be very proud to be associated with these folks.
Councilman Smith also recognized the firefighters
who held the MDA Bowl-a-thon at their favorite bowling center in
Gladstone. Again, we should be proud to
have folks on staff who are willing to participate in causes like that. He is not sure of the final tally on how
much they raised, but there were cash prizes to the winning team and these
winners even gave back their prize money for the MDA. They seemed to have had a good time. A softball tournament was also held last weekend by the
firefighters in support of MDA as well and he hopes that went well also.
Councilman
Shirley Smith congratulated the Gladstone Chamber of Commerce on their 35th
Anniversary profile booklet. It was
upbeat, positive, very well done and she is sure they will be able to use it
well in attracting new members.
Mayor Anita
Newsom
said she echoes Councilman Les Smith’s comments on the Community Oriented
Government meeting. We always hope for
greater attendance than we end up having which says either people are happy
with their government and how things are working or hopefully, they are not
disillusioned. The meeting gave the
citizens an excellent opportunity to visit one-on-one with staff members to
address their concerns. She hopes the
rest of the meetings will go as well.
She was very, very pleased with the presentations that came forward that
night and she is always proud of our professional staff.
People are generally pleased with our government and
how things operate in Gladstone, but one of the things that came forward that
night was the Codes enforcement issue.
She knows when she first came on the Council, that there were no codes
enforcement officers and residents called and
complained. Now we have two
full-time codes enforcement officers.
During busy times of the year we would get reports on activities in the
codes department and they would generate a report on citations, tickets, and
violations. She would be interested in
seeing a report to see how we are doing.
This time of the year it is easy for things to get out of control. Weeds continue to grow in spite of the lack
of rain, but she is curious to see how things are going in that area.
Mayor Newsom stated that she happened to be witness
to our firefighters in action last Tuesday fighting a fire in very, very hot
temperatures and very high weeds. That
is what brought the codes issue to mind.
She was so proud of our firefighters in their professionalism and how
they attacked the fire. She was
visiting with a highway patrolman who was on the scene on the whole science of how fires are attacked and
fought. There is a true art and science
to it. It was very obvious that our
firefighters were well-trained and well-versed. She was very pleased to see them in action. At that time of day, they had only one or
two GEMA personnel on the scene, but they were doing what they could and are
very much appreciated.
Mayor Newsom
asked if the firefighters were going to be doing the Boot Block again this year
on Labor Day weekend and if there is a way we can continue communications with the public on collections and the
restrictions. There are some very exuberant youths that do fund-raising
activities such as Booster Club or church groups and they have a tendency to
get themselves out in harms way and their enthusiasm gets in the way of common
sense sometimes. She saw youths at 72nd
and M-1 out in the street holding signs for a car wash. We need to help them remember the right way
to do this because not everyone is looking out for them.
City Manager Kirk Davis stated that there is a
permitting process for groups soliciting in the street. The firefighters must go through the process
for the MDA Boot Block or any other collections. There is an ordinance that regulates that issue. As far as car washes and activities of that nature, they do not need a permit
but are advised to stay on the curb and grassy areas. If someone is in the street,
public safety should be contacted
and our public safety officers will advise those folks where to stand so they do not get hurt,
particularly at 72nd and M-1
or any of the major corridors.
Mayor Newsom stated that they were out on the
medians and looked pretty precarious.
Ms. Newsom and Mr. Davis agreed that with the beginning of school and fall coming, there may be various fund-raising activities, fall sports, little league play-offs which could increase this type of activity and news releases could certainly help with safety issues in this area.
Mayor Newsom also complimented for the record just
how nice the plantings and landscaping look this year. She knows staff has put in extra efforts
this year and the boxes in the front of city hall are the best ever and look
like a city we are proud of.
Councilman Les
Smith asked
City Manager Davis if we have heard from the City of Oakview regarding the cell
tower. Mr. Davis said we have not, but
he will contact them.
Councilman Smith said they were provided a rendering
of how it would look and it was not what was proposed. Most people think it is our tower and
aesthetically, it is not good.
Item 8. on
the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.
City Manager Kirk Davis stated that he agrees with Council in being proud of staff who worked a long, long time getting ready for the Community Oriented Government meeting. The Management Team and other employees did a great job and he should probably say it more often.
Item 9. on
the Agenda. APPROVAL OF BUILDING PERMIT for
1,240 sq. ft. tenant finish at 4770 N Belleview, Suite 202. Applicant:
Luke Draily Construction for Belleview Properties, LLC.
Councilman Les Smith moved to approve the Building Permit. Councilman Shirley Smith seconded.
Mayor Newsom asked if everything was in order. Mr. Wingerson said yes.
The vote:
All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
Item 10. on the Agenda. PUBLIC HEARING: on a
request for a Special Use Permit on property at 5800 N Oak. Applicant:
Auto Trend, Inc. File #1158)
Mayor Newsom opened the public hearing and
immediately continued the hearing to the Monday, August 27, 2001 City Council
Meeting at the request of the Applicant. We will have a full Council at that time
to vote on the Special Use Permit.
Item 11. on
the Agenda. FIRST READING BILL 01-32, amending Schedule VIII of the Model Traffic Ordinance to
establish new Stop Sign locations at
the Southeast and Northwest corners of 72nd &
Antioch Road.
Councilman Les Smith moved to place Bill 01-32 on First Reading; Councilman Shirley Smith seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0) The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilman Les Smith moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 01-32, Waive the Rule and Place the Bill on Second and Final Reading; Councilman Shirley Smith seconded.
Discussion.
Councilman Les Smith addressed City Manager Davis. He stated that he had discussed with Mayor Newsom about looking into an overhead flasher at that intersection due to the grade changes and speed that we see a lot, north and south, especially on Antioch Road. He would be interested in looking at that. He is not convinced that 6 inch flashers on top of stop signs, after thirty plus years of traffic history, would be enough for that intersection.
Mr. Davis stated that they can look into it again. The MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) dictates what we should and should not do at intersections based on warrants and traffic, but we can look into it to see what other safety precautions might help.
Mr. Smith said there is an old saying about written standards and that is “for every pound of knowledge, it takes ten pounds of common sense to apply it”. He would like us to look into the cost of it to see if we might think it is justified.
Mr. Davis stated that he understood and would check into it. Mayor Newsom said she liked that quote and may keep it in mind to use later for another traffic study.
Mayor Newsom said as the grade has changed, it has become quite a problem with increased speed. She is disappointed in the design of the road that created lack of sight distance as you are going northbound and wanting to make a westbound turn which was her first encounter with it. It is obvious there is a lack of sight distance and she is disappointed in the design at that intersection.
Councilman Les Smith asked if the drainage issue dictated that or what was the cause.
Mr. Davis responded that he would turn this over to Mr. Wingerson but does know that the intersection was raised eight feet from the way it was before and they tapered it back on Antioch to just north of 72nd Terrace. He does not know if the creek came into play and if they could have graded it back even further but the result is a little dip north of 72nd Terrace where a smaller car you can’t see from the stop signs.
Mr. Wingerson stated that he does not know the details, but can research the root causes, going back to 1993 or thereabouts. It could have been a cost consideration, because extending the fill area that much further to the north to eliminate the dip would be about 100 or 200 feet. The primary focus of the design was 72nd Street, not Antioch. That is not an excuse for why the dip is there but it is there and we will do our best to make it as safe as we can.
Councilman Smith said further research from Mr. Wingerson is not necessary because it does not matter at this time why it happened, but he certainly agrees we need to make this intersection as safe as possible. City Manager Davis said we will also see a focus on street lights there to help with the visibility. Mayor Newsom again commented that she is disappointed in the design and we can pass that on to the design firm.
The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0) The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilman Les Smith moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 01-32 and enact the Bill as Ordinance 3.801; Councilman Shirley Smith seconded. Roll Call Vote: All “aye” – Councilman Les Smith, Councilman Shirley Smith, Mayor Anita Newsom. (3-0)
* * * * *
There being no further business to come before the August 13, 2001 Gladstone City Council Meeting, Mayor Anita Newsom adjourned the Regular Meeting.
Respectfully submitted:
________________________
Marilyn F. Ahnefeld, City Clerk
__________________________
Anita Newsom, Mayor