MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY APRIL 9, 2007
PRESENT: Mayor
Bill Cross
Mayor
Pro Tem Les Smith
Councilman
Carol Rudi
Councilman
Wayne Beer
Councilman
Mark Revenaugh
City Manager Kirk Davis
City Counselor David Ramsay
City Clerk Cathy Swenson
Mayor Bill Cross opened the Regular April 9, 2007,
City Council Meeting at 7:30 PM in
the Gladstone City Council Chambers, and said it was wonderful to see so many former Mayors and City Councilmembers, and friends in the audience, who have worked so hard to make Gladstone the great city that it is. Mayor Cross said in looking across the street at the new Community Center/Natatorium construction, it is unbelievable what this city has accomplished. Mayor Cross made note that all City Councilmembers were present at this meeting.
Item 3. on the Agenda. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Bill Cross led the Pledge of Allegiance, in
which all joined.
Item 4. on the Agenda. APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MARCH 26, 2007, CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES.
Councilman Carol Rudi moved to approve the Regular March 26, 2007, City Council Meeting Minutes as presented. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded the motion.
The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith and Mayor Bill Cross. (5-0)
Item 5.
on the Agenda. Councilman Carol Rudi read a
PROCLAMATION designating May 1-7,
2007, as “PUBLIC SERVICE APPRECIATION
WEEK” in
City Manager Kirk
Item 6. on the Agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE JERRY NOLTE
TO MAYOR BILL CROSS.
Mayor Cross introduced State Representative Jerry Nolte, saying that Mr. Nolte has done a wonderful job in representing our city.
State Representative Nolte began by saying that Lieutenant
Governor Pete Kinder, in his role as the official Senior Citizen Advocate for
the State of
Mr. Nolte said it was his great pleasure to present this award to Mayor Cross and to recognize his years of service and the fact that Gladstone is a much richer place for him having been here and giving so much service to our community.
Following applause, Mayor Cross thanked Mr. Nolte and his fellow City Councilmembers, who, he said, made this award possible. Mayor Cross said Mr. Nolte has served our community well, and encouraged him to keep up the good work.
Mayor Cross said the older one gets, the more honors one
receives; people want to honor you before you pass on. Mayor Cross said he appreciates very much the
honors that have been bestowed upon him by local, state, and national
governments. Mayor Cross said it is
wonderful to go into his study and see the plaques and trophies that have been
given to him as a result of the work of the people of
Item 7. on the Agenda. FIRST
Councilman Mark Revenaugh moved to place Bill No. 07-09 on First Reading. Councilman Wayne Beer seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith and Mayor Bill Cross. (5-0) The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilman Mark Revenaugh moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 07-09, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on Second and Final Reading. Councilman Wayne Beer seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith and Mayor Bill Cross. (5-0) The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilman Mark Revenaugh
moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 07-09 and enact the Bill
as Ordinance 4.027. Councilman Wayne Beer seconded.
Roll Call Vote: The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith and Mayor Bill Cross. (5-0)
Item 8. on the Agenda. REMARKS FROM THE MAYOR.
Mayor Cross said that as for the past year he has had difficulty speaking, he has asked Sergeant Richard King, Public Information Coordinator, to put together a PowerPoint presentation that exemplifies what everyone within the City has done in this last year, since he has been Mayor. Mayor Cross said he and his fellow City Councilmembers have worked religiously hard, and have gotten along extremely well. Mayor Cross invited everyone to view the PowerPoint presentation, as narrated by Sergeant King. (Please see the attached PowerPoint presentation copy).
Sergeant King began by saying it was his pleasure to
present the 2006 Year in Review PowerPoint for the Mayor this evening. One of the first things that happened in 2006
was that the City continued the public meetings on the
Sergeant King said moving into spring, the City
celebrated Arbor Day, and for the past few years the City has gathered with the
students from
Sergeant King said the City participated in its first Wellness Challenge last year, and the second Wellness Challenge was just wrapped up today. Our City did win the Challenge last year, and everyone worked very hard with both challenges.
Sergeant King continued by saying the citizen group,
Gladstone on the Move, suggested the City needed to work on neighborhood
revitalization. That effort started in
2006, with the
Sergeant King continued with the PowerPoint presentation by pointing out that Mayor Cross was President of the Clay County Coordinating Committee, and during his term on this Committee, he introduced a friend in the history realm, John Dillingham, who spoke to a group one evening about the history of our area. While President of this Committee, Mayor Cross presented an American flag to the Assistance League of Kansas City, who is based in Gladstone, in honor of their service to the community.
The next PowerPoint slide showed pictures of the City’s
municipal pool before, during and following renovations. Sergeant King reported that when the pool
opens on May 26, 2007, it will be a brand new pool, with new shade features,
“zero depth” entry, shade seating in the water, new flume slides, and new play
features for the children. These
improvements will be making “a splash” in May 2007. The City Council led Northlanders in
celebrating the July 4th holiday in
Mayor Cross was President of the Westgate Division of the
Missouri Municipal League this past year, and in that capacity, he presented
the Missouri Municipal League Leadership Award to Pastor Bob Baier, of
The Gladfest Parade was featured in a following slide,
showing photos of City Council members who participate in the parade each
year. Gladstone Public Safety officers
and the Honor Guard were shown leading the parade as it progressed along the
parade route. Sergeant King pointed out
photos of the Community Center groundbreaking ceremony. The construction site has gone from a big
hole in the ground to walls that are springing up seemingly overnight. The Mayor, City Council, Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board members, and others participated in the actual groundbreaking. Sergeant King pointed out photos of the old
Sergeant King reported the first two issues of our
community magazine, “Coming Home to
The
There are new residential opportunities in our City, with
the Reveda development and The Preserve located at 68th and
Sergeant King concluded by saying it was a tremendous
year for the City of
Following applause, Mayor Cross thanked Sergeant King,
and jokingly said Sergeant King really “padded” things to make him look
good! Mayor Cross said it has been a lot
of work this past year, but it has been fun, and the five City Councilmembers
have all worked together, and the accomplishments would not have been possible
without the four other Councilmembers.
Mayor Cross said he was so pleased there were over 700 children looking
for Easter eggs in the park. What a
great turnout! If that many turned out
the first year, how many will there be next year?
City Manager Kirk
Following applause, Mayor Cross thanked Myrna Williams and said since she and her husband have come on board with the City, the City’s accomplishments have increased.
City Manager
Mrs. Williams replied she began classes this past fall.
Mayor Cross jokingly said she had nothing to work with
and she turned out such a great portrait.
Mayor Cross thanked Mrs. Williams and the Leadership Team for the
wonderful gift. Mayor Cross said there
are many in the audience who have been past Mayors and Councilmembers, and they
know how much work is involved, and it is fun to see your own city
progressing. Mayor Cross said he
remembers 30 years ago when the OK was given by the City Council to go ahead
with the Municipal Pool, and everyone was saying no City pool ever made it, and
the
Mayor Cross said if it were not for his four colleagues, the cooperation of the citizens, people coming to the City Council meetings and expressing themselves, and the City staff here, none of this would be possible. Mayor Cross said he was not certain where the portrait would go, it might be hidden a little bit. Mayor Cross jokingly said the portrait looks exactly like him, which is what worries him! Mayor Cross said on behalf of his wife, Mary, and his family, they appreciate this gift so much.
Item 9. on the Agenda. CITY COUNCIL OATH OF OFFICE: LES SMITH.
City Clerk Cathy Swenson gave the oath of office to Les Smith for a three-year term on the Gladstone City Council, followed by applause from the audience.
Item 10. on the Agenda. REMARKS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith said it is a lot more fun
watching campaigns than doing them.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith said there were a lot of people who came to bat for
us this year, and he says “for us” because he does not believe his election was
about getting re-elected. He believes
his election and the 70 percent of the votes he received, was a mandate to
continue in the direction that we are taking this City. It began with
Mayor Pro Tem Smith said his biggest and best supporter
is his mother, Carmelina, and he thanked her.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith introduced his son, Jason, and said his daughter,
Jennifer is away at school at
Mayor Pro Tem Smith congratulated Mayor Cross and said he has set the table wonderfully for this coming year. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he hopes that City Councilmembers will continue on the path that Mayor Cross has set them on, and he congratulated Mayor Cross on an outstanding term as Mayor, and thanked him for being a good friend.
Councilman Wayne Beer congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Smith on his re-election, and said “job well done”.
Councilman Carol Rudi congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Smith, and thanked Carmelina Smith and Laura Gay, saying jokingly she was sure they did work harder on the campaign!
Councilman Mark Revenaugh congratulated Mayor Cross and agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Smith that Mayor Cross has led City Councilmembers on the right path that is going to make the whole community more vibrant and alive, and Councilmembers all appreciate his work on their behalf. Councilman Revenaugh congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Smith on his decision to sign up for another three-year term to serve the community. City Council is gratified and the entire community will be better off as a result of Mayor Pro Tem Smith’s decision.
Mayor Bill Cross had no comments at this time.
Item 11. on the Agenda. ELECTION OF MAYOR AND OATH OF OFFICE
Mayor Bill Cross presided
and opened nominations for the office of Mayor of the City of
The vote: All
“aye” – Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Carol
Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, Mayor Bill Cross. (5-0)
The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office for the position of Mayor of the City of Gladstone, Missouri to Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, followed by applause from the audience.
Item 12. on the Agenda. REMARKS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilman Carol Rudi congratulated Mayor Smith
and thanked former Mayor Cross for having led City Council this past year, and
setting the standard that they can all aspire to. Councilman Rudi said she knows Mayor Smith
will do a good job. He is talented and
bright and is very well spoken, and will do a very good job for the City as
Mayor. Councilman Rudi said she will be
very proud of Mayor Smith at the end of the year.
Councilman Wayne Beer congratulated Mayor Smith on
his selection as Mayor and thanked former Mayor Cross for his work in the past
year. Councilman Beer said as Councilman
Rudi mentioned, former Mayor Cross set a high standard that he knows Mayor
Smith will be able to meet. There is a
full agenda for the next year, and Mayor Smith is up to the task.
Councilman Bill Cross had no comments at this time.
Councilman Mark Revenaugh had no comments at this
time.
Mayor Les Smith had no comments at this time.
Item 13. on the Agenda. ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM
Mayor Les Smith invited nominations for the office of
Mayor Pro Tem. Councilman Carol Rudi nominated
Councilman Mark Revenaugh as Mayor Pro Tem of the City of
The Vote: all
“aye” – Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Carol
Rudi, Councilman Bill Cross, Mayor Les Smith.
(5-0)
Item 14. on the Agenda. REMARKS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Les Smith congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Revenaugh.
Councilman Wayne Beer congratulated Mayor Pro Tem
Revenaugh on his selection as Mayor Pro Tem, and knows he will be called upon
from time to time to fill in for the Mayor’s duties, and he knows he is up to
the task.
Councilman Carol Rudi congratulated Mayor Pro Tem
Revenaugh, and said he will do a great job.
Councilman Rudi said she has seen Mayor Pro Tem Revenaugh preside at
meetings in the past, and he does a really good job; he participates in a lot
of activities for the City and she knows he will continue to help the Mayor
with that this year.
Councilman Bill Cross agreed with Councilman Rudi,
and said those who have served in this capacity know there is a lot of work
involved in the position of Mayor Pro Tem. There are places to go, things to
do, and involves working with the Mayor and the Staff. Councilman Cross said he knows Mayor Pro Tem
Revenaugh can do it, and challenged Mayor Pro Tem Revenaugh to keep up the good
job that Mayor Smith did this past year helping him when he served as Mayor.
Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh had no comments at this time.
REGULAR AGENDA
Item 15. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce President Amy Harlin stated on behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire membership of the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce, it is her honor to say a special thank you and recognize Mayor Cross and Mary Cross for their service throughout this past year, and their dedication to the Chamber. Ms. Harlin said when she thought about what she wanted to say she was awed with the word “dedication”. Ms. Harlin said it is amazing to her that these two people never missed a Chamber luncheon, a ribbon cutting, or an “after hours” event. On good days and bad days, in good weather or bad weather they were there. Ms. Harlin thanked them for their service, and said when she began to think of the right thing to do to honor them, what struck her was what tremendous friends they have always been to the Chamber. The symbol of friendship is the yellow rose, as many are wearing this evening. Ms. Harlin said she wanted to give the Crosses something beautiful this evening as well as a lasting tribute for their friendship to the Chamber. Ms. Harlin presented a bouquet of yellow roses to Mary Cross and a yellow rose bush for their home in recognition of their service throughout the year.
Applause ensued from the audience.
Donald Harper, 1606 NE 68 Terrace, addressed Mayor Smith and City Councilmembers by saying in this room full of dignitaries, the only title he really carries is citizen of Gladstone, and he felt it might be appropriate for a word in that regard to say thanks to all the folks sitting at the Council table. Mr. Harper said he is at enough meetings and activities around the City to know what kind of time City Councilmembers put into the job and the dedication involved. The Public Service Proclamation was very appropriate for the City staff, as he sees them doing a lot. Every time he is volunteering at an event, he always sees City Councilmembers working twice as long and hard as the rest of the volunteers. Mr. Harper said as a Gladstone citizen, he wanted to say “thanks” to all of the City Council for their time, devotion, and dedication to our City.
Following applause, Mayor Smith thanked Mr. Harper.
Item 16. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY
COUNCIL
Councilman Wayne Beer said that Mr. Harper titled
himself as just a citizen of Gladstone, and addressed Mr. Harper by saying it
is not just a citizen of Gladstone; without the citizens of Gladstone,
there would not be a Gladstone. It is
because of the citizens of Gladstone that things are happening. Councilman Beer thanked Mr. Harper for being
one of them.
Councilman Carol Rudi stated that Mr. Harper also
serves on the Gladstone Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, as well as do
other people in the audience. Mr. Harper
is at a lot of activities and is very involved, and City Council does appreciate
Mr. Harper and all who volunteer for the City.
Councilman Rudi thanked Mr. Harper for his service to the community.
Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh had no comments at this
time.
Mayor Les Smith had no comments at this time.
Item 17. on the Agenda INTRODUCTION OF THE PAST MAYORS AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
Mayor Smith stated Councilman Beer was the driving force in organizing what is hoped will be a tradition in the City. Mayor Smith said in looking around the room, while he was hanging around with his father, Everett, there are people present who bounced him on their
knee a little bit. Mayor Smith said those past and present Mayors and Councilmembers are the history of Gladstone. The City has a very involved citizenry, and has also had a very involved group of folks who have served the community for many years. Mayor Smith invited Councilman Beer to introduce the former Mayors and Councilmembers who were present this evening.
Councilman Beer began by introducing Mrs. Carmelina
Smith, who happens to be the wife of the late Mayor Everett Smith, and the
mother of current Mayor Les Smith.
Councilman Beer asked past Mayors and Councilmembers to stand as they
were introduced and recognized.
Councilman Beer said jokingly without Carmelina Smith it would be
difficult to be working with Mayor Smith this evening. Councilman Beer said also present this
evening are several others who have been very important to Gladstone’s past 55
years of growth and development.
Councilman Beer said the main reason he wanted to recognize these folks
this evening, which by the way was suggested to him by others, is because
without their efforts prior to this Council’s term, it would be very difficult
to be doing the things that are being done today. They laid the foundation, and as the Mayor
mentioned, they built the bridge across which is now being crossed. Without their efforts, some of the things
that are occurring now would not be possible, such as the fantastic Community
Center that is under construction across the street from City Hall.
The Community Center, which is planned to be the
focus for a new downtown development was made possible by former Mayors and
Councilmembers. Their efforts made it
possible, and the current Council was able to help carry it on today. Many in attendance tonight were here at the
time of the original development of Gladstone Plaza. This Council is now in the position to see
its redevelopment along with those folks who were present during the initial
development. Councilman Beer said this
is a pretty good night tonight, and he felt with the installation of the new
Council and new Mayor, recognition of all the past Mayors and Councils was
terribly important.
Councilman Beer introduced Bob Ashcroft, Anita
Newsom, C. Milton Wallace, Shirley Smith, Larry Whitton, Lee Bussinger, Bernie
Jezak, Art Hammen, Dick Davis, and Dave Fricke.
Councilman Beer thanked those introduced for their service to Gladstone;
without their service what is happening today would not be possible. Following applause from the audience,
Councilman Beer said upon adjournment of this Council meeting, past Mayors and
Councilmembers are invited to remain in the Council Chambers for a quick
picture of the group, while the audience goes to the conference rooms, where
there will be a reception honoring the past and present City
Councilmembers.
Item 18. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.
City Manager Kirk Davis stated it was good to see so many friends in the audience.
Item 19. on the Agenda. OTHER BUSINESS.
There was no other business.
Item 20. on the Agenda. QUESTIONS FROM THE NEWS MEDIA.
There were no questions from
the News Media.
Item 21. on the Agenda. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further
business to come before the April 9, 2007, Gladstone City Council Meeting,
Mayor Les Smith adjourned the Regular Meeting and invited everyone to attend
the reception honoring the past and present City Councils, which was co-hosted
by the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Gladstone, and
invited everyone to sign the guest book located outside the conference rooms.
Respectfully submitted:
___________________________
Cathy Swenson, City Clerk
Approved
as submitted: ___
Approved
as corrected/amended: ___
______________________________
Mayor Les Smith