MINUTES

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

GLADSTONE, MISSOURI

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2007

 

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 PM

 

PRESENT:          Mayor Les Smith

Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh

Councilman Wayne Beer

Councilmember Carol Suter

 

City Manager Kirk Davis

City Counselor David Ramsay

City Clerk Cathy Swenson

 

ABSENT:            Councilman Carol Rudi

                             Assistant City Manager Scott Wingerson

 

Mayor Les Smith opened the Regular September 24, 2007, City Council Meeting at 7:30 PM in the Gladstone City Council Chambers.

 

Item 2. on the Agenda.             ROLL CALL

 

Mayor Smith noted that all Council members were present, with the exception of Councilman Rudi, who was in St. Louis on City business.

 

Item 3. on the Agenda.             PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

 

Mayor Les Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance, in which all joined.

 

Item 4. on the Agenda.             APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR SEPTEMBER 10, 2007, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to approve the Regular September 10, 2007, City Council Meeting Minutes as presented.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh, and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  

 

Item 5. on the Agenda.             COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.

 

John Garner, 111 Heatherton Court, stated as President of Stormy Acres Neighborhood Association, he would like to introduce the Neighborhood Association’s Board and officers, and asked them to stand as he introduced their names as follows:  Lee Laramore; Sherry Long, Treasurer; Jean Rube, Secretary; Lila Smith, Director; Linda Garner, Director; and Kimberly Haskins, who is in charge of the newsletter.  Mr. Garner stated if City Councilmembers or City Department Directors wished to run something in their newsletter, they are welcome to anytime, as long as it is submitted by the first of the month to Ms. Haskins.  The newsletter is distributed the second to third week of the month.  Mr. Garner said they have been selling neighborhood block watch signs to go up in their neighborhood, and tomorrow he is supposed to pick up 17 signs, and hopefully, by the end of the week they will order 6 or 8 more signs.  Mr. Garner thanked the Council for  Carolyn Vellar’s (Neighborhood Consultant) work in their neighborhood.  Mr. Garner also thanked Building Official Alan Napoli and Public Information Officer Richard King.

 

Mayor Les Smith said it has been a high priority of this Council to reinvest in our neighborhoods.  That doesn’t work without the volunteer efforts of those gathered here tonight and others as well.  Mayor Smith said our hats are off to all the volunteers and extended his and all Council’s thanks to them.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer stated all the volunteers are to be congratulated on taking the initiative to organize their neighborhood and do what is necessary to strengthen their neighborhood.  Neighborhoods have their points of pride, and most neighbors are proud of their neighborhood.  Councilman Beer said for a group to get together to enhance and strengthen their neighborhood is commendable, and these folks should be congratulated.

 

Mayor Smith said, jokingly, that he was impressed that Lee Laramore is involved with the group, as Lee was here before the first load of dirt was brought into the neighborhood!

 

Mr. Garner stated Mr. Laramore is working on a big report to present to the neighborhood association and hopefully, the report will appear in the City’s magazine.

 

Councilmember Suter said she is a strong supporter of healthy neighborhoods, because we cannot have a healthy city unless all of our neighborhoods are healthy.  Councilmember Suter said it was exciting to see the neighborhood members enthused and in attendance at the Council meeting, and she is delighted that the City’s effort in providing assistance to the neighborhood seems to be paying off so well.

 

Item 6. on the Agenda.             COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.

 

Councilmember Carol Suter stated she wished to express her thanks and appreciation to Councilmembers and Staff for their concern during her family’s emergency.  Her son-in-law is making a miraculous recovery, so she and her family are feeling really good about that.  Councilmember Suter said she is glad to be back home and back to a normal life again this week.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer stated Gladfest will be held the first weekend in October.  It is always a delightful time.  Councilman Beer said he knows most people present have attended Gladfest in years past, and he encouraged them to continue.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh thanked the City for the opportunity to attend a Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce sponsored trip to Washington, D.C., along with the Clay and Platte County Economic Development Councils to visit our federal legislators.  Mayor Pro Tem Revenaugh said it was a short period of time, from Wednesday to Friday, but they packed a lot in, and saw all our local Senators and Congressmen to let them know of our issues in the Northland.  It was a great opportunity to communicate with them, and he thanks the City for its sponsorship.

 

Mayor Les Smith stated the Maple Woods Soccer Field dedication was held this past week, which is a partnership between the City of Gladstone and the Metropolitan Community Colleges, especially Maple Woods Community College.  The City has partnered with them to provide them a tournament ready college level soccer field, and in return they are providing some services to the City that we will be able to utilize.  Mayor Smith said a lot of credit goes to our folks, starting with City Manager Kirk Davis.  Mayor Smith said City Manager Davis has been a promoter of regional cooperation and partnerships for many years, and is one of the strongest promoters in the metropolitan area.  Credit also goes to Parks and Recreation Director Sheila Lillis and members of her staff, Tina Spallo, Matt Hoops, and Darren Rodman, who is the Parks crew supervisor who probably doesn’t get a lot of credit at that level, but is very instrumental in building the field and did an outstanding job in putting together an awesome facility.

 

Mayor Smith said this could not have been done without the partnership with the Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan Community Colleges, especially Bob Ashcroft, a former Councilman and Mayor, who was very instrumental.  Vice Chancellor Al Tunis; Chancellor Jackie Snyder; President Merna Saliman; and their Athletic Director Brian Bechtel were instrumental in this partnership.  It was a very nice event that went very well, and then they played a college soccer game after the event.  It is a partnership that we should be proud of, along with the partnership we have with the North Kansas City School District.  Hopefully we are leading the way a bit, and we should challenge and encourage other jurisdictions and entities to enter into partnerships, because a lot of times we provide the same service with duplicate tax dollars.  We have proven we don’t have to do that, and it is very beneficial to all Northland residents.

 

Mayor Smith said some may have read in the newspapers that we have had an ongoing lawsuit against the County on behalf of our Special Road District for some funds we believe we are owed.  We have felt for the last four or five years that the County has been shorting Gladstone residents about $350,000 a year in Road District monies.  We filed a friendly lawsuit on behalf of the Gladstone Special Road District and in cooperation with other Road Districts and cities, and we won that lawsuit against the County.  They have now appealed it, but in a very bold move, Presiding Commissioner Ed Quick “carried the water” to reinstitute a $.24 cent property tax levy to help fund their deficit, which totals between $6 million and $8 million dollars at this point, to continue to help fund the Road District and make us whole.  Mayor Smith said that was a very bold move, politically, and he wants to give Presiding Commissioner Quick and Western District Commissioner Larry Larson a lot of credit for moving forward with that.  Mayor Smith said it will probably prove to be a very unpopular move politically, but they felt that it was more important to do the right thing, and he wished to commend them for that and put that in the record.

 

Item 7. on the Agenda.             COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.

 

City Manager Kirk Davis encouraged anyone who did not have an opportunity to attend the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce open house today to drop by to see the new offices.  Mayor Smith mentioned the partnerships with the North Kansas City School District and the Metropolitan Community Colleges - there is also the City’s partnership with the Chamber and the preservation of the Williams House.  The new Chamber offices are a very nice facility, and hopefully it will be in the center of a lot of activity in the next few years. 

 

City Manager Davis reported there will be no City Council meeting on October 8th for a number of reasons, including that there will not be a plethora of agenda items, as well as the fact that the Mayor, he, and Assistant City Manager Wingerson will be in Pittsburg to receive the ICMA’s Innovation Award.

 

City Manager Davis invited City Counselor David Ramsay to introduce a new City employee.  The Council funded this position in this year’s budget.

 

City Counselor Ramsay invited Christi Gately to stand as he introduced her, saying she has been on the job about three weeks as Mr. Ramsay’s legal clerk and assistant.  Ms. Gately has a unique way of helping him organize; they go through files, document by document, and if he hesitates when she asks him if he wants to keep it, she throws it away.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer asked if she carries a big stick.

 

Counselor Ramsay said she is as much of an anti “pack rat” as he is a “pack rat”, so he believes it will balance out!

 

Ms. Gately said it has been interesting the last few weeks, and she believes she and Mr. Ramsay will work well together, and will help each other balance things.

 

Mayor Smith welcomed Ms. Gately and said, jokingly, if she would like to work on the side, he also subscribes to the system of “file by pile”.

 

Ms. Gately replied in a joking manner that she probably has enough for now!

 

City Manager Davis said that Ms. Gately has fit in very well, especially with the General Administration staff.  She has jumped right in and helps with phones and any needs in other areas.  She has been a real pleasure to work with so far.

 

Mayor Smith said City Manager Davis mentioned the Chamber ribbon cutting, and he would like to mention that Councilman Beer actually gave a lot of effort to that cause, and they were very grateful for his participation today.  Mayor Smith thanked Councilman Beer on behalf of all Council members.

 

Councilman Beer thanked Mayor Smith.

 

Item 8. on the Agenda.             APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST FINANCIAL REPORTS.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to approve the AUGUST FINANCIAL REPORTS as presented.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh, and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  

 

Item 9. on the Agenda.             FIRST READING BILL 07-27, establishing certain fees and charges for the Community Center/Natatorium provided by the City of Gladstone, Missouri, and amending all prior Ordinances inconsistent therewith particularly Ordinance Nos. 2.082, 2.615, 2.858, 3.082, 3.555, 3.755, 3.948 and 4.029.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to place Bill 07-27 on First Reading.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  The Clerk read the Bill.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 07-27, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on Second and Final Reading.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  The Clerk read the Bill.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 07-27 and enact the Bill as Ordinance 4.045.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded. 

 

Roll Call Vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).

 

Item 10. on the Agenda.           FIRST READING BILL 07-28, an Ordinance amending those sections of the Code of City Ordinances concerning the appointment of members to the City's various Boards and Commissions, and the election of Chairmen and other officers by those Boards and Commissions.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to place Bill 07-28 on First Reading.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  The Clerk read the Bill.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 07-28, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on Second and Final Reading.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  The Clerk read the Bill.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 07-28 and enact the Bill as Ordinance 4.046.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded. 

 

Mayor Smith said, for the edification of the audience, that the main thing that this Bill does is that when Board and Commission members are appointed, it is a full Council appointment.  In some instances it is stated differently, that members may be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of Council, some by the Council, this Bill just makes it all uniform and is not changing the process for appointing Boards and Commission members.

 

Roll Call Vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).

 

Item 11. on the Agenda.           FIRST READING BILL 07-29, amending Schedule V of the Model Traffic Code (Gladstone Municipal Code Section 4.100.020), to establish a “No Parking” zone for westbound traffic on Northeast 70th Street from the intersection of North Oak Trafficway west to the dead end.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to place Bill 07-29 on First Reading.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  The Clerk read the Bill.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 07-29, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on Second and Final Reading.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  The Clerk read the Bill.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 07-29 and enact the Bill as Ordinance 4.047.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded. 

 

Roll Call Vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).

 

Item 12. on the Agenda.           FIRST READING BILL 07-30, amending Schedule VIII of the Model Traffic Code (Gladstone Municipal Code Section 4.100.020), to establish a “Stop” sign location at Northeast 67th Street at North Walnut Street.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to place Bill 07-30 on First Reading.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  The Clerk read the Bill.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 07-30, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on Second and Final Reading.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.  The vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).  The Clerk read the Bill.

 

Councilman Wayne Beer moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 07-30 and enact the Bill as Ordinance 4.048.  Councilmember Carol Suter seconded. 

 

Roll Call Vote:  All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Revenaugh and Mayor Les Smith.  (4-0).

 

Item 13. on the Agenda.           OTHER BUSINESS.

 

Mayor Smith said a few weeks ago there was a petition from a neighborhood, which was a cul-de-sac at about 61st and North Bales, where all the residents on the street petitioned City Council to put up “No Parking” signs.  That works well except for the one neighbor who parks under one of the signs every day.  Mayor Smith said he would suggest that if we are going to honor the request for no parking, that perhaps they ought to honor their request for no parking and perhaps we can enforce that.

 

Item 14. on the Agenda.           QUESTIONS FROM THE NEWS MEDIA.

 

There were no questions from the News Media.

 

Item 15. on the Agenda.           ADJOURNMENT.

 

There being no further business to come before the September 24, 2007, Gladstone Regular City Council Meeting, Mayor Les Smith adjourned the regular meeting.   

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

______________________________

Cathy Swenson, City Clerk

                                                                                       Approved as submitted:  ___

 

                                                                                Approved as corrected/amended: ___

 

 

                                                                                ______________________________

                                                                                                 Mayor Les Smith