MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
GLADSTONE, MISSOURI
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2008
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
5:45 PM
Mayor Mark Revenaugh opened the City Council Meeting to adjourn to a Closed Executive Session on May 27, 2008, at 5:45 PM. Councilman Wayne Beer made a motion to adjourn to Closed Executive Session pursuant to Missouri Open Meeting Act Exemption 610.021 (1) for Litigation and Confidential or Privileged Communications with Legal Counsel, and 610.021 (2) for Real Estate Acquisition Discussion, and 610.21(3) for Personnel Discussion. Councilman Les Smith seconded.
Roll Call Vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Les Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi, and Mayor Mark Revenaugh.
(5-0).
Mayor Mark Revenaugh recessed the Closed Executive Session to go into an Open Study Session at 6:30 PM.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
7:30 PM
PRESENT: Mayor Mark Revenaugh
Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi
Councilman Les Smith
Councilman Wayne Beer
Councilmember Carol Suter
City Manager Kirk Davis
Assistant City Manager Scott Wingerson
City Counselor David Ramsay
Mayor Mark Revenaugh opened the Regular May 27, 2008, City Council Meeting at 7:30 PM in the Gladstone City Council Chambers.
Item 2. on the Agenda. ROLL CALL
Mayor Mark Revenaugh noted that all Council members were present.
Item 3. on the Agenda. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Mark Revenaugh led the Pledge of Allegiance, in which all joined.
Item 4. on the Agenda. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 12, 2008, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi moved to approve the Regular May 12, 2008, City Council Meeting Minutes as presented. Councilman Wayne Beer seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Les Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi, and Mayor Mark Revenaugh. (5-0)
Item 5. on the Agenda. CONSENT AGENDA.
Following the Clerk’s reading, Councilmember Carol Suter moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilman Wayne Beer seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Les Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi, and Mayor Mark Revenaugh. (5-0)
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to adopt RESOLUTION R-08-30, authorizing acceptance of work under contract with Vanum Construction Company, Incorporated, for the Municipal Pool Renovation; and authorizing final payment in the amount of $5,000.00. Councilman Wayne Beer seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Les Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi, and Mayor Mark Revenaugh. (5-0)
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to approve a BUILDING PERMIT for remodeling of the exterior of the building on property located at 6700 North Oak Trafficway to prepare for a Verizon Retail store. Applicant/Owner: Kent and Shirley Mayfield. Councilman Wayne Beer seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Les Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi, and Mayor Mark Revenaugh. (5-0)
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to approve an ANNUAL LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL for Snappy Store #4901, 4901 Old Pike Road, 7 Day Package Liquor License. Councilman Wayne Beer seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Les Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi, and Mayor Mark Revenaugh. (5-0)
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to approve the FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR APRIL 2008. Councilman Wayne Beer seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Wayne Beer, Councilman Les Smith, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi, and Mayor Mark Revenaugh. (5-0)
Item 6. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.
Pete Hall, 5621 Clinton Place, said he was present at this meeting to discuss something that has been discussed and looked at many times. Three years ago, no one had heard of the sub-prime market. Three years ago, gas was under $2.00 per gallon. Many things have changed in three years, and substantially and uniquely changed. Mr. Hall explained he says this, because he will be asking the City Council members to do something in a moment.
Mr. Hall stated there was an Auto Zone proposed at 6450 North Prospect. They have made numerous changes to their normal building plan from what they originally intended to do to try to better fit with that particular development, by request of the development and City Council. Those changes are substantial, and they feel like they have done all that they can do in that respect, with the exception of possibly taking off an orange stripe to the east so that no residents by the shopping center will be able to see that orange stripe, in case it would be somewhat offensive. It would only be exposed to the streets or thoroughfares that go through it. Mr. Hall stated he would ask this evening that the Council make a motion to reconsider the second reading as of last week, and he is hopeful they will reconsider in the light in which he has presented it both economically, and in the fact that there have been substantial changes done. As far as being upscale, certainly we believe that it is every bit as upscale as any fast food restaurant could possibly be. Mr. Hall asked that City Council reconsider, and pass the second reading of the Bill, opposed to what happened last time. Mr. Hall thanked the City Council.
Mayor Revenaugh thanked Mr. Hall for his comments.
Donald Harper, 1606 Northeast 68 Terrace, said he sat in the audience listening very carefully during the Open Study Session, when the item on the Smoking proposal was discussed. Mr. Harper said he believed he was somewhat behind the letter that City Council members received from the Park Board several months back asking that smoking be prohibited in the Park areas of Gladstone. Mr. Harper said he is a former smoker and that puts him on a really tough side, but he really hates to see cigarette butts littering our parks, particularly at the new Community Center and the nicely landscaped areas. Mr. Harper said he knows it says 25 feet, but who is going to stand outside with a yardstick. Mr. Harper said he does not want them to get into the habit of smoking outside of the Community Center, where he would have to walk through the haze to get inside the building. This is only a piece of it. It is almost inevitable that Gladstone is going to have a no smoking ban similar to what the other cities have already done or are close to doing. Mr. Harper said, folks, let’s get with it; get it done; don’t string this out over another six months. You have to have been thinking about it with everything that has been going on in all the other cities. Mr. Harper said as a citizen, let’s get with it, and if there is anything he can do, he will be happy to do that, but he thinks we need to pass an Ordinance and get something done very quickly in Gladstone. We don’t want to be that last ashtray out there from a Gladstone side.
Mayor Revenaugh thanked Mr. Harper for his comments.
Item 7. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.
Councilmember Carol Suter stated she would like to share a fun story that makes her glad she lives here and that she has the privilege of serving on this Council. Councilmember Suter said one of her co-workers who lives in mid-town asked her last week if we paid people to go out and about to promote Gladstone. Councilmember Suter replied to him she did not think so. He said he had breakfast at one of those neighborhood dives in mid-town, where he and his wife often have Saturday morning breakfast. At the next table was a large group of people, ranging in age from senior citizens to teenagers, obviously some kind of family group, and as they were talking and getting kind of boisterous, he heard “Gladstone” a couple of times, so his ears perked up. He said these people just had this entire conversation about the different places they lived in Gladstone, and how wonderful Gladstone is and what great place to live – this is the best place in the metropolitan area to live; the Community Center is the most fabulous thing that’s ever happened. They talked about Parks and Recreation and all the programs that were coming up for the summer. They talked about their pride in being from Gladstone and being able to tell that to people as they are out and about. Councilmember Suter said she thought that was a nice story to hear and to know that citizens appreciate us that much, that we are the topic of everyday, ordinary conversation.
Mayor Revenaugh jokingly said if we did pay them, it sounds like it was effective!
Councilman Wayne Beer had no comments at this time.
Councilman Les Smith had no comments at this time.
Mayor Pro Tem Carol Rudi asked Parks and Recreation Director Sheila Lillis to provide an update on the events coming up at the Gladstone Amphitheatre and something that is going on in Oak Grove Park regarding the walking trail.
Director Lillis reported that this weekend there are two events at the Amphitheatre. On Saturday, the Sweet Adelines will perform from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. On Sunday, there will be a fund raiser put on by the Friends of Maplewoods, who is the group that is spearheading the purchase of the seven acres that sits adjacent to our Maplewoods Nature Preserve. They are doing a fundraiser with a multitude of different volunteer bands performing from Noon to 6:00 PM. Director Lillis said the Oak Grove Park walking trail is complete and it will be a nice venue for both of these events.
Mayor Pro Tem Rudi encouraged all to attend the scheduled events, and thanked Director Lillis for her report.
Mayor Mark Revenaugh stated that as the City begins the discussions on the proposed smoking ban, it is important to keep in mind that there are a lot of citizens who will be affected. Certainly, he believes everyone accepts the fact that the smokers in this country are in the minority. It is often times a medical issue for both sides of the coin. A medical issue for the people who smoke as well as a medical issue for those that are around the people who are smoking. Mayor Revenaugh said he hopes the public is patient with the City Council as they deliberate, because there are also a lot of small business owners in the City paying taxes, who decided to invest their land, labor and capital in pursuit of a legitimate business. It is important that if we are going to change the rules on them after they have made that investment, that we consider what they have to say.
Item 8. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.
City Manager Kirk Davis reported that President Bush has denied our disaster declaration, apparently, because of lack of information, he believes, but also apparently, they don’t believe the dollar threshold was reached. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is going to handle our appeal to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and we will see what happens with that. City Manager Davis said he wanted to let Council members know that so far the federal government has not approved, and in fact, has denied the application.
Mayor Revenaugh asked if Congressman Graves was going to support this application.
City Manager Davis replied that he believed that Congressman Graves wrote a letter of support to the President, and we have not contacted anyone else yet, because we just found out today. City Manager Davis said there are probably some other envelopes we can push, and again, SEMA is going to appeal that decision.
Mayor Revenaugh inquired into the dollar threshold.
City Manager Davis said he does not recall the amount; it is done on a County-wide basis, and not by City.
Mayor Revenaugh asked how this would affect our citizens if we do not receive federal aid.
City Manager replied, hopefully, it will be seamless for the citizens, we will still provide services, and we are. We know all along that there is always an opportunity that we won’t get our federal application approved, so that is not the principle reason why we try to pick up brush and move forward with the demolitions, and provide the security and things like that. It is first and foremost a citizens’ service issue in a time of need. If we are reimbursed, that is great. It will not change anything in that regard.
Mayor Revenaugh asked for clarification, if the City would “foot the bill” barring a successful appeal by SEMA.
City Manager replied that was correct.
Mayor Revenaugh asked if there was an estimate of the costs.
City Manager Davis said he believed the application reflected that City expenses, including our own buildings that were damaged, at $496,000. City Manger Davis said he has not seen any updated figures.
Mayor Revenaugh thanked City Manager Davis.
City Manager Davis reported that Jim Inman, Water Operations Crew Leader, is retiring. His retirement luncheon will be held at Public Works is June 2, at 11:30 AM. City Manager Davis invited everyone to attend Bluesfest, June 6, and 7, in Oak Grove Park, and encouraged everyone to attend and enjoy themselves.
Item 9. on the Agenda. PUBLIC HEARING: on the proposed 2008-2009 Annual Operating Budget for the City of Gladstone, Missouri.
Mayor Revenaugh opened the Public Hearing.
City Manager Davis began by thanking the City Council for their time this evening, and also for the time that City Council members have put into discussing our proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget, through two Study Sessions. City Manager Davis said he would also like to thank the City staff for all the work that they have put into this document. City Manager Davis stated submitted herewith is the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY 09) budget and program of services for the City of Gladstone. The annual budget for FY 09 as proposed represents the strategic, administrative and financial plan of the City of Gladstone. It is the product of a comprehensive team effort from every level of the municipal organization, from the Council down to a majority of the Staff members.
City Manager Davis said the FY 09 budget is intended to serve as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communication device. The FY 09 budget illustrates a conservative approach utilized by the City Council and City staff to develop a proposed budget that will benefit the entire City of Gladstone and its residents. The FY 09 budget represents a continuing commitment to the citizens of Gladstone as well as to the employees who provide citizen services. The proposed budget provides a picture that generates some cautious optimism. While the economy is not strong right now, we are fortunate this year to have an additional revenue that will be mentioned in a few minutes. The budget generates a cautious optimism based upon some of the economic conditions – recent revenue enhancements and economic development efforts in the City of Gladstone.
City Manager Davis reported that in the General Fund, total budgeted revenues are projected to be $15,444,000; expenditures are projected to be $15,435,000. City Manager Davis called Council’s attention to the chart on page two of the Public Hearing Budget Draft Report. City Manager Davis said there are two revenues he would like to highlight. Number one, sales tax is projected to be essentially flat. The second item is the gross receipts tax, which is up approximately $473,000 as a result of the litigation with the Telecommunications Carriers. That is the revenue enhancement referred to earlier. General Fund FY 09 projected expenditures represent a $225,000 decrease compared to the FY 08 expected expenditures. Despite that, personnel services show an increase of $411,000 over the FY 08 budget. That increase includes staffing additions totaling $79,000. The balance of the increase, or $331,000, is for annual merit increases, ($240,000), and for increases in health insurance benefit costs ($91,000).
City Manager Davis continued by saying that in FY 08, City Management requested Public Works to develop a systematic five year plan for replacing City fleet and equipment with replacement guidelines based on industry standards. City Manager Davis said this budget carries that a step forward, and if he were to highlight this budget in a couple of words, he thinks we are doing a good job in taking care of employees, and we are doing a good job in addressing Council goals, one of which is sustainability – the environmental issues. That is a big focus of our Capital Plan for this year. In FY 09 funding capital purchases will once again be a high priority in order to address vehicle maintenance costs and more importantly, to accomplish Council sustainability goals, and to save some money on fuel and energy costs.
City Manager Davis stated that funding for capital purchases that support sustainability initiatives is possible because of the litigation settlements with the wireless companies, which he mentioned earlier. As Council will recall, our annual revenues, were roughly $473,000. We also received back payment to the tune of about $1,100,000. That $1,100,000, when combined with our capital equipment replacement fund that previously existed, gave us a substantial amount of a pool of money from which we can draw interest. We have found that drawing interest on that money, combined with what we will save in fuel costs and maintenance costs will essentially allow us to replace our fleet with hybrid, and more fuel-efficient vehicles - the smaller trucks and things of that nature. This budget includes the replacement of approximately 25 vehicles, and do so at essentially no cost to the City; we will be using savings and interest earnings. It is a great opportunity to address the sustainability goal and frankly, and our fuel costs like everyone’s are rising rapidly, and will far exceed our budget this year. City Manager Davis said these are two items that he is particularly pleased to present with this budget. The implementation of this replacement plan will significantly reduce our fleet’s CFP, our carbon footprint, which is part of the sustainability goal. We will see a reduction in our fleet-maintenance as we will have practically new vehicles on the street. We look forward to making this change.
City Manager Davis reported that the General Fund budget requests, including capital, buildings, personnel, technology, and supplemental are detailed on pages 47-52 in the document. City Manger Davis said he would briefly run through the departmental requests. In Finance, there is about $100,000, most of that is going for technology; $72,000 of that is relative to the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system in Public Safety, and there is $24,000 budgeted for technology replacement and a couple of other minor software improvements. In Public Safety, $121,000 was budgeted for funding to upgrade the salary range for Reserve Communication Officers and to fund an additional Police Officer position, contingent on a grant approval, to fund a 25 percent share, or $10,000 for a Crime Analyst position with the balance of funding provided by a JAG grant that has been approved by the State of Missouri. In addition to that, we will be purchasing new pistols, holsters, and magazine pouches, a radar trailer, two motorcycles, a 360 degree camera, online Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), as well as Lifepak 12.
City Manager Davis reported that in Public Works $45,000 was recommended for capital purchases and an additional $37,000 was recommended for additional job operations and improvements. The Budget Team recommended funding a part time administrative clerk in the amount of $11,000. Other recommendations for funding include some small building projects, commodity increases and line items for rock, cement, salt and things of that nature. Some minor storm system repairs are budgeted, as are streetlights in the amount of about $4,400 and an exhaust vent system for the garage, and some water quality education dues. In Parks and Recreation, $50,000 is recommended for funding building requests, which includes an air conditioning unit for the computer room, painting the animal control kennels, a City Hall generator, and a flag for Happy Rock Park, and two 72 inch commercial mowers.
City Manager Davis continued by saying that as in any budget, we try to highlight the Council objectives and how this budget addresses those objectives. City Manager Davis said there are about three pages in this document regarding this, and he will not go into all the details, but suffice it to say that is a large focus and commitment in trying to address those various objectives, and he thinks this budget does a nice job in doing that. In summary, the General Fund budget was focused on Council goals (neighborhood services, sustainability), capital equipment replacement, personnel maintenance and Gladstone on the Move objectives. Those objectives are outlined on pages 7, 8, and 9 in the document.
City Manager Davis said he would move to the Combined Waterworks and Sewerage System Fund. The total revenues are estimated to be $7,060,000, and expenses are estimated at $7,043,000, with a net income of approximately $16,000. The proposed operating revenues for water and sewerage sales of $6,870,000 for fiscal year FY 09, is an increase of $494,000 from FY 08 expected operating revenues. This increase is based on production analysis, the KCMO sewer rate increase, a water rate increase that we are proposing, and financial trends. This is based on the sale of 817 million gallons of water, and reflects a 20-cent rate increase as of July 1, 2008. The proposed rate increase is expected to raise $164,000 in FY 09. The rate increase is recommended to fund production cost increases in lime, and fuel, and also to plan a Master Plan sustainability review for the Water Plant, probably our biggest user of energy, and we want to look at ways to operate it more efficiently. This sustainability review will identify savings, and hopefully, help us to address the Council’s goal for sustainability.
City Manager Davis reported that the FY 09 operating expenses for this fund increased $504,000. This increase is mainly due to the 10 percent expected increase in sewer treatment charges that we are paying Kansas City, and an increase in the administrative transfer to the General Fund to pay for increased costs of the services we are providing to the Water Fund, increased costs for water treatment chemicals, vapor rooting, and the addition of a sewer maintenance worker. Since the last rate increase two years ago, fuel and electricity costs have increased by about $40,000. City Manager Davis said the Council has a policy of every other year looking at rate increases and in the off year looking at administrative fee increases. This would be the year the Council would look at a rate increase; in other words, our rate increases come about every two years. This proposal is consistent with that.
City Manager Davis stated that a major portion of the capital outlay budget is dedicated to water line replacements. That is about $300,000; obviously, there is about $100,000 set aside for the Master Plan he just mentioned. We are also requesting money for three compact pick-up trucks, a compact four-wheel drive pick-up, a mini excavator, a skid loader, and a five-yard dump truck with a plow and spreader. Those costs are broken down in the document and in the supplemental and capital sheets in the back of the document.
City Manager Davis reported that relative to the Capital Improvement Program, not a lot has changed from a policy perspective. We are still trying to maintain 12 to 15 year maintenance cycles on roads. Street rehabilitation and reconstruction continues to be a high priority. Perhaps, one of the most recent visible additions has been the construction of sidewalks along many of the thoroughfares. The arterial sidewalk program is now in its eighth year of implementation and will be continued throughout this capital program. Storm drainage projects continue to comprise a significant portion of the projected capital expenditures. We recognize that parks projects are important because of the increasing demand on our park system. The Five Year Capital Improvement Program, which is set out on page 35 of the document, maintains all of those policies and is consistent with what we have done in the past.
City Manager Davis said the unusual part of the budget this year is the Community Center and City Parks Fund. We have combined the Municipal Pool with the Community Center and Parks Tax Fund, which was adopted a couple of years ago. This is our first full year, 12-month budget, and this proposed budget is expected to provide for all operating costs and debt service requirements. Total revenues in this fund are estimated at $2,804,000. Expenses are estimated at $2,799,000. This is the fund that operates our Municipal Pool and our Community Center. We are limited in background and in our knowledge and information about trends, because this is the first 12-month budget.
City Manager Davis said we have a couple of smaller funds that he earlier addressed. The Capital Equipment Replacement Fund, which will have about $2,400,000 in it, and the only thing that is recommended is the interest drawn on that fund will help us pay for our fleet, and you can see from the document that we are setting aside some money for the 5 yard dump truck, and for covering portions of the radar trailer and the commercial mowers. The Special Parks and Playground Fund does not suggest any expenditures this year. That fund has about $5,000 in it. Traditionally, when it gets to be about $15,000 to $25,000, we may use funds to build a new playground or replace an old playground.
City Manager Davis concluded by saying with this budget, the City can realize rewards from past efforts and enhance the vision of the City’s positive future. Through City Council leadership, a goal-oriented strategic budgeting process, and citizen input the City’s long-range goals and objectives can be accomplished. This budget reflects an emphasis on planning, financial trend analysis, and the utilization of Council policies and realization of City Council goals. City Manager Davis said he would like to thank especially the Finance Department, Debra Daily, Scott Wingerson, David Ramsay, and Beth Saluzzi, who were our budget team this year. They did a nice job and went through a lot of documentation and a lot of information, and worked very well together. City Manager Davis asked if Council had any questions or comments.
Councilmember Suter stated City Manager Davis did a nice job in explaining the budget, which is very helpful for a new Council person, and she appreciated the process.
Councilman Rudi asked with the denial of our disaster application, do we have emergency funds set aside that will cover those costs that will not affect this budget, or is that something we will have to look at mid-year?
City Manager Davis replied we are hopeful that we will not have to look at it mid-year. If one looks at the Financial Report that was approved earlier tonight, revenues are over expenditures substantially. That is not a true picture of what the year-end will look like. City Manager Davis stated we have some year-end expenditures that will be included that will reduce that slightly, but he is hopeful that the majority of the costs that we are incurring for the response to the tornados can be paid for with revenues over expenditures from FY 08. That said, there may be some FY 09 expenditures that are made – it is all in timing now, because we are at the end of the fiscal year, and it may result in a budget amendment, either in this year’s budget or in our final document or at potentially reappropriation time for the FY 08 budget. If our numbers are correct, $496,000 was the estimate, that included some things that will probably be covered under insurance for building improvements. City Manager Davis said to him the “glass is half full” in regard to the question, and he thinks we will be able to pay for it with revenues over expenditures, and jokingly said do not look at Finance Director Debra Daily as he mentions that, because she is probably cringing as he speaks.
Councilman Smith said the other part of the federal disaster assistance is that it would allow the communities that came to our aid to recover some of their costs, and unfortunately, this may prevent them from doing so as well, which is very unfortunate.
Mayor Revenaugh asked jokingly, if the merit increase discussed earlier does not include the Council?
City Manager Davis said that is absolutely correct.
Mayor Revenaugh asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to comment on the budget. There being no comments from the audience, Mayor Revenaugh closed the Public Hearing.
Councilman Smith said he would like to commend City Manager Davis and his staff for preparing this budget. He is really excited about a couple of things. First and foremost, the budget continues to support not only Council objectives, but Gladstone on the Move objectives, and especially the creative way in financing the fleet replacement and the way that they are supporting our sustainability efforts is very commendable. It did not go unnoticed that there is a robo cop in the budget, and Council appreciates that very much, but also as most folks can tell, our streets need to continue to be a priority, because they have really taken a beating the last couple of years. Councilman Smith said, lastly, the bit of good news he saw in the budget was, as one who was concerned about being able to meet our obligations in funding the Community Center ongoing operations and maintenance, that our memberships have exceeded expectations, which is very good news as well. Good work!
Mayor Pro Tem Rudi said Robo Cop was the first thing she would have cut if we were in trouble with the money we are not getting back from FEMA.
Councilman Beer said he wished to say a little bit “tongue in cheek” that one of the things he has offered to do a number of times with our old Robo Cop was to use his pick-up truck to tow that thing around to wherever it needs to go and his offer is still out there.
Item 10. on the Agenda. OTHER BUSINESS.
Mayor Revenaugh stated he heard while driving to work this morning, that there are several communities who have banned plastic grocery bags from stores, and he thinks it would be good if Staff would check with some of the local retailers to see if there would be any support and possibly we could work out a program to subsidize cloth bags or ecologically friendly bags. Mayor Revenaugh suggested to at least to start the preliminary ground work for this. It would be great if we could be one of the first cities in our metro area to go green and get rid of the plastic bags. Mayor Revenaugh said he believes it takes approximately a thousand years for the plastic bags to disintegrate.
Item 11. on the Agenda. QUESTIONS FROM THE NEWS MEDIA.
There were no questions from the News Media.
Item 12. on the Agenda. ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business to come before the May 27, 2008, Gladstone Regular City Council Meeting, Mayor Mark Revenaugh adjourned the regular meeting.
Respectfully submitted:
______________________________
Cathy Swenson, City Clerk
Approved as submitted: ___
Approved as corrected/amended: ___
______________________________
Mayor Mark S. Revenaugh