MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
GLADSTONE, MISSOURI
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2009
ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
6:00 PM
Mayor Carol Rudi opened the City Council Meeting to adjourn to a Closed Executive Session on May 26, 2009, at 6:00 PM. Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith 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 610.021(3) for Personnel Discussion. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded.
Roll Call Vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (4-0).
Note: Councilmember Carol Suter was present at the Closed Executive Session.
Mayor Carol Rudi adjourned the Closed Executive Session to go into the Regular City Council meeting.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
7:30 PM
PRESENT: Mayor Carol Rudi
Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith
Councilman Mark Revenaugh
Councilmember Carol Suter
Councilman Barry McCullough
City Manager Kirk Davis
Assistant City Manager Scott Wingerson
City Counselor David Ramsay
Mayor Carol Rudi opened the Regular May 26, 2009, City Council Meeting at 7:30 PM in the Gladstone City Council Chambers.
Item 2. on the Agenda. ROLL CALL
Mayor Carol Rudi noted that all City Council members were present.
Item 3. on the Agenda. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Carol Rudi led the Pledge of Allegiance, in which all joined.
Item 4. on the Agenda. APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MAY 11, 2009, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.
Councilman Mark Revenaugh moved to approve the Regular May 11, 2009, City Council Meeting Minutes as presented. Councilmember Carol Suter seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Item 5. on the Agenda. PROCLAMATION: recognizing Dr. Thomas P. Cummings on the occasion of his retirement as Superintendent for North Kansas City Schools, and his many contributions to our community.
Mayor Rudi read and presented to Dr. Cummings a PROCLAMATION recognizing Dr. Thomas P. Cummings on the occasion of his retirement as Superintendent for North Kansas City Schools, and his many contributions to our community. Following a standing ovation by the audience, Dr. Cummings thanked the Mayor and Council, and said he appreciates this honor so much, especially, since Gladstone has been such a great partner with the School District for so many years. Dr. Cummings said one of the things about public education is that it takes all of us to provide the best opportunities for our kids, and that has certainly been the case with the City of Gladstone. Dr. Cummings expressed his thanks for this partnership and all the City’s support during the time he has been a part of the district, and particularly, that together, we provided for so many kids and for so many families in this community.
Dr. Cummings introduced his wife, Margaret; his son Daniel and his son’s wife, Patty. Dr. Cummings again thanked the Mayor and Council.
Item 6. on the Agenda. PROCLAMATION: recognizing Sergeant Daniel W. Green on the occasion of his retirement from Troop A of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and his many contributions to our community.
Mayor Rudi read and presented to Sergeant Daniel Green a PROCLAMATION recognizing Sergeant Daniel W. Green on the occasion of his retirement from Troop A of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and his many contributions to our community.
Following a standing ovation by the audience, Sergeant Green expressed his surprise at receiving this honor, and thanked the Mayor and Council, and said it has been an honor to serve the community for 29 years; although, he feels like he has been in the organization for 53 years, because he was born while his father was going through the program. Sergeant Green said he looks forward to retirement, and it has been an honor working with everyone – Gladstone, Kansas City, and all the cities. Sergeant Green introduced his wife, Susan; his son, Daniel, and his son’s wife, Gina; his mother-in-law, Marilyn; his sister-in-law Trish; and said he had so many good friends in the room.
Note: There were many in attendance from Troop A of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and from Gladstone’s Public Safety Department.
Items 7. and 8. on the Agenda. CONSENT AGENDA.
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilman Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to adopt RESOLUTION R-09-41, authorizing acceptance of work under the contract with R.L. Duncan Construction Company for the Gladstone Community Center Grading and Sitework Project; and authorizing final payment in the total amount of $38,415.18. Project CB0662. Councilman Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to adopt RESOLUTION R-09-42, accepting Temporary Construction Easement and a Quit-Claim Deed from a property owner in conjunction with the M-1 Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Project (TP0771). Councilman Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Item 9. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.
John Shidell, 8843 North Glenwood Avenue, Kansas City Missouri, said he would like to address the City Council on behalf of the Linden Baptist Church, where he serves as Chairman of the Trustees, and with him this evening were Charles Carmack and Bill Koon. Mr. Shidell said they were present to express gratitude to the City. The church did have a problem when the Community Center was first built with water run-off. The church did have some property damage with the up to 12 inches of rain in a heavy storm. The water was coming across the church’s parking lot and doing a lot of damage. Mr. Shidell said when he first became Chairman of the Trustees, he inherited the job of addressing these water concerns, and he contacted Assistant City Manager Scott Wingerson. Mr. Shidell said he wished to give a special thank you to Mr. Wingerson for his professionalism and his ability to find the money. Mr. Wingerson assigned the project to City Engineer Tim Nebergall. Mr. Nebergall was excellent to work with and he put together a great plan. Mr. Shidell said he wished to extend a special thanks to Mr. Nebergall for his work. The project was then assigned to Shane Horton, as the construction coordinator.
Mr. Shidell said he and the gentlemen with him came to the City Council meeting to say thank you to the City Council, the City of Gladstone, and to those gentlemen that he noted for what they did for the Church by following through in what they promised and the church now has a beautiful parking lot. There have been some pretty heavy rains that have occurred recently, and it is nice to not be dealing with the mud anymore. Mr. Shidell said he wished to say “thank you” on behalf of the Linden Baptist Church.
Mayor Rudi thanked Mr. Shidell. Mayor Rudi thanked City staff, who are doing their jobs well, and said Council appreciates it when staff members do their jobs so well that people wish to tell the City Council about it.
Item 10. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.
Councilman Barry McCullough stated it was great to see how effective our water control really does work, even though there were parts that did not work so well during the rains we had a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing how much control there was over all with that incredible amount of water. Councilman McCullough offered “good job” to staff.
Councilmember Carol Suter had no comments at this time.
Councilman Mark Revenaugh had no comments at this time.
Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith moved to appoint Bill Turnage to the vacant Planning Commission seat, with a term to be determined. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded.
Mayor Rudi said this is Councilman McCullough’s former position, which he vacated when he became a Councilman, so the term ending date would be the same. Mayor Rudi said there will be a vacant seat on the Capital Improvements Program Committee, which is where Mr. Turnage currently serves.
The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Mayor Pro Tem Smith said it was an honor to have two consummate professionals, Dr. Tom Cummings and Sergeant Dan Green, in our midst this evening. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he has known Sergeant Green for a while; in fact, their daughters went to high school together. Sergeant Green was really into his job and enjoyed what he did from a service perspective. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he did not believe there was anything more that could be said about Superintendent Cummings, and he believes the accolades have just begun for him, and he wishes him all the best in his retirement.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he had some exciting news in that the Northmen of Gladstone Bowl team, who are all Oak Park High School students, won the first ever High School Bowling State Championship Tournament in Moberly, Missouri this last weekend. They were not officially sponsored by Oak Park High School, as the school district has not formally recognized the competition, but all the other high schools who participated were. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said there were folks from his business, Howard Rupard and Keith Edward, who volunteered to coach the kids and Vicki Bowman, Gladstone Bowl’s General Manager, played a huge role in making youth bowling a sanctioned event in high schools. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said Gladstone Bowl was able to pick up their expenses so that the Northland group could go, and they won the event, and the team is very excited. They are the first ever Missouri High School Bowling Champions, and they will share $4,000 in scholarship money among the team.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he was contacted on May 16 by a resident whose property adjoins the Auto Zone property on Antioch Road. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he promised the resident he would bring this issue up with Council, and he shared photos of the Auto Zone Business that were taken on May 16. In one photo there is a gentleman under the front end of a car, with a lot of grease and oil on the parking lot. The resident was concerned because he knows the City Council put some tight restrictions on the operation of this business. The black car in the photo is still there today. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said in driving past that car, that they were working on again today, he noticed a white pick-up truck with an Auto Zone employee, who was assisting with a repair. The brakes were being replaced on the vehicle. Mayor Pro Tem Smith pointed out the vehicles in the photos he provided to Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he gave a copy of the pictures to Assistant City Manager Scott Wingerson, and asked that he address this issue with Auto Zone, so he does not receive calls from residents at 8:30 on a Saturday night again.
Item 11. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.
City Manager Kirk Davis introduced Brittany Coughlin, who attended Oak Park High School, and has been a resident of the area for a long time. Ms. Coughlin is a student at UMKC, and is serving in the Finance Department and in the Legal Division as an intern this summer. City Manager Davis said we welcome her and we believe she will do a great job for us.
Item 12. on the Agenda. BUILDING PERMIT: for construction of a new addition and interior remodeling of the existing Walmart building, and construction of a new parking lot on the Walmart property located at 7207 North Missouri-1 Highway. Applicant: Continental Consulting Engineers, Inc. Owner: Walmart Real Estate Business Trust.
Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith moved to approve a BUILDING PERMIT for construction of a new addition and interior remodeling of the existing Walmart building, and construction of a new parking lot on the Walmart property located at 7207 North Missouri-1 Highway. Applicant: Continental Consulting Engineers, Inc. Owner: Walmart Real Estate Business Trust. Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.
Mayor Rudi said she is glad to see this happening.
The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Item 13. on the Agenda. PUBLIC HEARING: on a Special Use Permit for a Child Care Center on residential property at 7628 North Wabash. Owner/Operator: Tamara Hamill.
Mayor Rudi opened the Public Hearing, and said Staff would be heard first, followed by the applicant, and then comments from anyone in Favor or in Opposition to the application.
Planning Specialist Chris Helmer began by saying this application is a request for a renewal of a Special Use Permit that was approved by the City Council approximately one year ago. Like most all of the Special Use Permit requests, at that time City staff recommended to the Planning Commission and the City Council that Ms. Hamill operate under a one year duration, in addition to compliance with the recommended conditions in the Ordinance and any other State requirements. Over the course of this last year, there has been nothing brought to the attention of City staff or in general to the City of any negative impacts of Ms. Hamill’s child care operation. At this time, City staff is recommending that the City Council consider a 5-year duration for this Special Use Permit application. The Planning Commission did vote unanimously in favor of the 5-year duration for the application.
The applicant had no comments.
There was no one who spoke in Favor or in Opposition to the application.
Item 13a. on the Agenda. FIRST READING BILL 09-14, approving a Special Use Permit to Tamara Hamill for operation of a Child Care Center at 7628 N. Wabash.
Councilman Barry McCullough moved to place Bill 09-14 on its First Reading. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilman Barry McCullough moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 09-14, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on its Second and Final Reading. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi.
(5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilman Barry McCullough moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 09-14 and to enact the Bill as Ordinance #4.106. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded.
Roll call vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Item 14. on the Agenda. FIRST READING BILL 09-15, authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for Federal Funds Relating to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail on N. Antioch Road.
Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith moved to place Bill 09-15 on its First Reading. Councilmember Carol Suter seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.
Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 09-15, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on its Second and Final Reading. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi.
(5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.
Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 09-15 and to enact the Bill as Ordinance #4.107. Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.
Roll call vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Item 15. on the Agenda. FIRST READING BILL 09-16, authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for Federal Funds Relating to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail on M-1 Highway.
Councilman Mark Revenaugh moved to place Bill 09-16 on its First Reading. Councilmember Carol Suter seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilman Mark Revenaugh moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 09-16, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on its Second and Final Reading. Councilmember Carol Suter seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi.
(5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilman Mark Revenaugh moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 09-16 and to enact the Bill as Ordinance #4.108. Councilmember Carol Suter seconded.
Roll call vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Item 16. on the Agenda. FIRST READING BILL 09-17, authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for Federal Funds for the Mill and Overlay of N. Broadway Avenue.
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to place Bill 09-17 on its First Reading. Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 09-17, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on its Second and Final Reading. Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi.
(5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.
Councilmember Carol Suter moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 09-17 and to enact the Bill as Ordinance #4.109. Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith seconded.
Roll call vote: All “aye” – Councilman Barry McCullough, Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Mayor Pro Tem Les Smith, and Mayor Carol Rudi. (5-0).
Item 17. on the Agenda. PUBLIC HEARING: on the proposed 2009-2010 Annual Operating Budget for the City of Gladstone, Missouri.
Mayor Rudi opened the Public Hearing, saying first City Council would hear from Staff, and then from anyone who wishes to speak in Favor or in Opposition to this issue.
City Manager Kirk Davis said he had the privilege of presenting the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2010 budget to the City Council and to the public. This follows two dedicated Open Study Sessions – one on the General Fund and one on the Enterprise Fund, that Council had input upon. At the next City Council meeting, there will be a Resolution enacting the budget for consideration by the City Council.
City Manager Davis said the City of Gladstone, like any other city in the country, is impacted by the current economy, the mortgage crisis, downward pressures on sales tax collections, property value assessments, and limited returns on our own investments. These reductions in revenue must be matched by reductions in expenditures as well. The City is also challenged by growth outside of our community and aging commercial corridors, and continued demand for quality city services. These challenges force us to look beyond this fiscal year when establishing decision-making foundations, such as goals, a long-term strategic plan, capital improvement plans and economic development. When developing a budget during tough economic times, we base our decisions on timely information. Timely information means credible historic data, reliable forecasts, and monthly updates. We must also understand the interplay between the City’s operations and the economy.
City Manager Davis said tough economic times also mean reducing costs such as overtime, raises, capital expenditures, pursuing delinquencies, and reviewing opportunities for user fees. Finally, tough economic times also force the staff and Council to look at the immediate impact of decisions and solutions. When looking at the immediate impact, however, one must be careful not to fall into a trap. We must force ourselves to look beyond this fiscal year. We must lay a foundation for implementing programs and policies that can lead to a more robust economic future – we must position ourselves. This means we must focus our spending and constantly reprioritize without changing our vision, and continue to implement economic development. That is the first thing one may feel like cutting – there is no economic development going on. This is the time we need to work the hardest at economic development.
City Manager Davis stated that stability is very important for our organization. Stability means having reserve funds, maintaining “rainy day” funds, having strategies that can guide decision-making, and not make decisions based on how we feel at that moment. Strategies such as Council goals, a long-range citizen based strategic plan, good capital improvement planning, and utilization of master plans are essential, especially during tough times. The City has done a good job in developing those strategies and in developing those “rainy day” funds, and focusing on Council goals.
City Manager Davis said he is pleased to state that this budget reflects the utilization of timely information, good financial analysis, and he believes Staff has done a good job in controlling costs. It focuses on our Council goals and it focuses on our strategic plans. This budget continues to address the Council, Gladstone on the Move initiatives, the neighborhood focus, an aggressive economic development effort, and provides stability for our residents and our employees. Total budgeted revenues in the General Fund this year are projected to be $15,610,000. This represents a revenue decrease of $760,000, or 4.6 percent from FY 09 expected revenues. Property taxes are expected to decrease almost three percent. Sales taxes were adjusted at midyear downward another three percent. This budget reflects that same funding level for sales tax.
City Manager Davis pointed out that detail revenue projections are reflected on Pages 6 and 28 of the budget message. Expenditures in the General Fund are projected to be $15,609,000. This represents a decrease in spending in the amount of $753,000 over our FY 09 expected revenues, which is about 4.6 percent. City Manager Davis pointed out that budget detail may be found on Pages 7 and 29, regarding the expenditures. Personnel services show an overall increase of $136,000, or 1.2 percent over the FY 09 budget. This increase includes staffing additions totaling $10,000, primarily for the Housing Court that is proposed. There are merit increases in the amount of approximately $85,000, and there will be benefit adjustments for this year.
City Manager Davis reported that capital and supplemental purchases have been reduced from last year, primarily because of the aggressive fleet replacement program that we had last year. In FY 10, the City will replace two motorcycles and two squad cars, purchase new uniforms and beds in the Fire Stations for Public Safety; and purchase a natural gas powered generator for City Hall, through Parks and Recreation. Public Works will receive $5,000 to cover increased costs for the Household Hazardous Waste Program. Finance will receive funding for additional software licensing, a laptop, three training computers, and $5,000 for Housing Court. General Administration will receive $5,200 for the Housing Court Prosecutor. City Manager Davis said this is far down from what we normally would spend in capital and supplemental; we have to make adjustments and prioritize.
City Manager Davis continued by saying the budget also reflects the addition of two new police officers, contingent upon receipt of some Federal Grants for which the City has applied. The budget focuses on Council goals. Pages 11 through 13 in the budget memo provide an update on Council goals. City Manager Davis said he wanted to focus on a couple of these - first, the redevelopment of our commercial corridors. We must continue focusing on reinvestment in our commercial corridors. City Manager Davis said this goal is elusive; it is like grabbing Jell-O, yet he feels we are making progress, and we need to position ourselves so that when the opportunity does arrive, we can take advantage of those opportunities in these critical locations, particularly Gladstone Plaza and downtown.
City Manager Davis said the second goal he wished to discuss is the quality housing and neighborhood services initiative. This budget contains funding to continue our previous neighborhood efforts, which have been highly successful. It provides seed money for a neighborhood based strategic planning effort. It funds neighborhood grants, home improvement grants, a model block program, and it initiates a Housing Court to address code enforcement, housing standards and other neighborhood issues. It continues the development of a vacant property registration program, initiates a multi family rental property registration program, and will continue to organize neighborhoods as we have done in the past. It has been successful, and we need to continue to encourage that effort as much as possible, and this budget reflects that encouragement.
City Manager Davis said the third goal he wished to discuss was the sustainability/climate protection goal. We have made great strides the past two years in completing dozens of objectives that Council is aware of towards this goal. During this next year, we will be completing a carbon footprint study, an energy audit, a Water Plant master plan, and numerous other environmentally friendly operational adjustments. Assistant City Manager Wingerson can go through approximately 75 different programs that address this particular goal. City Manager Davis stated that we need to continue this effort, as it will benefit everyone; although, he believes we are a little bit ahead of ourselves in this effort, he is encouraged by the focus the staff has given to this particular goal.
City Manager Davis continued by reporting that this year the City will be completing two major trails. City Manager Davis said the last goal he wished to address is the Home Maintenance Business Fair. It will have a green focus, consistent with the climate protection issues, and it is scheduled for early August. Council will be hearing more about this after Staff begins to hammer out some of the details.
City Manager Davis said he would like to move to the Enterprise Funds, and said the proposed FY 10 budget for the Combined Waterworks and Sewerage System Fund is also balanced. It will meet all of our operating costs and the debt service requirements. Total revenues are estimated to be $7,012,000. Total expenses are estimated at $6,977,000. On Page 55 of the packet, there is an estimated statement of revenues and expenditures that summarize and provide more detail. The budget is based upon trend analysis, the KCMO sewer rate increase, production trends, and a water administration fee increase. The Council has a policy of adjusting water production rates every other year. This budget does not contain an increase in the water production rates. The Council policy also directs that water administration fees are adjusted every other opposite year, and this budget does contain a water administration fee increase of $1.00 for each water customer on each bi-monthly bill. This fee increase is recommended to fund cost increases in billing postage, delinquencies and personnel. Our rate structure is about average among metropolitan area cities that Staff has surveyed, and that survey is reflected on Page 56 in the packet.
City Manager Davis stated that the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is directly impacted by economic trends. This CIP budget is three percent below funding authorized last year. That said, street rehab and reconstruction continues to be a top priority. Approximately $5 million dollars is authorized for street maintenance, trail construction, and sidewalk expansion in this budget. Details of the Transportation Sales Tax are reflected on Page 50 of the packet. On the Capital Improvements side, highlights include the North Oak Beautification Project, which has a $200,000 Federal grant tied to it; Bolling Heights Stormwater Improvements; Phase I of the 76th and Lydia Stormwater Improvements; new amenities in Central Park; a new playground in Happy Rock Park; resurfacing tennis courts at 72nd Street and Meadowbrook; and the design for improvements to the Animal Shelter.
City Manager Davis reported that the Community Center budget is also balanced. We have provided for all operational expenses and debt service requirements. Revenues are estimated at $3,065,000 and expenditures are estimated at $3,064,000. This reflects an increase of $195,000 over the FY 09 budget. The majority of this increase, or $175,000, is due to a scheduled increase for principal payments on debt service and a projected increase of $19,500 for increases in insurance.
City Manager Davis said the budget includes the purchase of additional hardware in the amount of $3,100 for the Community Center; $3,500 for the maintenance contracts on audiovisual and scoreboards services; and $2,000 for some painting. City Manager Davis said he would not go into detail on the smaller funds, which are found in the packets, but he would certainly want to answer any questions Council might have about these funds.
City Manager Davis summarized by saying he is pleased to present a balanced budget to the City Council. The budget reflects stability in our organization. That stability is important to our citizens who ask for services. It is important to our employees who provide those services, and we have done this despite some very tough economic times. It recognizes the value that Council places upon the City employees, and focuses upon the long-term plans and on Council goals. It focuses on economic development and neighborhood services. It has an environmental focus. It represents a good bit of hard work by a lot of people to maintain the fiscal integrity of this City under these conditions. We are not laying off people; we are going to be able to reward people, even if it is a small amount.
City Manager Davis thanked the Budget Team: Assistant City Manager Scott Wingerson, Finance Director Debra Daily, Financial Analyst Beth Saluzzi, and Public Safety Director Mike Hasty. It was Director Hasty’s first opportunity to serve on the Budget Team. It was nice to bring him on board. City Manager Davis asked if there were any questions from City Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he wished to commend City Manager Davis on the “Houdini Act” that he mentions every year in regard to the budget. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he knows a lot of hours and hard work goes into the budget, and he knows that the City is very fortunate because we get more out of the folks who care about our community, he would bet, than do most communities, and in part, because it is a great environment in which to work. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he firmly believes that public safety is our greatest responsibility to our residents, and he would like to be looking at ways of funding law enforcement, perhaps to a greater degree. Director Hasty has touched around the edges of the fact that more officers on the street would be great. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said his understanding is that we are getting to the point where more officers on the street will be imperative, and he wants staff to continue to look at ways, whether it be in reorganizing, or in funding priorities for Public Safety on the law enforcement side. The City has spent a great deal of its resources, both man-hours and dollars on the Fire Division over the last few years. We have issues in Animal Control, and that may sound like an insignificant issue, but it is not. There are huge animal control issues when they arise for our residents. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said regarding law enforcement – we see it, we know what we are talking about, and we are addressing the underlying problems through code enforcement, through our multi- family programs, and through economic development, but there is a big vicious circle going on out there, and the end result is a drain on our services. To a large degree those services are public safety and law enforcement in particular.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he understands the County will be coming to us in August with a 1/8-cent sales tax renewal for law enforcement. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said we do not have the State Statutory requirement that would allow us a true Law Enforcement tax, but we have the capacity under our general sales tax to earmark funds for law enforcement, and he would like for Council and staff to put in the back of their minds for now, what if we put a 1/8-cent sales tax for law enforcement that would generate some $382,000 opposite of the County’s 1/8-cent sales tax. Let’s give our residents a choice. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said if residents are going to support law enforcement, would they choose Gladstone or would they choose Clay County – he believes they would overwhelmingly choose Gladstone’s own Law Enforcement sales tax, and the County’s probably would not pass if they lost Gladstone.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith encouraged thinking in terms of what we can do to generate revenues for law enforcement in our own city. The County does not provide much for us in the realm of law enforcement. We take our prisoners to Liberty now, instead of Plattsburg, which is $25,000 per year in cost savings. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said $25,000 per year cost savings versus $382,000 in revenue – let’s start thinking about that, and maybe City Manager Davis could give Council members some idea as to when this could go on the ballot; he thinks we can do this in August as well. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he is not advocating this, but he does want to begin thinking about it. Let’s start thinking about being a little parochial with our sales tax money. The County does not seem to have a problem doing that. Mayor Pro Tem Smith asked City Manager Davis to look at this for future discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Smith said he really appreciates what our employees do for us and have done for years, which is the phenomenal task of providing the services that we do, and let’s keep our eyes open for law enforcement revenues.
City Manager Davis stated that when we start looking at law enforcement issues, and Mayor Pro Tem Smith is right, we have funded the fire side, we are looking at all of our operations with the idea that ultimately, as a team, we all address the law enforcement issues of the community. Parks and Recreation services keep people off the street. Good planning and neighborhood programs improve property values, which helps on the law enforcement side. City Manager Davis said we have not focused, however, on law enforcement for the majority of the budget for at least the last two to four years, and staff will be happy to do that, but as Council thinks about those issues, think about the benefits that all the other departments provide as we attack some of those problems. We have to have a balanced effort as we move forward. City Manager Davis thanked Council members for spending their time in the last two Open Study Sessions learning about this budget and for their attention this evening.
There was no one to speak in Favor or in Opposition of this issue.
Mayor Rudi closed the Public Hearing.
Item 18. on the Agenda. OTHER BUSINESS.
There was no Other Business.
Item 19. on the Agenda. QUESTIONS FROM THE NEWS MEDIA.
There were no questions from the News Media.
Item 20. on the Agenda. ADJOURNMENT.
There being no further business to come before the May 26, 2009, Regular City Council meeting, Mayor Carol Rudi adjourned the Regular meeting.
Respectfully submitted:
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Cathy Swenson, City Clerk
Approved as submitted: ___
Approved as corrected/amended: ___
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Mayor Carol A. Rudi