MINUTES

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

GLADSTONE, MISSOURI

MONDAY, JULY 26, 2010


ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION

6:45 PM


Mayor Les Smith opened the City Council Meeting to adjourn to a Closed Executive Session on July 26, 2010, at 6:45 PM. Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough 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 Carol Rudi seconded.


Roll Call Vote: All “aye” – Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough, and Mayor Les Smith. (4-0).


Councilmember Carol Suter was absent from the vote, but was present at the Closed Executive Session.


Mayor Les Smith closed the Closed Executive Session at 7:15 PM.


REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 PM


PRESENT: Mayor Les Smith

Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough

Councilman Carol Rudi

Councilman Mark Revenaugh

Councilmember Carol Suter

City Manager Kirk Davis

Assistant City Manager Scott Wingerson

City Counselor David Ramsay

City Clerk Cathy Swenson




Item 2. on the Agenda. ROLL CALL


Mayor Les Smith opened the Regular July 26, 2010, City Council Meeting at 7:30 PM in the Gladstone City Council Chambers, and noted that all Council members were present.


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 JULY 12, 2010, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.


Councilman Mark Revenaugh moved to approve the Regular July 12, 2010, City Council Meeting Minutes as presented. Councilman Carol Rudi seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0).


Item 5. on the Agenda. PROCLAMATION: expressing appreciation to the Hawley Family and the Arabia Steamboat Museum for their valuable assistance in regard to the Atkins-Johnson Farm.


Mayor Smith invited the Hawley Family, including David and his wife, Laurie, to join him at the Council dais, where he read and presented the Proclamation to the family.


David Hawley thanked the Mayor and the City Council, and said this was wonderful. Mr. Hawley said there was a place at the museum to post this recognition and it will be there for all to see. Mr. Hawley said he was looking at the pictures posted in the lobby of City Hall, and he feels Gladstone has a wonderful project with the Atkins-Johnson Farm, and in looking at the earlier pictures and the current pictures of the Farm, it is remarkable what has been done in such a short time.


Mayor Smith stated that there were a lot of people in the audience who have had a lot of passion for the Atkins-Johnson Farm project, and along with that passion, they have all worked very hard, and are to be commended.


Mayor Smith invited members of the Friends of the Atkins Johnson Farm to join him and the City Council, City Manager Kirk Davis and members of the Hawley family at the dais for a group photo.


Mayor Smith introduced Boy Scouts who were in the audience as follows: Stephen Carney, of Troop 301, sponsored by the First Christian Church in North Kansas City, who is working on his Communications Merit Badge; and Jackson Kellogg, of Troop 260, who is also working on his Communications Merit Badge. Mayor Smith welcomed both Scouts, and thanked them for attending the City Council meeting.





Item 6. on the Agenda. CONSENT AGENDA


Following the Clerk’s reading, Councilmember Carol Suter moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0).


Councilmember Carol Suter moved to approve the following LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS:



Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0).


Councilmember Carol Suter moved to approve a NEW SEVEN-DAY PACKAGE LIQUOR LICENSE for Frantori, LLC, dba Vic’s Quick Stop, 7020 North Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, MO 64118. Managing Officer: Victor N. Spitaleri. Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0).


Councilmember Carol Suter moved to approve a LIMITED ONE-DAY LIQUOR BY THE DRINK LICENSE to Oakhill Day School, 7019 North Cherry, for the annual auction event on March 5, 2011. Hours: 6:00 PM - 11:30 PM. Managing Officer: Frances A. Pasbach. Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0).


Councilmember Carol Suter moved to approve an AMENDMENT TO THE LIQUOR LICENSE CLASSIFICATION for Mark & Michelle’s Bar & Grill, 7102 North Oak Trafficway, Class AR Liquor by the Drink License. Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0).


Councilmember Carol Suter moved to approve the JUNE FINANCIAL REPORT. Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0).






REGULAR AGENDA.


Item 7. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.


Anne Alexander, 3121 NE 59th Terrace, Apartment #3, began by saying when she sold her townhouse two and one half years ago, she moved to Kendallwood Apartments, and she loves it – she does not have to worry about maintenance. Ms. Alexander said she moved into an area with dogs barking at night, and she tolerated it until last August, when she had her left knee replaced. It was hard to get to sleep. Every time she would get to sleep, the dogs would bark. Ms. Alexander said she made a complaint and came to court, and did not have the information she needed, so the case was dismissed. Ms. Alexander said she talked to Public Safety, who could not have been more helpful, and they came out three or four times, but the dog had quit barking by the time they arrived. One officer even parked across the street for a while to see if the dog would bark.


The people, who own the dog, deny that it is their dog. Ms. Alexander said that Officer Matt Bratner came out and talked to the lady, and while he was looking at the dog and hearing the dog bark, the lady said it was not her dog. Ms. Alexander said she made a complaint once again, and they were fined $125. Ms. Alexander said once again the dog was barking, and she made a third complaint, and apparently, barking dogs are a problem throughout Gladstone, and people have complained and have never been able to get it solved. Ms. Alexander said she was mad and is stubborn, and knows the system, so with the third complaint, the dog did not bark after 10:00 PM, but when they came to court, it was their dog, and that is on the record. Ms. Alexander said they had Greg Dorsey, an attorney with them, who had bark collars, so the case was dismissed, which is fine. Ms. Alexander said if the dog barks one night – OK. Ms. Alexander said if the dog barks twice, she will be back here again, and she has a right to some quiet time at night.


Ms. Alexander said the Prairie Village Police have a new Ordinance several months old, where if dogs bark continually day or night, the officers can go onto the property, pick up the animal, put it in their holding place, at $20 per day. The owner will be fined and have to pay that cost, and as the Prairie Village officer said, there would not be many, once that was put into place. Ms. Alexander said if this had been people making this kind of racket at night, we could solve it – why is it so difficult to stop an animal?


Wayne Beer, 7413 North Wabash, said he was present to publicly thank the City Council for the honor that was bestowed at him a week and a half ago with the Civic Leadership Award through the West Gate Division of the Missouri Municipal League. Mr. Beer offered his thanks, and said when one does service, one doesn’t normally expect any kind of accolades or public thanks, and when something like that does happen, it is more than just simply appreciated. Mr. Beer said this honor was so very much appreciated.


Mayor Smith stated that Mr. Beer was very much deserving of this award beyond his service on the Council and as Mayor. Mr. Beer has been a stand-up member of the community for many years, and this was an easy selection. Mayor Smith offered congratulations to Mr. Beer.


Item 8. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.


Councilmember Carol Suter said she was delighted to live in a city where one can borrow an animal trap to get ground hogs, because you cannot do that in most municipalities, but in Gladstone one can. Councilmember Suter said they caught both of the ground hogs and relocated them, so they were treated humanely. Councilmember Suter said she was impressed both times as they came and went from the Animal Shelter as to how busy the place was. There were many people in and out, and every time she was there, people were adopting animals. Councilmember Suter said she was also impressed by the wonderful attitude of the staff who work there, who are working in not very pleasant surroundings. Councilmember Suter said she is anticipating that the City will be successful with the bond issues that are on the ballot in a week, so that the City can move on to some issues around the City, and that facility may be one of them. Councilmember Suter stated it has been talked about before and it is going to get on the list to begin to be dealt with, but she was so impressed that staff carries on as if they are in great surroundings, and they are so friendly and happy that it makes it a pleasure to be there, even though, it is an environment that needs some fixing up.


Councilman Mark Revenaugh had no comments at this time.


Councilman Carol Rudi reported that the Night Out Against Crime event would be held on July 31st at Oak Grove Park, beginning at 6:00 PM. The following weekend, 6, 7 and 8 of August there will be the second and final presentation of Theatre in the Park, which will be South Pacific. This will begin at 8:30 PM.


Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough had no comments at this time.


Mayor Les Smith began by saying our City has an election coming up on August 3, and many of the people in the room are helping with it. It is two no tax increase/no rate increase bond issues to allow the City to leverage its assets at very affordable rates, and get construction at very affordable costs, and do some important work in the City. Mayor Smith said it is amazing to him how the taxes may be raised with a simple majority vote, but in order to issue debt, the City will need a 57 percent “yes” vote, so he would personally like to ask on behalf of the City Council that everyone present please find a few votes to get out and vote on Tuesday, August 3.


Mayor Smith said he had a very humbling experience on Saturday; he believes that many in the room knew that Staff Sergeant Shaun Mittler, who is the grandson of five-term Mayor Lee Bussinger, was killed in Afghanistan. He served two tours of duty in Iraq, and was on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, when he was killed by enemy fire. The funeral was Saturday. Mayor Smith said for those of us who aspire to be Mayor of this community, he does not think we would ever intend to sign up for that. Mayor Smith said he was honored to represent the City at the funeral, and during the service, and he thanked Councilman Rudi and Mayor Pro Tem McCullough for also attending. That was really a humbling experience, and three things really struck him. As one is sitting on the stage, with a flag draped coffin in front of you, and beyond that the grieving family members and friends, you realize it is the worse seat in the house, because you have to see the grieving and the sorrow on the faces of all of those people. It was very gut wrenching and the family was extremely upset.


The second thing is that Afghanistan is a long ways away, and the funeral in Liberty, and then being interred in Gladstone brought Afghanistan home to Gladstone, Missouri. We see it on television, hear the sound bytes, and see the pictures, but this brought it home to Gladstone, Missouri, and we owe this family a huge debt of gratitude. A third thing is that on the way to the funeral, he heard on the radio that five more soldiers had been killed in Afghanistan the day before. Mayor Smith said sitting there was a Brigadier General, representing the Governor, a State Senator and a State Representative, and as he sat there, he realized what those families are about to go through. It is not just that you see it on television, where the casket is unloaded from the airplane, if you would have seen the pictures of that family on Friday, and seen these people on Saturday, you would know that five more families were about to go through what was going on Saturday. That brings it home and brings it home in a hurry.


Mayor Smith suggested that if anyone has the occasion to visit with Joyce Turner, who is Lee Bussinger’s daughter, and Shaun’s mother, please do so. Gladstone was very well represented. The family was ecstatic with the support they received from our law enforcement officers, who escorted them from the airport to the cemetery on Friday. Mayor Smith said he received a call during the escort from one of the family members, who was in tears about how nice it was to have Gladstone police escorting the home town boy back to Gladstone, and how all the people were standing along the route waving their flags once they were in our City. Public Safety did the same thing on Saturday, and provided an escort from the cemetery to the church in Liberty, and then back to the cemetery. The procession came down 152 Highway to M-1 Highway, and when it got to 72nd Street and M-1 Highway, heading south, there was the hook and ladder fire truck extended as far and as high as it could be, with an enormous American flag hanging over M-1 Highway. When the procession got to the fire station there were the personnel, with the equipment with their lights on, all standing in salute. It was nearly a two-mile procession. They stood there during that whole time. Afterwards, the family was so grateful for the service that the City provided to them. Mayor Smith said he would be drafting a letter to send to Public Safety, but for now, he would ask that this message be sent on to the Public Safety personnel, and how it meant the world to the family.


Mr. Beer said he was fortunate to be a part of the Patriot Guard riders for the escort from the airport to the church, and from the standpoint of a participant, seeing the police presence, and especially Gladstone’s police presence, was very gratifying to him as a Gladstone citizen. Mr. Beer said the number of folks who lined the streets in Gladstone, were waving flags and paying tribute, and all the traffic that stopped voluntarily from both directions, was especially gratifying as a Gladstone resident. It brings everything back home.


Mayor Smith inquired into how many bikes were apart of the Patriot Guard.


Mr. Beer said he never really counted them all, but there were at least 150. Mr. Beer said he was about one-half mile back from the lead, and the bikes trailing him went back at least one mile, and it was one of the most amazing things in which he has ever participated.


Mayor Smith said he and his wife were supposed to be out of town this weekend, which was his Christmas present from last year. Mayor Smith said when they learned the services would be Saturday, and they were asked to represent Gladstone, they talked for a minute and said to each other that the family would understand that they were supposed to be out of town, and then simultaneously, they looked at each other and said, “Really, are you kidding me”? This young man, who came from a family who gave so much to our community, gave his life so that they could do things like go out of town for a Christmas present. Mayor Smith said they were almost ashamed of themselves for even thinking about it. It was a very humbling experience, and they would not want to experience it again, but it was something to experience, and it truly put a face on the conflict.


Councilman Rudi offered, “Well said”.


Item 9. on the Agenda. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.


City Manager Kirk Davis had no comments at this time.


Item 10. on the Agenda. RESOLUTION 10-43, authorizing execution of agreements between the City of Gladstone, Missouri, and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to provide public transportation for the period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, and for transit shelter cleaning and maintenance at 72nd and North Prospect Streets.


Councilman Carol Rudi moved to adopt RESOLUTION 10-43, authorizing execution of agreements between the City of Gladstone, Missouri, and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to provide public transportation for the period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, and for transit shelter cleaning and maintenance at 72nd and North Prospect Streets. Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0).


Item 11. on the Agenda. FIRST READING BILL 10-27, repealing Ordinance No. 3.972 that established the Gladstone Plaza Redevelopment Area and Tax Increment Financing Plan, made a determination of blight within the redevelopment area, and designated Gale Communities, Inc., as the developer for the redevelopment project.


Councilmember Carol Suter moved to place Bill 10-27 on its First Reading. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.


Councilmember Carol Suter moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 10-27, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on its Second and Final Reading. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.


Councilmember Carol Suter moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 10-27 and to enact the Bill as Ordinance 4.156. Councilman Mark Revenaugh seconded.


Mayor Smith asked City Manager Davis to give a brief explanation about this action.


City Manager Davis began by saying in terms of history, the Council may recall that the City was interested in having Gladstone Plaza redeveloped. Several years ago, the City declared it blighted with the intent to issue some bonds to help refinance the redevelopment. Over the course of time, that never appealed to the owner, and it ended up in litigation, and this is one of the terms of the settlement that requires them to invest roughly $1.5 million in the property.


Mayor Smith inquired into the status of the improvements.


Assistant City Manager Scott Wingerson replied that the status is that the property owner is making all of the required improvements and are about 75 percent completed. One of the major improvements will be the demolition of the old Bob’s IGA area, which should begin in August, and should be completed in about 60 days.


Roll call vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0)


Item 12. on the Agenda. FIRST READING BILL 10-28, correcting Ordinance No. 4.154 for the de-annexation of approximately 7.54 acres generally located on the west side of Missouri Route 1 (North Indiana Avenue) and to the east of North Agnes Avenue, immediately south of the city limit with Kansas City, Missouri, that is being annexed by the City of Kansas City, Missouri; and authorizing and directing the City Clerk to do those things necessary to document such action.


Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough moved to place Bill 10-28 on its First Reading. Councilman Carol Rudi seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.


Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough moved to accept the First Reading of Bill 10-28, Waive the Rule and place the Bill on its Second and Final Reading. Councilman Carol Rudi seconded. The vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0). The Clerk read the Bill.


Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough moved to accept the Second and Final Reading of Bill 10-28 and to enact the Bill as Ordinance 4.157. Councilman Carol Rudi seconded.


Roll call vote: All “aye” – Councilmember Carol Suter, Councilman Mark Revenaugh, Councilman Carol Rudi, Mayor Pro Tem Barry McCullough and Mayor Les Smith. (5-0).


Item 13. on the Agenda. Other Business.


There was no other business to come before the City Council.


Item 14. on the Agenda. Questions from the News Media.


There were no News Media present.


Item 15. on the Agenda. Adjournment.


There being no further business to come before the July 26, 2010, 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