Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting

BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes MARCH 11, 2019 7:00 PM 300 PARK DR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 THE MINUTES ARE PREPARED IN SUMMARY TO REFLECT THE OVERALL DISCUSSIONS, NOT VERBATIM QUOTES. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tim Pogue at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Present Absent Mayor Tim Pogue Alderman James Terbrock Alderman Michael Finley Alderman Kevin M. Roach Alderman Mark Stallmann Alderman Frank Fleming Alderman Jim Leahy Alderman Ross Bullington Alderman Raymond Kerlagon Interim-City Administrator Bob Kuntz City Attorney Robert Jones The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. MINUTES The Minutes from the February 25, 2019, Board of Aldermen meeting were submitted for approval. A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Bullington to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2019 Board of Aldermen meeting as amended. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. The Minutes from the February 25, 2019, closed session meeting were submitted for approval. A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Bullington to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2019 closed session meeting as submitted. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes March 11, 2019 1  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes MARCH 11, 2019 7:00 PM 300 PARK DR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 PUBLIC COMMENTS_______________________________________________________ County Councilman Mark Harder addressed the Board regarding the upcoming city/county merger. He recommended board members print, read and keep posted the entire Better Together proposal. There are petitions circulating for the Board of Freeholders; he can get copies and make those available. The Board of Freeholders is looking for people to stand outside of the polls to collect signatures. There are also “No Vote – No Voice” bumper stickers and yard signs available for $3 each. Councilman Harder stated that we need people who have a vested interest to get the word out. Alderman Terbrock asked how County Executive Stenger and St. Louis City Mayor Krewson got involved in Better Together. Council Harder explained they were involved early on and that there has been no citizen input nor has it gone through St. Louis County Council; the plan favors County Executive Stenger. With the Freeholders, citizens will have input. Alderman Stallmann pointed out the creators of Better Together have never served in public office, municipal government or law enforcement. Alderman Fleming asked Councilman Harder to explain how the Board of Freeholders works and how the board is chosen. Councilman Harder stated the Municipal League favors the Freeholder process and that it would be voted on by only St. Louis City and County residents. The board is chosen by County Executive Stenger, Mayor Krewson and Governor Parson (one vote); there has to be a balance of Republican and Democrat members. County Executive Stenger’s choices have to be presented to St. Louis County Council for approval; Council cannot appoint, but can vet and approve. Freeholders are not obligated to put a plan together, however they can come up with options or no option. That plan would be placed on the ballot to be voted on by City/County residents only. This process has been used in the past when MSD was put together. Alderman Roach asked if Suzanne Sitherwood, President/CEO of Spire, was on the board of Better Together. Councilman Harder was not sure. Alderman Stallmann asked Councilman Harder if he would agree that Better Together would create lower services and higher taxes. Councilman Harder agreed to both; he also stated there’s a lot of “smoke and mirrors” in the plan and we all have to dig deep. NEW BUSINESS ____________________________________________________________ BILL 4024 AN ORDINANCE NAMING GOVERNMENT CENTER A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Bullington for a first reading of Bill No. 4024, title only. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and Bill No. 4024 was read for the first time. In discussion of Bill No. 4024 Alderman Finley asked if any petitions needed to be filed with St. Louis County for approval. Assistant City Administrator Hixson stated that approvals from St. Louis County, US Postal Service and Metro West Fire Protection have been completed and we can move forward. Interim City Administrator Kuntz commented that our signs will be made in-house and we are moving forward with those as well. A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Finley for a second reading of Bill No. 4024, title only. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and Bill No. 4024 was read for a second time. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes March 11, 2019 2  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes MARCH 11, 2019 7:00 PM 300 PARK DR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 A roll call vote was taken for passage and approval of Bill No. 4024 with the following results: Ayes – Aldermen Finley, Roach, Stallmann, Fleming, Leahy, Bullington, Kerlagon; Nays -- None. Bill No. 4024 was approved and became Ordinance No. 19-10 MAYOR’S REPORT _______________________________________________________ Mayor Pogue has been looking at other major cities which have undergone or will be going through a merger similar to Better Together. In the Louisville merger for example, there are potential tax increases and a reduction in personnel. They expect to reduce their police department staff by 150 over the next four years. The city of Indianapolis has shown significant decreases in services; while the downtown area may be flourishing, surrounding areas are not. He is also reviewing multiple university studies such as University of Georgia’s which show the impact of these mergers. Mayor Pogue also stated petitions for Board of Freeholders may be dropped off at City Hall for notary and we will make sure the Municipal League gets them. INTERIM - CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT ____________________________________ Interim City Administrator Kuntz expressed his appreciation to Alderman Bullington, Assistant City Administrator Hixson and Human Resources Coordinator Morrison for their time and work spent on interviews for the new Parks Director. We are very close to moving forward and hope to have the new person in place for the advent of our busy season. STAFF REPORTS ____________________________________________________________________ Parks: John Hoffman, Gym Floor Refinishing Mr. Hoffman stated we have $32,500 for refinishing the gym floor at the Pointe. This would involve going down to bare wood floor for restriping and refinishing, which would take four weeks to complete. He stated that this process is normally done every 8-10 years and we haven’t done this in 23 years. This was sent to numerous contractors, but we received only one bid; Mr. Hoffman recommends the sole bidder. There is an alternate three-week plan which would come at a higher cost, but would lessen the impact on Pointe patrons. Alderman Roach asked if the track would stay open; Mr. Hoffman stated it would. Mr. Hoffman was asked to elaborate on when the Pointe shutdown would take place; he replied the Pointe closes completely for two days while the pool remains closed for a week. Alderman Roach asked if we have relationships with other facilities which would allow our patrons to utilize their gyms while the Pointe is closed. Mr. Hoffman stated we have been able to use the Lodge at Des Peres in the past and we could check to see if that was a possibility. It was also noted the North Pointe pool honors Pointe passes during the week long closure. Interim City Administrator Kuntz asked that, if approved, can we get this completed in time; Mr. Hoffman replied we could. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes March 11, 2019 3  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes MARCH 11, 2019 7:00 PM 300 PARK DR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 A motion was made by Alderman Terbrock and seconded by Alderman Stallmann to approve the bid which would complete the work in three weeks. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. ALDERMANIC COMMENTS Alderman Finley asked if the Parks summer concert series is still on and when the bands are decided. Recreation Superintendent Boone replied the concert series is in place and bands were chosen in January. Alderman Terbrock thanked County Councilman Harder for presenting the information regarding the Board of Freeholders. He also mentioned a Facebook Live debate between Better Together and the Municipal League that he had watched and found enlightening; one point brought up in the debate was the elimination of the 1% city tax, yet they were saving money. Alderman Terbrock also brought up for consideration, now that the Reis Rd. bridge is open, could we have a no left turn onto Manchester or have restricted times for left turns. Citizens found alternate routes during the bridge shutdown, but significant backups are happening again. Alderman Roach proposed the possibility of dedicated turn lanes and obtaining wider easements or a professional study. Mayor Pogue stated that wider easements was proposed to the property owner on the east side, but was adamantly turned down. Interim City Administrator Kuntz strongly recommended Chief Scott and police department staff monitor this and bring back recommendations for the Board’s consideration. Alderman Terbrock apologized for cancelling the Public Works Committee meeting on February 25 as he was ill. The next meeting for the committee will be Monday, March 18 at 6 p.m. Alderman Fleming briefly discussed the Finance Committee meeting which had taken place earlier in the evening. The three items on the agenda were the LAGERS plan, Municipal District finances and Show Me Courts. CLOSED SESSION __________________________________________________________ The Board moved to go into closed session for one or more of the reasons as authorized by Section 610.021(1), (2) and (3) Revised Statutes of Missouri, relating to legal issues, real estate and/or personnel, negotiation of a contract. A motion was made by Alderman Stallmann and seconded by Alderman Leahy to go into closed session. A roll call vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result. OPEN SESSION ___________________________________________________________ City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes March 11, 2019 4  BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes MARCH 11, 2019 7:00 PM 300 PARK DR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 A motion was made by Alderman Fleming to reconvene and adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman Stallmann. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 10:02 pm. ______________________________ TIM POGUE, MAYOR ATTEST: ____________________________________ Andy Hixson, CITY CLERK City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes March 11, 2019 5