Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting

DRAFT MINUTES BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. 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 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Present Absent Mayor Tim Pogue Alderman Mike Utt Alderman Michael Finley Alderman Kevin M. Roach Alderman Mark Stallmann Alderman Frank Fleming Alderman Jim Leahy Alderman Ross Bullington Alderman Raymond Kerlagon City Administrator Bob Kuntz City Attorney Robert Jones The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. MINUTES The Minutes from the September 9, 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 September 9, 2019 Board of Aldermen meeting. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. The minutes from the September 9, 2019 Board of Aldermen Closed Meeting were submitted for approval. A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Bullington to approve the minutes from the September 9, 2019 Board of Aldermen closed meeting. A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes DRAFT September 23, 2019 1  DRAFT MINUTES BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 PUBLIC COMMENTS_______________________________________________________ None PRESENTATION____________________________________________________________ Representatives from JEMA presented options for the new Police Department building. Topics of their presentation included the evaluation of the current facility, space needs assessment, site studies and program budget. Plans were presented for each of four sites: across the street from the current location (sand volleyball pit), the old government center site, Kehrs Mill and remodeling the existing site. It was determined in the space needs assessment, the Ballwin Police Department requires an approximately 28,500 square foot building to meet current and future needs. Pros and cons of each site were presented. The total project budgets range from $10.2 million to $12.9 million. Alderman Fleming asked to look at the parking layout for each of the site designs. It was asked if a fence and what kind of fence would be placed around the property. The response was there would be a fence, but what kind had not yet been determined. Mr. Kuntz asked the Board to move forward to expand the contract to a more refined, somewhat detailed design phase; ideally, try to get two or three “throwaways”. Alderman Fleming stated he would like to have more of the details that were presented; JEMA representatives stated they would make that available. Alderman Bullington asked how many officers contributed during information gathering; all officers except those on vacation or out sick were given the opportunity to contribute. Board members then discussed their preferences as far as site choices. Everyone agreed that site D, remodeling the existing site, was not up for consideration. Most agreed sites B and C (old government center and Kehrs Mill) were the two options to explore. Mr. Kuntz stated that in the event it is decided to move forward with whatever option, he proposes the Board extends/expands the contract instead of starting over. MAYOR’S REPORT__________________________________________________________ Mayor Pogue congratulated Ms. Keller and her staff for earning the GFOA distinguished budget presentation award and thanked them for all their hard work. He also shared he attended the first Municipal League Legislative Affairs meeting, during which SB5 and Failure To Appear reform were discussed. A bill will be refiled to reform Failure To Appear legislation. Missouri American Water will be filing a water infrastructure bill, changing some of the requirements of what they can spend per year on improvements. The St. Louis County Charter Commission will meet on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at the Manchester Police Building. St. Louis County has certified the Board of Freeholders petition from the County; St. Louis City’s has not been certified yet. Once all certifications are complete, 19 members will be chosen to serve on the Board with nine from St. Louis City, nine from St. Louis County and one appointed from the Governor. There is a link on St. Louis County’s website if anyone would like City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes DRAFT September 23, 2019 2  DRAFT MINUTES BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 to apply to be on the Board. There will be a medical marijuana panel discussion on November 12 at 7 p.m. at Lafayette High School. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT___________________________________________________ Mr. Kuntz reported that all the doors in the Government Center are now functional. Aldermen will have two options for door access, either key fob or card. Aldermen should let Mr. Kuntz know their preference by the next meeting. STAFF REPORTS ______________________________________________________________________ Administration – Employee Compensation Ms. Keller stated this would be the first of several presentations regarding the 2020 budget, starting with employee compensation, which is approximately two-thirds of the City’s expense budget. One change to note is the Police Department’s collective bargaining agreement which dictates everything tied to their compensation. The salary range for police officers is no longer part of the pay plan and not dictated by market conditions. It is also set for the duration of the contract. The largest dollar component is merit increases. A three percent merit increase is being recommended for 2020 which is the same amount given in four of the last five years. Police officers’ integration to their new step plan will be included in the three percent merit increase, but once they are on the step plan, they will move from one step to the next without variation. Employees who are topped out will receive merit checks, a one-time payment equal to three percent of their yearly salary. Approximately eight staff members will receive merit checks, with half coming from the Police Department; this is because of the collective bargaining agreement. There are seven employees who will receive range adjustments and no compression adjustments are expected. Ms. Keller also shared information regarding benefit rates for employees. Proposition B will affect part-time staff pay, increasing minimum wage by 85 cents yearly, topping out at $12/hour by 2023. Pay for part-time employees was budgeted at $989,000 in 2019 and will increase to $1,115,000 in 2020. Alderman Finley asked how many minimum wage employees are in Parks and Recreation; we have approximately 100 to 250 (during summer months). He also asked if we have any minimum wage workers not in Parks and Recreation; the City does not. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes DRAFT September 23, 2019 3  DRAFT MINUTES BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 Parks – Fee Increases Mr. Conway presented a list of fee increases for the Board’s consideration and discussed how the increases will affect each area of Parks and Recreation. Both daily user fees and annual memberships will be affected, with the Pointe’s increasing 9%, North Pointe’s increasing 13.7% and Golf Course fees increasing by $1. These increases are due to Proposition B’s minimum wage increases. Mr. Conway also stated all programs will be evaluated. Alderman Stallmann asked where we rank with surrounding cities; Mr. Conway replied that Ellisville and Manchester are currently about $1 lower than us, but also shared that everyone is reviewing fee increases. Alderman Roach asked about annual memberships for military and first responders; Mr. Conway stated these all fall under the category of first responder. Alderman Finley stated he has a problem with increasing the daily use fee especially for kids who may be saving allowance to go to the Pointe with friends. He also stated it was his fundamental position that the City should cover the increases through the operating budget. Mayor Pogue stated it is not the goal of the Board to make a profit, but to strive to break even with our facilities. Mayor Pogue also asked about the possibility of adjusting the rate for golf cart rental at the Golf Course instead of making the adjustment on memberships. Mr. Conway stated they are also looking at other ways to help subsidize the budget such as meeting rooms and room rentals. Alderman Finley stated it would be a good idea to educate patrons that these increases had to be done. Mr. Conway stated there will be several opportunities during the year that patrons will be able to purchase memberships at special reduced pricing. A motion was made by Alderman Roach and seconded by Alderman Bullington to draft legislation reflecting membership changes. A voice vote was taken with seven affirmative votes and one negative vote (Alderman Finley) and the motion passed. Police – Officer M. .Hitchcock Recognition Captain Bergfeld recognized Officer Mike Hitchcock for receiving the School Resource Officer of the Year award from the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame. Captain Bergfeld shared that in his three years at Selvidge Middle School, Officer Hitchcock implemented many unique programs for the community and the kids. Mayor Pogue expressed congratulations to Officer Hitchcock on behalf of the Board; he also stated Officer Hitchcock’s work has always been recognized and appreciated and thanked him for all the work he has done. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes DRAFT September 23, 2019 4  DRAFT MINUTES BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT_________________________________________________ Mr. Jones stated the Missouri Supreme Court has promulgated a uniform fee/fine schedule. In reviewing the City’s fee schedule, it was noted that the fee for fire lane parking needed to be increased by 50 cents and requested the Board make a motion to draft legislation to make the City’s ordinance consistent with the State’s fee/fine schedule. A motion was made by Alderman Stallmann and seconded by Alderman Kerlagon to draft legislation. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. Mr. Jones stated he had been in discussion with Tanko regarding street lights. Tanko has identified inconsistencies in state laws that may be advantageous to the City. He has another call scheduled and will provide an update at the next meeting. Missouri Department of Transportation has stated that the City must have an ordinance to erect a new city limit sign. Mr. Jones requested the Board make a motion to draft legislation to give the Public Works Director authorization to erect city limit signs. A motion was made by Alderman Roach and seconded by Alderman Kerlagon to draft legislation. A voice vote was taken with unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed. ALDERMANIC COMMENTS Alderman Finley reported a constituent shared with him that it is now difficult to find the Mayor and Board pages on the website. Kennedy Robinson shared that we are restructuring the website and it should be finished by the end of 2019. She also asked that Board members submit their bios to her if they haven’t already done so. Leaf collection starts on October 28. Alderman Bullington congratulated Ms. Keller and her staff for their award, noting that their attention to detail has certainly paid off. He also congratulated Officer Hitchcock for his award as School Resource Officer of the Year and for bridging the gap between students, staff, parents, the community and law enforcement. He also thanked Mr. Kuntz for working with him and residents to add a crosswalk at Oak Run Subdivision and Ferris Park. City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes DRAFT September 23, 2019 5  DRAFT MINUTES BOARD OF ALDERMEN Meeting Minutes SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 7:00 PM 1 GOVERNMENT CTR. BALLWIN, MO 63011 A motion was made by Alderman Fleming to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman Finley. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 pm. ______________________________ TIM POGUE, MAYOR ATTEST: ____________________________________ Polly Moore, CITY CLERK City of Ballwin- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes DRAFT September 23, 2019 6