City Council

FESTUS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES August 28, 2023 Mayor Richards opened the public hearing to seek public input regarding a Preliminary/ Improvement Plat at 793 American Legion Drive at 5:50 p.m. Danny Lipina and Charles Muehlhauser, property owners near the development expressed their concerns with traffic issues, sidewalks, ingress/egress and stop signs. Mayor Richards closed the hearing at 6:00 p.m. FESTUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES August 28, 2023 The City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri met in regular session on August 28, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The following Council members were present for roll call in the Council chambers: Boyer, Templeton, Venz, Cook and Wehner; Absent – Tinnin and Collier; and the following Council member was present via Zoom: Dennis. Mayor Samuel F. Richards presided over the meeting. Also present in the Council chambers were City Administrator Greg Camp, City Clerk Kerry Patek, Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham, Police Chief Doug Wendel, Parks Director Josh Whaley, Public Works Director Matt Unrein, Fire Chief Jeff Broombaugh, Tourism Director Barb Lowry, Treasurer Lori Eisenbeis, Building Official Mark Harris and City Attorney Brian Malone. Council, staff, etc. then said the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Consent Agenda Mayor Richards announced the bills were in the amount of $336,247.40. Motion to approve the bills and minutes of the Council Meeting of August 14, 2023 was made by Councilman Cook, seconded by Councilwoman Templeton and approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Wehner, Dennis, Templeton, Venz and Cook; Nays – none. Correspondence Visitors Mary Jane Theodore addressed the Council regarding illegal dumping on the Knights of Columbus property near her home and asked the City to help with the problem. Mayor Richards informed Mrs. Theodore they would take her request under advisement. Chris Hagan addressed the Council regarding water problems affecting properties he owns on Main Street. Mayor Richards informed Mr. Hagan the City would take his request under advisement. Mike Povich, resident of Horine Road, addressed the Council regarding speeding on Horine Road. Mr. Povich also expressed his concerns over water issues, etc. Mayor Richards informed Mr. Povich they would take his concerns under advisement. Bids Parks Department – Pond Fountains Parks Director Josh Whaley requested authorization to purchase four (4) 1 hp pond fountains for Al Brown Lake at Crites Park. Three bids were received as follows: The Pond Guys $9,200; Grainger $13,732; and USA Bluebook $18,860. After reviewing all bids, staff recommends the Pond Guys. This project has a $12,000 budget. Councilwoman Templeton made a motion to approve the bid from The Pond Guys, seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Templeton, Wehner, Venz, Dennis and Cook; Nays – none. Parks Department – Crites Park Walking Trail Parks Director Josh Whaley requested authorization to install new walking trail in Crites Park. $250,000 was budgeted for this project. Two options were provided by Jokerst Paving: Option A $178,500 and Option B $216,800. After discussing the options Councilman Wehner made a motion to approve Option B for $216,800, motion seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Templeton, Wehner, Venz, Dennis and Cook; Nays – none. Ordinances and Resolutions Bill No. 4735 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; authorizing the issuance of special tax bills under Chapter 215 of the City of Festus, Missouri Municipal Code; certifying said special tax bills to the Collector of County of Jefferson to be collected with the City of Festus real estate tax bills; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4735 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. City Administrator Greg Camp stated this was the annual list sent to the County for delinquent weed assessments. Councilman Venz made a motion to read Bill No. 4735 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4735 for the second time. Bill No. 4735 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Venz and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4735 passed. Bill No. 4736 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; establishing a three-way stop at the southernmost intersection of Championship Lane and Masters Drive; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4736 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. Public Works Director Matt Unrein gave a staff report. He informed Council the residents in this area had signed a petition requesting this three-way stop. Councilman Venz made a motion to read Bill No. 4736 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilwoman Templeton. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4736 for the second time. Bill No. 4736 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Venz and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4736 passed. Bill No. 4737 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; approving the Preliminary/Improvement Plat for 790 American Legion Drive; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4737 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. Building Official Mark Harris gave a staff report. The project engineer and developer were both present to review the plans with the Council and to answer any questions. Councilman Boyer made a motion to read Bill No. 4737 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Venz. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4737 for the second time. Bill No. 4737 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Venz and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4737 passed. Bill No. 4738 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; approving the Major Subdivision for 1831 Scenic; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4738 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. Building Official Mark Harris gave a staff report. Councilwoman Templeton expressed her traffic safety concerns. Councilman Venz made a motion to read Bill No. 4738 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4738 for the second time. Bill No. 4738 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis and Venz; Nays - Cook. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4738 passed. Bill No. 4739 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; authorizing the City Administrator to enter in to and execute a contract with Insituform Technologies not to exceed $150,000 for the annual Sewer Main Lining project; incorporating said Contract as a part of this Ordinance; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4739 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. Public Works Director Matt Unrein gave a staff report. Councilman Venz made a motion to read Bill No. 4739 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Cook. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4739 for the second time. Bill No. 4739 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Venz and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4739 passed. Bill No. 4740 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; petitioning the County Council of Jefferson County to extend the boundaries of Jefferson County Public Sewer District and to allow the City of Festus to participate in the Sewer District; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4740 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. City Attorney Brian Malone updated the Council stating this was another step in the proposal with the sewer district. Councilman Cook made a motion to read Bill No. 4740 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4740 for the second time. Bill No. 4740 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Venz and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4740 passed. New Business 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham presented a draft of the proposed 2023-24 Fiscal Year Budget. Stephanie thanked Michelle Vaughn for hard work on preparing the budget. Greg Camp thanked Stephanie for a great job on the proposed budget and stated that Council would have a work session on September 11, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. prior to the regular Council meeting. Old Business Golf Carts and UTV’s on City Streets Councilman Cook stated he thought allowing golf carts and UTV’s on Festus streets was a disastrous idea and that he was totally against it. Councilwoman Templeton stated she had researched this issue and had discussed it with Matt Surdyke and that she also agreed it was not a good idea for Festus to allow this and there were too many variables for negative consequences. Councilman Venz stated he definitely did not want to allow golf carts on city streets, however, he did not want to take any citizens rights away, especially with the high gas prices. Councilman Dennis stated he would like to see an Ordinance brought back to Council for a vote and discussed the impact on the handicapped. Councilman Wehner stated he agreed with Councilman Cook and that he was not in favor of allowing this. Councilman Cook made a motion to NOT ALLOW golf carts and UTV’s on City of Festus streets. Motion seconded by Councilman Wehner. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Cook, Wehner, Boyer, Templeton; Nays – Venz and Dennis. Motion was approved and this issue cannot be brought up again for 90 days. Reports Councilman Cook – Asked Matt Unrein and Mark Harris to look into the property complaint regarding the Knights of Columbus property. Asked Greg Camp for an update on the water main project. Councilman Wehner – Asked Greg Camp for an explanation on the issuance of credit on water bills to residents who are having water issues on Edgewood Lane. Greg Camp stated they were working with the residents and that the sewer and trash portion of the water bills would still have to be paid. Greg Camp and Matt Unrein made it clear that it is only for residents who are experiencing water issues who have contacted the water department and made a formal complaint. Councilman Boyer – Commended Stephanie Cunningham for a fine job on the proposed budget. Commented on the Genuine Appliance building being built near Taytro’s. Stated he attended the Historic Tanglefoot Association meeting with Matt Unrein and Brian Wehner. Councilwoman Templeton – Commended Stephanie Cunningham on a great job on the proposed budget. Stated that the Shop with a Cop event over the weekend raised over $30,000 and asked everyone for their continued support of this great cause. Councilman Venz – Thanked Stephanie Cunningham for the proposed budget. Councilman Dennis – Thanked Chief Wendel for the increased police presence on Horine. Asked about having a designated traffic unit in the police department. Commented on how good the proposed budget looked. Mayor Richards – Thanked Stephanie Cunningham for the proposed budget. Thanked Matt Unrein for the white marking paint on the front steps of city hall. Adjournment Councilman Cook made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Boyer. On a call by the chair the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.