City Council

FESTUS CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES September 11, 2023 Mayor Richards opened the public hearing to seek public input regarding the proposed property tax rates for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023 at 5:50 p.m. No public comments were received. Mayor Richards closed the hearing at 6:00 p.m. FESTUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 11, 2023 The City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri met in regular session on September 11, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The following Council members were present for roll call in the Council chambers: Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Venz, Tinnin, Cook and Wehner; Absent – none; 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, Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Boyer, 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. Mayor Richards asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of the lives lost on September 11, 2001. Approval of Consent Agenda Mayor Richards announced the bills were in the amount of $900,096.86. Motion to approve the bills and minutes of the Council Meeting of August 28, 2023 was made by Councilman Venz, seconded by Councilwoman Templeton and approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Dennis, Templeton, Venz, Tinnin and Cook; Nays – none. Correspondence - none Visitors Christina Olinger, 412 Edgewood Lane, addressed the Council regarding the continued water problems in her neighborhood. Adam Fieser, 733 Woodland Avenue, addressed the Council regarding code violations in his neighborhood. Bids Health Department – Outdoor Recreation Area Director of Public Works Matt Unrein asked Council to award the contract for synthetic turf to ATG Sports in the amount of $10,260. Councilwoman Templeton made a motion to approve the contract with ATG, seconded by Councilman Venz. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Wehner, Venz, Dennis, Tinnin and Cook; Nays – none. Ordinances and Resolutions Bill No. 4741 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; to establish a procedure to disclose potential conflicts of interest and substantial interests for certain municipal officials; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4741 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. City Clerk Patek stated this was the annual requirement from the Missouri Ethics Commission. Councilman Boyer made a motion to read Bill No. 4741 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Tinnin. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4741 for the second time. Bill No. 4741 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Venz, Tinnin and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4741 passed. Bill No. 4742 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; levying and authorizing the assessment and collection of a tax for the fiscal year 2023-2024 for public health purposes, public library, general revenue purposes and city parks; and fixing the time for the taking effect of this Ordinance. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4742 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. City Administrator Camp stated this was the Ordinance to set the annual tax rates for the City. Councilman Tinnin made a motion to read Bill No. 4742 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4742 for the second time. Bill No. 4742 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Venz, Tinnin and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4742 passed. Bill No. 4743 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; Authorizing the Mayor to enter in to and execute a third amendment to commercial lease agreement with Dr. Elizabeth Fassler; incorporating said Lease as a part of this Ordinance; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4743 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. Greg Camp gave a staff report stating this was for the rental of 410 W. Main. Councilman Wehner asked Greg to get the square footage of the space to him, Greg stated he would get that information and send it to Councilman Wehner. Councilman Boyer made a motion to read Bill No. 4743 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Tinnin. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4743 for the second time. Bill No. 4743 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Venz, Tinnin and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4743 passed. New Business Main & Mill StreetFest Denny Foster, owner of Main & Mill Brewing Company, requested permission to hold their annual StreetFestus and to close Main Street during that time on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Councilman Wehner made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilwoman Templeton. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business Splash Pad, All Inclusive Playground and Upgrade to Pickleball Courts After discussing these projects, Council unanimously agreed to allocate funds for the following: $500,000 for the upgrade of the pickleball courts and $1,500,000 for a splash pad and all inclusive playground. These projects will be added to the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget. Reports Councilman Boyer – Thanked Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham for her work on the budget. Reminded Chris Olinger that the City and the Council has not forgotten the residents on Edgewood Lane and their water problems and that the City is working on the problem. Councilman Wehner – Thanked Stephanie Cunningham for her work on the budget. Thanked Chris Olinger for representing her neighborhood regarding the water issues they are having and reminded her that the City does care and is working on a solution. Councilman Dennis – Asked about having an action plan with these water issues on Edgewood and asked if it would be a good idea to meet with the residents and keep them up to date on what the City is doing to resolve their problems. Asked about raising Council pay from $300/month to $500/month and that maybe this would spark more interests for people to serve on the Council. Greg Camp stated he could draft an Ordinance and bring it back to Council. Gave an update on the Jefferson County Water Authority. Councilman Cook – Asked if we should have the residents of Edgewood Lane who’ve been experiencing water issues to put a claim in to MIRMA. Greg Camp stated he would inquire with MIRMA about this. Mr. Camp stated that something the City can do right now is make bottled water available to residents experiencing problems. Asked to meet with Matt Unrein and Greg Camp about Mr. Unrein’s car allowance. Asked about eliminating pensions for Council through Lagers. Councilman Collier – Thanked Stephanie Cunningham for the budget. Addressed the water issues. Councilwoman Templeton – Thanked Stephanie Cunningham for the budget. Thanked Chris Olinger, resident of Edgewood, for speaking up to the Council. Addressed the importance of transparency. Excited for all the new projects coming up. Asked about educating the public on how budgets work. Councilman Venz – Expressed his concerns for the residents of Edgewood. Commented on the success of Twin City Days. Councilman Tinnin – Asked about the lighting at the restrooms in Larry G. Crites Memorial Park. Stated he would like to see the tennis court project at Sunset Park finished before the City starts on other projects as repairs are needed at Sunset. Expressed his concern for the residents of Edgewood. Commended Stephanie Cunningham on the budget. Mayor Richards – Commented on how good Twin City Days was this year. Stated to the residents of Edgewood that the City would get to the bottom of their problems with these water issues and would not stop until it is resolved. 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 7:10 p.m.