City Council

FESTUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 25, 2023 The City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri met in regular session on September 25, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The following Council members were present for roll call in the Council chambers: Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Tinnin, Cook and Wehner; Absent – none; and the following Council member was present via Zoom: Dennis. Mayor Pro- Tem Robert Venz presided over the meeting. Also present in the Council chambers were City Administrator Greg Camp, City Clerk Kerry Patek, Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham, Police Captain Lewis Pippin, Parks Director Josh Whaley, Public Works Director Matt Unrein, Fire Captain Brian Schlicting, 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 Pro-Tem Venz asked for a motion to amend the consent agenda. Mayor Pro- Tem Venz announced the bills were in the amount of $225,628.65. Motion to approve and amend the agenda, the bills and minutes of the Council Meeting of September 11, 2023 was made by Councilman Cook, seconded by Councilman Collier and approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Dennis, Templeton, Tinnin and Cook; Nays – none. Correspondence - none Visitors Luke Tetrault and Shannon Becker requested to hold a Mardi Gras parade on February 10, 2024 on Main Street with the same route as the Christmas parade. Council was in favor of a Mardi Gras parade, however, they asked Mr. Tetrault to contact the Twin City Chamber of Commerce since they were in charge of the Christmas parade and to contact Crystal City as part of the route would go through their City and then once all the details have been formalized to come back to Festus City Council for formal approval. Jeff Arp, MIRMA representative, presented the City with an award for a flammable storage cabinet in the amount of $750.00 which Shain Dollar had applied for through MIRMA’s grant program. Mr. Arp reminded the City there is grant money through MIRMA that is available for equipment, etc. and that it is reimbursable so once the City purchases the item and pays for it, MIRMA will send a check to the City. Adam Fieser, 733 Woodland Avenue, addressed the Council regarding traffic/speeding concerns in his neighborhood. Butch Ross, 801 Ridge Avenue, addressed the Council regarding building code issues and a private insurance claim. Mr. Ross was informed the City would look into this matter and get back to him. Bids Police Department – Purchase of 8 New Dodge Durangos Captain Lewis Pippin stated the police department was seeking authorization to purchase eight (8) new Dodge Durango’s from the Missouri state bid from Landmark Dodge in Independence, Missouri. Councilman Tinnin made a motion to approve the purchase of 8 new Dodge Durango’s, seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Tinnin and Cook; Nays – none. Ordinances and Resolutions Bill No. 4744 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; Amending the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4744 for the first time. Mayor Pro-Tem Venz called for discussion. Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham gave a staff report. Councilman Cook made a motion to read Bill No. 4744 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4744 for the second time. Bill No. 4744 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Tinnin and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Pro-Tem Venz declared Ordinance No. 4744 passed. Bill No. 4745 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; Adopting the Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2024; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4745 for the first time. Mayor Pro-Tem Venz called for discussion. Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham gave a staff report. Councilman Wehner asked if the pickleball project could be renamed to “Pickleball Complex Court Renovation”. Councilwoman Templeton made a motion to read Bill No. 4745 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Tinnin. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4745 for the second time. Bill No. 4745 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Wehner, Dennis, Tinnin and Cook; Nays - none. Mayor Pro-Tem Venz declared Ordinance No. 4745 passed. New Business Festus High School Homecoming Parade Greg Camp stated that Festus High School has requested the school’s annual homecoming parade be allowed on Friday, October 6, 2024. Councilman Dennis made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion carried unanimously. City Administrator Greg Camp asked the Council to move the October 9, 2023 meeting from Monday (federal holiday) to Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Council agreed unanimously. Councilman Cook made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilman Collier. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business Reports Councilman Wehner – Thanked Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham for her work on the new budget and everyone for getting the budget passed. Councilman Dennis - Thanked Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham for her work on the new budget. Mentioned the new collector well and that the City is working on the water issues. Councilman Cook – Thanked the Boy Scout troop for the stream team event. Stated he was not happy that Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham was leaving. Asked Brian Malone and Lewis Pippin about the homeless situation, panhandling, etc. Asked about revisiting an ordinance for jake brakes. Asked about water sampling. Greg Camp stated that regular water sampling is conducted and that the City has been doing extra sampling due to the water issues and that clean water is available at public works and water credits are available. Councilman Cook asked if this information could be sent out again to residents. Councilman Collier - Thanked Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham for her work on the new budget and that he was happy to see extra money put in the budget to help resolve these water issues. Councilwoman Templeton - Thanked Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham for her work on the new budget. Asked if the City could do a direct mailing to those residents affected by the water problems because some may not have internet or social media. Happy to see the playground, splashpad and pickleball renovations in the budget. Councilman Tinnin - Thanked Finance Director Stephanie Cunningham for her work on the new budget. Mayor Pro-Tem Venz – Stated he has known Stephanie’s family for over 35 years and that he hates to see her leave and that he appreciates everything she’s brought to the City. Adjournment Councilman Cook made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Boyer. On a call by the chair the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned.