City Council

FESTUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES October 10, 2023 The City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri met in regular session on October 10, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The following Council members were present for roll call in the Council chambers: Boyer, Collier, Dennis, Templeton and Tinnin; Absent – Cook and Wehner. Mayor Samuel F. Richards presided over the meeting. Also present in the Council chambers were City Administrator Greg Camp, City Clerk Kerry Patek, Police Chief Doug Wendel, Fire Chief Jeff Broombaugh, Parks Director Josh Whaley, Public Works Director Matt Unrein, Tourism Director Barb Lowry, Building Official Mark Harris and City Attorney Brian Malone. Council, staff, etc. then said the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Consent Agenda Mayor Richards asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mayor Richards announced the bills were in the amount of $655,456.76. Motion to approve the consent agenda, the bills and minutes of the Council Meeting of September 25, 2023 was made by Councilman Collier, seconded by Councilman Boyer and approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Dennis, Templeton, Tinnin and Venz; Nays – none. Correspondence - none Visitors Mayor Richards presented a proclamation to Miranda Louise Machalek for earning the distinction of Eagle Scout. Bids Park Department – Mural at Schneider Park Josh Whaley asked for approval of the bid from Kenzie Wolk Art to paint a mural at Schneider Park for $9,000-$10,000. $15,000 was budgeted for this expenditure. Councilman Boyer made a motion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilman Collier. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – none. Police Department – Handgun Purchase Chief Doug Wendel requested authorization to purchase 34 new Glock 9 mm handguns with optical sights from Kiesler at a price of $23,321.74 ($1,032.11 per gun). Chief Wendel stated three bids were received. Chief Wendel explained the need for the change in handguns (i.e. ammunition supply, size, handling, etc.). $35,000 was budgeted for this purchase. New holsters will also be purchased and a credit will be given for trade-ins. Chief Wendel also asked for approval for the officers to be able to buy their old gun for $310.00. Councilman Venz asked if other employees would be allowed to purchase a gun if there were any available. Chief Wendel stated it would be up to the Council to allow others to purchase the guns, but that he doubted any of the officers would not want to buy their gun at that price. Councilwoman Templeton made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilman Dennis. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – none. Police Department – Storage Shed Purchase Chief Doug Wendel requested authorization to purchase a new 12x24 storage shed to house the two UTV’s the department has. This structure will be between the band building and gym behind city hall. $8,000 was budgeted for this expenditure. Two bids were received: Secure Storage Sheds $7,785; and EZ Portable Buildings $11,417.83. Chief Wendel recommends accepting the bid from Secure Storage Sheds. Councilman Collier made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilwoman Templeton. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – none. Ordinances and Resolutions Bill No. 4746 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; to set the monthly salary of the Mayor, City Council Members and the City Treasurer; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4746 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. Mayor Richards commented that he felt a person should run for public office not for the money but for civic mindedness and to contribute to their city and that it is our patriotic duty to serve. Councilwoman Templeton stated she would like to see this bill held over to the next council meeting. Bill No. 4747 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; Adopting a new Section 370.240 to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Festus, Missouri, regarding compression release engine brakes; repealing all Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith; and establishing an effective date. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4747 for the first time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. City Administrator Greg Camp gave a staff report. Councilman Collier requested that signs be posted enforcing this in certain areas. Councilman Collier made a motion to read Bill No. 4747 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4747 for the second time. Bill No. 4747 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4747 passed. New Business Appointments Mayor Richards requested to re-appoint Rhonda Gertsner to the Tourism Commission that her name was inadvertently left off the list of appointments. Councilwoman Templeton made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilman Collier. Motion carried unanimously. Downtown Event Michelle Hohmeier, of the Historic Tanglefoot Association, requested permission to close Main Street for the Annual Ladies Night Out on November 4, 2023 from Mill Street to Brierton during the hours of 2:00 p.m. to around 9:00 p.m.. Councilman Collier made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilwoman Templeton. Motion carried unanimously. Kirk Biehle – Liquor License Request Kirk Biehle requested a liquor license for the old carwash building at 1100 Shapiro Drive to turn it into a bar/liquor store. Mr. Biehle provided a copy of his Missouri state liquor license for this location. Chief Wendel stated he had no problems with a liquor license at this location. Councilman Dennis made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilman Collier. Motion carried unanimously. November/December Council Meetings Greg Camp asked Council if they preferred to have only one council meeting in November and one in December due to the holidays. Greg stated the November meeting would be held on November 20, 2023, and the December meeting would be held on December 18, 2023. Councilman Boyer made a motion to adjust these meeting dates, seconded by Councilman Tinnin. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business - none Reports Councilman Boyer – Thanked the Mayors of Festus and Crystal City for representing their City’s at the Elk’s flag dedication ceremony and thanked all the Veterans. Councilman Dennis – Stated it was good to be attending the meeting in person. Thanked the police department for the increased presence on Central Avenue. Commented on the tree trimming around town. Encouraged citizens if they have an issue to call city hall or public works and try and avoid complaining about it on social media. Councilman Collier – Stated he had received a complaint regarding the homeless near the Woodside Creek area and asked for police presence in that area. Stated he felt the City was making headway on the water issues. Councilwoman Templeton – Asked the status of the water issues and Matt Unrein replied that complaints are down and that he felt the issues were starting to improve. Councilman Venz – Stated he saw Festus on the news about the light show in Crites in Park. Mayor Richards – Commented on the success of the Four Brothers Mead Viking Festival and how clean the area was the next morning. Stated that he felt the City was moving forward and making progress. CLOSED SESSION Mayor Richards asked for a motion to go into closed session pursuant to Missouri Law for the purpose of dealing with matters relating to RSMo.610.021 (1)(3)(13) personnel. Motion made by Councilman Collier, seconded by Councilman Boyer to go into closed session. Motion approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Templeton, Dennis, Venz and Tinnin; Nays – none. Adjournment Councilman Collier made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Boyer. On a call by the chair the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned.