City Council

FESTUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES October 23, 2023 The City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri met in regular session on October 23, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The following Council members were present for roll call in the Council chambers: Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Venz, Dennis (via Zoom), Templeton and Tinnin; Absent – Cook. 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 Captain Jeff Brown, Parks Director Josh Whaley, Public Works Director Matt Unrein 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 $282,166.44. Motion to approve the consent agenda, the bills and minutes of the Council Meeting of October 10, 2023 was made by Councilman Venz, seconded by Councilman Collier and approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Dennis, Templeton, Tinnin and Venz; Nays – none. Correspondence - none Visitors – none Bids Water Department – New John Deere Jack Hammer Water Dept. Foreman Zac Rundel requested that Council accept the state bid of $16,900 from McCoy Construction for a new John Deere jack hammer. Public Works Director Matt Unrein gave a staff report. Councilman Venz made a motion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilman Collier. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – none. Water Department – New John Deere Track Loader Water Dept. Foreman Zac Rundel requested that Council accept the state bid of $82,850 from McCoy Construction for a new John Deere track loader. Public Works Director Matt Unrein gave a staff report. Councilman Collier made a motion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – none. Water Department – Ford F-150 4x4 Pickup Water Dept. Foreman Zac Rundel requested that Council accept the state bid of $44,539.00 from Joe Machens Ford for a new Ford F-150 4x4 Pickup Truck. Public Works Director Matt Unrein gave a staff report. Councilman Boyer made a motion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilwoman Templeton. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – none. Street Department – New Ravo Street Sweeper Street Dept. Foreman Shain Dollar requested that Council accept the Sourcewell bid of $275,000.00 from Red Equipment LLC. Public Works Director Matt Unrein gave a staff report. Councilman Collier made a motion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilwoman Templeton. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – none. Street Department – Salt Street Dept. Foreman Shain Dollar requested that Council allow public works to purchase salt through DBK as needed at $95.00 per ton. Public Works Director Matt Unrein gave a staff report. Councilman Collier made a motion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – none. Administration – Pickleball Court Renovation City Administrator Greg Camp asked Council to approve a proposal in the amount of $498,090 (includes $25,000 contingency) from McConnell & Associates for the pickleball court renovation. Mr. Camp discussed the details of the project with Council. Councilman Wehner made a motion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilman Collier. Motion was approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – none. Police Department – Ammunition Purchase Chief Doug Wendel requested authorization to purchase ammunition from Gulf States Distributors in the amount of $10,260.00. Chief Wendel gave a staff report detailing the ammunition purchase. Councilman Boyer 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. Councilman Boyer made a motion to read Bill No. 4746 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Venz. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4746 for the second time. Mayor Richards called for discussion. Councilwoman Templeton stated she felt the increase was too much and that council pay had been increased less than 10 years ago and asked if a COLA increase would be a better way to go. Greg Camp stated that the City of Arnold adopted an ordinance that addresses COLA and mayor and council pay and that we could take a look at that. Councilman Boyer made a motion to read Bill No. 4746 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Venz. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4746 for the second time. Bill No. 4746 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Collier, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – Wehner and Templeton. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4746 passed. Bill No. 4748 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; Approving a Non-Terminal Agency Agreement between the City’s Police Department and the Jefferson County Circuit Court; and establishing an effective date. Mayor Richards called for discussion. City Attorney Brian Malone gave a staff report. Chief Wendel stated he approved of this. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4748 for the first time. Mayor Richards asked for discussion. Councilwoman Templeton made a motion to read Bill No. 4748 for the second time, motion seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion carried unanimously. Clerk Patek read Bill No. 4748 for the second time. Bill No. 4748 was approved by the following votes: Ayes - Council Members Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Templeton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays - none. Mayor Richards declared Ordinance No. 4748 passed. New Business Appointments Mayor Richards requested to appoint Dave Nickelson-Rueschoff to the Housing Authority. Also, Dale Persch is moving out of town and submitted his resignation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and Mayor Richards requested to appoint Judy Williams to that position. Councilman Collier made a motion to approve these requests, seconded by Councilman Dennis. Motion carried unanimously. Contraian Concert Hall & Theater Steve Tetrault and Patrick Thomson addressed the Council requesting a liquor license for the old LaJade Theater on Main Street. Mr. Tetrault and Mr. Thomson stated they wanted permission from the City to open an event venue at that location for concerts, recitals, etc. and would like to be able to sell alcoholic drinks at such events. Chief Wendel stated he approved of a liquor license at that location and that Mr. Tetrault already holds a city liquor license for his two restaurants in town. Councilwoman Templeton made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilman Collier. Motion carried unanimously. Veterans Day Parade – Kevin Pope/Festus School District The Festus school district is requesting to have a parade honoring Veterans Day on November 10, 2023 from 11-12 leaving from the high school and traveling down Main Street. Chief Wendel stated he approved of this parade and would coordinate traffic control with the school district. Councilman Collier made a motion to approve this request, seconded by Councilman Boyer. Motion carried unanimously. Jennifer Fieser was present to speak to council voicing her concerns over traffic concerns and requesting a stop sign at Central and Ridge and her disapproval of having a Mardi Gras parade in town. Old Business - none Reports Councilman Boyer – Stated the mural in Schneider park is looking good, however, he thought the design would be more geared toward Festus in general. Asked the police department to crack down on expired auto tags. Councilman Wehner – Saw activity on Main Street indicating beginning work on the Main to Mississippi project and was glad about that and about the pickleball court renovation project and the progress on the Edgewood water issues. Councilman Dennis – Thanked Dale Persch for his service to the City on various boards and commissions. Condolences to Fire Chief Jeff Broombaugh and family on the loss of his brother. Thanked Chief Wendel for more police presence in the Central and Horine area. Councilman Collier – Thanked Chief Wendel for his help on resolving an issue. Councilwoman Templeton – Reminded citizens what they can do when they see a street light out, they can just go on-line for more convenience or they can call public works. Councilman Venz – Condolences to former Mayor Gene Doyle’s family. Commented on the Halloween light show at Crites Park and what a success it has been. Councilman Tinnin – Appreciated the fall clean-up and shred event at public works for the citizens of Festus. Mayor Richards – Stated he took advantage of the shred event himself and that it was a good service for the citizens. Thanked Moran and Miranda for putting out the black bunting and having the flags lowered in memory of former Mayor Gene Doyle. Adjournment Councilman Boyer made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Collier. On a call by the chair the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned.