City Council

FESTUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES December 18, 2023 The City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri met in regular session on December 18, 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, Cook and Tinnin; Absent – None. Mayor Samuel F. Richards presided over the meeting. Also present in the Council chambers were City Administrator Greg Camp (via Zoom), Finance Director Michelle Vaughn, City Clerk Kerry Patek, Police Chief Doug Wendel, Fire Captain Jeff Broombaugh, Finance Director Michelle Vaughn, Public Works Director/ Assistant City Administrator Matt Unrein, Building Official Mark Harris, Treasurer Lori Eisenbeis 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 $1,034,053.11. Motion to approve the consent agenda, the bills and minutes of the Council Meeting of November 20, 2023 was made by Councilman Cook, seconded by Councilman Boyer and approved by the following votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, Wehner, Dennis, Templeton, Cook, Tinnin and Venz; Nays – none. Police Chief Wendel introduced two new police officers – Josh Kraus and Blake Buehner. Correspondence - none Visitors Bob Ring, developer of Sunridge Meadows, thanked the Council and the staff for all their support for his development and he looks forward to working with them again. Mike Povich, resident of Horine Road, expressed his concerns for traffic problems, etc. Bids Vehicle Maintenance – Dual AC Machine Matt Unrein presented a report prepared by Shain Dollar requesting approval of the sourcewell bid of $15,030.06 from Snap-on for a Polartek dual AC machine. Councilm an Venz m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilm an Boyer. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Purchase of Commercial Gym Equipment Matt Unrein presented a report prepared by Shain Dollar requesting approval to accept the bid of $7,548.00 from Johnson Fitness & Wellness for commercial gym equipment. Councilm an Venz m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilm an Boyer. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Water Department – EZ Valve Installation Matt Unrein presented a report prepared by Zac Rundel requesting approval to accept the bid of $23,980 from Schulte Supply to install EZ valves. Councilm an Venz m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilm an Tinnin. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Water Department – N. Adams Water Main Matt Unrein presented a report prepared by Zac Rundel requesting approval to accept the bid of $5,086.66 from Core and Main for replacing the rest of N. Adams Street water line. Councilm an Tinnin m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilm an Boyer. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Police Department – Vehicle Equipment Police Chief Doug Wendel requested permission to purchase the new vehicle equipment for the eight Dodge Durangos from Public Safety Upfitters for $42,041.00, which is the low bidder. Councilw om an Tem pleton m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilm an Boyer. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Police Department – Radar Purchase Police Chief Doug Wendel requested permission to purchase four (4) new radar speed detection units from Stalker for $10,532.00. Councilm an W ehner m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilw om an Tem pleton. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Police Department – Vehicle Striping Purchase Police Chief Doug Wendel requested permission to purchase new striping packages for patrol vehicles from Southpaw Grafix for the price of $8,340.00. Councilm an Collier m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilm an Dennis. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Police Department – Flock Camera Contract Police Chief Doug Wendel requested permission to enter into a five year contract with Flock to ensure current pricing throughout the contract of $25,000 per year. Councilm an Venz m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilm an Boyer. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Fire Department – Turnout Gear Fire Chief Jeff Broombaugh requested permission to purchase five (5) sets of Lion V Force turnout gear, carabiners, lanyards from Sentinel Emergency Solutions through the Sourcewell purchasing cooperative for $ 22,377.65. Councilw om an Tem pleton m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilm an Boyer. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Fire Department – Repairs to Training Tower Fire Chief Jeff Broombaugh requested permission to purchase safety and security repairs for the training tower from WHP Training Towers for $13,582.00. Councilw om an Tem pleton m ade a m otion to approve this bid, seconded by Councilm an Dennis. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis, Cook and Tinnin; Nays – none . Ordinances and Resolutions Resolution No. 4755 ½ - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Festus, Missouri; Assenting to an extension of certain dates and deadlines listed in the Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Jefferson County Public Sewer District, the City of Festus, the City of Crystal City, to sell the wastewater treatment plant to the Jefferson County Public Sewer District. Mayor Richards asked Clerk Patek to read Resolution No. 4755 1/2. Clerk Patek read the Resolution. Mayor Richards called for discussion. City Attorney Brian Malone informed Council this was to extend the closing deadlines and exclusivity period until January 31, 2024. M ayor R ichards asked for a m otion to approve R esolution No. 4755 ½ . M otion m ade by Councilm an Tinnin, seconded by Councilm an Venz. M otion w as approved by the follow ing votes: : Ayes – Boyer, Collier, W ehner, Tem pleton, Venz, Dennis and Tinnin; Nays – Cook. M ayor R ichards declared R esolution No. 4755 ½ passed. New Business – None Old Business – None Mayor and Council Reports Councilman Cook – Expressed his frustration with being given bad information and asked that communication between staff members and Council be worked on and fixed. Asked Matt Unrein if we replaced the water main on Cypress and Mr. Unrein replied that we did. Asked Mr. Unrein if we are replacing water lines when we replace fire hydrants. Mr. Unrein stated we did not and that the fire hydrant replacement project is totally separate from water line replacement. Asked about water line replacement in the area of Gray Street and Mr. Unrein answered they were replacing the waterlines in that area. Mentioned that Senate Bill 190 passed and will become effective in 2025 to help seniors and retirees with their tax bill and asked if City Attorney Brian Malone would look into that and see if it’s something the City could offer. Councilman Dennis – Also mentioned the information being received by Council from staff and that he was still receiving ongoing traffic complaints but that he does appreciate the increased police presence and that he appreciates the effort being made by all employees in all departments. Councilman Wehner – Stated he is having a hard time understanding the ongoing complaints and water issues on Edgewood Lane and that he did not feel it was his place as a Councilman to deal with some of these problems that he cannot help with and that he would also like to see better communication from city staff towards the residents who are having continuous problems and keeping council members informed so that when they receive questions they have the right information. Stated he was happy to see the opening of Sunridge Meadows and to have the developer address the Council. Councilman Boyer – Would like to see something done with some of the three way stops (i.e. Beffa, etc.) because people don’t seem to understand who has the right-of- way and would like something in the Festus Focus, etc. to remind people of this. Councilwoman Templeton – Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Councilman Venz – Asked about the traffic calming bumps on St. Louis streets and if we could look into something like that to slow traffic down. Mr. Unrein stated that we do have a traffic calming policy, however, it requires the neighbors to get behind it. Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Councilman Tinnin – Also mentioned the traffic calming tables. Asked if the water line replacement on Cypress was all the way to Hemlock. Mr. Unrein replied on the replacement. Mr. Unrein stated his opinion on the continuous water problems is the chemical makeup of the water from the plant v. the wells and it’s wearing on pipes. Mr. Unrein stated that the replacing of the waterlines in the Edgewood area is a priority. Mr. Unrein stated that the replacing of the waterlines on Main Street is part of the project. Asked why the electric car charging station location was chosen. Mr. Unrein stated because of its proximity to the downtown business area. Councilman Tinnin stated he was glad to see developer Bob Ring addressing the Council tonight regarding his project and looks forward to future projects. Wished everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mayor Richards – Thanked everyone for their concerns and that he appreciated the hard work and dedication of all the City employees and the Council and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Adjournment Councilman Cook made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Boyer. On a call by the chair the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned.