Board of Aldermen

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING OF MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017 AT 200 HIGHLANDS BOULEVARD DRIVE 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor David L. Willson called the Regular Board of Aldermen meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL AND STATEMENT OF QUORUM Roll call showed those present were Alderman Clement, Alderman Stevens, Alderman Hamill, Alderman Ottenad, Alderman Baumann, Alderman Diehl, Mayor Willson and Attorney Gunn. A quorum was present. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Minutes of the Regular Board of Aldermen meeting of Monday, March 20, 2017 Alderman Clement made the motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Board of Aldermen meeting of Monday, March 20, 2017. The motion was seconded by Alderman Ottenad, and carried, without objection. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF ORDER OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Mayor Willson advised that he would be introducing some boy scouts. Alderman Clement made the motion to approve the Order of the Items on the Agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Alderman Baumann and carried unanimously, without objection. 5. CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC a. Presentation of Police Department Commendations Regular Board of Aldermen 04/03/2017 Page 1  Chief of Police Timothy Walsh stated he wanted to bring attention to a theft of money, and a firearm and its unlawful discharge. In perpetrating other crimes during the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 2:04 a.m. Officer Mike Fierce and Sergeant John Tennyson were radio dispatched to Joey B’s Restaurant at 14445 Manchester Road in reference to a suspicious person. When they arrived, Officer Fierce contacted the complaining party and was informed that he had minutes before found a white male subject rummaging through his vehicle and chased him off. As the conversation went on, the complainant continued to look through his vehicle and discovered that a semi-automatic handgun was missing. The incident was broadcasted as officers attempted to locate the suspect. Within minutes the suspect was located by Sergeant Tennyson and soon joined by Officer Fierce. The suspect resisted efforts by the officers to take him into custody; however they overcame him. During the struggle they found subject to be in possession of the stolen handgun and wrestled with officers to retain it. Chief Walsh stated in follow-up to the incident once they had him in custody, the officers checked the area and found the front door of the Sushi Ai Restaurant and a car window of a car parked in front of that business had been damaged when the suspect had used the stolen handgun to shoot them out. The owner of the damaged vehicle also reported when he was contacted that a bag containing $600 was missing from the vehicle. The bag with the money was found lying nearby where the suspect had been arrested. Later that morning the suspect was conveyed to the St. Louis County Jail while Officer Fierce presented the case for warrant application; warrants were authorized and charges were filed with stealing a firearm, resisting arrest, property damage and felony stealing. The Bond was set at $20,000. Chief Walsh stated both officers are being commended for their outstanding and the extra ordinary handling of the incident. The actions reflect well on the service of the Manchester Police Department and serve to endure the community support toward the organization objectives. b. Comments from the Public There were none. 6. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR a. Mayoral Report Mayor Willson stated there were wonderful photos at the FOCUS program on March 24 at the Manchester United Methodist Church. There were 240 photos to judge, and the winners are currently displayed in the Board/Courtroom; On March 29, Officer Josh Cockrell, Chief Walsh and he went to the DARE Program at St. Joseph’s School. The students gave Officer Cockrell baby shower gifts, as he and his wife are expecting a baby; March 30, the aldermen and staff and he met with CBIZ. He stated that on March 31, he met with Earl and Howard from the Kaufman Foundation, the group that gave away trees to veterans at Eagle Bank, and they want to do it again because it was a well-received program. He said they would like more publicity and would like to get more elected officials and police officers involved. On April 2, he attended the visitation at Schrader Funeral Home for Gladys Mae Stevens. Mayor Willson stated he wanted to let everyone know that Ed Shearin passed away from complications of pneumonia; Ed and Doris have been very active with the City. Mayor Willson stated that recently Lafayette Industries gave Director of Public Works Bob Ruck a Proclamation and lunch for his 45 years of service. Regular Board of Aldermen 04/03/2017 Page 2  Mayor Willson announced that there was a group of Boy Scouts in attendance: Scout Eric Johnson from Troop 631, sponsored by St. Mark Presbyterian Church, and Scouts Liam Smith, Connell O’Reilly, Matt Markiewicz, Michael Ludwig, Shawne Auer, Colin Bloeser, Sam Kramer, Jack Conway, Al Clever, Gus Clever, Tyler Peters and Nathan Curran, all from Troop 751 sponsored by St. Joseph Church. He stated that all the scouts are working on the “Citizenship in the Community” merit badges. 7. REPORTS FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR a. List of Paid Bills (Warrant dates of March 19 – April 1, 2017) There were no questions. 8. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES a. Planning and Zoning Commission Alderman Clement stated there was no meeting last week, but there will be a meeting on Monday next week. b. Homecoming Committee Alderman Ottenad stated they did not have a meeting recently, but their next meeting is scheduled to be on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Legion Hall. c. Manchester Arts Alderman Stevens announced the FOCUS event. She commented about a situation from last year and how this sparked an interest in photography. She asked that the attendees look at the winners posted on the walls; there is a lot of talent in the community. 9. ACTION ON OLD BILLS a. BILL # 17-2295 – AN ORDINANCE VACATING AN EASEMENT WHICH WAS FORMERLY PART OF CARMAN ROAD Alderman Clement read for the second time Bill # 17-2295, entitled: “AN ORDINANCE VACATING A CERTAIN EASEMENT IN THE CITY OF MANCHESTER, MISSOURI, REFERRED TO FOR THESE PURPOSES AS THE BARRETT SCHOOL EASEMENT”, by title only. Alderman Clement made the motion that Bill # 17-2295 become Ordinance # 17-2179. The motion was seconded by Alderman Ottenad. A poll of the Board showed: Alderman Clement – aye Alderman Stevens – aye Alderman Hamill – aye Alderman Diehl – aye Regular Board of Aldermen 04/03/2017 Page 3  Alderman Baumann - aye Alderman Ottenad – aye Mayor Willson reported the motion passed with a vote of 6 – 0, with no objections. 10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BILLS a. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT INCIDENT RESPONSE VEHICLE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Alderman Diehl read Proposed Resolution # 17-0589, entitled: “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANCHESTER TO EXPEND THE SUM OF SEVENTY THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FOURTEEN DOLLARS ($73,514.00) FROM ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDS TO CHASTANG FORD OF HOUSTON, TEXAS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A CUSTOM INCIDENT RESPONSE VEHICLE”, by title only. Alderman Clement asked if this was a new vehicle and Chief Timothy Walsh answered that it is, and it is being made. This new vehicle has a lot more room, it has a hallway of 48 inches in the middle of it and the Police Department will be able to store a lot of equipment. The vehicle will be used for a variety of things. Alderman Diehl made the motion to approve Resolution # 17-0589. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hamill and carried without objection. b. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF RADIO EQUIPMENT AND DECALS FOR THE INCIDENT RESPONSE VEHICLE Alderman Baumann read Proposed Resolution # 17-0590, entitled: “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANCHESTER TO EXPEND THE SUM OF ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED NINETY FIVE DOLLARS ($1,395.00) FROM ASSET FORFEITURE FUNDS TO WIRELESSUSA AND ADGRAPHIX FOR THE INSTALLATION OF RADIO EQUIPMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT DECALS ON THE NEWLY PURCHASED INCIDENT RESPONSE VEHICLE”, by title only. Alderman Ottenad asked what amount of asset forfeiture is left after the approval of these two Resolutions. Chief Timothy Walsh answered the remaining amount will be $44,362.00. Alderman Baumann made the motion to approve Resolution # 17–0590. The motion was seconded by Alderman Clement and carried without objection. c. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF A PICKUP FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT Alderman Stevens read Proposed Resolution # 17-0591, entitled: “A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF MCLARTY CMFO, LLC,, DOING BUSINESS AS JOE MACHENS FORD LINCOLN, IN THE AMOUNT OF THIRTY THOUSAND THREE DOLLARS ($30,003.00) FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE 2017 FORD F250 ¾ TON PICKUP TRUCK FOR Regular Board of Aldermen 04/03/2017 Page 4 USE BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANCHESTER TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER THEREFOR”, by title only. Alderman Stevens made the motion to approve Resolution # 17-0591. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hamill and carried without objection. d. BILL APPROVING STP – URBAN PROGRAM AGREEMENT FOR THE DOUGHERTY FERRY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT Alderman Hamill introduced Bill # 17-2296, entitled: “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MANCHESTER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MISSOURI HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH A FEDERAL AID PROGRAM PROJECT RELATING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF DOUGHERTY FERRY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY OF MANCHESTER”, by title only. Alderman Ottenad asked if there is a ballpark figure of what the total cost will be. Director of Public Works Bob Ruck answered the project is projected at $644,150. The Federal reimbursement would be $515,320 and the City’s cost will be $128,000. The project will start in 2020. Alderman Clement wanted to know if the point is to straighten out a curve and a hill that is dangerous. Director Ruck answered that the improvements would be from Country Stove Drive to the Valley Park city limits. He said there is pavement toward Valley Park where there is an offset in the road where St. Louis County was anticipating realigning the road, but the City of Manchester annexed the area before that was done, and this project would include realigning that offset and lowering the hill to improve sight distance. There being no additional questions, there was no further action at this time. e. BILL APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF LAWRENCE F. PERNEY AS CITY ADMINISTRATOR Alderman Ottenad introduced Bill # 17-2297, entitled: “AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING LAWRENCE F. PERNEY AS THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE CITY OF MANCHESTER, ESTABLISHING A RATE OF PAY FOR THAT POSITION, AND, FURTHER, CONFIRMING THE DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THAT POSITION”, by title only. There being no questions, there was no further action at this time. 11. MISCELLANEOUS a. Comments from the Public Alderman Mike Clement said he wanted to close with some comments and share some observations. Regular Board of Aldermen 04/03/2017 Page 5  He stated that on Saturday, he had a phone call from a resident in his ward who wanted to ask him a question, and that was the resident had been told by his opponent that Manchester Police Officers haven’t seen any raises in the last 15 to 17 years, and he wanted to know if it was a true statement. He said that it is very easy to refute. In 2017, every employee of the City received across the board a 3% increase, and in 2016 they received a 2 ½% increase. Alderman Clement said that just in the last two years all of the employees have received a 5 ½ % increase, so that statement of no increase in 15 to 17 years is not true. He hopes that resident maybe misunderstood the question and he is willing to trust that is maybe what happened. Alderman Clement stated he followed up on this with someone else in another ward and they had heard the same thing too. He said he wants everyone to think of statements like that, that may be useful to get a vote, but they are very disparaging, not just to the current police chief but all former chiefs and all former mayors to think the City hasn’t given police employees any increase in 15 to 17 years. To all the boards of aldermen that have sat up there for 15 to 17 years, to think that they would not have given our police officers a salary increase it is hard for him to accept. Alderman Clement asked Chief Walsh where this could have come from and he doesn’t have any idea. Alderman Clement asked to stop those stories which are not true. Alderman Clement stated over the last two months, any number of these anonymous signs have been seen, the anonymous signs that appear under the cover of darkness. They have a message. Recent messages have been inflammatory and the signs are always put out on utility easements. It is hard for anyone to take down unless they are a city employee. Alderman Clement stated that this campaign this year has been a bit more damaging than in the past. He said maybe you could look at the Board of Aldermen, and say we are at fault, but he thinks that residents need to vote for the people who speak the truth, that we can trust, and whether you agree with them or not, if you are out there and know their position and you know they have their names on their brochures and ads, we have to get away from the anonymity and the harm from these anonymous signs and statements that are egregiously wrong. 12. ADJOURNMENT At 7:36 p.m., there being no further business, Alderman Hamill made the motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman Clement and carried 6 - 0, with no objection. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ruth E. Baker, MMC/MPCC City Clerk Note: This is a journal of the Board of Aldermen meeting of April 3, 2017 (summary); not a verbatim transcript. If a recording of the meeting is desired, please contact City Hall. Regular Board of Aldermen 04/03/2017 Page 6