Board of Aldermen

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING OF MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018 AT 200 HIGHLANDS BOULEVARD DRIVE 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Mike Clement 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 Huether, Alderman Nolte, Alderman Hamill, Alderman Baumann, Mayor Clement and Attorney Gunn. Alderman Ottenad and Alderman Toben were absent. A quorum was present. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: a. Minutes of the Regular Board of Aldermen meeting of Monday, May 21, 2018 Alderman Hamill made the motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Board of Aldermen meeting of Monday, May 21, 2018. The motion was seconded by Alderman Baumann and carried 4 – 0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF ORDER OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Alderman Hamill made the motion to approve the Order of Items on the Agenda as submitted. The motion was seconded by Alderman Baumann and carried 4 – 0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. 5. CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC a. Liquor License Renewals Alderman Hamill made the motion to approve the following liquor license renewal applications. The motion was seconded by Alderman Baumann and carried 4 – 0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. 1. Costco Wholesale Regular Board of Aldermen 06/04/2018 Page 1  2. Debz Corner 3. Dierberg’s, with wine tasting permit 4. Discount Liquors 5. El Maguey 6. El Nopal 7. El Toluco 8. Joey B’s Food and Drink 9. Lazy River Grill 10. Manchester Athletic Association 11. Manee Thai 12. Monsoon 13. Petro Mart – Manchester Road 14. Petro Mart # 73 – Meramec Station Road 15. Pan Asia Market 16. Randall’s Wine and Spirits 17. St. Joseph Church 18. Tucker’s Place West 19. Walgreens 20. Walmart 21. Walter Le Pere American Legion Post 208, including licenses for booths at the Annual Homecoming Festival 22. Westchester Tennis & Sports Center b. Comments from the Public Mr. Tim Fitch, stated that he is running for St. Louis County Council, Third District which would cover a vast majority of Manchester. He has worked in City Government for 31 years and retired as the Police Chief four years ago. Colleen Wasinger, who is a member of the St. Louis County Council, Third District, convinced him to run for office. He is running unopposed for the August election, but does have an opponent for the November election. He lives south of 44 and 141 in the unincorporated area of St. Louis County. Alderman Nolte expressed concern about the deer population and asked what his plan is for control. Mr. Fitch said that he, too, sees deer in his yard every year. His feeling is a coordinated hunt for deer would be acceptable, if they have the opportunity. He stated he would have to check if that has ever been done. Mayor Clement stated there has been resistance from St. Louis County. Mr. Dan O’Brien, 512 Glan Tai Drive, commented that at one time, Tim Fitch was in favor of getting rid of the Manchester Police Department. Mr. O’Brien stated about 15 years ago he received a phone call, and the phone call was that the constituents were beating on Mike Clement about the Highlands Project. Mike took a lot of grief about that, and the phone call came from Patrick Gunn who suggested that Mr. O’Brien get to a Board meeting and talk and try to calm people down. He said that by the same token, the City representatives have gone through such things a number of times. He said there was another phone call from Patrick Gunn after the two situations had arisen in John Diehl’s life with his son and grandson. He spoke about Paul Hamill taking heat, from Hal Roth, and Patrick Gunn called. Mr. O’Brien said that Patrick Gunn has been with the City of Manchester over 40 years in any capacity Regular Board of Aldermen 06/04/2018 Page 2 for the City of Manchester. The City has come a long way from just a blinking light at Manchester and Highway 141 to the City it is today. A lot of things have changed, ranging back from Judge Sluggett to when Judge Mike Gunn was appointed up to the present. Mr. O’Brien stated that with the Ordinances that have been made, Patrick Gunn has kept the City out of the line of fire. He said Patrick knows what he is talking about. This thing with changing the City Attorney, if he was doing something wrong, would be another story. Patrick Gunn’s reputation in the Courthouse is impeccable. Mr. O’Brien said he doesn’t want this to be a continuation of things. He also spoke about the possible loss of a department head and said the City doesn’t need to have those types of things happening. Mr. O’Brien stated the City has “a casino” at the corner that is “minting money” for the City. For the first time in Manchester things have gone smoothly. We have extra money. Mr. O’Brien said he brought his father to the meeting. When he told his father about the situation with Patrick, he couldn’t believe it, so he wanted to come to the meeting tonight. He said his father did everything for this town for 50 years; the elected officials, the police department, they didn’t do anything without consulting him first. Mr. O’Brien said he is not just one voice; there are a lot of people who feel this way. He thanked Patrick Gunn for his service. 6. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR a. Recommendation of removal of the City Attorney Mayor Clement acknowledged his, and he believes the Board’s desire, for some changes of the City’s legal representation. He said it is not unusual for new Mayors and/or Boards to determine that the time is right for a change in the City Attorney. He has come to that conclusion and he thinks the Board has too. He certainly doesn’t want to discount the significant contribution Pat Gunn has made to the City of Manchester over the last four decades, but he also thinks fresh starts are often necessary and very healthy for an organization. A change of City Council is part of the evolution of Municipal governance. He thinks this is the right time to seek a different legal counsel. The legal agreement with City Attorney Gunn states that the Mayor, with the consent of majority of the members of the Board of Aldermen, may remove the City Attorney from office at any time. Therefore, he is recommending the removal of Patrick Gunn as City Attorney for the City of Manchester. Alderman Nolte made the motion for the removal of the City Attorney. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hamill. A poll of the Board showed: Alderman Nolte – aye Alderman Hamill – aye Alderman Toben – absent Alderman Baumann – aye Alderman Ottenad – absent Alderman Huether – aye Regular Board of Aldermen 06/04/2018 Page 3  Mayor Clement announced the vote passed 4 – 0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. Mayor Clement stated that he wanted to say “thank you” to Patrick Gunn. b. Recommendation for reappointment of Alan Nissenbaum as a member of the Board of Adjustment Alderman Hamill made the motion for the reappointment of Alan Nissenbaum as a member of the Board of Adjustment. The motion was seconded by Alderman Baumann and carried 4-0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. c. Recommendation for reappointment of Kent Goddard as a member of the Board of Adjustment Alderman Hamill made the motion for the reappointment of Kent Goddard as a member of the Board of Adjustment. The motion was seconded by Alderman Baumann and carried 4-0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. d. Recommendation for reappointment of J. R Brown as a member of the Board of Adjustment Alderman Hamill made the motion for the reappointment of J.R. Brown as a member of the Board of Adjustment. The motion was seconded by Alderman Baumann and carried 4-0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. e. Mayoral Report Mayor Clement stated there is a deer management meeting coming up this week. He has asked Alderman Toben and a resident to attend the meeting. Mayor Clement stated there will be a small business owners gathering on July 18 at 10:45 a.m. He said he wants to invite about 70-80-90 people to the Parks building and begin dialog and talk with them. Mayor Clement stated on Memorial Day, there was a nice ceremony at the Veterans Memorial. They had 42 flags of valor, and later that day, as he stopped by the Veterans Memorial, he saw a lot of flowers and bouquets had been left at the Memorial. He said the City will put out flags for Flag Day. He stated that a small group of residents has been formed to put together veteran’s events. Mayor Clement stated that the first meeting of the tree board was held tonight. 7. REPORTS FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR a. List of Paid Bills (Warrant dates of May 20 – June 2, 2018) There were no questions. Regular Board of Aldermen 06/04/2018 Page 4 8. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES a. Planning and Zoning Commission Alderman Hamill said there was a meeting, and the only thing on the agenda was in regard to a small utility shed. b. Homecoming Committee Director of Parks, Recreation, and Arts Eileen Collins reported that there will be a meeting coming up on the third Wednesday of the month. She said they will have a barbecue, and she invited all to attend. She advised there are a couple new people who have joined. 9. ACTION ON OLD BILLS a. There were none. 10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BILLS a. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACT WITH HORNER & SHIFRIN, INC. TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE DOUGHERTY FERRY ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Alderman Huether read proposed Resolution # 18-0632, entitled: “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CITY OF MANCHESTER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH HORNER & SHIFRIN, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED SEVENTY-NINE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTEEN DOLLARS AND NINETY- NINE CENTS ($79,813.99) TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE DOUGHERTY FERRY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN THE CITY OF MANCHESTER”, by title only. Alderman Huether made the motion for approval of Resolution # 18-0632. The motion was seconded by Alderman Baumann and carried 4 - 0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. b. RESOLUTION APPROVING REVISED AGREEMENT WITH PARKWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM Alderman Baumann read proposed Resolution # 18-0633, entitled: “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CITY OF MANCHESTER TO ENTER INTO A REVISED THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE PARKWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT RELATING TO THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM”, by title only. Alderman Baumann made the motion for approval of Resolution # 18-0633. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hamill and carried 4 – 0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. c. RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL SERVICES Regular Board of Aldermen 06/04/2018 Page 5  Alderman Nolte read proposed Resolution # 18-0634, entitled: “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CITY OF MANCHESTER TO ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS OF 2018 THROUGH 2022 WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL SERVICES”, by title only. Alderman Nolte made the motion for approval of Resolution # 18-0634. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hamill and carried 4 – 0, with two absentees, and no objections from the Board. 11. MISCELLANEOUS a. Comments from the City Attorney – Patrick R. Gunn City Attorney Patrick R. Gunn made the following comments: “It has become clear to me over the last few weeks that soon I will no longer be the City Attorney for the City of Manchester. I understand this process better than most and I accept it. What I can say with absolute certainty is that I love this City and its people. I have been in the practice of law for 45 years, and for 42 years I have been privileged to be the City Attorney in this great City. It is important for me to emphasize that, in my opinion, the greatest asset the City of Manchester has is its employees. From the City Administrator to the newest employee of one the City’s Departments, the employees of the City are its life blood. As a result, those employees deserve to be treated with the ultimate respect, courtesy and dignity. This applies to treatment by fellow employees and also to treatment by the elected officials of the City. Employees should be appropriately compensated for their services and they deserve to be allowed to work in an atmosphere which is free from coercion from anyone. Such conduct should not, and cannot, be considered acceptable. Over the years, people have often asked me, during times of political strife in the City, why I was so committed to staying with the City. In every instance I replied that I stayed because of the employees whom I love and respect. To those employees, I say thank you for allowing me to work with you over these last 42 years. To all the Mayors and Aldermen with whom I have served, I also express my thanks for tolerating me at times when tolerance may not have been easy. I can only hope and pray that what little impact I have had upon the City has been positive and that I might be remembered as a loyal and dedicated public servant. Finally, I would ask that the City Clerk circulate these comments to every employee of the City so that each will be aware of my great fondness and respect for them and my gratitude towards them.” b. Comments from the Public Mr. Joe Mastroianni, 896 Burgundy Lane, a former alderman, thanked Patrick Gunn for his service. Mr. Mastroianni said he has been terrific to the City of Manchester and he was very gracious to him when he was on this Board. Mr. Mastroianni said they might not be standing here today in this location without the help that Patrick Gunn provided for the Police Department and the Highlands. Regular Board of Aldermen 06/04/2018 Page 6  Mr. Mastroianni stated that since we are discussing the time of change, just a suggestion, but sometimes we can get stagnated as he heard earlier from the Mayor. Mr. Mastroianni said he thinks the Board needs to look at term limits for aldermen and mayor; it is pretty common in the State. If turning over a new leaf, he suggested they look at something like that. Mr. Mastroianni said he was inspired by the Mayor’s words about a new beginning. 12. ADJOURNMENT At 7:29 p.m., there being no further business, Alderman Hamill made the motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman Baumann and carried 4 - 0, with two absentees, and with no objections from the Board. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ruth E. Baker, MMC/MPCC City Clerk Note: This is a journal of the Board of Aldermen meeting of June 4, 2018 (summary); not a verbatim transcript. If a recording of the meeting is desired, please contact City Hall. 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