Board of Aldermen

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING OF MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2019 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 Hamill, Alderman Nolte, Alderman Ottenad, Alderman Baumann, Alderman Toben and Mayor Clement. A quorum was present. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Minutes of the Monday, May 20, 2019 Regular Board of Aldermen meeting Alderman Hamill made the motion to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Aldermen of Monday, May 20, 2019. The motion was seconded by Alderman Toben and carried 6 – 0, without any objections from the members of the Board of Aldermen. 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 6 – 0, with no objections from the members of the Board of Aldermen. 5. CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC a. Presentation of results of a Community Survey done by the Parks Department Director of Parks, Recreation, and Arts Kat Douglas stated that the Park Department’s community survey was completed in the fall of 2018. There were several conversations about implementing a pretty extensive community survey about using our Regular Board of Aldermen 06/03/2019 Page 1 program guide in the Manchester Message to do that. The survey was sent out to anyone who was a program participant over the past year, as well as anyone who had rented any of their facilities. The survey was also posted on Facebook. The survey was broken into four different categories: demographics, program evaluation, facility evaluations, and how the public can be better served. Director Douglas stated they had about 300 responses with 80 percent being residents. She stated that 40 percent of the respondees stated they visited the park weekly or monthly, with about 50 percent visiting 2 to 11 times per year. Director Douglas reviewed the program evaluation. She said the overall quality of the parks programs was about 50 percent who rated them as excellent, 46 percent as good, with a few fair and one poor. She stated that by far people are interested in special events, and then fitness. People tend to like one event type of program rather than committing to a week or every Saturday always. They like the popup events. Director Douglas stated there were some additional suggestions. People wanted more fitness classes outside of work hours, they would like more events and classes and would like concerts, food trucks, farmers markets, arts/craft fairs. Also, there were suggestions for more league sports like adult volleyball leagues, golf, pickleball and frisbee golf. There were people suggesting a dog park. There were several people who expressed disappointment that we do not have an indoor facility and were requesting a reciprocal partnership. Director Douglas stated that on the facility evaluation, the ratings were very good ratings. They had 46.4 percent as excellent, 49.3 percent good, 3.6 percent was fair and one poor. Director Douglas stated that the overall value received was high, with 40 percent as excellent, 50 percent as good and 1 or 2 percent as either not applicable or poor. They asked what prevented people from participating, and by far, the response was the times were not convenient. The Parks has generally been providing programs during the hours that they are there. Director Douglas stated they were asked how Manchester could better serve, and the number one response was more walking and nature trails followed by more community events. They did say that the best way to communicate with them is through the program guide, then the City website, and then Manchester E-mail. Director Douglas stated that the way that the department responded to this survey was by adding additional programs, responsiveness to impromptu opportunities, addressing complaints, maximizing space, planning for the future and cultivating community. Mayor Clement asked about the reciprocal partnerships. He questioned whether we asked if we could have those partnerships with either Ballwin or Des Peres. Regular Board of Aldermen 06/03/2019 Page 2  Director Douglas answered that previously the other cities would expect the City of Manchester to pay the difference between the resident and nonresident rate. However, she believes that would negatively impact our own facilities and our programs. Alderman Ottenad stated that the Board had previously heard that. Alderman Baumann stated that in regard to the new Paul Schroeder Park playground, he would like to make sure that the City is looking into the Grant from the Department of Natural Resources as we look to produce our new playground. Director Douglas agreed. Alderman Baumann said that their open enrollment is in January, so he doesn’t know whether next year that is something that could be investigated. Alderman Ottenad stated she doesn’t know if there are restrictions or not, but we heard that how many years. Alderman Baumann stated the last time Manchester used that grant was 1979 and so there should be no reason why we can’t use it again. Alderman Huether inquired, regarding the playground, whether it is really replacing what we currently have and upgrading what we have or whether there is more room. She said she learned about destination playgrounds. She asked we will have flexibility there in getting community input. Director Douglas stated there is a multi-stage process. They are using playground specialists to come in. She informed that there will be a community dialog time and an open time for people to give comments. It would be a complete pull out and re-design. They have a couple pieces that they could potentially move to other parks that are in good working repair. The others could potentially be donated to churches or other places that could use some of those pieces that are good but really outdated. The playground, she believes, has been there around 20 years. Alderman Baumann stated that when he went to the Missouri Municipal League conference, playtime is in Maryland Heights, and starting in October, is when they put everything on 50 percent discount. He wanted to look at going to the square rubberized playmate. Director Douglas stated that they have spoken about the squares. It would be easier to replace them. Alderman Baumann stated that there are grants for that also. Regular Board of Aldermen 06/03/2019 Page 3  Director Douglas stated she is heavily relying on Stephanie Hardesty for this project. She is Manchester’s playground specialist because there are a lot of safety components and distance regulations. She also has a good pulse on this type of thing. She said they will be looking into grants, and all flooring options. They are hoping to do a very natural looking playground compared to our current primary colors. Alderman Baumann stated if there is an advisory board, he wouldn’t mind helping and serving on it. Alderman Ottenad asked who would be writing the grant from the Parks Department. Director Douglas answered it would be Stephanie and herself, along with the input of Craig Waterhouse. Alderman Huether asked if there is thought of doing a survey that would be reaching further in the community and figuring out why people not using our Parks. Director Douglas stated she completely thinks it is a fantastic idea for the City. She also thinks it is important to note that this current survey was transmitted digitally. So, people who are not using computers did not have access to it. They were looking quick and short so they could get responses and implement them immediately to the people who were using the Park the most. She does think it would be wonderful for the City to do a lengthy survey that would be sent out, possibly with the Message, so people can write something in. b. Liquor License Renewals for Consideration: 1. Cheers 2. Costco Wholesale 3. Debz Corner 4. Dierberg’s, with wine tasting permit 5. Discount Liquors 6. El Maguey 7. El Nopal 8. El Toluco Taqueria and Grocery 9. Joey B’s Food and Drink 10. Lazy River Grill 11. Manchester Athletic Association 12. Manee Thai 13. Monsoon Vietnamese Restaurant 14. Pan Asia Market 15. Petro Mart – Manchester Road 16. Petro Mart # 73 – Meramec Station Road 17. Randall’s Wine and Spirits, with wine tasting permit 18. St. Joseph Church 19. Tucker’s Place West 20. Walmart Regular Board of Aldermen 06/03/2019 Page 4  21. Westchester Tennis & Sports Center Alderman Hamill made the motion to approve the 21 liquor license renewal applications. The motion was seconded by Alderman Ottenad and carried 6 – 0, and no objections from the Board. c. New Liquor Licenses for Consideration: 1. Manchester Smokee Mo’s, LLC 2. StL Flavors, LLC, d/b/a Bawarchi Indian Cuisine 3. Sushi Ai (new owner) 4. Walgreens (new managing officer) 5. Walter Le Pere American Legion Post No. 208 (new managing officer) Alderman Baumann made the motion to approve the five new liquor license applications. The motion was seconded by Alderman Ottenad and carried 6 – 0, and no objections from the Board. d. Comments from the Public Ms. Trish Gunby, 1406 Redwood Forest Drive, introduced herself as the democratic candidate for the vacant house seat in the 99th district. Mr. Robert Lopez, 1302 Mautenne, said he would like to know the percentage of Manchester’s budget goes to Parks and Recreation. He also would like to know who determines how old equipment is. He doesn’t think a child from the ages of 5 to 10 years old who is using playground equipment would know it is outdated. Mayor Clement stated he would get the percentage to Mr. Lopez. He said it is not the largest percentage, but the City of Manchester is very proud of our Parks. He said the age of equipment is a concern with safety. Alderman Baumann and Director Douglas stated that Stephanie Hardesty does monthly checks on the equipment to make sure it is safe. Director Douglas said she wanted to add that one of the greatest things about new equipment is that it is ADA compliant. It allows kids with disabilities to use the equipment more. Mr. Lopez said that even though he voted against it, the street work which has been done looks good, but he has noticed that cars are going a little faster down the streets. 6. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR a. List of Paid Bills (Warrant dates of May 19 – June 1, 2019) There were no questions. b. Mayoral Report Regular Board of Aldermen 06/03/2019 Page 5  Mayor Clement introduced Boy Scout Tim Marsh from Troop 680 which is sponsored by Sacred Heart in Valley Park. Mayor Clement announced that he wanted to acknowledge that the Municipal League’s Citizen Choice Award for the Best Public Works Department was given to the City of Manchester. Mayor Clement displayed a gift from Officer Jason Dowdell. He stated that Officer Dowdell made the POW/MIA plaque for the City. Alderman Huether stated she was excited to share that the grants Public Works Director Bob Ruck and she have been working on have been approved. The two grants are to cover electronic recycling and the other was to provide composters to both enhance gardening and divert food waste from the landfill. She stated that the next step would be to meet with St. Louis County to iron out the details and there will be a Resolution that will forthcoming for the Board to consider. Chief Scott Will discussed the three current openings. He stated that Officer Josh Waggener and Officer Evan Waters will be promoted to Sergeant. Sergeant Dan West has been promoted to Lieutenant. He will be recognizing the promotions at the next Board of Aldermen meeting. Mayor Clement stated that there is going to be harassment and anti-discrimination training for all employees. It will be mandatory. Mayor Clement wanted to acknowledge that Colleen Massey-Skaggs was sworn in last week at Tan-Tar-A as President-Elect of the Missouri Association for Court Administration. Her peers selected her for that, and it is a high honor. Mayor Clement stated the Memorial Day Ceremony was tremendous and a big success. The Clean-Up for Special Olympics event was a big success and a lot of fun! On June 16, is the first Community Band Concert of the season. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Clement stated the Board of Aldermen got a request to suspend certain code enforcement. The code enforcement being recommended for suspension involves parking of trucks, RV’s, and boats in the City. He said there are a lot of flooding issues in the area that are impacting parking for the residents. Alderman Huether made the motion to approve suspending the enforcement regarding parking of recreational vehicles. The motion was seconded by Alderman Ottenad and carried unanimously, without objections from the members of the Board of Aldermen. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES a. Planning and Zoning Commission There was no meeting, so there was no report. Regular Board of Aldermen 06/03/2019 Page 6  b. Homecoming Committee Alderman Ottenad stated they did not meet but their next meeting is June 12th. 8. ACTION ON OLD BILLS a. There were none. 9. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BILLS a. There were none. 10. MISCELLANEOUS a. Comments from the Public There were none. 11. ADJOURNMENT At 7:47 p.m., there being no further business, Alderman Hamill made the motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman Toben and carried unanimously. Mayor Clement announced the motion carried unanimously, with no objections from the members of the Board of Aldermen. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Melugin Deputy City Clerk Note: This is a journal of the Board of Aldermen meeting of Monday, June 3, 2019 (summary); not a verbatim transcript. If a recording of the meeting is desired, please contact City Hall. Regular Board of Aldermen 06/03/2019 Page 7