Board of Aldermen

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING OF MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2023 AT 200 HIGHLANDS BOULEVARD DRIVE CALL TO ORDER Mayor Mike Clement called the Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL AND STATEMENT OF QUORUM Roll call showed those present were Alderman Dodge, Alderman Ottenad, Alderman Huether, Alderman Toben, Alderman Baumann, and Mayor Clement. Alderman Nolte was absent. A quorum was present. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES March 6, 2023 Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting Alderman Ottenad made the motion to approve the minutes of the Monday, March 6, 2023, Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting. The motion was seconded by Alderman Toben and carried unanimously, with no objections from any members of the Board of Aldermen. ESTABLISHMENT OF ORDER OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Mayor Clement proposed that Resolution No. 23-0920 be read by Alderman Baumann and that the closed session listed on the original agenda be taken off. Alderman Ottenad made the motion to approve the Order of Items on the Agenda, as amended. The motion was seconded by Alderman Toben and carried unanimously, with no objections from any members of the Board of Aldermen. CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS Comments from the Public Jim Bowlin, Mayor of Wildwood, introduced himself as candidate on the Republican ticket for the State Senate District 15 in 2024. He explained he declared his candidacy early because of his belief in grassroots politics and the importance of meeting the people who would elect you. He explained his work and educational background and highlighted his platform of a bottom up approach as a Senator. He continued that the Board and residents can approach him with any questions. Wayne Hartmann, owner of 415 Cardiff Ln, said he recalled a conversation he had with West County EMS & Fire regarding who maintained the lights at Baxter and Manchester Road when an ambulance approaches. Mayor Clement reported that West County EMS & Fire is a completely separate district from Manchester, but he would look into the fire district having control of lights when an ambulance goes through and who could grant that control. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting 3/20/2023 Page 1 Mayoral Reports Mayor Clement congratulated Alderman Huether for being chosen to be a Pillar of Parkway, a significant recognition from Parkway School District. He continued that Alderman Huether has been very active in the Parkway School District and is much deserving of the recognition and that the Board of Aldermen is proud of this achievement. Mayor Clement notified the Board of various events in the next few weeks including Conversations with the Mayor on March 22nd and IT Technician Dave Fox’s 25 years of service celebration on March 22nd. He continued that there would be an Adult Egg Hunt on March 31st and Teen Egg Hunt on April 5th at Schroeder Park. Mayor Clement reported on successes in the City. He reported that at the most recent metal and electronic recycling event there were almost 30,000 lbs. of recycling collected with 480 vehicles passing through. The event also collected $495 and 433 food products for Circle of Concern. Mayor Clement also reported data on the usage of the disc golf course at the park. He reported that 1,026 people visited the course in the last year with 563 people visiting for the first time, 156 people traveling from 30 miles away or more, 113 people traveling from 115 miles or more, and 72 people coming from 300 miles away or more to visit the course. Mayor Clement reported that the annual audit begins later in March and limb chipping starts in April. REPORTS FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR Right-of-Way Regulation Amendments Director Tate explained upcoming code revisions regarding right-of-way that he and the City Attorney had been working on in Section 510 and 626.030 of Manchester City Code. He continued that they are looking to combine these sections for clarity and ease of use for City staff, residents, and contractors and update the code to protect the City. Director Tate answered questions regarding responsibility of work being done and fee structure. He explained that the applicant and utility company would be responsible and that the fee and bond is set by the Director based on scope of work. Parental Leave Policy City Administrator Klocke gave a presentation on a proposal for paid parental leave. He explained what paid parental leave is and explained the City is proposing this addition for eligible employees. He described the eligibility requirements. He gave details regarding the current process for parental leave through FMLA explaining that it is unpaid unless the employee uses vacation or sick leave and had been a significant challenge for employees in the past. City Administrator Klocke explained that the proposed leave would cover up to 12 weeks or 480 hours of paid parental leave to eligible employees and must be used within 12 months of the birth of an infant or placement of a child, it is not paid out, and would run concurrently with FMLA. City Administrator Klocke reported that nationally and locally employers have expanded access to paid parental leave and popularity of this benefit was growing. He reported on the estimated annual cost of implementation. He explained that there are costs associated with paid parental leave, but studies show that it is cost saving in terms of recruitment and retention, reducing rehiring and training, reducing absenteeism and tardiness among new Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting 3/20/2023 Page 2 parents, and reduces the likelihood of new parents leaving the labor force. City Administrator Klocke answered Alderman Ottenad’s questions explaining that the leave would be for both parents, if they are eligible employees, and that the 12 weeks of leave was chosen due to research done on parental and child health after birth. He explained that this gives security to new parents in the first year and lowers the risk of rehospitalization after birth. Alderman Huether thanked City Administrator Klocke for bringing this forward to support the employees. She also emphasized the cost of hiring and training for positions of people who leave after birth of a child and that St. Louis County Councilman Tim Fitch had brought something similar to St. Louis County. List of Paid Bills (Warrant dates of 03-06-2023 to 03-19-2023) There were no questions. Reports from the Committees Planning and Zoning Commission Mayor Clement reported that the Planning & Zoning Commission voted to postpone consideration of a greenspace variance at 616 Applecross until the next meeting. This allowed the applicant time to address stormwater runoff. Veterans Commission Alderman Huether reported that the Veterans Commission met this week and are preparing for Memorial Day. She notified the Board that the Hometown Heroes banner program is still ongoing and there are spaces available. She continued that the next meeting was scheduled for April 18th at 5pm via Zoom. Audit and Finance Committee Alderman Toben reported that the Audit and Finance Committee did not meet. Tree Advisory Board Alderman Dodge reported that the Tree Advisory Board did not meet. The next meeting is scheduled for April 4th. Homecoming Committee Alderman Ottenad reported that the first meeting will take place on April 19th at 6:30pm at the Parks building. ACTION ON OLD BILLS None INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATION Resolution No. 23-0919 Police Patrol Vehicle Purchase Alderman Dodge read Proposed Resolution No. 23-0919, entitled: “A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE QUOTE OF BELKOH II, INC. D/B/A BEHLMANN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM IN THE AMOUNT OF FORTY-THREE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY- THREE DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($43,373.00) FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) 2023 Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting 3/20/2023 Page 3 DODGE DURANGO AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CITY OF MANCHESTER TO ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER THEREFOR,” by title only. Alderman Dodge made the motion for approval of Resolution No. 23-0919. The motion was seconded by Alderman Ottenad and carried unanimously, with no objections from any members of the Board of Aldermen. Resolution No. 23-0920 Lease Agreement for Flock Cameras Alderman Baumann read Proposed Resolution No. 23-0920, entitled: “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CITY OF MANCHESTER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH FLOCK GROUP INC. TO PROVIDE ALL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SERVICES NECESSARY FOR THE INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE, AND MONITORING OF SIX (6) ADDITIONAL FLOCK FALCON CAMERAS AT A TOTAL COST OF SEVENTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($17,100.00) FOR THE INITIAL TERM PLUS INSTALLATION AND FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($15,000) PER YEAR THEREAFTER AND EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT FOR TWO (2) EXISITNG CAMERAS AT FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000) PER YEAR,” by title only. Alderman Baumann requested statistics after the cameras installation to see their efficacy at aiding the police. Alderman Baumann made the motion for approval of Resolution No. 23-0920. The motion was seconded by Alderman Ottenad and carried unanimously, with no objections from any members of the Board of Aldermen. Resolution No. 23-0921 Celtic Meadows Replacement Deposit Agreement Alderman Huether read Proposed Resolution No. 23-0921, entitled: “A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A REPLACEMENT LETTER OF CREDIT DEPOSIT AGREEMENT SECURING SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARBORS AT CELTIC MEADOWS SUBDIVISION PLAT 1,” by title only. Alderman Huether made the motion for approval of Resolution No. 23-0921. The motion was seconded by Alderman Ottenad and carried unanimously, with no objections from any members of the Board of Aldermen. Resolution No. 23-0922 Celtic Meadows Developer Letter of Credit Release, Plat One Alderman Toben read Proposed Resolution No. 23-0922, entitled: “A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PARTIAL REDUCTION OF THE DEPOSIT SUM SECURING SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARBORS AT CELTIC MEADOWS SUBDIVISION PLAT 1,” by title only. Alderman Toben made the motion for approval of Resolution No. 23-0922. The motion was Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting 3/20/2023 Page 4 seconded by Alderman Huether and carried unanimously, with no objections from any members of the Board of Aldermen. MISCELLANEOUS Comments from the Public Robert Lopez, owner of 1302 Mautenne, stated that he hoped the Board would vote in favor of paid parental leave and explained they did not have enough time when they had children and as the City progresses this should too. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Alderman Toben made the motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman Huether and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting 3/20/2023 Page 5