Board of Aldermen Meeting

CITY OF WILLARD BOARD OF ALDERMAN SPECIAL MEETING May 23, 2013 Board present: Alderman Trapp-present, Alderman Roggensees--present, Alderman Hemphill- present(arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Alderman McDonald, Alderman Johnson, Alderman Vincent-present and Mayor Forshee-present Staff present: City Clerk, Dale Duvall; Community Services Director; J.C. Loveland and Police Reserve, Bill Lingensfielser. City Attorney Jon Gold was present. Citizens in attendance: Barbara Cosby, Mindy Latham, Robert Latham, Roscoe Killingsworth, Brooke Kaufman, Kendall McTeer, Sherry Bowen, Jon Hones, Craig and Jessica Baird, Darren and Julie Munsey, Tim Perriman, Deanna Allen, Linda Mayne, Celeen Thedell, Amy Dran, Christi Stellfield, Linda Leaper, David Leaper,Rob Stellfield, Shane Randolph, Darren Randolph, Beth Jones, Madisyn Jones, Jenna Kaufman, Stacia Buffington, Marchelle Roe and Sam Baird. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Forshee. Call to Order Mayor Forshee called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Roll Call The City Clerk called the roll call. Alderman Trapp-present, Alderman Hemphill-present, Alderman Johnson--present, Alderman Vincent-present, Alderman McDonald-present, Alderman Roggensees- present and Mayor Forshee-present. Citizens Input The Mayor announced that citizens input would first be limited to the alcohol ordinance and that time permitting, there would citizen input on any other topics. Stacia Buffington of the Willard Chamber of Commerce and the owner of Top Hat liquor spoke in favor of the alcohol ordinance, stating that it is good for businesses in Willard because it will bring more people in to town for special events. Alderman Vincent stated that he had received an email by the Church of Latter Day Saints and that they will not allow parking at the church for the Freedom Fest, if alcohol is served due to the liability if there is a drinking related accident. Linda Mayne of Carpenters House Church spoke against the alcohol ordinance. She stated that she has seen how alcohol can affect a child’s home life and that the ordinance sends a bad message to children. Sam Baird of the Willard Chamber of Commerce stated that he believes that the ordinance will help business growth in Willard by bringing in outside visitors and outside businesses. Marchelle Roe-owner of the No Name Saloon stated that she is for the ordinance and that she believes that it will benefit the city by offering potential growth. Ms. Roe also stated that she believes this is about promoting business, not alcohol. Gene Thomas-stated that he does not believe that the ordinance will benefit the city. 05-23-2013 BOA Special Minutes Page 1 of 3 Laurie Pendergrass-member of the Willard Park Board and a member of the Special Events Committee that was created for City sponsored events stated that the intention behind changing the alcohol ordinance is economic growth by bringing more people into the city. Barbara Cosby-stated that she doesn’t believe that Freedom Fest needs alcohol. She stated that the only businesses that benefit are the owners of the No Name Saloon and Top Hat Liquor. She stated that she believes that it sends a message to the kids that you have to have alcohol to be able to have fun. Celine Cedell-stated that she does not see how the ordinance will help to “grow” the community. The said that the event is already very well attended and asked why does the city have the desire to add alcohol to be a part of the community events. Amy Dean-stated that she believes that it is not right to have alcohol at a family event such as Freedom Fest. She believes that alcohol make the event not a family promoted function. There were not more comments about the alcohol ordinance and so the Mayor opened the floor for open citizen input. Brooke Kaufman-said that she believes that the Board of Aldermen follows its own rules and bullies employees and others. She added that Kevin McDonald was the supervisor of Whitney for three years with no complaints and was interested in knowing where the complaints were coming from. Brooke stated that she the Board harassed Whitney and that and Whitney did an excellent job. Laurie Pendergrass-stated that she thought Whitney had done an excellent job and would like to know why Whitney was fired. Beth Jones-member of the Park Board said that she agrees with Laurie Pendergrass and Brooke Kaufman. She stated that she never sees any of the Board of Aldermen at the recreation center. She said that the Mayor stated that he was blindsided by the termination of Ms. Shoffner and Beth believes that the citizens deserves answers. Kendell McTeer-said that she was a former Willard Parks employee and that she resigned because she was disgusted that after all Whitney and Amanda had done, that Whitney was let go. Sherry Bowen-stated that she was a former employee of the Willard Parks Department and that she valued the job that Whitney had done. Sherry believes the Board gets rid of the employees that care the most about the city and that she would not be enrolling her children in Willard Parks programs again. Kristine Stellfield-stated that the Park Board had approved the purchase of the bus for the Parks Department and then the Board rejected it. She said that Whitney did an awesome job and that she believed the Board was wrong for letting her go. Jon Jones-asked what the purpose of the Park Board is if the Board of Aldermen do not listen to the ideas and recommendations that are brought to them. Deanna Allen-stated that she had seen the hard work the Whitney and Amanda did and that the Parks Department worked together as a team and that the Board lost it all from just one act. Linda Leaper-said Whitney did an excellent job and was very devoted to her job. Tricia Taylor-stated that the Board had done a major disservice to the community by firing Whitney. Jeanna Kaufman-said that she thought it was a bad idea to let Whitney go. Julie Munsey-stated that for the Board to talk morals on one item(alcohol) and then to handle the situation with Whitney the way that they did is talking out of both sides of their mouths, and that they can’t do that. 05-23-2013 BOA Special Minutes Page 2 of 3 She also told Alderman McDonald and the rest of the Board that she could not support them if they work this way. She said she will not be sending her kids to summer camp in Willard anymore. Amendment to the Alcohol Ordinance Alderman Hemphill asked the City Clerk to explain exactly what the Board is voting on at this time. The City Clerk explained that it was on the ability for people to drink on city and public property with a special events permit and all of the other city and state regulations being met. The ordinance passing tonight would not ensure that there would be a beer garden at Freedom Fest. It would merely give someone the ability to apply for a special events permit requesting to sell alcohol/have a beer garden at Freedom Fest. The Board discussed the ordinance and they were in general consensus that they were not in favor of the ordinance at this time. They would like to allow for more citizen input and more research being done before deciding on the issue. The Mayor asked for a first on the item and there was none. The item dies for a lack of a motion. Alderman Trapp told those present that they need to get involved and be heard. She said that the Board does listen and that,” if the City really wants to grow then let’s work on it.” Mayor Forshee said that he would like to have the alcohol on city/public property go to a vote of the people and see what they want. Alderman Vincent stated that he does and is listening to the citizens. Adjourn meeting Motion made by Alderman Vincent and seconded by Alderman Trapp to adjourn the open meeting. Alderman Vincent-Aye, Alderman Johnson-Aye, Alderman McDonald-Aye, Alderman Trapp-Aye, Alderman Roggensees-Aye and Alderman Hemphill- Aye. All votes aye. Motion carried. The Mayor announced that the Board would be going into closed session pursuant to RSMo Section 610.021 (#1) and (#3) Personnel. 7:48 p.m. Closed Session Motion made by Alderman Vincent and seconded by Alderman Hemphill to go into closed session pursuant to Section 610.021 (#3) Personnel. Alderman Vincent-Aye, Alderman Johnson-Aye, Alderman Simmons-Aye, Alderman Trapp-Aye, Alderman Roggensees-Aye and Alderman Hemphill- Aye. All votes aye. Motion carried. 8:00 p.m. Motion made by Alderman McDonald and seconded by Alderman Vincent to close the closed session. Alderman Vincent-Aye, Alderman Johnson-Aye, Alderman Simmons-Aye, Alderman Trapp-Aye, Alderman Roggensees-Aye and Alderman Hemphill- Aye. All votes aye. Motion carried. Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 p.m. __________________________ Wendell Forshee, Mayor of Willard Dale Duvall, City Clerk 05-23-2013 BOA Special Minutes Page 3 of 3