MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
City Hall November
21, 2005
Council Chambers 7:00
p.m.
The Mayor led with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Kelly,
Alderwoman Jepsen, Alderman Marshall, Alderman Leahy, Alderman Golfin, Alderman
Kramer, Alderman Wynn and Alderman Cross.
City
Attorney Albrecht, City Clerk/Administrator Seemayer, Executive Secretary
Williams.
ABSENT: Alderman Robertson,
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Payken and Treasurer Reynders.
Mayor Kelly expressed condolences
to the families of Alderman Kramer and Alderman Robertson for the passing of
Alderman Kramer’s mother and Alderman Robertson’s sister. He requested a moment of prayer for the
families.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
THE AGENDA OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING OF NOVEMBER 21, 2005
Motion was made by Alderman
Golfin, second by Alderman Cross to approve and adopt the Agenda of the Regular
Board of Aldermen Meeting of November 21, 2005. Roll call: Alderwoman
Jepsen, yes; Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderman Leahy, yes; Alderman Golfin, yes;
Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross, yes.
Motion was made by Alderman
Marshall, second by Alderman Wynn to place Bill No. 5299 and 5300 on hold and
send to the Ways and Means Committee for further discussion. Roll call:
Alderwoman Jepsen, yes; Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderman Leahy, yes;
Alderman Golfin, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross,
yes.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING OF NOVEMBER 7, 2005
Motion was made by Alderman
Leahy, second by Alderman Golfin to approve and adopt the Minutes of the
Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting of November 7, 2005 as submitted. Roll call:
Alderwoman Jepsen, yes; Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderman Leahy, yes;
Alderman Golfin, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross,
yes.
BIDS – None
HEARING OF ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC
INTEREST UPON REQUEST OF ANY PERSON PRESENT
Bonnie Rasmussen – 8828 Pendleton
came before the Board and stated she was speaking as a former member of the
Comprehensive Plan Committee. They have
finished their work and have dissolved their committee at their meeting last
Wednesday evening. The plan is on
schedule. The plan was sent to the
Planning and Zoning Commission through Ron Waterman, a member of the
Commission. After the Planning and
Zoning Commission is finished reviewing it and it meets their approval, they
will pass it on to the Board of Aldermen.
She stated it was a good experience and they are very pleased with the
work that Woolpert did and the public input that was received.
INTRODUCTIONS, READINGS, AND
PASSAGE OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
First and Second Readings of Bills
Motion was made by Alderman Cross,
second by Alderman Leahy to give Bills No. 5301 and 5302 first and second
readings. Roll call: Alderwoman Jepsen, yes; Alderman Marshall,
yes; Alderman Leahy, yes; Alderman Golfin, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman
Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross, yes.
Bill No. 5301 – Restaurant Liquor Licenses
City Attorney Albrecht gave Bill
No. 5301, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF
THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD, MISSOURI BY DELETING SECTION 3-29 (g) IN ITS ENTIRETY,
AND ENACTING IN LIEU THEREOF A NEW SECTION 3-29 (g) AS IT RELATES TO RESTAURANT
LIQUOR LICENSES; PROVIDING FOR THE CURRENT MAINTENANCE OF THIS CODE; PROVIDING
FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, its first and second readings.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated certain types of categories of liquor licenses have a maximum number of
licenses allowed by Brentwood ordinances.
Restaurants have a maximum of 9 in the City of Brentwood. With the prospect of several new restaurants
coming into Brentwood in the next 12 to 24 months, the Ways and Means Committee
voted unanimously to remove the ceiling for restaurant liquor licenses
only. The other ones that still have
limits are bar liquor licenses and full liquor licenses.
Alderman Kramer asked what was
the difference between the sit down restaurants that sell liquor and the liquor
establishments that sell food, and which one is considered a restaurant.
Mayor Kelly stated it is based on
their percentage of sales in food and liquor.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated 51% of their gross sales have to be food. Restaurant liquor licenses are served by the drink only at the
establishment, no package liquor.
Motion was made by Alderman
Golfin, second by Alderman Marshall to approve and adopt Bill No. 5301. Roll call:
Alderwoman Jepsen, yes; Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderman Leahy, yes;
Alderman Golfin, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross,
yes.
The Mayor thereupon declared Bill
No. 5301 duly passed and signed same into approval thereof. Said Bill was given Ordinance No. 3996.
Bill No. 5302 – Airspace Agreement
City Attorney Albrecht gave Bill
No. 5302, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD, MISSOURI
TO ENTER INTO AN AIRSPACE AGREEMENT WITH THE BI-STATE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE
MISSOURI-ILLINOIS METROPOLITAN DISTRICT, its first and second readings.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated Bill No. 5302 would grant the easements to the City for the construction
of Strassner Road underneath the Metro Link bridge. Metro has airspace rights wherever their tracks are located, so
they would be granting temporary construction easements, as well as a permanent
easement for the road itself.
Alderman Leahy asked if there is
anything in the agreement with Metro that establishes what the height
difference between the road and bridge would be. Can the City lower the road to the point that they make that
height difference greater?
Mayor Kelly stated structurally
he does not think so. That was taken
into account when the design of the bridge was made.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated the City would always have the right to lower it if it could be done
structurally. Metro took into
consideration the height of the bridge when the specifications were put
together. It is well above 13’ 6”. They also had some additional issues for
clearance to prevent static electrical interference.
Alderwoman Jepsen asked about a
utility easement shown on Exhibit A and the location of it once it approaches
Southside Roofing.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated that is only showing you where Metro’s easement is being granted. Southside Roofing is selling the property to
them.
Motion was made by Alderman
Cross, second by Alderman Marshall to approve and adopt Bill No. 5302. Roll call:
Alderwoman Jepsen, yes; Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderman Leahy, yes;
Alderman Golfin, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross,
yes.
The Mayor thereupon declared Bill
No. 5302 duly passed and signed same into approval thereof. Said Bill was given Ordinance No. 3997.
Resolution No. 926 – Joint Resolution Highway
40/I-64 Corridor
Mayor Kelly stated Resolution No.
926 is a joint resolution with Clayton, Frontenac, Ladue, Maplewood, Richmond Heights
and St. Louis City against MoDOT’s proposal to close Highway 40 during
construction. It would be a detriment
to this area of the County.
Alderman Golfin stated he has
received a number of calls from people who are concerned about it. The resolution is something they strongly
need.
Motion was made by Alderman Wynn,
second by Alderman Golfin to amend Resolution No. 926 to include “Brentwood” in
the second “Whereas”, and replace the “City of Ladue” with the “City of
Brentwood” in Section 1. Roll
call: Alderwoman Jepsen, yes; Alderman
Marshall, yes; Alderman Leahy, yes; Alderman Golfin, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes;
Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross, yes.
Motion was made by Alderman Wynn,
second by Alderman Golfin to approve Resolution No. 926 as amended. Roll call:
Alderwoman Jepsen, yes; Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderman Leahy, yes;
Alderman Golfin, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross,
yes.
Resolution No. 927 – Hazard Mitigation Grant
City Administrator Seemayer stated
the City received a State grant through SEMA to purchase two properties in
Hanley Industrial Court, the former Children’s Aquarium and Lawlor Construction
Co. Between the City and MSD they will
be receiving approximately $790,000.
Approximately $580,000 was a grant to the City and MSD is matching the
other portion of it. Resolution No. 927
is the legislation to make the funds available as the negotiations move forward
with the two property owners.
Mayor Kelly stated that they
appreciate the hard work and all the paperwork that Rob Hussey completed to get
the grant for the City.
Alderman Leahy asked if the money
from the grant is only for the purchase of the properties or would some of the
funds be used to remove the buildings that are currently there. Would the City have to come up with those
funds?
City Administrator Seemayer
stated the amount the City is getting is set.
It can be used for that.
Depending on the final price the land is acquired for would determine
how much, if any, would be available for the demolition.
Alderwoman Jepsen asked if there
is enough room in next year’s budget to take the buildings down.
Mayor Kelly stated the demolition
is not going to be a huge cost. At the
most, it would be about $10,000 to $15,000 per property. MSD had funds designated for buyout and
flood proofing in that area. This money
is supplementing those funds designated specifically for the buyout. The money they had designated is now freed
up for additional buyout, flood proofing, etc.
Alderman Golfin stated the
resolution states that the funds are intended to be used towards acquisition
and/or relocation of residential properties.
Does that mean a commercial property would be excluded?
City Administrator Seemayer
stated no. The language in the
resolution is what was sent to the City.
It is for the two commercial properties.
Motion was made by Alderman
Leahy, second by Alderman Marshall to approve and adopt Resolution No.
927. Roll call: Alderwoman Jepsen, yes; Alderman Marshall,
yes; Alderman Leahy, yes; Alderman Golfin, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman
Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross, yes.
Resolution No. 928 – Holiday Open House
Resolution No. 928 allows the
City to serve beer and wine at the Holiday Open House on December 5, 2005 at the
Recreation Center.
Motion was made by Alderman
Cross, second by Alderman Kramer to approve and adopt Resolution No. 928. Roll call:
Alderwoman Jepsen, no; Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderman Leahy, yes;
Alderman Golfin, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman Wynn, no; Alderman Cross,
yes.
ACCOUNTS AGAINST THE CITY
Motion was made by Alderman
Marshall, second by Alderman Leahy to approve the revised warrant list dated
11/21/05. All in favor none opposed.
Alderman Marshall stated that the
amounts for Motorola, Reuther Ford and Armor Equipment were all paid for by
grants.
Mayor’s Report
Veterans Day
Mayor Kelly thanked everyone that
attended the Veterans Day Celebration.
The turnout was good and so were the speakers.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Mayor Kelly thanked everyone for
attending the Tree Lighting Ceremony last Friday. The Public Works Department has planted a live tree in front of
the Brentwood Recreation Center that the community could decorate with outside
type ornaments.
Holiday Open House
The Holiday Open House will be
held on December 5th at 5:00 p.m. at the Brentwood Recreation
Center.
Comprehensive Storm Water Plan
Mayor Kelly stated the City
needed to start working on a Comprehensive Storm Water Plan for the entire
City. He looked at a plan from the
City of Crestwood and it is a very good process. It is a thorough analysis of storm water needs and an overall
comprehensive plan for the city. It has
a very good rating system for prioritizing projects. The process for Brentwood would be that Director of Public
Works/City Engineer Payken would develop an RFP to hire an engineer. He suggested the Board look at the City of
Crestwood Storm Water Comprehensive Plan with the rating system, evaluation of
projects, etc.
Public Safety Committee – No report
Public Works Committee – No report
City Engineer – No report
Ways and Means Committee – No report
City Attorney – No report
City Clerk/Administrator – No report
Director of Economic Development
Update
Alderman Kramer asked for a Comprehensive
Plan Steering Committee update.
Mayor Kelly stated they were
doing some final survey work at that meeting, but that was more of an open
house for the public to look at the overall plan that will be presented to the
Planning and Zoning Commission.
Excise Commissioner
– No report
Library – No report
Municipal League –
No report
Waste Management Commission
Efforts to Increase Recycling
Alderman Golfin stated that at
the last Waste Management Commission meeting they agreed that their goal for
next year would be 50% recycle. They
will be doing some incentive awards with dinner for two and lunch for two with
the grant money they hope to get from St. Louis County.
Communication – No
further report
Insurance Committee
Insurance Rates
City Administrator Seemayer
stated the City provides the health insurance for the employees through United
Health Care. They have come back to the
City with a 39.2% increase this year.
Obviously, that is not an increase the City can absorb. While the employees pay a good portion of
the total healthcare cost, the City still provides the vast majority of
it. That cost would take them well over
$700,000. It would not be affordable
for the City, or for the employees.
They have looked to Blue/Cross Blue Shield and have made some plan
changes/reductions in the benefits and were able to get a lower rate. It is a situation where they have to try to
find a solution. The rates have just
been out of reach for the last nine years.
Alderman Marshall stated the industry
had quoted that it was going to be an increase around 9% to 10% on an average,
so when the 39.2% came in they were rather shocked.
Mayor Kelly stated it is hitting
the smaller organizations the most.
They are getting the higher increases because they are not as
diversified. The other thing is that
one of the City’s employee groups is one of the highest groups for healthcare
benefit cost.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated they are trying to be innovative and come up with alternate solutions like
self-insurance, partially self-insurance and pooling with some other
cities. The City was able to get a
handle on the trash service by doing it in-house. The insurance is one they have not been successful with and it is
not for a lack of trying. If they find
a better way of doing it, it will be done.
Mayor Kelly stated City staff had
talked to a group some time back about doing self-insured health insurance for
municipalities. It is a risk benefit
analysis that you have to take on something like that. At the time they had not gotten to that
level. If they continue to look at 10%
to 20% increases every year, the decision will have to be made on how to
proceed. In the past, they have also
talked to the Brentwood School District about trying to merge to form a bigger
group, but their policies did not match.
Alderman Kramer asked if the City
is legally allowed to have two separate coverages, one for the high-risk group
and one for the rest of the City.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated the language that he has seen does not seem to allow that. They have not researched that much.
Mayor Kelly stated that is one of
the problems right now. The City is
just not diversified enough, so if you single out that one group that premium
might shoot way up.
Alderman Marshall stated maybe
now with the increase in rates for the City and the school district it might be
more beneficial for the district to consider working with the City on the
insurance.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated they would talk not just to the school district, but to other cities as
well. The City has been self insured in
worker’s compensation insurance, liability, vehicle and property and has been
very successful. The City has
approximately 115 employees. They have
been told by most agencies that to lesson the risks you need about 200 to 250
employees.
Historical Society
– No report
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Public Works Department
Alderman Wynn thanked the Public
Works Department for doing a wonderful job with the lights on Lawn Avenue.
Rosalie/Eulalie Sewer Project
Alderman Marshall stated he has
spoken to Mr. Payken about the Rosalie/Eulalie Sewer Project and the project is
moving forward. They just finished the
design phase. Mr. Payken and MSD’s
representative will be contacting the affected people. Hopefully the project will start in the
springtime.
Scouting for Food Drive
Alderman Leahy stated the
Brentwood Fire Department was kind enough to work with the Boy Scouts of
America to provide a collection center for the Scouting for Food Drive. He is very grateful to the residents of the
City of Brentwood that helped by putting the canned goods out. The Scouts collected 1.9 million cans for the
St. Louis area food pantries. Brentwood
was part of that effort for their 21st year.
Ward 3 Meeting
A Ward 3 meeting will be held on
Tuesday, November 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
NEW BUSINESS – None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Alderman Cross, second by Alderman
Wynn to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
All in favor none opposed.
Pat
Kelly, Mayor
Attest:
Chris Seemayer, City Clerk