MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
City Hall September
18, 2006
Council Chambers 7:00
p.m.
The Mayor led with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Kelly,
Alderwoman Clements, Alderman Marshall, Alderwoman Krewson, Alderman Kramer,
Alderman Robertson, Alderman Wynn, Alderman Cross.
City Attorney
Albrecht, City Clerk/Administrator Seemayer, Director of Planning and
Development/Asst. City Administrator Denton and Executive Secretary Williams.
ABSENT: Alderman Leahy and City Treasurer Reynders.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
THE AGENDA OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2006
Motion was made by Alderwoman
Clements, second by Alderman Marshall to amend the Agenda of the Regular Board
of Aldermen Meeting of September 18, 2006 by placing Bill No. 5348 on
hold. Roll call: Alderwoman Clements, yes; Alderman Marshall,
yes; Alderwoman Krewson, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman Robertson, yes;
Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross, yes.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2006
Motion was made by Alderman
Kramer, second by Alderman Robertson to approve and adopt the Minutes of the
Regular Board of Aldermen Meeting of August 21, 2006. Roll call: Alderwoman
Clements, yes; Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderwoman Krewson, yes; Alderman
Kramer, yes; Alderman Robertson, yes; Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross, yes.
SWEARING-IN OF PATROL OFFICER
Chief Knight came before the
Board and introduced the new Patrol Officer Matthew Morgan for the Brentwood
Police Department. Patrol Officer
Morgan has been in law enforcement for approximately 9 ½ years. He spent his first year as a reserve officer
in Herculaneum. His most recent
assignment was in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department where he served for
8 ½ years as a patrol officer and detective.
He received numerous letters of commendation and appreciation.
Matthew Morgan came before the
Board and was sworn in by the Public Safety Committee Chair Clements.
BIDS – None
HEARING OF ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC
INTEREST UPON REQUEST OF ANY PERSON PRESENT
Students
Alderman Marshall announced that
as part of a school project, two students were in the audience, Lindsey Hellwig
and Angela Binch.
Breckenridge Industrial Bridge
Bob Kintz - #2 York Hills Drive
came before the Board and stated that he is employed by Breckenridge Material
and would like to see the City contribute to the Breckenridge Industrial
Bridge. The column in the middle of the
bridge is causing flooding problems in that area. The bridge is privately owned by the Breckenridge Industrial Park
and they are asking the City to help pay for some of the engineering costs.
Mike Kern - Attorney came before
the Board and stated that he has been helping the trustees of the Breckenridge
Industrial Park on the proposed project and he has worked with Breckenridge
Material as well. As he understands it,
in the past Webster Groves and Brentwood were committed to contributing $25,000
each for the project. Since then, they
have had significant increases in the cost with an engineer estimate of
$200,000 for the project and the bid came in $83,000 higher than that. The utility relocation cost was $33,000
higher. They had requested that
Brentwood and Webster Groves contribute $55,000 each for the project. Webster Groves committed to $48,000 and they
would appreciate the City of Brentwood contributing $48,000 as well so the
project could move forward and hopefully get started next week.
Alderman Cross asked if the
request is approved tonight and the project starts next week, how long would it
take.
Mr. Kern stated that Webber
thought the project would be finished in a month. The bridge would be closed for approximately 30 days. They have arranged through Breckenridge
Material to use the back entrance to their property during that time.
Alderman Cross asked if the
bridge would be rebuilt completely.
Mr. Kern stated that they had
talked about potentially repairing the bridge.
They decided to address Brentwood’s and Webster Groves concerns to do a
single span bridge, so there will be no structural supports in the creek. The entire bridge will be removed and
replaced.
Alderman Cross asked if Brentwood
businesses in Breckenridge Industrial Park are flooded because of the bridge.
Mayor Kelly stated that it has
contributed, not only to the flooding in Breckenridge Industrial Park, but also
the flooding on Manchester Road. It has
been an ongoing problem for a number of years with debris being caught
underneath that bridge, backing up and causing flooding.
Mayor Kelly stated that they did
an assessment of the businesses in that area that will contribute their portion
to replace the bridge, but they still had a shortfall that they were hoping the
cities would make up the difference for.
The Ways and Means Committee talked about it at their meeting and it did
not receive a favorable recommendation to the full Board to raise the amount
from the $25,000 to the $48,000. He
asked that it be reconsidered at Board level and that they support the project
and contribute the $48,000. It is a
storm water project and the funds are available to do it. It will be a significant improvement in that
area.
Alderman Wynn asked why did the
Ways and Means Committee give an unfavorable recommendation.
Alderman Marshall stated that in
the past the City had received a grant to do some work to the bridge and they
had asked Webster Groves to match it and Webster Groves did not. As a storm water project and looking at the
improvements it could make to Manchester Road and the businesses in the
Breckenridge Industrial Park, he would be ready to reconsider and support it.
Mayor Kelly stated that the grant
was to replace the bridge about 15 years ago.
At that time Webster Groves was not willing to contribute their portion,
which would have been $20,000 and the entire bridge could have been
replaced.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated that the City has the $25,000 available. The City of Brentwood could pay a portion of it prior to January
and then pay the balance in January and put it in the budget for next year as a
storm water project, although it would actually be completed in this year.
Alderwoman Krewson stated that
Brentwood’s emergency equipment has to cross that bridge and the fire engines
are very heavy.
Mayor Kelly responded that the
City’s emergency personnel are the first responders to that area.
Alderman Cross stated that they
should support it. In the past they
have used storm water money to help residents and they should do the same for
their businesses.
Motion was made by Alderman
Cross, second by Alderman Marshall to contribute the $48,000 to help fund the
Breckenridge Industrial Bridge. Roll
call: Alderwoman Clements, yes;
Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderwoman Krewson, yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman
Robertson, yes; Alderman Wynn, yes; Alderman Cross, yes.
Presentation of
2005 Audit
Tammy Alsop/Partner – Hochschild,
Bloom & Company came before the Board and stated that she is the lead auditor
on the City’s audit. Mrs. Alsop stated
that the financial statement is broken down into three sections, which are the
Introductory Section, Financial Section and Statistical Section.
Mrs. Alsop stated the Independent
Auditor’s Report states the City received an unqualified opinion. That is the highest form of assurance the
City can receive on the financial statements.
She briefly went over some sections of the audit.
Alderman Marshall asked City
Administrator Seemayer if he could come up with some numbers on what the City
pays and what residents save on trash, utility taxes, and the refinancing of
the TIF bonds.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated that things like trash and taxes waived, etc., are saving the residents
about $1.7 million. He would have to do
some research on the refinancing of the bonds to give an accurate amount on
that.
Alderman Kramer stated that he
was concerned about the City’s reserve.
For a city of this size, the amount of revenue that is taken in and the
amount of expenses that they project, the fund balance seems low.
Mrs. Alsop responded that it
depends on what the City sets as its goal to keep in its reserve. The GFOA recommends between 5% and 15% of
expenditures. The City has 8%, which is
in between those numbers.
Mayor Kelly stated that the
City’s goal was to increase the reserve by $300,000 and they got it to around
$315,000, which is a credit to City Administrator Seemayer and his staff
because it was not budgeted. It was
done through looking and being penny-wise in the purchases throughout the year
in all departments of the City.
City Administrator Seemayer
stated that the bulk of what they consider the reserve is the taxes they do not
assess. At one point their thought was
to keep the reserve at about 25%. They
do not want to set a tax rate so high just to keep the money there. They would rather have the tax available
should they need it. They would like to
keep the figure that is waived as part of the equation because they have always
had the ability to assess that but they do not.
Mayor Kelly stated that they had
a refunding come due on the Promenade in August and the amounts were very
positive. It has put them on a level
where they should be in mid-year of 2008.
That shows the success of the projects and makes the outlook brighter
for the city in the future.
Mrs. Alsop thanked City
Administrator Seemayer, Finance Officer Zimmer and the staff for the help and
cooperation they receive every year.
Motion was made by Alderman
Marshall, second by Alderman Wynn to accept the 2005 Audit. All in favor none opposed.
Certificate of Financial Achievement Award
Mayor Kelly stated it is an honor
for the City to receive a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in
Financial Reporting for the 6th year in a row. It shows the dedication of the accounting
staff with the leadership of Susan Zimmer as Finance Officer. Susan Zimmer came before the Board and
accepted the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Award.
INTRODUCTIONS, READINGS, AND
PASSAGE OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
First and Second Readings of Bill No. 5349
Motion was made by Alderwoman
Clements, second by Alderman Cross to give Bill No. 5349 first and second
readings. All in favor none opposed.
City Attorney Albrecht gave Bill No.
5349,AN
ORDINANCE GRANTING APPROVAL OF A SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PARKING LOT
MODIFICATIONS AND A NEW BUILDING FACADE FOR AN OFFICE BUILDING AT PROPERTY
NUMBERED 3021 BRENTWOOD BOULEVARD WHICH PERMITS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER
25, SECTIONS 126 AND 260 OF THE BRENTWOOD CITY CODE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT
SITE; PROVIDING THE CONDITIONS TO SUCH DEVELOPMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE, its first and second readings.
Alderman Kramer read a synopsis
of Bill No. 5349 as a Bill that approves a site plan for Millman Lumber at 3021
Brentwood Blvd. The site plan requirements include street shade trees, removal
of the existing pole sign and removal of the existing chain link fence. The
site plan was reviewed and approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Motion was made by Alderman
Cross, second by Alderman Marshall to approve and adopt Bill No. 5349. Roll call:
Alderwoman Clements, yes; Alderman Marshall, yes; Alderwoman Krewson,
yes; Alderman Kramer, yes; Alderman Robertson, yes; Alderman Wynn, yes;
Alderman Cross, yes.
The Mayor thereupon declared Bill
No. 5349 duly passed and signed same into approval thereof. Said Bill was given Ordinance No. 4041.
ACCOUNTS AGAINST THE CITY
Motion was made by Alderman Marshall,
second by Alderman Robertson to approve the revised warrant list dated
9/18/06. All in favor none opposed.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Committee Appointments
Mayor Kelly requested that
Alderman Kramer be appointed to the Public Works Committee and Alderwoman
Clements to the Ways and Means Committee.
He also requested that Debra Behrendt from Brentwood Forest be appointed
to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Motion was made by Alderwoman
Clements, second by Alderman Wynn to approve the appointments as noted. All in favor none opposed.
Municipal League Meeting
Mayor Kelly stated the Municipal
League monthly meeting would be held at City Hall in November.
Public Safety Committee
– No report
Public Works Committee
– No report
Director of Planning and Development – No
report
Ways and Means Committee
– No further report
City Attorney – No
report
City Clerk/Administrator
– No report
Excise Commissioner
– No report
Library – No report
Municipal League –
No report
Communications – No
further report
Insurance Committee
– No report
Historical Society
– No report
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Students
Lindsey Hellwig and Angela Binch
the two students attending the meeting came before the Board and introduced
themselves.
NEW BUSINESS
Comprehensive Plan
Alderman Kramer stated he and
Alderman Cross attended the planning session that was held on September 14th
by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has accepted the Comprehensive Plan
and it is up to the Board to ratify that adoption. The consensus was that the Plan was a very accurate reflection of
the residents’ input and comments. They
talked about the planning recommendations that may or may not have been within
the Plan, whether or not they got to the actual point of making a
recommendation or just giving them the data so that they could take the next
step. It seems as though the Plan was
as full as it could be with information for all of them to consider taking that
next step without perhaps being led by a recommendation. There were topics of consideration going
back to the previous Comprehensive Plan in 1991 where that Plan drove at least
two different developments in Brentwood.
In this particular case, this Plan does not do that. It leaves it up to the city fathers and the
community to make that step.
Alderman Cross stated that she
was under the impression that the Planning and Zoning Commission adopts the
Comprehensive Plan and they have already done that.
Mayor Kelly stated the
Comprehensive Plan is a guideline. It
is a tool for the Planning and Zoning Commission to look at when developments
are proposed. He does not think the
1991 Comprehensive Plan drove any projects.
All of the projects in Brentwood have been initiated by the property
owners. The Comprehensive Plan was the
guideline that determined whether their desires as property owners fell into
the wishes of a community as a whole. The
City will hold one more public session and then it will come back to the full
Board and will be approved by a resolution.
Legally the Board of Aldermen cannot adopt a comprehensive plan as an
ordinance.
Brentwood Days
Alderman Wynn thanked everyone
for one of the most wonderful Brentwood Days.
Mayor Kelly stated the staff worked
very hard in putting that together and they appreciate all of their hard work.
Update on the Rosalie Trail/Bridge
Alderman Marshall stated that the
bridge is in place. He apologized to
the residents in Ward 2 that were affected by the power outage. When Ameren UE turned the electricity off to
move some lines the pole snapped because it was rotten. Through the help of Street Superintendent
Nahmensen, they were able to temporarily move the lines to an existing pole and
the power was restored.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Alderwoman
Clements, second by Alderman Wynn to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. All in favor none opposed.
Pat Kelly, Mayor
Attest:
Chris Seemayer, City Clerk