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MINUTES of the City of Crystal Lake Park, Missouri Regular Meeting of the Board of Alderman Monday, July 10, 2006
Mayor Balcer welcomed the residents to the meeting and asked that the roll call be taken.
ROLL CALL:
Mayor and Alderpersons: Mayor Matt Balcer, and Alderpersons Bonnie Taylor, Jim Gehringer, Jim Leonard and Sandy Spitzer were present.
City Officials: Present: City Clerk Lois La Driere, City Treasurer Ann Bradley, Police Commissioner Steve Sood, City Attorney Dan Human, Building Commissioner (PC) Rob Lappe and members Rita Brinkmann and Amy Cislo, and Board of Adjustment members Sue Glarner, Martin Long and Barry Larson. None.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW OFFICIAL:
Mayor Balcer introduced the new City Clerk, Lois La Driere, who was then sworn in by outgoing City Clerk, Karen Coon. Coon was then thanked by the Mayor for her long and distinguished service to the City and was given a gift by the City for her work. Coon thanked the Board and residents in attendance and donated a lap top computer to the City.
Mayor Balcer asked for a vote to approve the Meeting Agenda for July 10, 2006. Alderperson Gehringer asked to add to the agenda under New Business a discussion of the recent trash collection bill residents had recently received. A Motion was duly made and seconded, and the Agenda was approved as amended.
ORDINANCES:
Bill no. 406
Mayor Balcer made a Motion to read the Bill for entry into the minutes. A discussion ensued and Alderperson Bonnie Taylor said that she was disinclined to vote in the affirmative for the ordinance involving District D. She stated that although she was aware of the amount of work that went into drafting the ordinance, she believes after attending recent Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment meetings that there is a lack of consensus among the members with respect to the bill’s specifics. She also noted that residents who reside on Oak Drive, which would be affected by the new ordinance, were, in particular, also most affected by recent new construction. She also said that at the last Planning and Zoning Commission meeting a subcommittee had been formed to develop a vision for the City and that any architectural guidelines relative to new construction should emanate from the subcommittee’s work. Taylor further said that she believed the City should keep the current ordinance in effect until a vision of the City is outlined and architectural guidelines are delineated.
Alderperson Jim Gehringer concurred with Alderperson Taylor that there appeared to be no consensus concerning height, setbacks, and more, among the Commission and Board of Adjustment members. He noted further that BC Lappe should not be discouraged by this setback to the ordinance; however, he also was disinclined to approve the ordinance.
BC Lappe responded that it had taken eighteen months to draft the ordinance and that the ordinance simply attempted to certify the building standards for the District’s 50, 75 and 100 foot lots. Lappe also stated that it was unlikely that a consensus would ever be reached by the current Commission and Board of Adjustment members. He noted the lack of experience in building and architecture among current members as the primary reason. Further, Lappe stated that on his behalf, as well as on the ordinance’s behalf, the ordinance should be approved.
Mayor Balcer explained that Ordinance D basically dealt only with the lines of a new home, not architecture or materials used. Board of Adjustment member Barry Larson indicated that he would like the ordinance to be more restrictive with regard to heights of homes, setbacks, etc., because developers will always ask for more in the form of variances. Alderperson Leonard said that he was more concerned about builders fixing the streets correctly upon completion of construction than being restrictive with how people want to build their homes. Former Alderperson Stefan Cooke, who was in attendance, explained that the ordinance is strictly a guideline and that the Planning and Zoning Commission could still restrict builders and maintain the standards wanted by the City and its residents. Resident Kelly Larson then spoke and said that she also believed that the City needed a vision. She noted that at the last Planning and Zoning Commission meeting the builder was told he must have a 30’ height on the home as opposed to the 32’ he was proposing in his current plan. Larson noted that the builder of a proposed new home immediately produced an amended plan with the 30’ height. In other words, builders would conform to whatever restrictions the City has and would not be adverse to building in the City if regulations were more restrictive. Larson added that she also has an issue with the lengths of setback requirements and the amount of green space between homes. Planning and Zoning Commission member Rita Brinkmann, who was also in attendance, noted that the City’s ordinances do not ensure that builders will replace trees and adequately repair the streets. Mayor Balcer then explained that green space is a separate issue than the District D Ordinance which was now before the Board. What we don’t have, he said, is enforcement of the ordinances. Resident Lee Crockett then stated that he believed the City should be more careful about its ordinances and that they should be as restrictive as possible. He asked why the City should be so accommodating to builders.
Mayor Balcer asked if there were any more questions or comments from the public concerning the ordinance for District D that was now before the Board. Having none, Balcer announced the end of the public session. Alderperson Spitzer then polled the alderpersons as to whether any of them planned to build new homes in District D. Alderperson Taylor said that she recently had purchased an existing home in the neighborhood, but that she would be rehabbing it as opposed to replacing it with a new home. Mayor Balcer then stated that the options before the Board were to vote to approve the ordinance, deny it or table it. Alderperson Spitzer then made a Motion to read the proposed ordinance and a vote was taken. Alderperson Spitzer voted in favor of reading Bill 406, while Alderpersons Taylor, Leonard and Gehringer voted to oppose. City Attorney Human then advised the Board that the ordinance could be reintroduced at a later date.
Bill No. 407, Ordinance no. 382
Moving on, Mayor Balcer made a Motion to adopt the new code book for the City. He then asked asked City Attorney Human to read the bill twice by title.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND ENACTING A NEW CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE PARK; ESTABLISHING THE SAME; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES NOT INCLUDED THEREIN, EXCEPT AS HEREIN EXPRESSLY PROVIDED; PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER OF AMENDING SUCH CODE OF ORDINANCES; PROVIDING PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
The bill was read twice and the bill was announced as having been published for public inspection prior to the meeting. Discussion occurred. Alderperson Taylor noted that the information relating to the City’s codes currently featured on the City’s website differed from the Code Book. Alderperson Gehringer asked if the City had contracted with the company that printed the code book to provide additional services such as keeping the information updated on the website as well. Mayor Balcer said that he believed the company would only be updating changes made with respect to St. Louis County ordinances, not any ordinances that would be voted on specifically by the City of Crystal Lake Park.
Mayor Balcer then made a Motion to approve the code book ordinance, which was seconded and Mayor Balcer callthe motion for a vote which vote occurred as follows: Alderperson Gehringer – aye, Alderperson Leonard – Aye, Alderperson Spitzer, aye and Alderperson Taylor – aye. Bill no. 407, Ordinance no. 382 was approved and passed by the Board of Alderpersons of the City of Crystal Lake Park, Missouri this 10th day of July, 2006.
Bill no. 408, Ordinance no. 383
Mayor Balcer then introduced Bill no. 408, Ordinance no. 383, and asked City Attorney Dan Human to read the bill twice by title.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE PARK FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2005.
The bill was read twice and the bill was announced as having been published for public inspection prior to the meeting. A Motion was made and seconded to approve Bill no. 408, Ordinance no. 383, following which Mayor Balcer called the Motion for a vote, which vote occurred as follows: Alderperson Gehringer – aye, Alderperson Leonard – aye, Alderperson Spitzer – aye, and Alderperson Taylor – aye. Bill no. 408, Ordinance no. 383 was approved and passed by the Board of Alderpersons of the City of Crystal Lake Park, Missouri this 10th day of July, 2006.
Bill no. 409, Ordinance no. 384
Mayor Balcer then introduced Bill no. 409, Ordinance no. 384, and asked City Attorney Dan Human to read the bill twice by title.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAY OF CRYSTAL LAKE PARK TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF FRONTENAC FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES.
The bill was read twice and the bill was announced as having been published for public inspection prior to the meeting. Discussion ensued.
Alderperson Leonard asked what benefit the City would receive as a result of this contract and Mayor Balcer replied that the City would receive much more oversight than currently provided by St. Louis County. He further explained that the purpose of the contract was to provide the City with professionals to inspect new homes being constructed or renovation on existing homes. He noted that electrical and plumbing repairs and changes on the interior of homes would apply, too. Planning & Zoning Commission member Rita Brinkmann inquired as to whether this contract would be retroactive to include the new homes currently under construction in the City. Mayor Balcer answered no, and stated that the City would have to amend the contract to be effective as of today’s meeting. Alderperson Gehringer suggested that the City go ahead with the City of Frontenac contract as of today relative to any new homes proposed, and that St. Louis County inspectors could continue their inspections of those new homes now in mid-construction. It was noted that even with the contract with the City of Frontenac, that St. Louis County would still provide electrical and plumbing inspections.
A Motion was made and seconded to approve Bill no. 409, Ordinance no. 384, following which Mayor Balcer called the motion for a vote, which vote occurred as follows: Alderperson Gehringer – aye, Alderperson Spitzer – aye, Alderperson Leonard – aye and Alderperson Taylor – aye. Bill no. 409, Ordinance no. 384 was approved approved and passed by the Board of Alderpersons of the City of Crystal Lake Park, Missouri this 10th day of July, 2006.
Mayor Balcer then made a Motion, which was seconded, to approve the June minutes of the Board of Alderpersons, which was then unanimously approved.
REPORTS:
A. City Officials
1. Mayor’s Report – No report.
2. Treasurer’s Report – City Treasurer Bradley provided an updated report on the City’s finances and distributed the financial reports for May 2006 and Check Detail for June 2006. She stated that the current balance in the City’s banking accounts was $86,389.14. Bradley also recommended a modification to the City’s budget, to move Board gifts to a different category. A Motion was made and seconded to approve the Check detail for June 2006, following which it was unanimously approved.
3. Building Commissioner Lappe – Lappe indicated that there was a vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission, due to the resignation of member Paul Licavoli. He noted that two residents had already applied for the position, Lee Crockett and Caeli Balcer. Lappe said that he would publish a notice in the City newsletter about the vacancy to allow others with an interest in the position to apply as well. He also suggested that at the August meeting of the Board applicants could present their qualifications. It was noted by the City Attorney that any new commission member must be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Alderpersons. In addition, he said that the Commission must maintain a minimum of seven persons, and a maximum of fifteen. Mayor Balcer agreed to review the applications with BC Lappe.
4. Street/Park Commissioner Heck – Heck said that he had received calls from residents relative to the tree program which had been previously offered by the City. He noted that residents would like to see the program reinstated, which he also recommended. He reported on other items, including that the City Park seesaw had been repaired and that the Park had recently been mulched. Planning and Zoning Commission member Cislo noted that some of the mulch had disappeared, causing the tarp below to stick out. Heck said that he would have that fixed. Heck also said that he was investigating companies that could power wash the City’s playground equipment.
5. Police Chief’s Report – Sood reported that he had met a number of City residents and also periodically walked the neighborhood. He stated that he had also introduced himself to City of Frontenac City Clerk Leesa Ross, and that he now receives minutes and newsletters from Frontenac. He inquired as to whether or not the Board and City residents would be in favor of his publishing some of the information appearing in Frontenac’s newletters. A discussion ensued and all were in favor of publishing only information relevant to City of Crystal Lake Park residents.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Bulletin Board. Mayor Balcer asked resident Kelly Larson, who had volunteered to obtain additional bids for construction of a bulletin board, to report on her efforts. Larson indicated that she had not received any responses from those companies she had contacted. She said that she was in favor of Dale Signs constructing and installing the bulletin board that had previously been proposed at a cost of $3500. Mayor Balcer asked City Clerk La Driere to follow up with Dale Signs on this project. It was noted that the board would be moved west to a location closer to the entrance of the City. It was suggested that resident Peggy Moser be notified in advance that the board would be placed across the street from her home. City Clerk La Driere volunteered to contact Moser on the City’s behalf. La Driere also asked the Board if they had agreed to the use of plexiglass on the board, and if they still wanted a lock installed. She noted that if such a lock were installed, it could sometimes be difficult for residents to read ordinances in full if there were as many as was the case with this Board meeting and the number of proposed ordinances. BC Lappe stated that having so much information on the bulletin board was rare and that in such cases, some of the information could be placed outside of the plexiglass doors on the board structure itself. It was agreed to go ahead with the lock on the bulletin board. A Motion was made and seconded to approve Dale Signs to build and install the Board at a cost of $3500, following which it was unanimously approved. B. Street Maintenance. Mayor Balcer then asked Alderperson Bonnie Taylor to report on her efforts to find an engineer or engineering firm that could provide ongoing street maintenance services to the City. Taylor responded that it was City Attorney Human, not her, who was supposed to handle that task. Mayor Balcer replied that it would not make sense economically to pay the City Attorney to perform that task and asked if City Clerk Lois La Driere would handle the project. City Attorney Human agreed to provide La Driere with the name(s) of some engineers with whom he had worked in the past.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Trash Hauling – Alderperson Gehringer noted that City residents recently receiving their monthly trash bills from Onyx had been notified that the company was changing its name, and that a rate increase could soon be possible. He asked whether a rate increase could occur since the City had a three year contract with the company. A discussion ensued and City Clerk La Driere was asked to review the contract and call the company to ascertain if a rate increase was pending. B. Newsletter – Resident Larson announced that the next issue of the City newsletter would be published in August, and asked for input and information from the Board and residents to include in the issue.
Mayor Balcer announced that the next regular meeting would be held on Monday, August 14, 2006. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES RECORDED BY:_____________________________________________ City Clerk, Lois A. LaDriere
ATTEST:_____________________________________ Matt Balcer, Mayor
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