Crystal Lake Park

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MINUTES

Of  the City of Crystal Lake Park, Missouri

Regular Meeting of the Board of Alderpersons

May 12, 2008

ROLL CALL:

Mayor and Alderpersons:  Present:  Mayor Matt Balcer, and Alderpersons Bonnie Taylor, Jim Gehringer and Dennis Nahnsen. 

City Officials:  Present:  City Attorney Howard Paperner, Building Commissioner (BC) John Littlefield, City Clerk Lois La Driere, City Treasurer Diane Chand and Street Commissioner Jim Cooper.

Following roll call, Attorney Paperner asked for a Motion to accept Certification by the Board of Election Commissions of the election results of April 8, 2008.  Alderperson Nahnsen made a Motion to accept the results from the St. Louis County Election Board pertaining to the election of the new Mayor and Alderpersons.  Alderperson Gehringer seconded the motion, and it was approved.

City Clerk LaDriere then swore in the City’s new officers including Mayor Bonnie Taylor, and Alderpersons Kelly Larson and Phillip Bryant.  Following the oaths of office, Board members thanked Matt Balcer for his two term service as the City’s Mayor.  Residents in attendance applauded him as well before he departed.  Alderperson Jim Leonard was not present at the meeting following the end of his term.  New Mayor Taylor then introduced the new alderpersons, Kelly Larson and Phillip Bryant, to  the residents in attendance.

Mayor Taylor asked for a Motion to approve the Agenda for the meeting and, after a Motion and unanimous vote, the Board approved the Agenda.  Alderperson Gehringer then made a Motion to approve the February 2008 minutes of the Board of Alderpersons.  The Motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

Before proceeding with the meeting, Attorney Paperner noted that official notice of the public hearing on the discussion of the District D zoning ordinance, which ordinance had been recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission, had not occurred.  After much discussion, the Board decided to postpone the public hearing on the District D zoning ordinance to the June 9, 2008 meeting.

ORDINANCES:  

Attorney Paperner then introduced Bill #432, the “Burden of Proof” ordinance, which had been distributed to Board members and residents in attendance.  He explained that the ordinance was drafted to amend the municipal code and to put the public on notice as to how variances will be handled by the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment.  He further indicated that the language of the ordinance had been taken directly from a court opinion written by a Judge for the Court of Appeals. 

A Motion was made by Alderperson Gehringer to read Bill #432 by title only for the first time.  The Motion was seconded by Alderperson Taylor and unanimously approved.  Attorney Paperner read Bill #432 by title only for the first time.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE PARK RELATING TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, AND ENACTING A NEW SECTION RELATING TO BURDEN OF PROOF.

Mayor Taylor then asked if anyone had any questions relating to the ordinance.  There being none, a Motion was made by Alderperson Gehringer, and seconded by Alderperson Larson to read Bill #432 by title only for the second time, and declaring it adopted as Ordinance #406.  The Alderpersons voted as follows:  Alderperson Gehringer - aye; Alderperson Larson - aye; Alderperson Bryant - aye; and Alderperson Nahnsen - aye.   Attorney Paperner then read the bill for a second time by title only.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE PARK RELATING TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, AND ENACTING A NEW SECTION RELATING TO BURDEN OF PROOF.

A Motion was then made by Alderperson Nahnsen, and seconded by Alderperson Gehringer to approve Bill #432, Ordinance #406.   The Alderpersons voted as follows:  Alderperson Gehringer - aye; Alderperson Larson - aye; Alderperson Bryant - aye; and Alderperson Nahnsen - aye.   Mayor Taylor then declared Bill #432, Ordinance #406 passed. 

Attorney Paperner then stated that BC Littlefield would present the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation for changes to the District D zoning ordinance, in addition to some proposed language for amendments regarding setbacks and eave height.  He noted that, in order for the Board to pass the proposed zoning bill with amendments, it would require an unanimous vote from all alderpersons.  Typically, he said, an ordinance takes a majority of votes to pass.  Attorney Paperner then asked BC Littlefield to make his presentation concerning the proposed ordinance changes with amendments.

BC Littlefield began by stating that the lot sizes in District D included 50’, 60’ and some 75’ lots.  Under the revised ordinance, he explained, on lots of 5,000 sq. ft. or less, no more than 41.8% of a lot may be covered by the footprint of the building.  On lots between 5,000 sq. ft. and 6,000 sq. ft., no more than 41.3% of the lot may be covered by the footprint of the building.  And, on lots between 6,000 sq. ft. and 7,500 sq. ft., no more than 35% of the lot may be covered by the footprint of the building, and on these lots, the garage area can be no more than one story, of a height of 8’4” maximum at the eave line. He then displayed an elevation of the likeness of proposed homes on various size lots that would meet the requirements of the amended zoning ordinance.  As BC Littlefield continued with his presentation a number of questions were put forth by residents and Board members alike, including those related to density of lots and house footprints, how the ordinance would affect the construction of decks, patios and the like, setbacks, and square footage allowed.  BC Littlefield responded to the questions and further discussion ensued. 

A resident suggested that the City should hold additional public forums in the City Park on this ordinance issue and send postcards to residents notifying them of the dates of such forums, and perhaps also hire an outside arbitrator to be involved in the drafting of the ordinance.  Since many members of the Planning & Zoning Commission were in attendance at the meeting, a number of them explained to residents the nearly three year process of research, public meetings, discussions, and time and energy expended by Commission members that had occurred, as well as the involvement of City Attorney and Building Commissioner in preparing the ordinance and reaching a consensus on an ordinance that would best meet the needs of the City, its residents, and developers.  Following further discussion, the Board postponed further discussion of the District D zoning ordinance until the June 9, 2008 public hearing and Board meeting.

CITY OFFICIALS:

Street Commissioner:   Street Commissioner (SC) Cooper reported that all of the driveway and curb replacements of those residents who had problems as a result of the prior work on the City streets, and who had apprised the City within the required time period, had been completed.  He added that the $13,400 cost of the repairs was $500 less than the contractor’s original bid. 

SC Cooper then reported that he had been able to locate a contractor which could provide wood chips to replace the old mulch in the City Park.  He said that both the cities of Webster and Kirkwood had recommended the wood chips over mulch, as mulch has a tendency to emit dust, which can get in children's eyes, and that the wood chips also had better longevity than mulch.  He said that he had arranged for two truckloads of wood chips to be delivered to the Park on May 31, 2008 at 2:00 p.m., and that flyers would be distributed and sign-up sheets available for residents to volunteer to assist with the placement of the chips in the Park.  He added that the cost of the 40 yards of wood chips, plus the expense of purchasing boards for the trucks to drive over grass to dump the mulch would amount to approximately $1434.00. 

City Clerk La Driere added food would be provided for those volunteers who assisted in spreading the mulch.  La Driere thanked SC Cooper and his wife, Susie for their time and effort in coordinating this project. 

Financial Report:  City Treasurer Diane Chand provided an updated financial report.  She

apologized that she had been unable, due to computer problems, to distribute to Board members the latest financial report.  However, she provided an oral report of the current Statement of Assets and Liabilities to Board members.  She also noted that she and City Clerk La Driere had closed out the City’s smaller bank accounts and deposited those monies into the City’s account with Reliance Bank.

Prior to the adjournment of the meeting, resident Jon Carey-Voris noted that he had volunteered to update the City’s telephone directory, and that he had met with City Clerk La Driere to discuss the project and review the records of the prior printing.  He said that he had questions concerning how to obtain information concerning new residents.  It was suggested that one way to keep the information updated was during the issuance of occupancy permits to new homeowners.  City Clerk La Driere agreed to obtain and maintain the relevant information about new residents. Another question was asked concerning mosquito spraying in the City.  City Clerk La Driere responded by saying that due to the record setting rainfall this spring in the City, vector control had to postpone spraying until a break in the weather ensued. 

There being no further being business the public session of the meeting was adjourned.

NEXT MEETING:  It was announced that the next meeting of the Board was scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2008. 

MINUTES RECORDED BY:______________________________________________

                                                City Clerk, Lois La Driere

ATTEST:_______________________________________________________________

               Mayor/Presiding Officer