O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
April 5, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Gary Graham, who then led in the “The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag”.
Philip Goodwin, City Clerk, called the roll: David Horton, present; Nila Grogan, present; Ed True, present; Becky Henry, present; Rick Reckamp, present; Jerry Mouser, present; Tom Bequette, present; Allen Medford, present; Michael Bennett, late arrival; Dennis Renner, excused; Jason Boone, present; Ned Drolet, present; John West, present; Jerry Albrecht, present. A quorum was declared present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to approve the minutes of the March 15th meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Annexation Agreement for 421 Milburn School Road. Open to public at 7:05 p.m.
No comments were made for or against this hearing. Closed to public at 7:06 p.m.
Annexation Agreement for 513 Milburn School Road. Open to public at 7:06 p.m. No comments were made for or against this hearing. Closed to public at 7:07 p.m.
RESIDENTS:
Lori DaCosse, spoke for Governor French Academy. She stated they were pleased that the amendment was approved and she asked the Council to pass tonight’s resolution for GFA to purchase property owned by the City. She stated they are offering 80% of the appraised value of the property, and feel that this purchase would be a productive use for this property.
Boy Scout, Jon Savage, from Troop 555 is in attendance, working on his merit badge.
REPORTS
Clerk: The Senior Citizen Club of O’Fallon request permission to conduct a raffle from April – September 15, 2004 at various businesses and parks. Motion was made by
J. Mouser and seconded by N. Grogan. All ayes. Motion carried.
Mayor:
Proclamation declaring April 4 – 10, 2004 as Building Safety Week.
The Mayor asked Jeff Stehman to introduce the coloring contest winners. He explained this is the second year that the City has held this contest, open to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students, which gives the City a chance to promote the awareness of building safety in the City. The winning pictures are on display at City Hall. The winners are: John Patrick Gaffney, Rebecca Boehnig, Chris Rowland, Kristin Sjoquist, Melonie Oliver, and Sammy Schultz. The 1st Place winners received a $75 Savings Bond, and the 2nd Place winners received a $50 Savings Bond.
Proclamation declaring April 10 - 17, 2004 as National Telecommunicator Week.
The Mayor asked Chief Betten to introduce the City’s telecommunicators. He explained the critical and often stressful role of these dispatchers and communication operators play in providing support for O’Fallon law enforcement, fire services, EMS. They are: Jerry McFarland, Records Dispatch Supervisor, Natalie Schmitz, Records & Telecommunication, Kara Clark and Jeannette Wells, Telecommunications.
Proclamation declaring April 30, 2004 as Arbor Day.
The Mayor introduced Mary Jeanne Hutchison, Parks Director. She presented the Mayor and the City Council with a City Grown Award, which was awarded to the City for the 1st time by the Tree U.SA. organization. She stated the City’s arborist, Calvin Beckman, went to Springfield last week to receive this award. It was given for the design, quantity and types of trees for Thoman Park.
Reappointment of Don Murdock to the Police Pension Board.
Motion was made by J. Albrecht and seconded by E. True to reappointment D. Murdock. All ayes. Motion carried.
RESOLUTIONS
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to consider Resolution Items, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 8 under Omnibus Agreement. All ayes. Motion carried.
ITEM 1 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Council to Support an Intergovernmental Agreement with IDOT for the Governor’s Wildflower Initiative.
ITEM 2 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Support an Agreement to Sell City Property to French Governor, L.L.C.
ITEM 3 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with M & I Construction for the Weil Road Water Main Extension, Lift Station, and Forcemain in the amount of $319,238.20.
ITEM 4 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Rhutasel &
Associates, Inc. for the Facility Planning Area (FPA) Expansion Study for an
amount not to exceed $25,000.
ITEM 5 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Quality Testing & Engineering for Testing Services on the Old Collinsville Road Project in the
amount of $6,900.
ITEM 6 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to Submit a Permit Application to. St. Clair County for Reconstruction of a 12” Water Line under South Lincoln Avenue at Dartmouth Drive.
ITEM 8 - Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement Between CSX
Transportation and the City of O’Fallon for an Extension of a Water Main Under the Railroad Grade at Milepost 323 at Old Collinsville Road.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to approve Resolution Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 8 under the Omnibus Agreement. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
ITEM 7 – Resolution Approving and Accepting the Preliminary Plat of the Central Park Plaza 3rd Addition, 1st Amendment Subdivision.
R. Reckamp brought up discussion regarding Lot 23A and 23F and the access onto Central Park Drive. He suggests eliminating that possibility and instead have all access onto Central Park Circle. Discussion was made regarding the feasibility of this. B. Henry made comment that the Community Development reviewed this and had no problem, as Central Park Drive is three lanes with a center turn lane. T. Shekell stated the Committee and staff feels the spacing between entrances is sufficient, acceptable and safe. J. Boone stated he supports R. Reckamp’s suggestion, and made comment regarding that location becoming busier in the future. He feels a proactive measure would be to reduce the access.
R. Reckamp asked if the developer would suffer a hardship by this suggestion. T. Shekell stated if it is limited to a loop drive it could become hectic and congested and be more suitable for traffic flow. B. Henry made comment regarding the trend for business at this point in time is for convenience to the consumer. She feels it is important for the consumer to see the access and be able to make the turn in. She feels traffic congestion will not be problem as there is a turn-lane in place. She stated this would be a benefit to the business and consumers, not to the developer. The Mayor asked about the attendance at Community Development meeting. A. Medford stated this was discussed at length and the Committee had no problems. D. Horton raised question regarding the City’s regulations,
and the fact there is nothing stated in them that states the City can control the access points to a public street. T. Shekell stated that unless the City feels there is a significant safety threat, there is nothing in the regulations.
Motion was made by R. Reckamp and seconded by J. Boone to make amendment to the plat reflect access limited only to the loop drive. ROLL CALL: E. True, no; B. Henry, no; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, no; T. Bequette no; A. Medford, no; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, no; J. West, no; J. Albrecht, no; D. Horton, no, N. Grogan, no. Nos- 10. Ayes - 2. Motion denied.
A motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to pass Resolution Item #7.
ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; J. Boone, no; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. Nos- 1. Ayes -11. Motion carried.
ORDINANCES
1st Reading
ITEM 9 - Ord. Amending Chapter 77, Traffic Schedules Regarding Stop Signs at Wesley Drive, Ravenwood Circle, and Emily Drive.
ITEM 10 – Ord. Approving a Lease Agreement with St. Clair County for the placement of a Communication Antenna and Related Equipment.
ITEM 11 - Ord. Amending Ord. 623, Zoning, Planned Use Development known as “Little Gym’s Retail Center”.
ITEM 12 - Ord. Budgeting for all Corporate Purposes for the Fiscal Year Beginning
May 1, 2004 and Ending April 30, 2005.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by N. Grogan to consider Ordinance Items 9, 10, 11, & 12 under the Omnibus Agreement. All ayes. Motion carried.
R. Reckamp raised discussion regarding Item 11. He states the applicant has asked that cross access not be constructed until the adjacent properties are ready to develop, which allows for the interim use of six additional parking spaces and defers cost of installation to the adjacent property owners, who would benefit from the cross access. He questioned that by throwing the cost of the cross-access onto the subsequent developers, if this would make the property less desirable. He suggests that Little Gym’s be responsible for a part of the cost of cross-access. Discussion was made regarding this suggestion. A. Medford stated the Community Development did not see any problem with the cross-access plans. T. Shekell stated the cost would involve asphalting a 30 x 15 feet area. Discussion
was made regarding the six parking spaces. If cross-access occurs, parking spaces would be lost. The advantage to the developer is that when the adjacent developer comes on in the future, and the cross-access is built, then they would have shared parking. R. Reckamp feels the developers should share the cost.
Allen Medford raised discussion with Item 10 and stated that the Committee discussed that the City would possibly be giving up rental space for a telecomunicator who would want to rent space on top of the water tower, in lieu of this, and that we would be getting a discount on some future purchases. He stated that hopefully this would balance out in terms of what we would get from future rental and what we are saving in the purchases. The Mayor stated they would find out what type of discount would be made available before he signed this agreement. Chief Betten stated that in exchange for allowing the County to put a portion of its infrastructure on the tower, the City has been granted access to use the radio system. He states he believes that over the course of the next 3 – 5 years EMS, fire
department, police department and possibly the public works department could migrate to this radio system, and in the long run this could save us an enormous amount of money. He stated access to this infrastructure to cover the entire County has the potential for a significant return for the City. He stated for the City to create a system like this on its own it would possibly cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. He feels in the future the City would need to go to this sort of technology.
M. Bennett arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to place on 1st Reading Items 9, 10, 11, & 12. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
2nd Readings
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. Albrecht to consider Items 14, 16 & 17 under the Omnibus Agreement on 2nd Reading. All ayes. Motion carried.
ITEM 14 - Ord. Approving the Final Plat of the Quail Meadow, 4th Addition Subdivision.
ITEM 16 - Ord. Annexing Certain Territory, Chesapeake Junction, containing in total approximately 111.51 acres.
ITEM 17 - Ord. Amending Ord. 623, Zoning, Development known as “Chesapeake Junction”.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. West to pass Items 14, 16 & 17 under 2nd Reading under the Omnibus Agreement. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried
ITEM 13 - Ord. Amending Ord. 623, Zoning, Planned Use Development known as
“American Federal Mortgage.
M. Bennett reiterated his comments made at previous Council meeting, stating he feels that whole area could be planned better and feels this is not the right way to go.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. west to pass Item 13 on 2nd Reading. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, no; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. Nos – 1. Ayes - 12. Motion carried
ITEM 15 - Ord. Approving the Final Plat of the Keck Ridge Subdivision.
N. Drolet reiterated his concern made during previous Council meeting, with the narrowing of Nottingham Hill. He does not believe that signage will preclude that from becoming a collector street, and it is a mistake to narrow that street.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by A. Medford to pass Item 15 on 2nd Reading. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, no; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, no; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. Nos – 2. Ayes -11. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Community Development: A. Medford stated the minutes from their last meeting are in the packet. Next meeting is April 6h at 6:00. B. Henry suggested to the aldermen to please attend the meeting if they have concerns and that they are always welcome.
Public Works: A. Medford stated the met on March 18th and minutes are in the packet. A motion was made by A. Medford and seconded by E. True to approve L & W Contractor’s invoice for the Seven Hills Road Miscellaneous Work. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye; D. J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried. Next meeting April 8th 6:30 p.m. in the Mayors conference room.
Safety: E. True stated they had no meeting since the last Council meeting. The next meeting is April 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Personnel/Finance: J. West stated they met before the meeting to discuss Warrant #61, to be done in two parts. A motion was made by J. West and seconded by R. Reckamp to pay Gifts For Individuals and Woodgate Association $7,385.82. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, abstain; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. Abstain – 1. Ayes – 12. Motion carried.
A motion was made by J. West and seconded by R. Reckamp to approve Warrant #61 in the amount of $1, 272, 321, 93. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
The next meeting for Thursday April 8th at 5:30 p.m.
Parks/Environment: J. Albrecht stated they met on March 29th with a special meeting to discuss the RFQ’s for the planning of the Sports Complex. Next meeting May 10th.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
B. Henry thanked the directors for the Quarterly Report, and stated it was very informative.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: To discuss purchase of property.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by A. Medford to go into Executive Session. Council went into Executive Session at 7:45.
ACTION TAKEN DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion was made by J. Albrecht and seconded by J. West to authorize the Mayor
complete the purchase of land for the Family Sport Complex. ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B. Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J. Mouser, aye; T. Bequette aye; A. Medford, aye; M. Bennett, aye; J. Boone, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J. West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye, N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by N. Drolet and seconded by E. True to adjourn. All ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted by,
Philip A. Goodwin, City Clerk
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