O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
December 6, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Gary Graham, who then led “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, excused; Dennis Renner, present; Jason Boone, excused; 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 November 15, 2004, meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Annexation Agreement with Lawrence and Carole Halstead-Kwiatkowki for approximately 5 acres located at 1310 Five Acre Court, south of Haury Road Opened to public at 7:04 p.m. Mayor Graham called three times for public input, but no one came forward. Closed to public at 7:05 p.m.
RESIDENTS:
Mayor Graham invited any residents of O’Fallon who would like to speak to the Council to step to the microphone, but no one came forward.
REPORTS:
Clerk’s Report: City Clerk Phil Goodwin noted that many people had asked him for an update on Maryanne Fair’s husband, who had been injured in a hunting accident after Thanksgiving. He stated that Mr. Fair is at home now and improving. He also announced that the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting for December 28, 2004, has been cancelled.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Graham asked Police Chief John Betten to come forward to present some awards. Chief Betten stated the Police Department would like to present some “Saved by the Belt” certificates to people who are living examples that seatbelts save lives and reduce injuries. Sgt. Mark Berry and Ofc. Patrick Feldhake came forward, along with Mr.~Mike Musser and Mr. Maury Franklin. Sgt. Berry explained that Mr. Musser and Mr.~Franklin had both been involved in serious traffic accidents recently but survived because they wore their seatbelts. He mentioned another resident, Heidi Hesse, who was unable to attend the meeting but was also involved in a very serious accident and survived only because she wore her seatbelt. The residents were each presented with a “Saved by the Belt” certificate.
Mr. Franklin commended the City of O’Fallon for the professionalism displayed by its public safety officers during his accident. He stated his wife is alive today only because of the competence and rapid response of the Police, Ambulance and Fire Departments.
Mayor Graham indicated he would like to reappoint Susan Holden to the Building Code Review Committee for a two-year term. A motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to reappoint Susan Holden as indicated. All ayes. Motion carried.
Mayor Graham said last weekend the Homecoming Association sponsored the City’s annual Christmas Parade. A large crowd attended, and everyone had a great time.
Mayor Graham announced the conclusion of a two-year project of repaving over 30~miles of the neighborhood streets in O’Fallon.
RESOLUTIONS:
Mayor Graham stated there were ten (10) Resolutions and asked if any of the Council Members objected to taking all ten at once. There were no objections.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by D. Renner to consider Resolution Items 1-10 under the omnibus rule. All ayes. Motion carried.
J. Mouser made a motion to approve Resolution Items 1-10; E. True seconded the motion.
Regarding Item 10, R. Reckamp asked if the property was sold at a price comparable to its appraised value. Mayor Graham said there are no contracts on the property. It is being declared as Excess Property; and if anyone would like to bid on that property, the procedure would be to submit a sales contract to the City, and it would come back to City Council for approval.
ROLL CALL: N. Grogan, aye; E. True, aye; B.~Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; T. Bequette, aye; A. Medford, aye; D. Renner, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D. Horton, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
Mayor Graham added the Quarry Property, listed in Item 10, is 21 acres in size and used to be a shooting area. It is a remote area, very hilly in nature, and has a lake on it. He explained that if bids are obtained on the property, they could proceed with developing the area behind the Police Station into green space for soccer, football, walking trails, etc., along with a detention pond near the Veterans’ Memorial.
ITEM 1 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Purchase Software for Planning and Zoning
ITEM 2 – Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Part-Time Temporary Position to Part-Time Permanent in the Water Department
ITEM 3 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Contract to Abate Property at
120-122 Carbon Hill Rd.
ITEM 4 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign a Pre-Annexation Agreement with
Lawrence and Carol Kwiatkowski for a 5.0 Acre Tract Located at 1310 Five Acre Court,
South of Haury Road
ITEM 5 – Resolution Approving Agreement for Northeast Interceptor Sewer
ITEM 6 – Resolution Approving the Bid for Thoman Park Drainage
ITEM 7 – Resolution Approving Adopt-A-Street program for Seven Hills Road
ITEM 8 – Resolution Approving Adopt-A-State Program for State Street
ITEM 9 – Resolution Approving Varion Proposal
ITEM 10 – Resolution Declaring Quarry Pond Property Excess to City’s Need and Sale~~~~~~~
ORDINANCES:
1ST Readings
Mayor Graham asked if there were any objection to combining Items 11-15. There were no objections.
Ted Shekell said the consultants who conducted the Northwest Quadrant Traffic Study were present and available to give a brief presentation of their final recommendations.
Michael Trueblood of HDR and Lee Canon of CBB introduced themselves and presented an overview of their study. Mr. Trueblood displayed a map of the area and pointed out areas of anticipated development. He also showed the various arterial roadways and collector roads being proposed. Mr. Trueblood said the study suggests three alternatives, one of which includes a new interchange at I-64 and Old Collinsville Road. They feel the projected traffic generation within this area and the high volumes on I_64 warrant a new interchange to serve that demand.
E. True asked about the sizes of the various proposed roads. Mr. Canon explained that when they talk about the number of lanes for the proposed roads, they are referring to what they might be in the future. He said the roads may be initially built as two- or three-lane roadways; but they will have adequate right-of-ways with utilities located in such a way as to allow expansion in the future.
D. Horton pointed out that a new interchange at I-64 and Old Collinsville Road would involve a creek and a railroad. Mr. Canon said they are presenting the City with their best plan; regardless of the ultimate plan chosen, the City will have to make some difficult decisions that will impact business and homes if they are going to provide the capacity needed to serve in this area.
Mayor Graham stated three-fourths of the houses being approved for District 90, Central School, and OTHS are in the area being discussed. The City is trying to ensure the developers build these future roads as we go. He added that the exit at Hwy. 159 in Fairview Heights is currently at 95% capacity; the people of O’Fallon will need the ability to move toward St. Louis, and they are trying to determine how that will be done.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. Albrecht to consider 1st Reading Ordinances 11-15 under the omnibus rule. All ayes. Motion carried.
ITEM 11 – Ordinance Annexing the 4.13 Acre Tract Located at 892 N. Seven Hills Road
ITEM 12 – Ordinance Amending the City of O’Fallon 2001 Comprehensive Plan to Include the Northwest Quadrant Traffic Study Recommendations
ITEM 13 – Ordinance – Annual Tax Levy
ITEM 14 – Ordinance Approving Stop Signs
ITEM 15 – Ordinance Approving the Snow Routes
Mayor Graham announced that, regarding Item 13, the City would again drop their tax rate as they have done for the past nine years.
D. Renner had to leave at this time.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by E. True to place on 1st Reading Ordinances 11-15.
ROLL CALL: E. True, aye; B.~Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; T.~Bequette, aye; A. Medford, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D.~Horton, aye; N. Grogan, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
2nd Readings
Mayor Graham announced that Items 16 and 19 would be removed because the final Ordinances had not been drafted. He asked if there were any objections to considering the omnibus rule for Items 17, 18, 20, and 21; there were no objections.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by R. Reckamp to consider 2nd Reading Ordinances 17, 18, 20 and 21 under the omnibus rule. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by A. Medford to pass 2nd Reading Ordinances 17, 18, 20 and 21.
ITEM 17 – Ordinance Providing for the Issuance of Special Service Area Two, Greenmount Commercial, Series 2004B, Unlimited Ad Valorem Tax Bonds and Providing for the Levy of Direct Annual Taxes on Taxable Property
ITEM 18 – Ordinance Providing for the Issuance of Special Service Area Three, Central Park Plaza #1, Series 2004C, Unlimited Ad Valorem Tax Bonds and Providing for the Levy of Direct Annual Taxes on Taxable Property
ITEM 20 – Ordinance Adopting the 2003 International Building Code, 2003 International Fire Prevention Code, 2003 International Mechanical Code, 2003 International Property Maintenance Code, 2003 International Residential Code, 2003 International Existing Building Code, and the 2002 National Electrical Code
ITEM 22 – Ordinance Amending Chapter 137, Weapons and Explosives, Regarding Bow and Arrow Use
ROLL CALL: B.~Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; T.~Bequette, aye; A.~Medford, aye; N. Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D.~Horton, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; E. True, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEES:
Community Development: J. Mouser stated they met on November 22, 2004. The next meeting is December 13, 2004, at 6:30 p.m.
Public Works: A. Medford indicated they met Monday, November 22, 2004. The Committee recommended passing to full Council the motion to purchase a camera van for $57,478.00, pending inspection and acceptance of the vehicle. A. Medford made a motion to purchase the camera van for $57,478.00; J. West seconded the motion.
Mayor Graham confirmed that the camera van would be used for finding blockages in sewer lines and storm water lines.
ROLL CALL: R. Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye; T.~Bequette, aye; A.~Medford, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D.~Horton, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; E. True, aye; B.~Henry, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
A. Medford stated the WWTP main lift station pump is in need of repairs and recommended the Council approve repairs in the amount of $9,700.00. The motion was made by A. Medford and seconded by E. True to approve the repairs as indicated.
ROLL CALL: J.~Mouser, aye; T.~Bequette, aye; A.~Medford, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J. Albrecht, aye; D.~Horton, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; E. True, aye; B.~Henry, aye; R. Reckamp, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
The next Public Works committee meeting is scheduled for December 22, 2004, at 7:30~p.m.
Public Safety: E. True stated they have not met since the last City Council meeting. Their next meeting is scheduled for December 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Finance/Administration: J. West stated they met before the City Council meeting to discuss Warrant 77. A motion was made by J. West and seconded by R.~Reckamp to approve Warrant 77 in the amount of $1,114,592.61.
ROLL CALL: T.~Bequette, aye; A.~Medford, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; D.~Horton, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; E. True, aye; B.~Henry, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
J. West said the next meeting of the Finance/Administration Committee would be December 27, 2004, at 5:30 p.m.
Parks and Environment: J. Albrecht stated the next meeting would be December 13, 2004, at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Graham reminded all volunteers of the City that December 17 will be the annual Christmas party. It is the City’s way of thanking the over 200 volunteers who spend thousands of hours of volunteer service on various boards, committees, etc.
J. Albrecht encouraged the public to visit Rock Springs Park and see the progress being made on the new Nature Center. Mayor Graham added it will be a great facility and is a joint effort among the Sunrise Rotary, the Noon Rotary and the City of O’Fallon.
Executive Session: At 7:40 a motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by B.~Henry for the City Council members to go into Executive Session to discuss the purchase of property.
ROLL CALL: A.~Medford, aye; N.~Drolet, aye; J.~West, aye; J.~Albrecht, aye; D.~Horton, aye; N.~Grogan, aye; E. True, aye; B.~Henry, aye; R.~Reckamp, aye; J.~Mouser; aye; T.~Bequette, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
At 7:50 p.m. City Council members returned from Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by J. Mouser and seconded by J. Albrecht to adjourn. All ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
__________________________
Philip A. Goodwin, City Clerk
Minutes taken by
Sharon L. Wisely, Transcriptionist
Proper notice has been duly given
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