City Council

Meeting date:

Monday, November 7, 2016

O’FALLON CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

November 7, 2016

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Graham who led the Council in reciting “The Pledge of Allegiance.”

Philip Goodwin, City Clerk, called the roll: Gene McCoskey, present; Richie Meile, present; Jerry Albrecht, present; Robert Kueker, present; Kevin Hagarty, excused; Matthew Gilreath, present; Herb Roach, present; Matthew Smallheer, present; Courtney Marsh, present; Ray Holden, present; Ned Drolet, present; David Cozad, present; Harlan Gerrish, present. A quorum was declared present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Graham asked for approval of the minutes of October 17, 2016. Motion was made by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Gilreath to approve the minutes. All ayes. Motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING – None scheduled.

RESIDENTS: Mayor Graham asked if anyone wished to come forward to speak to the Council.

Terry Lysakowski came forward to ask if the project on the agenda was going to be totally funded by the hotel/motel tax. Mayor Graham answered that the projection was to use the hotel/motel tax to fund it, and some will be used for the downtown project. Terry Lysakowski voiced his concern about the downtown parking.

Mayor Graham replied that the survey that was sent out randomly had a 92% response that they would support downtown events. Also, when people come to the Family Sports Park, we will point them to the downtown area to support the businesses.

Mitch from St. Louis Scott-Gallagher said he had 410 teams from 17 states. They used over 5,000 rooms in the metro-east area. He added it brought in about six million dollars to the communities that they service.

Jake Nieroda, Kixx Soccer Club, said they need room for their tournaments. They travel to similar parks throughout the Midwest. The kids presented the Council with soccer balls.

Ralph, military resident, said that from the perspective of an Air Force officer, they seek out the next soccer club to place their children in when we come to an area.

Michael Lampe, resident, said he listened to the presentation on October 24^th that Tom Faulkner gave from the Fource Group, and he was concerned that the focus was on the 24 -55 age group with a median income of $89,000 and a $200,000 and above home. In his research, he said O’Fallon has a median income of $76,000 and a $191,000 home. He has concern about minorities. He added that he believes that O’Fallon is not behind workforce housing, as there is no place for the minority workers to live. There are people living in hotel rooms now.

Mayor Graham asked T. Shekell to speak on the workforce housing statistics. T. Shekell stated that O’Fallon has 30% of the workforce housing and is within guidelines of the affordability standards of the State. Mayor Graham said that the County is responsible for the workforce housing initiative. We sign over our funds to them to work on it.

Gary Hoelscher, Kixx coach, came forward and stated that soccer is a yearlong sport. It is great for families.

Eric Cooper, Greater Midwest Baseball, said they bid over 1100 hotels, and in O’Fallon there was 500. He said they do not have enough baseball fields. The Sports Park Field is nice and comparable to Chesterfield.

Christian Nieroda, girls’ soccer coach, said he has a lot of kids from O’Fallon. This area is becoming a hub for soccer. They are going to Overland Park this summer. They would like to see it here.

Ron Zelms rose to speak to state he opposing the 8.5-million-dollar sports park. He said he listened to the Fource Group presentation and said the focus was on the developers, businesses and families. He said the conclusions are not valid for 75% of the residents. He said that nowhere does the presentation show where the economic impact is factored into the study.

Mayor Graham replied that the City has asked him to come and talk to them and look at the numbers, but he has not.

Tom Faulkner, Fource Group, clarified that their part of the Economic Development Plan was to attract new business. The study had nothing to do with the Sports Park or the Downtown. The target referenced was used for what businesses look for to attract Costco and other businesses. The Sports Park and the Downtown area are not tied together.

REPORTS:

Clerk’s Report: City Clerk Goodwin read the following requests:

Request from Highland Animal Center to conduct a raffle for a Split the Pot on November 19, 2016 at the Knights of Columbus

Request from the O’Fallon Panthers Bowling Team to conduct a raffle for bowling balls and gift card from November 7 – December 12, 2016 at St. Clair Bowl

All ayes. Motion carried.

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor Graham asked Kennah Johnson, the coach for the cross-country team to come forward. Mayor Graham read a Proclamation declaring November 7, 2016 as Amelia Carriel Junior High Cross Country Day in honor of their outstanding achievements.

Mayor Graham announced the appointment of Christopher Hursey to fill the Ward 5 alderman vacancy. Motion by M. Gilreath and seconded by C. Marsh to approve the appointment.

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, present; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, aye; Gilreath, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Marsh, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye. Ayes – 11; Present - 1. Motion carried.

City Clerk Goodwin swore in Alderman Hursey, and they he took his seat afterward.

Mayor Graham asked Chief Van Hook to come forward, and he announced the following officers’ promotions: Lieutenant Kirk Brueggeman promoted Captain; Sergeant David P. Matevey promoted to Lieutenant; Officer Eric Buck to Sergeant.

Mayor Graham asked Chief Van Hook to talk briefly about the initiative they are working on. He replied they tried to recruit minorities, but it is not working, so he asked the Fource Group to help them brand an identity. They are going to schools and ministries to get the word out. They want to attract more minority candidates because what they have been doing for over twenty years, is not working. Captain Brueggemann is the lead on the recruitment efforts. We want fine quality candidates but we will not lower our standards in the process.

RESOLUTIONS:

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve Resolution Items 1 – 4 under the Omnibus Agreement. J. Albrecht read the resolutions aloud.

Item 1 - Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement for Motor Fuel Tax funds with Lochmueller Group related to the Roundabout Construction Project at Milburn School Road and Old Collinsville Road in the amount of $9,700, excluding reimbursables and for the use of MFT funds in the support of the project

Item 2 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Preliminary/Construction Engineering Services Agreement with Horner & Shifrin, Inc. related to the North Green Mount Project in an amount of $368,793.79, excluding potential reimbursables

Item 3 – Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Baxmeyer Construction, Inc. for the North Green Mount Road Widening Project in an amount not to exceed $2,965,950.63

Item 4 – Resolution approving and accepting the Preliminary Plat of Augusta Greens and the Enclave at Augusta Greens

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by D. Cozad to approve Resolution Items 1 – 4 under the previous Omnibus Agreement.

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, aye; Gilreath, aye; Roach, aye; Smallheer, aye; Marsh, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.

ORDINANCES:

1^st Reading –

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Gilreath to approve on 1^st Reading Ordinance item 5, an Ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 113 of the Code of Ordinances, regarding the Raffle License.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve on 1^st Reading Ordinance item 6, an Ordinance repealing and replacing Ord. 3446, an “An Ordinance imposing a Hotel/Motel Tax (Reenacting Ord. 1824).

R. Kueker said he is not opposed to the tax but is not in favor of attaching Walter’s prologue regarding the sports park and downtown area. He does not think he has enough financial information to decide how we are going to get the money back. We should have the study from Kansas made available to the aldermen. We have more important items other than the Family Sports Park. We have another intersection coming. He does not think this is the time to make a commitment now.

H. Roach said he liked Destination O’Fallon as a slogan. The city is well run and we have good activities for families. Many things have brought families to O’Fallon as a destination. Athletic fields are good. The metroplex is coming into the community, and we did not tie that in. The hospital was left off as a destination draw. We have one million dollars set aside in a special fund. We need to meet with the downtown businesses and what they really need to help that area grow. There is nothing wrong with having good soccer fields. But is it the right project now with these funds. He has coached for over 24 years. There are new facilities going in other areas that are tying in with other groups and using private funds. He does not believe in “Build it, and they will come” concept. We did not discuss other needs. We do not have unlimited funds. Will the hotel capacity be used up from the McKendree complex? We had no income or expense projections to look at. We have had no discussion about our other needs like traffic and stormwater. We do not have unlimited funds.

G. McCoskey disagreed. He said this is the right plan and forward thinking, and he supports it.

M. Gilreath said he is a business man and came in with an open mind and one of the things he takes pride in is creating jobs. He coaches the football teams and umpires and strongly supports all minorities, and he is grateful for the jobs that the Parks program has given him and other young people that need jobs. As an alderman, his job is to represent his Ward and O’Fallon and develop the community. When we develop opportunities for minorities to make money, we help them.

D. Cozad said the sports teams are already here. A community that sits still is dying. This keeps the kids engaged and active. This is a win/win for everybody.

J. Albrecht added they people are coming not to see the roads but the Parks. We are looking forward to the future – not looking back where we used to be. We are creating an environment where people will want to come.

C. Marsh agreed that curbs and gutters are important but that does not fund the projects. People are coming for our hotels and restaurants. These fund projects like stormwater.

Mayor Graham said this has been part of our Strategic Plan for a long time. We are for O’Fallon kids first. The numbers are based on our current occupancy. We take in 4 million in property taxes, but bring in 8.5 million dollars in sales tax by bringing in additional business. The cities that have parks hold up their home values.

ROLL CALL: McCoskey, aye; Meile, aye; Albrecht, aye; Kueker, no; Gilreath, aye; Roach, no; Smallheer, aye; Marsh, aye; Hursey, aye; Holden, aye; Drolet, aye; Cozad, aye; Gerrish, aye. Ayes – 11; Nays - 2. Motion carried.

2nd Readings –

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to consider Item 7, an Ordinance amending Ordinance 623, Zoning, (Development known as “BP Gas Station”) to be at 720 South Lincoln Avenue.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by H. Gerrish to consider Item 8, an Ordinance amending Ordinance 623, Zoning, (Development known as “The Enclave at Augusta Greens” Subdivision).

STANDING COMMITTEES –

Community Development: Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by G. McCoskey to approve the following requests under the Omnibus Agreement.

Motion to approve the Special Event Permit request from Academy Sports & Outdoors for the Grand Opening Celebration on November 18 – November 20, 2016 at their location

Motion to approve the Special Event Permit request from St. Jude’s Crusaders to hold a Christmas Tree Lot at Gator’s from November 25 – December 23, 2016 with conditions

c) Motion to approve the Special Event Permit request from the O’Fallon Moose Lodge to conduct a Meat Shoot at The Hut November 12 – November 13, 2016 with conditions

d) Motion to approve the request from Fulford Homes to place a temporary subdivision promotion sign at the Parkview Meadows Subdivision outside of the right-of-way

Motions were approved unanimously. J. Albrecht stated the committee will meet November 14th at 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Public Works: G. McCoskey stated they will meet November 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Public Safety: C. Marsh stated they will meet next Monday at 5:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.

Parks and Environment: R. Holden said they will not meet this month.

Finance/Administration: Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by M. Gilreath to approve Warrant #361 in the amount of $1,883,892.39.

Mayor Graham asked for assistance for Mike Ingles who was a Kixx director of coaching for many years, as his house burned down over the weekend. M. Hutchison suggested they go to the Kixx website for more information.

G. McCoskey went to the State cross country meet for the high school in Peoria last weekend. In the Division 3A, we were one of two teams south of Chicago, which is remarkable.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Graham announced they would go into closed session to discuss probable litigation.

Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by C. Marsh to enter closed session at 8:20 p.m.

Council returned at 8:25 p.m. with no action.

ADJOURNMENT: Motion by J. Albrecht and seconded by C. Marsh to adjourn. All ayes. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Submitted by,

__________________________

Philip A. Goodwin

City Clerk

Minutes recorded by

Maryanne Fair, Deputy City Clerk

Proper notice having been duly given

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