Board of Aldermen Meeting

Meeting Agenda

Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
CITY OF BALLWIN – 300 PARK DRIVE
April 27, 2009

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Young at 7:00 p.m.

             PRESENT                                               ABSENT
MAYOR WALT YOUNG                                      ALDERMAN RAY LEMBKE – OUT OF TOWN ON BUSINESS
ALDERMAN TIM POGUE 
ALDERMAN JIMMY TERBROCK 
ALDERMAN KEN BUERMANN 
ALDERMAN JANE SUOZZI 
ALDERMAN JAMES ROBINSON 
ALDERMAN FRANK FLEMING 
ALDERMAN RICHARD BOERNER 
CITY ADMINISTRATOR ROBERT KUNTZ 
CITY ATTORNEY ROBERT E. JONES 

The Pledge of Allegiance was given, led by Cub Scout Pack 627, Den 4, from Holy Infant School.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the April 13 Board of Aldermen meeting were submitted for approval.  A motion was made by Alderman Buermann and seconded by Alderman Terbrock to approve the Minutes.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.

OATH OF OFFICE and SECOND ROLL CALL
The Oath of Office was administered to Mayor-Elect Tim Pogue, Alderman Jimmy Terbrock, Aldermen-Elect Frank Schmer, Jim Leahy, and Ken Mellow.  A second roll call was taken.

             PRESENT                                            ABSENT
MAYOR TIM POGUE                                       
ALDERMAN JIMMY TERBROCK 
ALDERMAN JANE SUOZZI 
ALDERMAN FRANK SCHMER 
ALDERMAN FRANK FLEMING 
ALDERMAN JIM LEAHY 
ALDERMAN RICHARD BOERNER 
ALDERMAN KEN MELLOW 
CITY ADMINISTRATOR ROBERT KUNTZ 
CITY ATTORNEY ROBERT E. JONES 

PRESENTATION

Street Lighting:  Ken Schmidt, AmerenUE:  Mr. Schmidt presented a street lighting update.  He said that payment transfer for 30 lights has been done.  Ameren was asked if they would sell some of the facilities to the City.  He said the Danbury subdivision was used as a study.  The price was $375 per light.  The earlier estimate was approximately $500 per light.  He said that Lighting Resources has been consulted regarding LED lights.  Three LED lights and 3 induction lights have been installed for evaluation through the summer months. 

Alderman Suozzi asked how many lumens the demonstration LED and induction lights give off and are they comparable to high pressure sodium in the lighting they provide.  Mr. Schmidt said both lights are comparable in lumens.  The induction and LED lights are very white lights compared to the high pressure sodium. 

PENDING ISSUES
None.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

Nancy Schnell and Jackie Seigal with Geese Peace:  Ms. Schnell said that she and Jackie are volunteer coordinators for Geese Peace.  They have been working with the City of Ballwin for 4 years to help with the goose situation.  She said that they have helped Ballwin move in a successful direction on this issue.  Ballwin took a big step forward to use a humane program.  She presented a written report and said that the problem that was many years in creation has been reversed.  She asked that the Board and the Parks Department continue to work with Geese Peace.  She provided DVDs of a successful program in Rockford, Illinois that models the Geese Peace program.  Ms. Seigal said that before this spring’s nesting season, over 300 eggs were oiled.  She said that is 300 geese that didn’t hatch in Ballwin.  Four years ago, it was estimated that there were 130 – 140 adult Canada geese within the city parks.  She said that the current count shows an average of 10 geese in Vlasis Park, with an average of 30 in all of the city parks.  She said this is a significant decrease.  She asked that the egg oiling and border collie program be continued. 

Chris Howard, District Liaison for Senator Jane Cunningham:  He said that Senator Cunningham is interested in local issues and encourages communication. 

Ray Conald, Incity News:  Mr. Conald said that Incity News videos Board of Aldermen meetings and puts the videos on the internet.  He said they are supported by advertisement.  The video of this meeting can be viewed by citizens who could not attend.  He said his territory is Chesterfield and Ballwin.  Other areas where Incity News videos the meetings are Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Maplewood, and others in the St. Louis area.  He said the website is incitynews.com.  

PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.

NEW BUSINESS

LEGISLATION

BILL # 3570 - AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 18-28 OF THE BALLWIN CODE OF ORDINANCES AND ADOPTING IN ITS PLACE A NEW WHEELED SPORTS HELMET ORDINANCE.

A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Suozzi for a first reading of Bill No. 3570.   A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.  Bill No. 3570 was read for the first time.

Alderman Fleming asked how the language in this proposed ordinance was drafted and was it directly from St. Louis County.  City Attorney Jones said that he first took section 18.28, which was already a part of Ballwin’s Code of Ordinances, but dealt only with use of wheeled sports equipment in the city’s parks.  Helmets were restricted and required within the city parks.  He took the existing ordinance and blended in the requirements of the St. Louis County ordinance.  Sub-sections B and C are from the County ordinance.  Sub-sections A, D, E and F are from Ballwin’s existing code. 

A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Terbrock for a second reading of Bill No. 3570.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.  Bill No. 3570 was read for the second time.

A roll call was taken for passage and approval of Bill No. 3570 with the following results: 
Ayes – Fleming, Terbrock, Schmer, Boerner, Leahy, Suozzi, Mellow.    Nays – None.  Bill No. 3570 was approved and became Ordinance No. 09-13.

BILL # 3571 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 15-209 WITH REGARD TO RESTRICTIONS ON DRIVING THROUGH A FUNERAL PROCESSION.

A motion was made by Alderman Suozzi and seconded by Alderman Terbrock for a first reading of Bill No. 3571.   A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.  Bill No. 3571 was read for the first time.

Mayor Pogue said that the purpose of this legislation is to be consistent with State statute.

A motion was made by Alderman Terbrock and seconded by Alderman Suozzi for a second reading of Bill No. 3571.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.  Bill No. 3571 was read for the second time.

A roll call was taken for passage and approval of Bill No. 3571 with the following results: 
Ayes – Terbrock, Suozzi, Schmer, Fleming, Mellow, Leahy, Boerner.    Nays – None.  Bill No. 3571 was approved and became Ordinance No. 09-14.

CONSENT ITEMS:  (Budgeted items which are low bid and do not exceed expenditure estimates and/or items which have been previously approved in concept.)

A. Pool Upgrades

A motion was made by Alderman Suozzi and seconded by Alderman Terbrock to accept the Consent Item.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Ward 1 Board Appointment:  Mayor Pogue recommended that Press McDowell be appointed to fill the unexpired Aldermanic term in Ward 1.  He said that Press previously served as an Alderman for 6 years and on the Planning & Zoning Commission. 

A motion was made by Alderman Suozzi and seconded by Alderman Fleming to accept the nomination of Press McDowell to fill the unexpired term in Ward 1.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.

Planning & Zoning Vacancy:  Mayor Pogue said that as a result of the election of Jim Leahy to the Board of Aldermen, there is a vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Commission in Ward 3.  He asked that the Ward 3 Aldermen consider and make a nomination for this position. 

Mayor Pogue recommended the appointment of Alderman Terbrock as the aldermanic representative on the Planning & Zoning Commission.  A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Terbrock to accept the recommendation of Alderman Terbrock to serve as the aldermanic representative on the Planning & Zoning Commission.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.

Planning & Zoning Commission Term Expirations:  Mayor Pogue said that the 3 terms expiring in May are Ron Kadane, John Schwent and Frank Karr.  He said that all three are willing to be re-appointed. 
A motion was made by Alderman Boerner and seconded by Alderman Terbrock to re-appoint Ron Kadane, John Schwent, and Frank Karr.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.

Committee Assignments:  Mayor Pogue asked that the aldermen contact him before the next meeting to express their preferences for committee assignments.  The standing aldermanic committees are Finance & Administration, Public Health & Safety, Parks & Recreation, and Public Works.  City Administrator Kuntz said that typically each Alderman serves on 2 of the committees.  The committees meet as necessary prior to Board meetings to discuss issues that are too cumbersome to address in detail at a Board meeting.  There are 4 members of each committee.  Recommendations are made from the committee to the full Board for review and approval.

Future Historical Directions:  Mayor Pogue said he would like to appoint an ad hoc committee to evaluate and recommend a course action for the Log Cabin and School house.  Deputy Parks Director John Hoffman will serve on this committee, along with former Aldermen Bob Pisarkiewicz and Ken Buermann.  He asked for an aldermanic representative to also serve on this committee.  Alderman Fleming said he is willing to serve on the committee.  Mayor Pogue appointed Alderman Fleming to serve on the ad hoc committee for future historical direction.

Board Workshop/Retreat:  Mayor Pogue suggested that the Board tour the St. Louis Community College campus in Wildwood to observe its cost effective energy efficiency program.

President of the Board:  Mayor Pogue nominated Alderman Suozzi to replace former Alderman Buermann as President of the Board of Aldermen.  Alderman Suozzi is the senior member of the Board. 
A motion was made by Alderman Fleming and seconded by Alderman Boerner to appoint Alderman Suozzi as President of the Board.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.

Energy Efficiency:  Mayor Pogue said that on May 6, City Administrator Kuntz, Alderman Terbrock, and he will tour Alberici’s Headquarters to see the energy efficient projects.  This is a platinum certified Leed building. 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Government Center Stairs:  City Administrator Kuntz proposed a change order to the Government Center entry construction project.  He said that this is regarding the terrace between the upper parking lot and the lower level.  There are stairs from the lower parking lot to the lower level, but no steps from the lower level to the upper level parking lot.  He said another 5 steps up the terrace would be a beneficial improvement when the upper parking lot is full.  He said this was not in the original bid and there have never been any such stairs.  Setting this aside as a separate project at a later date would certainly cost more. 

A motion was made by Alderman Suozzi and seconded by Alderman Schmer to accept the expenditure of $5,612.15 for an additional set of stairs at the Government Center.  A voice vote was taken with a unanimous affirmative result and the motion passed.

Disposal of Public Property:  City Administrator Kuntz requested that the proposed closed session be postponed until May 11 when a full Board will be present.  The Board agreed.

CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
None.

ALDERMANIC COMMENTS

Alderman Fleming welcomed the new Board members. 

Alderman Terbrock welcomed the new Board members and congratulated Mayor Pogue on the election.

Adjourn:  A motion was made by Alderman Suozzi and seconded by Alderman Boerner to adjourn.  The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

TIM POGUE, MAYOR

ATTEST:
ROBERT A. KUNTZ, CITY ADMINISTRATOR

MC