CITY

OF FLORISSANT

CITY COUNCIL

OPEN EXECUTIVE SESSION

                                                                                                       August 9, 2010

The City Council of the City of Florissant met in open Executive Session on Monday, August 9,  2010 at 7:30 pm. in the Council Chambers at 955 rue St. Francois, with President English presiding.  On Roll Call the following Council members were present: Schmidt, English, Schildroth, Lee, Grib, Schneider, McKay and Podleski. Hernandez was absent due to illness.  Also present were Mayor Robert Lowery Sr., City Clerk Karen Goodwin, and City Attorney John Hessel. 

Fee Waivers were the first item on the agenda.

Council President English explained that the band shell is a piece of equipment that was purchased through a grant. The Council members all have different opinions on what the proper use of the band shell should be and who should be charged for the use. Councilman Grib asked if there were there any stipulations on who and when the band shell could be used when the city of Florissant applied for the grant.Mayor stated that he recalls that there were stipulations regarding the use of the band shell. Councilman Podleski agreed that if he City did get the stage for free that people should be able to use it but what does it take to move the stage with respect to employee’s time.  Mayor Lowery stated that there is a fee established that would cover expenses. Councilman Podleski asked if the use is restricted to within the City of Florissant.Mayor Lowery stated that other cities have used the band shell.    Also, when the city is partnering with an organization he feels that the stage should not be paid for.  He feels that this is designed to bring people into the city of Florissant and promote the city and the old town area.  He stated that the stores stay open on the evenings when they are using the stage to encourage people to shop in Old town.Councilman Podleski asked if any money has ever been made from this stage.  The answer was no.  He stated that he agrees with other cities using it but some parameters are needed.  He is concerned with the power issues with the stage at St. Ferdinand Park.  Councilwoman McKay  stated that the ordinance that the council passed was for all city facilities not just the show mobile.  She has a problem with promoting old town and not other organizations throughout the city.  She said that there are many organizations that are for the betterment and promotion of Florissant.  The council agreed that 50% of the fees should be collected.  She asked why the Elks were billed half the fee for something that was given to them before the ordinance was passed.  One organization is not more important than any other organization in the city. Council President English stated that the Council needs to decide collectively on who would be able to use the equipment and for what price.Councilwoman McKay stated that the ordinance was passed two weeks ago; we need to uphold what everyone voted on in the ordinance.  She feels that this is about City property that the Council are stewards of. Councilman Lee stated that he would like to see a copy of the grant application for the Show Mobile.  He feels that the cost of setting the band shell up should be recouped from the entity that uses it.  He feels that the council was unanimous in that the fees should be charged.  He feels that specific businesses benefit but not the whole old town. 

Mayor Lowery stated that he will do anything that the Council wants him to do with regard to the band shell. Councilman Schneider stated that part of the concern is the use of the band shell and the other is the manpower used to set it up.  Councilwoman McKay stated that no one has a problem with renting the band shell outside the city we just need to charge for the use to recoup expenses.  She doesn’t feel that the city should “cherry pick” specific organizations to use city property.

The next item on the agenda was Housing Issues:

Councilman Grib asked that the housing ordinance be revisited.  He has over the past couple of months received many complaints in Ward 2 concerning the upkeep of rental property.  He would like the council to form a subcommittee to revisit the rental ordinance and how to control the upkeep of rental property. Councilman Schildroth stated that this is an important issue for him as well.  He stated that they had a committee and came up with six amendments that he felt were good and helped the situation along with what was already on the books.  He would be willing to be on the committee. Councilman Lee stated that he would prefer a work session for the whole Council instead of a subcommittee to discuss this issue.

 Councilwoman McKay agreed with Councilman Lee and feels that it is important that all 9 members work with the city to deal with these situations.  She thanked the mayor for bringing this back to the council.  She asked Hessel about other cities that passed ordinances to help maintain rental properties.   Councilman Podleski stated that he feels that no ordinance that is passed is worth anything if it is not enforced. 

There being no further business to discuss Councilwoman McKay motioned to adjourn, seconded by Podleski, motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm. 

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Karen Goodwin

City Clerk