CITY OF FLORISSANT
COUNCIL MINUTES
November 28, 2011
The Florissant City Council met in regular session at the Florissant City Hall, 955 rue St. Francois on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. with Council President Keith English presiding. The Chair asked everyone to stand and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
On Roll Call the following were present: Stinnett, McKay, Schmidt, Hernandez, Lee, Grib, Eagan, English and Schildroth. Also present were Mayor Thomas P. Schneider, City Attorney John Hessel and City Clerk Karen Goodwin. A quorum being present the Chair stated that the Council was in session for the transaction of business.
Councilman Lee moved to approve the Meeting Minutes and Executive Meeting Minutes of 11/14/2011, seconded by Grib. Motion carried.
The next item on the agenda was a Proclamation awarded to Atonement Lutheran School soccer team. Mayor Schneider and Councilman Hernandez congratulated the coaches and players for their hard work on winning the championship and presented them with individual awards.
The next item on the agenda was swearing in of Judge Daniel Patrick Boyle.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Hearing from Citizens.
Kevin O’Donnell thanked the Mayor and the administration for the use of the City bus for the recent Green Line Tour. He also stated that Historic Florissant, Inc. and the Florissant Valley Historical would both be hosting German Christmas parties on December 4.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Communications.
Councilwoman McKay submitted additional correspondence.
The City Clerk reported that the next item on the agenda was public hearings of which there were none.
Councilwoman McKay moved that Bill No. 8783 An Ordinance adopting the budget for the City of Florissant for the fiscal year commencing on December 1, 2011 and ending on November 30, 2012 and providing for its effective date be read for a second time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8783 was read for a second time. Councilman Schmidt thanked the Mayor and administration for submitting a balanced budget. Furthermore he stated that there were several amendments made during the budget meetings that cut the overtime expenditures in half. This had been done over the last two years and during both years, the department heads have had to come back to the Council and ask for more money during supplemental budget time.
Councilwoman McKay stated that she was in favor of the current proposed budget and read from a prepared statement which she made part of the record. The City’s 2012 Budget mandated no employee layoffs or elimination of services, but Councilwoman McKay felt that it would be a good idea for department heads to receive management guidance and monthly expenditure reviews.
Councilman Eagan stated that he and several other Council members have expressed concern that department heads have found it necessary to come back before the Council in the third and fourth quarters of the year for additional funding. The administration had given them a balanced budget proposal that had slashed overtime at the “last hour.” Councilman Eagan was concerned about health and safety issues resulting from drastic overtime cuts especially in the Public Works and Police Departments. He did not want to put the residents and citizens at risk.
Councilman Hernandez stated that if department heads need to come back before Council in the upcoming year, they would make a decision at they time. Also, the Council would never jeopardize the safety of Florissant residents. He will support the proposed budget.
Councilman Stinnett stated that although economic times were tough, it was important not to drastically cut the Police and Public Works Departments to the point where the citizens’ safety was compromised. The 2011 overtime budget was cut 50% with $136,000 being restored through the end of October. The Council consistently goes back each year and re-allocates monies to the underfunded overtime accounts. He would not be supporting the proposed budget.
Councilman English stated that he has seen overtime funds being spent on activities that should not have been, for example, plowing in parks when the parks should have been shut down and routine maintenance being done on overtime. Cutting the overtime budget was a smart thing to do. Had the City not received cell phone settlements over the last few years, the budget would not be balanced. The Valley of Flowers Festival costs the City between $60,000-$80,000 in overtime annually. The City needs to tighten its belt just like any homeowner.
Councilman Schmidt stated that $232,355 in overtime was eliminated, but $147,000 had been given back to employees in a one-time pay adjustment. As a result, a net savings of only $85,000 was realized.
Councilman Schmidt moved to amend to reinstate $232,355.00 in overtime back into the budget and retract the $147,332.00, seconded by Eagan. On roll call the Council voted: Stinnett yes, McKay no, Schmidt yes, Hernandez no, Lee no, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English no and Schildroth no. Amendment failed.
Councilman Lee moved that Bill No. 8783 be read for a third time, seconded by Hernandez. Motion carried and Bill No. 8783 was read for a third and final time and placed upon its passage.
Councilman Schmidt moved to amend to retract the $147,332.00 pay adjustment for employees, seconded by Grib. On roll call the Council voted: Stinnett yes, McKay no, Schmidt yes, Hernandez no, Lee no, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English no and Schildroth yes. Amendment passed.
Councilwoman McKay stated that she supported the one time pay adjustment because there were some employees who never got the opportunity for overtime. She asked the administration to look into flex time and other creative ways of employee scheduling in the future.
Councilman Lee stated that part-time employees have been left out of pay adjustments over the last three years and this one time adjustment would have given them, as well as all employees, a “little something.”
Before the final vote all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard.
Councilman English stated that he was appalled that the Council took away the one time pay adjustment for employees that all Councilmembers had agreed upon during the budget meetings. It would have made a nice Christmas gift for the employees.
Before the final vote all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard. John Engelmeyer, 730 St. Judith, stated that he would like to have more information in regards to the budget. In regards to North County Inc., he asked that they contact MODOT to repair the bridge at I- 270 and Florissant Road.
Kevin O’Donnell, 512 Rancho Lane, suggested that the police officer in the Mayor’s Office be put back at the police department in order to save money. He added that he felt taking away the employee bonus was not fair.
On roll call the Council voted: Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes, Lee yes, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes and Schildroth yes. Whereupon the Chair declared Bill No. 8783 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7845.
Councilwoman McKay moved that Bill No. 8785 Ordinance authorizing a Special Use Permit to AT&T to allow for the installation of a new antenna support structure and equipment facility for the property located at 1475 Dunn Road be read for a second time, seconded by English. Councilwoman McKay moved to amend to add a new Section, “The antenna support structure shall be a monopole which does not include a flag or a light,” seconded by English. Councilman Schmidt asked if she had consulted AT & T regarding this amendment because a monopole might not support the 4G technology. Councilwoman McKay moved to suspend the rules to hear from the AT & T representative, seconded by Stinnett. Motion carried. Mary Krupps, Black and Veatch, explained that a “unipole” was a tower with the antennas on the inside without a flag. The reason that a “unipole” cannot be used at that location was because AT & T needed 12 antennas and they would have to build a taller tower to accommodate for that many antennas. Councilman Lee suggested postponing the Bill until the height requirement could be determined. Councilwoman McKay moved to withdraw her amendment, seconded by English. Motion carried. Councilwoman McKay moved to postpone Bill No. 8785 to 12/12/11, seconded by Lee. Motion carried.
Councilwoman McKay moved that Bill No. 8786 Ordinance amending Title IV, Section 405.035 "Definitions" and Title VI, Section 605.380 “Definitions” by adding the definition of shopping center and prohibiting child day care centers in shopping centers be read for a second time, seconded by Hernandez. Motion carried and Bill No. 8786 was read for a second time. Councilman Schmidt thanked the Planning and Zoning Commission and Councilwoman McKay for their efforts on this Bill, but stated that he would not be supporting it. He felt that since a Special Use Permit from the Council was already required for a day care center, it wasn’t necessary to prohibit them entirely from shopping centers. Councilman Stinnett moved that Bill No. 8786 be read for a third time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8786 was read for a third and final time and placed upon its passage. Before the final vote all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard. On roll call the Council voted: Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt no, Hernandez yes, Lee yes, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes and Schildroth yes. Whereupon the Chair declared Bill No. 8786 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7846.
Councilman English moved that Bill No. 8787 Ordinance repealing Ord. No. 7755 and authorizing the Mayor of the City Of Florissant to enter into a contract with the Law Firm of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh represented by John M. Hessel for legal services for the City of Florissant commencing on December 1, 2011 and ending on November 30, 2012 be read for a second time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8787 was read for a second time. Councilman Schildroth moved that Bill No. 8787 be read for a third time, seconded by Schmidt. Motion carried and Bill No. 8787 was read for a third and final time and placed upon its passage. Before the final vote all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard. On roll call the Council voted: Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes, Lee yes, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes and Schildroth yes. Whereupon the Chair declared Bill No. 8787 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7847.
Councilman Hernandez moved that Bill No. 8788 Ordinance authorizing a Transfer of Special Use Permit No. 5391 as amended for the location and operation of a restaurant from Fortel’s Pizza Den to Deleo’s Deli located at 2782 N. Hwy 67 be read for a second time, seconded by Schmidt. Motion carried and Bill No. 8788 was read for a second time. Councilwoman McKay moved that Bill No. 8788 be read for a third time, seconded by Stinnett. Motion carried and Bill No. 8788 was read for a third and final time and placed upon its passage. Before the final vote all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard. On roll call the Council voted: Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes, Lee yes, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes and Schildroth yes. Whereupon the Chair declared Bill No. 8788 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7848.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Board Appointments.
Councilman Hernandez moved to accept the Mayor’s reappointment William Boschert, 2085 Valencia, to the Senior Citizen Committee as a member from Ward 9 for a term expiring on 11/25/2014, seconded by Lee. Motion carried.
Councilman Lee moved to approve the request for Beer and Wine Package Liquor License for Parsons Convenience Stores, Inc. d/b/a Florissant BP for the property located at 1590 S. New Florissant Road, seconded by Stinnett. On roll call the Council voted: Stinnett yes, McKay absent, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes, Lee yes, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes and Schildroth yes. Whereupon the Chair declared the liquor license approved.
Councilman English moved to approve the request of the City Council by Thomas Allen for a permit to keep two chickens at 200 Humes Lane, seconded by Lee. Motion carried.
Councilman English introduced Bill No. 8789 An Ordinance amending Ord. No. 7664 establishing a length of service compensation plan for part-time employees by adding the title of HVAC technician and said Bill was read for the first time. Councilman English moved that Bill No. 8789 be read for a second time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8789 was read for a second time. Councilman Grib moved that Bill No. 8789 be read for a third time, seconded by Hernandez. On roll call the Council voted: Stinnett yes, McKay absent, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes, Lee yes, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes and Schildroth yes. Having received the unanimous vote of all members present Bill No. 8789 was read for the third and final time and placed upon its passage. Before the final vote all interested person were given an opportunity to be heard. On roll call the Council voted: Stinnett yes, McKay absent, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes, Lee yes, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes and Schildroth yes. The Chair declared Bill No. 8789 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7849.
Councilman English moved to cancel the December 26, 2011 Council Meeting due to the holidays, seconded by Stinnett. Motion carried.
The next item on the Agenda is Council Announcements.
Councilman English announced that on Dec 14 he and Councilman Hernandez would be hosting a joint ward meeting at JJE at 7 pm. Mayor Schneider and members of the administration would be in attendance.
Mayor Schneider cautioned ladies to keep their purses closed with keys “close at hand” and report any suspicious individuals to the police. He also informed everyone that the 225th birthday celebration of Florissant last Friday at St. Ferdinand Shrine was very successful with several distinguished guests in attendance. He thanked the Shrine, Senior Commission, sponsors, Kay Bee Electric and Ameran UE, the Knights of Columbus and the Parks Department. He announced that “Christmas in Old Town” would be held on December 3 with Santa arriving at the Senior Dining Center from 2-5. At 4 pm there will be the dedication of plaques on the history walk of fame honoring Mayors Sidney Garrett, Henry Koch, and Arthur Bangert. The Christmas tree lighting will be held at 6:30 with a walk at 5:30 ending with coco being served in Council Chambers. The 23rd Project Lift Off. Will be held at the JJE later in the evening.
Councilman Eagan moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Stinnett. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Karen Goodwin, City Clerk
The following Bills were signed by the Mayor:
8783 Ord. No. 7845
8786 Ord. No. 7846
8787 Ord. No. 7847
8788 Ord. No. 7848
8789 Ord. No. 7849