CITY OF FLORISSANT
COUNCIL MINUTES
December 12, 2011
The Florissant City Council met in regular session at the Florissant City Hall, 955 rue St. Francois on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. with Council President Keith English presiding. The Chair asked everyone to stand and join Cub Scout Troop 702 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.
Councilwoman McKay moved to approve the Meeting Minutes of 11/28/2011, seconded by Grib. Motion carried.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Hearing from Citizens of which there were none.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Communications.
The Chair reported that the next item on the agenda was public hearings.
The City Clerk reported that Public Hearing #11-12-028 to be held this night on a request to authorize an amendment to B-5 Ordinance No. 6291 to allow for the development of additional retail establishments for the property located at 2393 N. Hwy 67 had been advertised in substantially the same form as appears in the foregoing publication and by posting the property. The Chair declared the Public Hearing to be open and invited those who wished to be heard to come forward.
Richard Obertino, TRI Architects, informed the Council that the property in question was the old Value City building on N. Hwy 67, next to Target. The building is currently 91,750 square feet, is brick, and in good shape with a fence to the rear of the property. This development will bring approximately 200 new permanent and 250 construction jobs to Florissant. The front wall will be removed in its entirety to make room for four tenants. Also, there will be an out building proposed as well for two additional tenants. There are reciprocal parking agreements with the tenants on both sides of the site. When completed, the mall will look like a new development. Brick, stone and EIFS will all be used. In regards to signage, the petitioner will be asking for only one sign, near its current location, 40 feet tall with a 40 foot set back.
In regards to Councilman Grib’s question regarding the awnings, Mr. Obertino stated that their life span would be in excess of five years. Also, the petitioner explained that the spans at the top of the building would be EIFS, which the Planning and Zoning Commission had expressed concern.
Mr. Obertino clarified that Planning and Zoning only expressed concern in regards to EIFS on the out building.
Councilwoman McKay was excited about the project, but expressed her concern about EIFS.
Councilman Stinnett and English likewise expressed their concerns with the attractiveness and strength of EIFS. Councilman Schmidt understood other Councilmembers concerns but stated that EIFS had come a long way in the last few years. Also, EIFS was used at Cross Keys S/C and has held up fine. Councilman Eagan asked that the amount of EIFS be limited. Councilman Grib agreed with the majority of the Council. Mr. Obertino explained that EIFS now had a draining system that made it cost as much as brick to install. It had changed and improved over the last few years.
Councilman Grib suggested that maybe it was time to re-evaluate the Masonry Code.
The Chair asked if there were any citizens who would like to speak on said public hearing.
Michael O’Fallon, 1085 Campion Lane, stated that he would support Councilman Grib’s suggestion about revisiting the Masonry Code.
John Engelmeyer, 740 St. Judith, asked if the property in question was two separate parcels and who exactly were the developers. He expressed his concern about the design and traffic flow of the parking lot as well as the usage of EIFS on the building.
Kevin O’Donnell, 512 Rancho, felt that another strip mall wasn’t needed in Florissant. He would prefer a larger store like Best Buy.
Bob Russell, Econ Dev. Dir, stated that long-term lease tenants have been secured for all locations and that Best Buy stopped leasing several years ago. National Retail Properties is a top company in the U.S. and Florissant is getting a top quality, high-end developer.
Mayor Schneider stated that the administration was very excited about the proposed development.
The Chair asked if there were any other citizens who would like to speak on said public hearing. Being none, Councilman Hernandez moved to close P.H. #11-12-028, seconded by Schmidt. Motion carried.
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 Hernandez. Motion carried and Bill No. 8785 was read for a second time. Councilwoman McKay stated she drove by the property recently, and since the screening was sufficient, she had no objections. Councilwoman McKay moved to amend Subsection 2, Section 1, to read “Shall be a monopole not to exceed 100 feet,” seconded by English. Motion carried. Councilman Lee moved that Bill No. 8785 be read for a third time, seconded by Grib. Motion carried and Bill No. 8785 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. 8785 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7850.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Board Appointments.
Councilman Eagan moved to appointment Tim Brice, 23 Radford, to the Personnel Commission as a member from Ward 3 for a term expiring on 12/12/2015, seconded by Lee. Motion carried.
Councilman Schildroth moved to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Allison Fischer, 1140 Flordawn, to the Youth Advisory Commission as a member from Ward 3 for a term expiring on 12/12/2014, seconded by Grib. Motion carried.
Councilman Schildroth moved to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Kris Smith, 740 Mullanphy, to the Youth Advisory Commission as a member from Ward 4 for a term expiring on 12/12/2014, seconded by Grib. Motion carried.
Councilman Grib moved to postpone the request of the City Council by Iwana Rayburn for a permit to keep chickens at 25 Hammes Dr. until 1/9/2012, seconded by Eagan. Motion carried. Councilman Grib moved to suspend the rules to hear from the petitioner, Mrs. Rayburn, seconded by Eagan. Motion carried. Ms. Rayburn appeared before the Council and explained why she would like to keep chickens. Councilman Grib would like Ms. Rayburn to obtain the signatures of her neighbors for their approval. Also, he would like for her to draw a more detailed plan of what the chicken coop will look like. He asked that they limit the number of chickens to four as required by the Health Dept.
Councilman English introduced Resolution No. 956 A Resolution of the Florissant City Council regarding the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) pending consent decree and rate increases and said Resolution was read for the first time. Councilman English moved that Resolution No. 956 be read for a second time, seconded by McKay. Motion carried and Resolution No. 956 was read for a second time. Councilman English moved to hear from, Lance La Comb, seconded by Hernandez. Motion carried. Mr. LaComb recommended that the Council not adopt the resolution. He added that if too many cities adopted the resolution, it could impact MSD’s credit rating. Mayor Schneider stated that he was divided on this issue and asked for clarification. Councilman Grib stated that he would be abstaining from this vote for two reasons: he is an adjunct professor of environmental science for the junior college district and his son is an environmental investigator for MSD. Considerable discussion was had. Councilman English moved that Resolution No. 956 be read for a third time. Resolution No. 956 failed for a lack of a second.
Councilman Hernandez introduced Bill No. 8790 An Ordinance amending B-5 Ord. No. 5186 as amended by Ordinance Nos. 5472, 5733 and 6291 to allow for the development of additional retail establishments located at 2393 N. Hwy 67 and repealing Ordinance No. 7705 and said Bill was read for the first time by title only.
Councilman English introduced Bill No. 8791 An Ordinance calling for an election at the direction of the Boundary Commission to be held on April 3, 2012 for the purpose of bringing to the voters the proposed annexations area known as Area 13 and said Bill was read for the first time. Councilwoman McKay moved that Bill No. 8791 be read for a second time, seconded by Hernandez. Motion carried and Bill No. 8791 was read for a second time. Councilwoman McKay moved that Bill No. 8791 be read for a third time, seconded by Hernandez. 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. Having received the unanimous vote of all members present Bill No. 8791 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. Kevin O’Donnell, 512 Rancho, asked someone from the City to check the website to correct the date of the election.Mayor Schneider thanked John Hessel for enabling the City to get this annexation back on the ballot.
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. The Chair declared Bill No. 8791 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7851
Councilman English introduced Bill No. 8792 An Ordinance amending the General Fund Budget to reflect $150,000 from Asset Forfeiture Funds in Escrow to Forfeiture Revenue Acct. 01-4-34511 and to the Forfeiture Expenditure Acct. 01-5-49-61000 for the purchase of police vehicles and said Bill was read for the first time. Councilman English moved that Bill No. 8792 be read for a second time, seconded by Stinnett. Motion carried and Bill No. 8792 was read for a second time. Councilman Schmidt moved to suspend the rules to hear from Chief Karabas, seconded by McKay. Motion carried. The Chief explained that if the funds were not spent, they go back into the account to be used at a future time. Councilman Stinnett moved that Bill No. 8792 be read for a third time, seconded by Schmidt. 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. Having received the unanimous vote of all members present Bill No. 8792 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 yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes, Lee yes, Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes and Schildroth yes. The Chair declared Bill No. 8792 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7852
The next item on the Agenda is Council Announcements.
Councilman Schildroth congratulated Karen McKay for operating and owning a business in Florissant for 32 years. He offered his condolences to the Gaynor family (Locker Room) on the passing of their mother.
Councilman Stinnett announced that Cannoli’s Restaurant was conducting a decorating contest for local charities.
Councilman Eagan thanked Dawn Simon for her years of service on the Personnel Commission.
Councilwoman McKay stated that she sold her business, but she would continue to work in the City. She validated the good works of North County Incorporated.
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 also be in attendance.
Councilman English wished the Council, the City Clerk and Cub Scoot Troop 702 a Merry Christmas and thanked them for their assistance.
Mayor Schneider read a letter from Senator Claire McCaskill, congratulating the City of Florissant on its 225th birthday. He added that the Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting last Saturday were very successful. Also, last weekend, Project Liftoff was enjoyed by all the children. Christmas Choirs performed at the Shrine and the church was full as well. On 1/29, the Shrine will be hosting a fund raiser at Kemoll’s Restaurant. The FCC Theatre has been nominated for the Sprout 7 Awards. Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Delio’s Deli Restaurants will be opening soon. The Seniors will be having their New Years Eve Party in Paris at the Eagan Center. Free tax preparation services are available for seniors as well.
Each Councilmember wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Councilman Eagan moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Stinnett. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Karen Goodwin, City Clerk
The following Bills were signed by the Mayor:
8785 Ord. No. 7850
8791 Ord. No. 7851
8792 Ord. No. 7852