CITY OF FLORISSANT
COUNCIL MINUTES
July 25, 2011
The Florissant City Council met in regular session at the Florissant City Hall, 955 rue St. Francois on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 8:00 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: Grib, English, Schildroth, Podleski, McKay, Schmidt, Hernandez and Lee. 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 English moved to amend the Agenda to add Police Department commendations and the Mayor’s Veto Message before “Hearing from Citizens,” seconded by Schmidt. Motion carried.
Councilwoman McKay moved to approve Meeting and Executive Minutes of 7/11/2011, seconded by Hernandez. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was presentations of recognition made to various police officers by Police Chief William Karabas. The following officers were commended for their courageous and outstanding work: Jessica Rinck, Gary Niemann, Mark Lorthridge, Patrick O’Fallon, Lessie Summers, Steve Neuhauser, Matthew Thompson, Matthew Stringer, Mark Pounders, David Rohlfing, Rick Pfaff, Dustin Owen and Christopher Schilling.
The next item on the agenda was the Mayor’s Veto Message, dated July 20, 2011. Mayor Schneider read his veto message of Bill No. 8737, a bill which created a Charter Review Commission, in its entirety.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Hearing from Citizens.
Denise and David Hill, 670 Starlet Dr., North County Relay for Life, stated that this years annual event would be held at Hazelwood Central on August 5-6 and encouraged everyone to attend.
Elizabeth Bowling, 2915 Derhake Rd., reminded everyone of the National Night Out to be held on August 2. On August 11, the Police Department and the Neighborhood Watch Program will be sponsoring an open house from 6-8 p.m. at the Eagan Center for residents of Ward 7, 8, and 9.
Joan Frericks, 1 St. Cornelius Ct., expressed her views about encouraging small businesses to flourish in Florissant. She added that the North Side Art Association will be displaying some of their work at the Eagan Center during the month of August.
Walt Kaiser, 105 N. St. Charles, stated that the Veterans Commission was currently taking nominations for veteran of the year. The Veterans Coalition will be hosting 9/11 ceremonies at the Eagan Center on September 11. Mr. Kaiser encouraged everyone to attend the Relay for Life opening ceremonies on August 5 at 6 p.m.
John Engelmeyer, 740 St. Judith, stated that he had received only one response to the five questions which he had sent, in the form of a letter, to the Council and administration. He congratulated the candidates on running good transparent campaigns. Furthermore, Mr. Engelmeyer complimented the resident on Derhake who does an outstanding job in maintaining the Derhake Road wedge. He informed the residents of the Council Work Session Meeting on July 27 at which budget issues will be discussed. He asked if there were any other forum at which a resident could express his concerns other than the three minute “Hearing from Citizens” at Council Meetings.
Pat Stinnett, 1370 Pepperhill Dr., stated that the Mayor supported Charter review by the City Council, but not by an appointed Commission.
Mark Behlmann, 768 Charbonier Rd., expressed his views regarding what he felt was deception in the message regarding the veto of Charter Review Bill No. 8737. He added that citizen input was necessary and ultimately the City Council would be responsible for what was placed on ballot.
Elizabeth O’Fallon, 1085 Campion, stated that the veto of Bill No. 8737 was a missed opportunity to encourage citizen participation as well as to eliminate the disconnect between the residents and local government. Residents would be making recommendations only.
Rosemary Davison, 555 Bluff Parks Dr., informed the Council and residents that the City’s Charter was adopted by a Special Election held on May 21, 1963. Ms. Davison was elected as a freeholder to help draft the Charter, of which no member of the Board of Freeholders held public office. Ms. Davison was the first City Clerk and Legislative Assistant to serve under the new Charter. She added that she welcomed the review of this great document and stated that if revisions were necessary, she would support them.
Kathy Record, 1170 Kostka, informed the Council about the history of abuse of her children by a neighbor and about an ongoing investigation. She also stated that her family had lost their home. Councilman English asked Ms. Record to call the administration to see if there was anything that could be done to help them.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Communications.
1. Email, dated July 8, 2011 from Susan Geerling regarding EFIS deterioration.
2. Letter, dated July 11, 2011 from Joan Felling complimenting Officer Coder and expressing her appreciation to the Florissant Police Department.
3. Email, dated July 12, 2011 from Jeff Cook regarding the Charter Review Commission vote.
4. Email, dated July 12, 2011 from Kevin O’Donnell regarding a vacated seat in the current City Charter.
Councilman English asked that the communications from the Mayor be made part of the record.
The City Clerk reported that the next item on the agenda was public hearings of which there were none.
Councilman Hernandez moved that Bill No. 8756 Ordinance authorizing an amendment to Special Use Permit No. 5508, as amended by Ordinance no. 5812, to McDonalds Restaurant to allow for exterior alterations for the property located at 3165 N. Hwy 67 be read for a second time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8756 was read for a second time. Councilman Grib moved that Bill No. 8756 be read for a third time, seconded by McKay. Motion carried and Bill No. 8756 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: Grib yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Podleski yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. Whereupon the Chair declared Bill No. 8756 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7817.
Councilman Lee moved to accept Substitute Bill No. 8757 Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 7368 by setting the salary of the Municipal Judge as of the election of November 8, 2011, seconded by McKay. Motion carried. Councilman Lee explained that correspondence regarding this bill had been received just this evening and he would like to discuss it at the Work Session on July 27. He asked the City Clerk to amend the Work Session agenda to include this item. Councilman Lee moved to continue Bill No. 8757 to 8/8/2011, seconded by Grib. Motion carried.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Board Appointments.
Councilman Hernandez moved to reappointment Edna Ditto, 3580 Dwyer, to the Citizens Participation Committee as a member from Ward 9 for a term expiring on 5/27/2012, seconded by English. Motion carried.
Councilwoman McKay moved to accept the Mayor’s reappointment of Doris Coleman, 1380 Zurich, to the Environmental Quality Commission as a member from Ward 7 for a term expiring on 10/22/2013, seconded by Schmidt. Motion carried.
The next item on the agenda was a request for an animal permit for Christopher Sanderson to keep one red fox at 745 Lilac Drive on a visiting basis. Councilman English moved to suspend the rules to hear from the petitioner, seconded by Schildroth. Motion carried. Mr. Sanderson explained that his parents live in Florissant and he would like to be able to bring the fox with him when he came for visits. Furthermore, he explained that the fox was very similar to a dog, would be kept on a leash, and that the Health Department had approved the request. Councilman Lee suggested adding a one- year review to the permit. Councilman English moved to approve the request for an animal permit with a one-year review for Christopher Sanderson in order to keep one red fox at 745 Lilac Drive on a visiting basis, seconded by Lee. Motion carried.
Councilman English introduced Bill No. 8758 An Ordinance transferring the sum of $1,300 from Acct. No. 3842 “Council Accts” to Acct. No. 4042 “Travel and Training” for the purpose of covering additional travel expenses and said Bill was read for the first time. Councilman English moved that Bill No. 8758 be read for a second time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8758 was read for a second time. Councilman Schildroth moved that Bill No. 8758 be read for a third time, seconded by Grib. On roll call the Council voted: Grib yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Podleski yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. Having received the unanimous vote of all members present Bill No. 8758 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: Grib yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Podleski yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. The Chair declared Bill No. 8758 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7818.
The next item on the Agenda was Council Announcements.
Councilman Podleski announced that the Florissant Valley Jaycees will be hosting the annual duck races at the Koch Family Aquatic Center on August 7 at 7:30 p.m. with “Accessible Play” being the beneficiary of the proceeds.
Councilman Schildroth welcomed Councilman Schmidt back after his absence due to medical reasons.
Councilman Lee thanked the residents of Ward 1 for responding to his recent Ward letter. Furthermore, he asked the Mayor to reinstate the “Council Action” Cable Program for the benefit of the residents.
Councilwoman McKay asked Councilman Schmidt to participate in the opening survivor ceremonies of the Relay for Life. She added that she will be having a Ward Meeting on August 24 at the Eagan Center at 7 p.m. Likewise, she asked the Mayor to reinstate “Council Action” and requested that a letter from Councilman Lee be made part of the record.
Councilman Hernandez warned residents that schools would be opening soon and cautioned everyone to drive carefully, especially around school zones.
Councilman English announced that the next two Council Work Sessions were scheduled for July 27 and August 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Government Building.
Councilman Podleski moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Schmidt. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Karen Goodwin, City Clerk
The following Bills were signed by the Mayor:
8756 Ord. No. 7815
8758 Ord. No. 7816