CITY OF FLORISSANT
COUNCIL MINUTES
August 8, 2011
The Florissant City Council met in regular session at the Florissant City Hall, 955 rue St. Francois on Monday, August 8, 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, 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 Lee moved to approve Meeting and Executive Minutes of 7/25/2011, seconded by Hernandez. Motion carried. Councilwoman McKay moved to approve Work Session Minutes of 7/27/2011, seconded by Grib. Motion carried.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was “Oath of Office” for the newly elected Councilpersons. Mayor Schneider swore in Councilman Joseph Eagan, Ward 3 and Councilman Patrick Stinnett, Ward 6.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Hearing from Citizens.
Mark Behlmann, 738 Charbonier Rd., congratulated the new Councilmen on winning their ward races. He informed the Council of the recent conflict between himself and the administration/Mayor regarding political signs, which ultimately resulted in Mr. Behlmann being issued a ticket. He distributed photocopies of similar violations by other citizens who were not cited. He requested an apology.
Elizabeth Bowling, 2915 Derhake Rd., reminded everyone that 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.
Elizabeth O’Fallon, 1085 Campion, thanked the residents of Ward 3 for their support in the recent election and congratulated Joe Eagan on his victory.
Michael O’Fallon, 1085 Campion, congratulated Joe Eagan and Pat Stinnett on their victories. He reported that there was a homeless person sleeping on the playground equipment at Koch Park recently and asked that the police department patrol the area. He added that he was disappointed that the pools closed early and that he was aware it was due to lack of staff. But at the same time, he felt it wasn’t fair to the residents who had paid $125.00 for a season pool pass. Lastly, he felt that Blackfoot Park was in a state of neglect and disrepair and he hoped the City would pay it some attention. If the City needed residents to help, he would be glad to volunteer.
Senator Jane Cunningham, congratulated Mayor Schneider and the new Councilmembers on the recent election races. She reported on House Bill 142 which allows a citizen to add one tax dollar for the purpose of repairing or replacing water lines and/or allows the cost of maintaining a derelict/neglected home to be added to the owners tax bill. Both of these options would require voter approval.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Communications.
1. Email, dated August 3, 2011 from Kevin O’Donnell regarding living signs.
Councilman Hernandez moved that email, dated 7/27/2011 from James O’Gorman, 1440 Tina be read in its entirety and be made part of the record, seconded by Hernandez. Motion carried. The City Clerk read the correspondence in its entirety.
The City Clerk reported that the next item on the agenda was public hearings.
The City Clerk reported that Public Hearing #11-08-018 to be held this night on a request to authorize an amendment to Special Use Permit No. 6008 to Gettemeier’s Bar & Grill to allow for outside dining for the property located at 1740 Thunderbird Ave. 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. Jerry Gettemeier, petitioner, explained that he would like to have outside dining at his restaurant. The exact location of the addition will be 1752 Thunderbird Ave., will be approximately 1,000 square feet, and will have a bar and six or seven tables. The front of the establishment will be open, with the windows removed completely in order to comply with St. Louis County Health Department’s smoking ordinance. There will be an opening in the rear of the building as well. Patrons will enter the new outside area through the main part of the restaurant. Panic hardware will be installed on both the front and rear egresses. In response to Councilwoman McKay’s question, Mr. Gettemeier explained that there will be a door separating the two areas, with a “smoke-eater” installed above it. Councilwoman McKay stated that since this was a time sensitive issue, she would support three reading of the Bill. Councilman Stinnett agreed. The Chair asked if there were any citizens who would like to speak on said public hearing. Being none, Councilman Stinnett moved to close P.H. #11-08-018, seconded by Eagan. Motion carried.
Councilman Schildroth moved to amend Bill No. 8757 Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 7368 by setting the salary of the Municipal Judge as of the election of November 8, 2011 by increasing the salary from $44,000 to $50,000, seconded by Lee. Motion carried. Councilman Schildroth moved that Bill No. 8757 be read for a second time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8757 was read for a second time. Councilman Stinnett moved that Bill No. 8757 be read for a third time, seconded by Eagan. Motion carried and Bill No. 8757 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, Eagan yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Stinnet yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. Whereupon the Chair declared Bill No. 8757 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7819.
The Chair stated that the next item on the agenda was Board Appointments.
Councilwoman McKay moved to reappoint Jericah Selby, 11 St. Martha, to the Citizens Participation Committee as a member from Ward 7 for a term expiring on 8/9/2012, seconded by English. Motion carried.
Councilwoman McKay moved to reappoint Pamela Lee, 635 Derhake, to the Citizens Participation Committee as a member from Ward 7 for a term expiring on 8/14/2012, seconded by English. Motion carried.
Councilman English moved to accept the Mayor’s reappointment of Dennis Peery, 1815 Shirlene Dr., to the Veterans Commission as a member from Ward 4 for a term expiring on 4/14/2014, seconded by Lee. Motion carried.
Councilman Schildroth moved to accept the Mayor’s reappointment of Nancy Adams, 342 Reighley Place, to the Environmental Quality Commission as a member from Ward 5 for a term expiring on 4/14/2014, seconded by Grib. Motion carried.
The next item on the agenda was a request for an animal permit for Steve and Elizabeth Purgahn to keep three American chickens at 380 St. Louis Street. Councilman Stinnett moved to approve the request for an animal permit, seconded by Grib. Motion carried.
Councilman Stinnett introduced Bill No. 8759 An Ordinance authorizing an amendment to Special Use Permit No. 6008, as amended by Ordinance No. 7407, to Gettemeier’s Bar & Grill to allow for outside dining for the property located at 1740 Thunderbird Ave. and said Bill was read for the first time. Councilman Stinnett moved that Bill No. 8759 be read for a second time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8759 was read for a second time. Councilman Stinnett moved that Bill No. 8759 be read for a third time, seconded by McKay. On roll call the Council voted: Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. Having received the unanimous vote of all members present Bill No. 8759 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, Eagan yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. The Chair declared Bill No. 8759 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7820.
Councilman English introduced Bill No. 8760 An Ordinance appropriating the sum of $20,000 from the General Revenue Fund of the City of Florissant to Budget Acct. No. 4015 “Unemployment Claim Reserve” for payment of reimbursable unemployment benefits and said Bill was read for the first time. Councilman English moved that Bill No. 8760 be read for a second time, seconded by Grib. Motion carried and Bill No. 8760 was read for a second time. Councilman Schildroth moved that Bill No. 8760 be read for a third time, seconded by Eagan. On roll call the Council voted: Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. Having received the unanimous vote of all members present Bill No. 8760 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, Eagan yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. The Chair declared Bill No. 8760 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7821.
Councilman English introduced Bill No. 8761 An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the installation, operation and maintenance of an automated red light enforcement system and said Bill was read for the first time. Councilman Schildroth moved that Bill No. 8761 be read for a second time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8761 was read for a second time. Councilman Stinnett moved that Bill No. 8761 be read for a third time, seconded by Eagan. On roll call the Council voted: Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. Having received the unanimous vote of all members present Bill No. 8761 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, Eagan yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. The Chair declared Bill No. 8761 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7822.
Councilman English introduced Bill No. 8762 An Ordinance authorizing an appropriation of $80,000 from the General Revenue Fund to Acct. No. 4927 “Gasoline” for the purpose of purchasing gasoline for the Police Department and said Bill was read for the first time. Councilman English moved that Bill No. 8762 be read for a second time, seconded by Lee. Motion carried and Bill No. 8762 was read for a second time. Councilman Grib moved that Bill No. 8762 be read for a third time, seconded by Schmidt. On roll call the Council voted: Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. Having received the unanimous vote of all members present Bill No. 8762 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. John Engelmeyer, 740 St. Judith, stated that the Bill title reads the amount as $80,000 while the body of the Bill reads the amount as $89,000. The City Clerk stated that she was aware of the “typo” and the correct amount was $80,000. On roll call the Council voted: Grib yes, Eagan yes, English yes, Schildroth yes, Stinnett yes, McKay yes, Schmidt yes, Hernandez yes and Lee yes. The Chair declared Bill No. 8762 to have passed and said Bill became Ordinance No. 7823.
Councilwoman McKay thanked Denise and David Hill for Chairing the North County Relay for Life. She announced that Rosemary Davison had celebrated her 93 birthday. She added that she will be hosting a Ward 7 Meeting on August 24 at the Eagan Center at 7 p.m. The Mayor, Chief of Police and other administrative staff will be in attendance. She encouraged residents to apply for the various vacancies on the City Boards and Commissions.
Councilman Schildroth reminded residents not to blow their grass clippings into the sewers, because it caused sewers to backup. He thanked the Council for their cooperating on amending Bill 8757 and making changes to the Municipal Judge’s salary.
Councilman Eagan thanked Mark Behlmann and Elizabeth O’Fallon for running a good campaign. Also, he thanked family and friends for their support during the campaign.
Councilman Schmidt thanked Senator Cunningham for presenting the two house bills, but added that St. Louis County and Missouri American Water already assessed a fee, which was placed on the personal property tax.
Councilman English thanked the Mayor and police department for finding a shelter for the homeless individual found at Koch Park. He informed the Council that he had been recently working in Joplin, helping the victims of the tornado. He added that food and clothing were already there and what was now needed was “hands on” assistance and talent. The Council will be working on Charter Review with work session dates to be determined soon. The public is invited to attend the meetings.
Councilman Schmidt suggested putting together a Redistricting Committee within the next month since there was a full Council. He encouraged residents to apply, as the committee is made up of one resident per ward.
Councilman Eagan moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Stennitt. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Karen Goodwin, City Clerk
The following Bills were signed by the Mayor:
8757 Ord. No. 7819
8759 Ord. No. 7820
8760 Ord. No. 7821
8761 Ord. No. 7822
8762 Ord. No. 7823