CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 27, 2009
The Council of the City of Fulton, Missouri, met in regular session on Tuesday, January 27, 2009, in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 18 E. 4th Street. Present and presiding were Charles M. Latham, Mayor; William Johnson, Director of Administration; Carolyn L. Laswell, City Clerk; and Steve Myers, Chief of Police. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Latham at 6:30 p.m. Roll call was taken by the City Clerk and members of the council present were Benton; Bill; Digh; Gohring; Harris; Moore; Pautz; and West. Also present were Matt Harline, Assistant to the Director of Administration; Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities; Les Hudson, Code Enforcement Officer; Kathy Holschlag, Chief Financial Officer; Greg Hayes, City Engineer; J. C. Miller, Solid Waste Manager; Dean Buffington, Fire Chief; Sherri Redmon, Human Resources Director; J. C. Miller, Solid Waste Manager; Clay Caswell, Parks & Recreation Director; Dan Gomer-Palacio; Terry Cobb; Lee Kelsay; David White; Jeremy Polston and Justin Dean, Audio/Video.
INVOCATION:
Invocation was given by Mayor Latham.
Mayor Latham said there was a need to amend the council agenda by adding a 11. a) Bill No. 1263 for first reading.
Motion was offered by Councilman West and seconded by Councilwoman Gohring to amend the agenda as Mayor Latham requested. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
COMMENTS FROM VISITORS:
Mayor Latham asked if there was anyone present who wished to address the council that was not listed on tonight's agenda to please come to the podium and state their name, address and area of concern. There were none.
PUBLIC HEARING:
a) For the purpose of approving or denying an application submitted by Terry Cobb, d/b/a Tiger Taxi, LLC., to establish and operate a Taxi Cab service within the City of Fulton.
This hearing was declared open at 6:31 p.m.
There were three calls issued for anyone wishing to speak in opposition of the matter being considered.
First call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of this proposed taxi cab service? There were none.
Second call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of this proposed taxi cab service? There were none.
Third and final call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of this proposed taxi cab service? There were none.
There were three calls issued for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the matter being considered.
First call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of this proposed taxi cab service?
Terry Cobb, explained where and why she wanted to start a taxi cab service in Fulton.
Second call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of this proposed taxi cab service? There were none.
Third and final call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of this proposed taxi cab service? There were none.
This Public Hearing was declared closed at 6:35 p.m.
MINUTES:
The council meeting minutes for December 16, 2008 were presented for approval.
Motion was offered by Councilman Pautz and seconded by Councilwoman Digh that council meeting minutes for December 16, 2008 be approved as presented. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
The council meeting minutes for January 7, 2009 were presented for approval.
Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Pautz that council meeting minutes for January 7, 2009 be approved as presented. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
The council meeting minutes for January 13, 2009 were presented for approval.
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Digh and seconded by Councilman Pautz that council meeting minutes for January 13, 2009 be approved as presented. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
FINANCIALS:
The Financials for the month of November 2008 were presented for approval and Kathy Holschlag, Chief Financial Officer, was present to answer any questions from the council.
After some review and discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman Pautz to accept the November Financials as presented. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
The Financials for the month of December 2008 were presented for approval and Kathy Holschlag, Chief Financial Officer, was present to answer any questions from the council.
After some review and discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman Pautz to accept the December Financials as presented. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION REPORT FOR DECEMBER:
The Director of Administration Report for December was presented to the council for review. Bill Johnson said he or any of the department heads at this meeting would answer any questions from the council.
The Golf course RFP will be opened on February 2, 2009.
The city engineer gave the 2009 snow removal schedule on city streets at the request of Councilman Moore.
The fire chief said the pumper truck is still on loan from Central. The council asked when the city's truck was to be finished and it was noted that the fire department had a number of trucks needing maintenance but had to wait its turn for garage service. The council requested that emergency vehicles have priority over city fleet for the maintenance schedule at the city garage.
Upon review, motion was offered by Councilman West and seconded by Councilman Pautz to accept the Director of Administration Report for December as presented. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business to bring before the council at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Internship Opportunity with Westminster College by Dan Gomez-Palacio.
Dan Gomez-Palacio discussed an internship program that will have a student look at improving both the physical connection as well as the social connection of Westminster College with the downtown community. Costs will be paid by Westminster, and the city will help with some maps, space/working area and other things as needed.
After some discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman Moore to approve this proposed internship project with Westminster College. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
b) Discussion of the proposed Taxi Cab Service (hearing held earlier in this meeting).
Steve Myers, Police Chief, said he has checked into their taxi cab service in Columbia and found no problems.
After some discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Moore to allow Tiger Taxi, LLC to make application for a business license in Fulton to operate a taxi cab service. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
c) Update from Steve Moore, council liaison, on the Traffic Commission meeting held on Tuesday, January 20th.
Councilman Moore said the commission discussed parking along Thatcher Street. The police will continue to monitor this parking situation on a roadway 23 feet wide with ditches but no other action was taken at this time.
DREAM Initiative - Greg Hayes, City Engineer, updated the commission on the DREAM Initiative in the downtown area.
Also discussed were new traffic signals at Bluff & St. Louis Avenue. Greg Hayes gave the commission a brief update on the contract to replace the city's traffic signals at the intersection of Bluff and St. Louis Avenue.
Councilwoman Digh thanked the Traffic Commission for eliminating parking for better traffic flow at West 7th and Jefferson Streets.
d) Update from LeRoy Benton, council liaison, on the Utility Board meeting held on Monday, January 26th.
Councilman Benton reported the board went over the financial statements, and the monthly utility department's monthly reports.
Other subjects discussed were the water project at the State Hospital; update on electric rates and an update on gas rates, which the council will discuss later on in this meeting.
Also reviewed was the Green Sales Tax Holiday as proposed by the State of Missouri to apply to the local sales taxes of the City of Fulton between April 19th and April 25th, 2009. This would allow to exempt retail purchases of certain qualifying energy efficient appliances from state sales tax within that period of time.
The Utility Board is making a recommendation to the city council to allow this "Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday" (An Ordinance will be presented later on in this meeting).
Also discussed was the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Interconnect Agreement which would be an insurance policy and used only in case of emergency. It would be a second tie and there would be no additional fees or penalties after the one time fee of $406,500.00.
Darrell Dunlap did a power point presentation on a Solar Project PPA with Sun Edison. Councilman Benton suggested that Darrell present this power point presentation to the council at a future work session.
e) Lower Natural Gas Rates to $10 per MCF = $1.00 per ccf effective with the February 28th Billing.
Bill Johnson said natural gas costs are less, therefore, he asked the council for permission to lower natural gas rates by $1.00 per unit. The Utility Board made a recommendation to the council to approve this request at their meeting on Monday.
After some discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman West to lower the city's natural gas rates effective with the February 28th billing.
f) Update on SWAT Committee.
Mayor Latham gave an update on the Solid Waste Advisory Team (SWAT).
Mayor Latham distributed a hand-out to the council showing the names and addresses of the volunteers for this team. He was very pleased with the interest shown on this project. If anyone else would like to join the SWAT, please contact him at city hall. The initial meeting will be held on Thursday, January 29th at 4:00 p.m. in the Executive Conference Room. He will keep the council updated on this project.
RESOLUTIONS:
Resolution 3034 was presented and read by Councilwoman Gohring.
Resolution 3034 - A Resolution authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the C.O.F., to enter into a Lease Agreement with Joe Duncan for real estate located on County Road 305, Fulton, Missouri (Copy is included in the official Resolution Book).
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Gohring and seconded by Councilman Bill to adopt Resolution 3034 at this council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
ORDINANCES:
Bill No. 1263 was presented for first reading by Councilman Benton.
Bill No. 1263 - An Ordinance allowing the "Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday" to apply to the local sales taxes of the City of Fulton, between April 19 and April 25, 2009.
Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Pautz to place Bill No. 1263 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Bill No. 1262 was read for the second time by Councilwoman Digh.
Bill No. 1262 - An Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the C.O.F., to sign all necessary documents for the purchase of three to four acres, more or less, located on County Road 305, Fulton, Missouri, from Charles Lee Joseph Duncan (Copy is included in the official Ordinance Book).
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Digh and seconded by Councilman Pautz to place Bill No. 1262 for third reading at this council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Bill No. 1262 was read for the third time by Councilwoman Digh.
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Digh and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1262 for final passage at this council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Roll call vote of members of the council was as follows: Bill, yes; Digh, yes; Gohring, yes; Harris, yes; Moore, yes; Pautz, yes; West, yes; and Benton, yes. Bill No. 1262 having received the affirmative vote of all eight members of the council was declared passed by the President of the council.
APPOINTMENTS:
Mayor Latham asked for approval to the appointment of Lance Duider to the Demolition Board replacing Kevin Neal.
Motion was offered by Councilman Pautz and seconded by Councilman Harris to approve the appointment of Lance Duider to the Demolition Board. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Notice of the MML Legislative Conference to be held on February 18 - 19, 2009, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Anyone interested, in attending, please contact the City Clerk at this council meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Latham said there was a need for an executive session at this council meeting for the following purposes:
To discuss or deal with lease, purchase or sale of real estate.
Motion was offered by Councilman Pautz and seconded by Councilwoman Gohring to enter executive session. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Roll call to enter Executive Session was read as follows: Digh, yes; Gohring, yes; Harris, yes; Moore, yes; Pautz, yes; West, yes; Benton, yes; and Bill, yes.
The council entered Executive Session at 7:30 p.m.
Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Benton to exit executive session. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Roll call to exit Executive Session was read as follows: Gohring, yes; Harris, yes; Moore, yes; Pautz, yes; West, yes; Benton; yes; Bill, yes; and Digh, yes.
The council exited Executive Session at 7:37 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the council, motion was offered by Councilman Pautz and seconded by Councilwoman Gohring to adjourn this meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor and the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
Charles M. Latham, Mayor
Carolyn L. Laswell, CMC/MRCC
City Clerk