Board of Aldermen - Regular Meeting

Absolutely.

All right. Good evening everyone and welcome to the board of alderman committee meeting for Thursday May 14th. We'll begin with the pledge of allegiance please. City clerk, if you do a roll call, please. Alderman Lang here. Alderman Brightf. Alderman Whisper here. Alderman Harrell here. Alderman Rogers here. Alderwoman Hills here. Aldwoman Joker here. Alderman Mazarang here. Eight for the quorum.

Thank you. Uh, under the mayor's comments, we have a few items. Uh, first, I want to thank everybody that was involved in the fishing derby Saturday. Uh, I think there I was told there was about 35 people at peak. Um, officer Yanuzi and Dilks uh, kind of put that on for us along with uh, there was officer Dilt's daughter who works for the DNR. She was there helping out. Uh, Candace, new uh, employee was there. Uh, so can't thank them enough for all they did. I think the biggest fish caught that I saw was 17inch bass. Is that a pretty good size, Terry? That's a nice one. I think it is.

She wanted to take it home, but the officer said it had to be 18 in. Uh, I do want to bring up one individual. So, I don't know if anybody had an opportunity to see the Channel 2 news uh where there was u an individual who stole 29 pairs of blue jeans from buckles up in the industrial or up in the uh bluffs. Uh Mark Miner is one who was responsible for capture of this guy. Uh by the way, using the flock system. If you ever had a chance to talk with Mark, he is really passionate about his job and he loves working that bluffs. Uh so if you see him, give him some kudos because he really does us a good job. Really loves his job. Um there are picnic tables for sale. I'm told to mention $25 a piece. How many do you have up there? 40. Um you know, I've taken advantage in the past. A few of them need some boards, but honestly, they're the frames are steel and in good shape. Um, take advantage. Pass the word. I'm sorry. Cash and carry, correct? Um, the restrooms, the restrooms are in full swing. Uh, I think one or two of them have the floor coating. Correct. One does. Looks pretty good. I haven't seen it in person. Uh, but they'll begin. So, if you get any uh uh feedback, let us know. Uh the um playground equipment, we've gotten the okay as of today to go forward with that, Nikki. Um the moisture is is good. So, they're going to start next week on placement.

Yep. They're going to start with the they'll start with the uh the footings next week. And once that happens, it'll start happening pretty fast.

Yep. Okay, food truck tomorrow night. John Jarrett will be playing. There's a number of vendors going to show. So, uh, bring your lawn chair and your appetite. All right, we're going to move then to uh finance. We have just a couple items under finance and then we're going to move to uh um the planning and zoning so these folks can get home. Do we have any public comments, Jane? I'm sorry. Anybody in the audience that would like public comments? I don't see anybody online. All right, we're going to move then to finance. Alderman Lang, Hules, Whisbrock, and Jokers. Alderman Whisbrock as chair. Uh, well, was chair. We have election of the committee chair persons. Alderman Lang,

I'd like to nominate Alderman Whisbrock as chair. We need a second. Alderman Jokers. A second. We have a motion by Lang, second by Joker. We have further discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Congratulations. Thank you. First item up tonight is the monthly report. I would call Tammy

I know. Okay, we'll start with the uh general fund. As you can see, our um revenues are actually over budget for uh the same time period of March 2025 by $45,651. So, that's very good. Our um sales tax is coming in over um what we budgeted. Also, uh the utility taxes are coming in over. Um as of right now, the interest income is uh kind of under last year, but it kind of es and flows. So, we have to we deal with the market there. Um on the uh expenditures, you'll see that we are actually over budget or excuse me, over expenditures of what we spent the same time last year, 33125. Um and part of this is a timing difference because sometimes I the capital projects does not need their money right away but we're doing so many projects in the capital. Um they actually needed the money um earlier this year. So that was the big change um in that figure from this year to last year. Um then we can go over to the um parks and storm water fund. Again, the uh revenues are coming in better than what we than uh the prior year by $92,000. Again, the sales tax is coming in good. Um and then same thing with the expenditures. They're more than um the prior year by $666,000. Again, this has to do with the timing of taking money out for the capital projects funds on that. Um then we can go over to the cash and investments this year. Excuse me. March 2026. If you look at the last page, we have uh 31 million in cash and cash invest investments as

of March 31, 2026. Um the capital projects fund has 4.5 million and of course that is designated by the board for capital projects only. The storm water and parks, we have restricted uh parks and storm water fund of 1.6 million and that's because it's restricted based on the um sales tax that comes in for that. The rest of it is just committed for um storm water and parks of the 10 approximately 10 million and the general fund has uh 14.8 million in cash and investments. Does anybody have any questions about that report? Okay. Next item up tonight is the uh consideration of the 2025 amended budget. Again, I will go over this report a little bit. I put um a general synopsis right on the top for you. I don't know if you know remember on the general fund, we actually had a um a budget uh surplus of approximately $200,000. And if you look, we actually came in as a surplus of $2.3 million. So that's good. And then uh the storm water and parks, the same thing. It was about 900,000 and now it's 1.6 million. And then um we did show that we were going to have a deficit in the uh capital projects fund and that's just using that money that we have when we actually came in at a uh surplus of $78,000. Um there's more detailed information in the back of these pages. The biggest thing on the um general revenue is the sales tax. It actually came in a lot higher than what I budgeted. Um I budgeted $5 million and of course it the revenues budgeted conservatively based on the prior year actual. Um so it

actually came in 668,000 more than what I actually budgeted up the 5 million. And then of course the interest income actually increased 163,000. And of course that's because um we invested more cash into investments during the year. Um there really weren't a whole lot of differences in the expenditures. Um I know it says 771,000 change. Um the insurance we had a huge uh audit or excuse me we had an audit on the the workers's comp and when when they audited the workers comp we had a huge credit balance. So that was the it that was the reason for the decrease in insurance. Um then of course we always I always budget like we're fully staffed and that was the difference for the uh of course the public works as I said I budget like we're fully staffed um we weren't fully staffed so that u actually u we were able to save money there or we save money there. Um the same thing in the uh storm water parks. Again, the cap the um sales tax came in more than we budgeted by 392,000 and the interest income came in at more 116,000. Um and really the in the expenditures there weren't a whole lot of differences in the the expenditures. Again, a lot of it what had to do with the um utilities, not the utilities, excuse me, I'm sorry. The insurance again, it was a little bit different. Um the parks maintenance is what was up a little bit. Um then on the capital projects, this uh we actually we didn't spend, excuse me, we didn't receive the grants. Um, we actually budget the grants compared to what the project if so if we have the

whole project like in the MUN parks grant we put the whole project in as we're going to receive it. We also put or excuse me expend it then we also put the revenue in to match it. Um, so you'll see that's kind of that's kind of the difference. We didn't get the grant yet because we didn't spend all the money yet. So you'll see then the expenditures actually then decreased too on that from what we had than what we had to budget for that. So that's all based on timing what we can get done. But I do I do want to say that in 2025 we did a lot of capital a lot I capitalized a lot of assets improvements and everything in 20 for the 2025 audit. So, I just want it was like $7 million I budgeted. So, or excuse me, not budgeted, capitalized. So, that's a lot. And that's not counting the trees, the invasive species and stuff, things like that. Um, so we did I think they did a lot of work. I think that's that's really great. Anybody have any questions on the budget amendment?

You know, in the second page, it it's insignificant really kind of, but city training uh the midyear was 550. you proposed adjustment 18 or 2350. We anticipating more training than that. Second second page, uh it's city training. It's about halfway down. Kind of interesting. It's right above inmate security fee. And there one thing that's revenue that uh that's the revenue from the corpse. Okay.

That we received from the courts. But the one above it call says city training, right? But it's from the courts. Oh, I see. And so what we get from the courts and they got it. I get they come in for that's what they give us for training for the courts and the police officer. So sorry I'm No, that's okay. It was me misunderstanding what you were looking at. Any other questions on that? Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. With no questions, I would make that motion to approve. Okay. We need Alman Huels. I'll second.

We have a motion by Whisbrock. We have a second by Hules. Do we have further discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. That's all I got tonight, Mr. May. Thank you, sir. We're going to go to Alderman Herald who's the leazison with the planning and zoning commission. Uh, Alderman Herald.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, tonight I'm going to ask Amy to help me out with some of this since I was not at the planning and zoning meeting this month, but I I will read as follows. All recommendations from planning and zoning commission will be forwarded to the next board meeting for a public hearing and consideration unless otherwise noted. Announcements from planning and zoning, there are none. Uh, planning and zoning commission recommended the following. Approval with conditions of case 2026 SUP03, a petition by Seikko Auto Limited Partnership for special use permit to operate an automobile commercial motor vehicle service facility at 470 South Highway Drive, property of zone BP3, Business Park District. Um, Amy, is there anything you would like to add? Um yeah, this was the the special use permit request that was continued from April. Um the commission did want some additional information on potential traffic impacts and that was provided um uh in advance of the meeting. Um they did make some amendments um to the site plan from uh the original submitt. Um they're going to propo they're proposing two new driveways um one off of Rudder Road. It's an entrance exit and then um an exit right turn exit only off of um onto South Highway Drive. They've also amended the plan and they're going to uh move the washing facility to the north end of the building and that's so they can provide about 300 ft of queuing um space on site. Um the traffic study um submitted uh kind of concluded that this will be not a a use that will generate heavy traffic. there's adequate onsite um stacking and and circulation area and it won't have any impact to adjacent roadways.

And I know we have representation from Seikko Auto Limited. Is there anything you guys would like to add? Any questions from the board? Okay, I think we're good. Thank you. Uh, next we have approval with conditions of case 2026 SUP04, a petition by Skinnel Properties LLC for a special use permit to operate a truck terminal at one Premier Drive property of zone BP3 business park district. Jamie,

yeah, this was also continued from the April meeting um, so that more information about uh, traffic impacts could be submitted. A traffic study was submitted after your packets went out, but you were provided a copy of that traffic study um by email last week. Um the study looked at both the existing conditions and the proposed um future conditions with and without the redevelopment. And they found that there may be a need to add a um westbound left turn lane off of Rudder Road onto uh Premier Drive and potentially a signalized intersection at Fabic and uh Rudder. Um but those are would be within MODOT's jurisdiction. They would um have to evaluate the fe feasibility and uh whether or not they would uh want those those traffic uh mitigation measures added. Um the majority of the traffic coming to this site will be from delivery vehicles. So they anticipate um 20 256 uh ban um vehicles daily. Um and that would be throughout the entire day. uh they anticipate about 130 new trips to the site during um peak morning hours. So that would be trips going a combined trips going to and from the site. So 130 in the morning and 96 during evening hours. Um overall the study found that there will be minimal impacts um to the remaining intersections. They do anticipate a slight increase in uh expected at the signalized intersection at South Highway Drive. just a small um delay there, but nothing that would require any mitigation measures and and the um uh the capacity at that intersection remains adequate. Um they also are proposing to uh put the dock doors for the delivery vehicle or for the the uh tractor trailers on the north and the east side of the property um away from the existing hotels and they also uh put a sound wall on the west side of the property for sound mitigation.

Questions? So, go ahead. Um, so Amy, you said that the the trucks will be leaving at all hours during the day, the delivery trucks. Uh, are they most going to leave like in the morning or?

Well, they'll be throughout the day. Um, so that they're looking at the um uh the the peak times during the traffic uh during the morning and the evening hours. um they anticipate uh early morning um employee arrivals because the the parcels will be hand hand loaded onto the vehicles. So they won't be it won't be uh you know leaving the site to and from the site um 24 hours a day but uh during um uh probably you know most mostly during you know daylight hours that they'll they'll be accessing the site.

Okay. The the only concern I had with and I I don't know I guess there's no representative here today from them uh was the the trucks that have to go westbound on 44. So they have two cho the eastbound breeze easy get out of there. They're gone, you know, get right on Interstate 44. But any trucks that have to go westbound, they have two choices. They can either make a left or right out of there. Go towards the river. Come to the T at Jarnell and I guess is that actually called at is that South Highway still there? What what it's Rudder Road?

Oh, R. Yeah. Okay. Rudder. And so, you know, it's just a three-way stop. I could see some traffic building up there a little bit. Um I think it does already some in the morning. And uh the other option is to make a left out of there and go up to the four-way stop at Rudder and Larkin Williams. Mhm.

Another intersection that u kind of gets backed up and then they can either from there continue on uh west on Rudder when it turns into Haran and go up to BS and get on 44 West or make a a right uh go down Larkin Williams to Morazz Lane and go around. But I I I just I don't know there's anything we can do. I just see potential problems at the four-way stop and the three-way stop with if all them trucks are leaving at the same time. So, I I don't know if there's, you know, hopefully they're not all leaving at the same time or they're they're more um staggered. Yeah. I mean, I don't know if there's anything, you know, we can talk to them about. That's why I was hoping there'd be a representative here, but I I would just the westbound I think could be an issue. And of course, then when the rivers flooded, all all bets are off, but you know, that's just a nightmare anyway. So, but that was the only concerns that I really had with the project. at the uh meeting the uh I don't know that MODOT had weighed in yet on these the traffic study. Do you know if they have or the petitioner knows if whatot

I have not heard whether or not MODOT has um has weighed in. Um they did submit the the same traffic study to MODOT and where um Okay. So by the board meeting we should probably hear something. Yeah, we'll reach out to them and and see anybody else. And we don't have a representative from SC. Real quick, is um is MDOT's approval is this contingent upon MODOT's approval or not? If we approve it, they could still do it even if MDOT says they don't like it. So, yeah. Yeah. Any mitigation, it is on the conditions of approval that any mitigation measures that that MODOT would require, they would the petitioner would have to um add those mitigation measures and they agreed to that.

Who would who would force that? I guess MDOT would force it. Okay. So all right that's that's allbody else. Okay that's all for that one. Uh approval of case 2026 TXT04 consideration of amendments to section 430720 related to standards for marijuana testing facilities. Amy, please.

This is a bit of a housekeeping issue. Um, we did discover that during a review of the special use permit that will follow this, um, that the last time we made amendments to the marijuana business section of the code to con, uh, to comply with the state constitution concerning, um, uh, comprehensive marijuana, we inadvertently left out the BP3 district um, for the standards for uh, testing facilities. So, this is just an amendment to uh, fix that that oversight. Any questions? Thank you. Uh, next we have approval with conditions of case 2026 SUP05, a petition by Acrolabs, Missouri LLC for a special use permit to operate a med marijuana testing facility at 1636 Headland Drive, property of zone BP3, Business Park District. Amy,

um, Cloud 10 received a special use permit in 2021 to operate a medical uh, marijuana testing facility at this location. They are now transferring their state license over to Acre Labs. Um, that will require a new special use permit because special use permits are non-transferable. They're not proposing any changes to the existing operation. It will continue to operate exactly as it was. We did have some members of the public in attendance for this case. Um, one resident spoke and said she had concerns with the odor that may be um, generated from the site, but said she didn't even realize that they had been operating there since 2021. Anyway, so,

right, questions. Okay, moving along. Approval with conditions case 2026 SPR02. A petition by Scandal Properties LLC for site plan review of a proposed truck truck terminal at one Premier Drive property of zone BP2 Business Park District. Amy, please.

Um, this is the site plan review to develop the Unigroup site for the new truck terminal. Um, uh, this is technically two lots, so that a boundary adjustment is required to combine those lots. Um and that will be considered um under uh by the board tonight as well. Um it was noted on the plat that there is a 30 a 60 foot wide existing gas and uh water easement on the lot part of which has been vacated. Um but the proposed building will encroach on the northern part which has not been vacated. So before we'll issue a building permit. We just need evidence that that encroachment on that on that easement is permitted or that that easement will be vacated. Um uh an a small amendment was needed on the site plan to um move the uh new drive entrance off of Fabic just so it does not it it provides the minimum distance from the um intersection of Fabic and Fabricator and the petitioner stated that they need to adjust that um driveway anyway because they need to avoid some Amaran infrastructure there. Um otherwise after the lots are consolidated um it will meet all requirements for the district.

Thank you. and approval with conditions of case 2026 SPR03, a petition by Hensley Construction on behalf of Seikko Auto Limited Partnership for site plan review of a proposed automobile commercial vehicle service facility at 470 South Highway Drive. Property is zone BP3, business park district. Amy,

yep. This is the site plan review to develop the vacant lot um with an automotive commercial motor vehicle uh service facility. Um the commission recommended approval of the site plan review. Um they also recommended approval of an exception to the exterior building material requirements for the ephus that is proposed on the building. Currently under the code, we do require that ephus be um a minimum of 3 ft above grade, but exceptions to the building material requirement can be approved under site plan review. Um and they did recommend approval of that exception.

Thank you. And last we have other items from community development department. Consideration of case 2026 PLT02, a petition by Scanel properties for a boundary adjustment plat to consolidate lots one and two of Unigroup Incorporated subdivision into one into one lot to be known as one Premier Drive subdivision parcels or zone BP3 business park district. Um and this this the boundary adjustment plat that is needed for uh the redevelopment of the UN group site meets the requirements of the BP2 district and uh the subdivision code.

Okay. I would make that motion subject to the easement adjustment. Uh that would just need be needed before we would approve a building permit. Need a second. Bre would second. We have a motion by Alman Herrell. We have a second by Alman Whisbrock. Do we have further discussion? All in favor? I oppose. That motion carries. And that is all I have. Thank you for your help, Amy. Folks, thank you for your time this evening. Appreciate it. Uh we're going to move then to parks and recreations committee and tree advisory board. Alman Hules as liaison.

Thank you, sir. Announcements. Announcement items from the parks and recreation committee tree advisory board committee continued discussion regarding pickleball courts and the committee discussed trash can lids and fabick nature reserve. No action was taken parks and recreation committee tree advisory board recommended the following none. Other parks and recreation items consideration of a new name for Budwell Annex Park. We've got a memo from Nikki. We've taken this up before. Um, if anybody has any thoughts or if we still want to wait until it's

always have a thought. Come on. Um, I like Stonegate. That was like and it's historical and long as we put a stone gate up there that drives me nuts. And the thought process was in getting in speaking with Dan is we do have stones from the property, correct? That we could utilize to, you know, do two type like pillars like you know something at the entrance going in. I love it. If no one else know that was what Budweis was originally named before it was named Budweis it was Stonegate Park. So you could adopt the name for the new park if everybody was agreeable. I like it. Anyone else? I'm good with it. That sounds good. I'm good.

You make a motion. I know. I mean uh do I want to make a motion to forward it that to the board meeting that will go with Stonegate Park? I I like the name and I I don't remember if it was Dan or Nikki who reminded us that's what it used to be. I think somebody looked it up. I found plans. I knew it was something and I I was never aware of that. I found plans and when I mentioned it, they went, "Oh, yeah. Well, I'll second that motion." Okay. So, we have a motion by Hules, a second by Joker. Further discussion.

I just want to say one more thing. There was a gentleman at the fishing derby that grew up in Fenton and he said, "Oh, yeah. We're somebody I read something you're putting in a new playground and I said yes it's at Budwell. He said did you know that used to be named Stonegate Park? I was like good deal. So are we going to put a sign up like the rest of the parks? More than likely. Or if it's pillars, just have one big fat. I was just gonna say if it's stonegate, put a I know it's man-made stone, but you could get a little creative if you're going to stack stones or do something.

Yeah, I'm sure we can. We That's to be later determined, but I like a driveway first. Okay, so that seems like we're up for a vote. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Next item is consideration of quotes to paint the pool railing at Riverchase YMCA. We also have an memo from Nikki.

Nikki, you want to say anything about this? It needs to be done. You're welcome to I can um just when we when recently when staff and uh the mayor um I I believe uh the president of the board was also with us as we were doing a a tour of the pool up at Riverchase YMCA and the inside railing, the steel railing that goes around the pool and the handrailing areas are in desperate need of painting. They're rusting. Um there were some areas that were damaged. We have had those repaired by a welder. Um but they are now in need. they they need to be painted for not just a set aesthetics but because of the rust factor. Um we don't want to continue to allow this to deteriorate. So we are requesting um we did we obtained three bids to do this in a timely manner from three companies that we're currently using. One being Legacy Coding who was doing the pool um servicing Vorhees O Vorhees who has who's currently doing our painting of all of our pavilions and our restrooms in the parks. And we also received one from Elite and I believe the lowest that came in was from Ovorhees.

Then with Vorhees, it said to it's add an additional 560 to paint the steel canopy post. Um the steel canopy post, I don't believe that that's because those are different. Yeah, right now all we're looking to approve is just the railing the railing areas. Just thinking what have do they not need to be painted or Oh, okay. Um, and I will tell you all the technique provided by all three companies was the same as that they would suggest using the wire wheel to to complete the the scraping as you would with a steel. Did they give an estimate on how quickly they could get it done?

I do not have I mean with four he's there pretty quick. Now the problem is is we're getting into the season so we are going to have to coordinate with the YMCA. That's that was my concern. Yes. I think with Vorhees if we could um unfortunately Erin what is the cost on this? Could we do a small public works contract that the staff could work on to where if they wanted to make a final tonight we could get that going? You want to chime in? Yeah absolutely. You could just authorize rather than the mayor authorize Dan to execute the city's form public small public works contract

which would still have all of our assurances with the warranties all of the other items that they would need if that way because I know they'll be planning to open in two weeks. I just don't know that we can get them in there but at least we could get it going as fast as possible. I I warorhees is usually pretty responsive. So, due to this being a time-sensitive um project, I would like to make a motion that we go with the lowest bidder, which was Bill Vorhees company. And uh that will be a final this evening. We need a second. Alderman Lang, I saw you up there. Second. So, we have a motion by Hill, second by Lang. We have further discussion. All in favor?

Opposed? Motion carries. Next item is discussion regarding a license agreement with Great Rivers Greenway to utilize public rightaway during construction of the Anger Park realignment project. Our attorney's names behind this one.

Yes. And I think that's just because I've kind of um if you recall, they came and they had asked we have that area where we had the pillars and they wanted you now use it for construction access. And so I went ahead with your consent to draft an agreement for them to kind of just use that. and it had most of our normal requirements when anyone is using our city property they need to provide us insurance they need to provide us indemnification um and actually even one thing I add when it really is more to kind of benefit the other party is administration fees so they actually cover the costs um for me to provide and write this agreement so they agreed to all of that we got one redline provision however which is why it did not just go straight to the board and came back to the committee um is that rather than it having just the city be indemnified braay great rivers greenway they changed it for it to be a mutual indemnification so they're asking that if something that if you know something were wrong but that it was you know they could say it was the city's fault that the city would indemnify them. The thing I can mostly think of is probably the condition of the property. If someone would get you hurt they could try to say that was a dangerous condition and then the city would have to endemnify them for that. So, that's the reason we're bringing it back to you guys to see if you want to forward it to the board committee with the red line that they have that has that dual indemnification or whether you want to forward it to the board meeting without that and then see if they want to move forward with it or not. That's kind of the

whoever go ahead. So, I'm not in favor. They're wanting access to our property. Um, and so they want us to identify them. I'm I'm not in favor of that. Alman L. I agree. I I like it the way it was written without their red line on that. I don't think this is them. They want to use it. It is on them. Alman jokers. Well, and just Erin, just to clarify, so let's say they're working in an area and some walks through that area while they are working there and hurts themselves. they could sue not only them but also us and we would therefore be responsible. Is that correct?

I think the better it more relates to the access agreement. So we're saying that they have to end indemnify us for anything that could happen relating to them utilizing it for construction access. So if someone just walked and got hurt, that would be on us because that has nothing to do with them. It would more be if someone walked and they hit them and they said, "Oh, well, it was because of the condition of your property and we couldn't see it. So therefore, it's also your fault and you need to identify us for it." I, as I said, I don't know if the risk is that high, but it more would be if something related to their access. So,

but this is an area that we don't do anything with like we don't Right. It's right. Yeah. It's our right way.

Yeah. So like so therefore we're not doing anything to make it safe for people and therefore I am a no on this because we're not taking care of this area as an access and for safety concern. So therefore they're making it an access for their project and therefore I'm against it. I am going to um let me think. Um I I'm not in favor of it either. So I guess I'll just make a motion and uh we deny the contract if they are not able to

we'll forward it with Yeah, it's up to you. We can always forward it without that provision and see if they still execute and want it without that provision or we can Okay. Well, I'm going to I'm going to ask that it be forward without that red line in it. Then that's my motion. Alman Lang. Second. We have a motion by Hills. We have a second by Lang. Do we have further discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries.

Last item I have is discussion regarding park and recreation committee tree advisory board. This one has my name behind it. Um, as some of you are aware, we had a couple of park committee meetings recently. Well, we've had several that have been cancelled due to the fact that there were not items on the agenda. We had one the beginning of the month and it lasted all of eight minutes and the item on the agenda was that there was a broken trash can lit at Fabric Nature Preserve. So, the thought was to in order to keep the Tree USA status, we need to have a tree advisory board. So the thought was perhaps looking into having just a tree advisory board and not having a monthly park and wreck committee meeting.

So restructuring restructuring. You done? I am.

So I've had the opportunity to talk to a couple of the park board members and um I think they're kind of feeling as though um it might be coming a waste of their time. Um, you know, it used to be when we had Riverchase, they were pretty active in that. When we started up, um, um, the Fenton City Park, they were active in that. We don't really have a lot of that anymore, and I think they're getting, some are getting frustrated, so it might be time to have a discussion with them, get their input. I don't think they're going to have much problems with it. And I think Robin has been talking with Nikki a little bit about maybe having one person per ward um on the tree advisory. I don't think you need two. I don't think that really does anything. The tree advisory really doesn't give us any grant money. It's just a prestigious thing that has been going on with they they wouldn't give us our 37 years because we were out to. But whatever. So I I agree with it. I I think the whole idea was to bring it because these are are people that you know are elected to the commission to the park board and throw it out for your opinions.

Yeah, I'm we if they're not doing doing any real service, why why waste their time as well? So, I think it saves city staff some time as well. Was there a requirement to have u structured meetings? Do we go to like quarterly or something like that? I mean we you can do anything you want. I don't think there's any legal or state requirements. Um planning and zoning is about the only thing that we we are

I think it also bears a conversation with the current park committee. I think we need to at least have a discussion with them. Um, and again, as the mayor said with Riverchase, um, they don't deal with the programs that the sports programs at all. They don't deal with the programs that Candace runs because that's her full-time job. So, they're not getting in with her full-time job. That's what she does. So, really, they're there just isn't a whole lot anymore for them to to actually do. So, it's kind of a waste to make Nikki and Jane stay here for two hours after they've gotten off work. and then call everybody in and they never last more than 15 20 minutes. So

yeah, um I would say definitely have a meeting with the park board to discuss what they think and how best to restructure. Yes, sir. I just wanted to make sure I was clear on so is it going to be the park board parks and parks and recck committee slashfree advisory board or tree advisory? Well, there still would need to be some park related items as you know I mean as you see on these agendas these items didn't run through the park committee but there's still park related items. So there will still be park related items on the agenda. They'll just be the park and tree advisory board. Exactly. Sometimes there'll be input from the tree advisory board. So other times there won't

pardon me. Leave the wreck part out parks and tree advisory. Thank you. Um I will make that motion at this time to forward this to the board meeting. Okay. Alderman Mazerang. I'll second. Motion by Hill. Second by Mazerang. Further discussion. I Yeah, exactly. Oh, to Okay. Well, there's a motion here, I guess, to discuss it with the park committee to the Oh, I guess not. Never mind. Wait. Okay. Well, I'll resend my first then. I'll resend my second

then. Never mind. Would it be um appropriate to say have the mayor and the leis on have a meeting with the current board members at somebody's convenience and report back what their feelings are? Yeah, I I think I don't I don't think we just cut it cut their knees out. I think we need to sit and talk to them. I don't have a problem with Can be done at the next park board meeting. I don't think we have to rush into this, but I think just get the idea rolling. That's all I have.

Okay, we're going to move to health and safety. We need a chairperson, an election for chairperson. We have Lang, Whisbrock, Rogers, and Jokers. Alderman Whisbrock. I would nominate Alderman Joker. Yes, we need a second. Alderman Rogers, I second. We have a motion by Whisbrock, second by Rogers. Further discussion. All in favor? Opposed. Congrats.

Thank you, gentlemen. Uh, for health and safety, I don't have my glasses. Sorry about that. But, uh, we have a consideration of amendments to chapter 215 of the municipal code related to public nuanc. Yeah. Um, so we're proposing some amendments to the nuisance code. Um uh so you have a draft a redline draft um that was included in your packet. Um some notable notable amendments are um amendments to section 21590. Um we're we're adding uh the meaning for uh rank vegetation. Um and we're clarifying uh that intentionally cultivated stands of plants or intentional crops are not considered nuisances. So we do have a height limitation. We just want to make sure that people who are, you know, planting, you know, ornamental grasses or something, um, we're clarifying that those wouldn't be considered nuisances unless they're encroaching onto onto adjacent properties. Um, uh, as the city's been actively prioritizing removal of invasive species. Um, so we did add a whole section on invasive species. Um, declaring them, um, that invasive species as defined by the Missouri Department of Conservation are considered a nuisance. Um we do uh have um something in the code that in the proposed uh draft that says that any areas of existing invasives um at the time of the adoption of this section can remain as long as they don't um encroach on uh neighboring properties that they're maintained and they don't expand. And we're also um proposing a 5-ft buffer from public property and that will help reduce the spread of invasive species on public property and to protect the areas where we've already done invasive species removal. So I mean some people want to keep their honeysuckle for

privacy.

Privacy. Yeah. Um so we're we're just saying that if you have it and you want to keep it, you have to maintain it. You can't let it spread. You can't let it encroach onto other properties. Um, and then we've also added a new section 215105 related to shrubs and bushes and overgrowth and vegetation impacting the rightway. Very similar to the trees impacting the rightway section that we have. Um, we're just addressing uh trees and shrubs. But the the big the big item that we're adding is is the invasive species. The question though like do we prohibit people from new development to you cannot plant pear trees because once I mean the birds just take those seeds and fly wherever they want. It doesn't matter if you got five foot.

Well, that's what this would address because it is considered an invasive species by Missouri Department of Conservation. We wouldn't allow you to cultivate anything any new invasive species. I was thinking that that's what you were saying. Oh, I'm not done.

Um, yeah. I just, um, I have no problem with the encroachment on public, you know, sidewalks and blocking street lights and any kind of encroachment on a rightway. That's appropriate. But to me, I don't feel like we should be telling someone. I know we I know the spirit. We've been spending a lot of effort removing invasive species, but trying to go into someone's yard and tell them what they can and can't plant it. I just don't think that's I don't think that's right. Um, and I mean, you get into I guess there's invasive and then there's non-native. I mean, are we are we looking at because there's native things that are very invasive. Are we going to get into all the ground covers and, you know, things? It it just I I I think somebody's property if they're not extending beyond their their property line or or a setback say um I don't think we should be telling

but kind of like I was saying the the pear trees and also the Japanese honeysuckle like like you it's everywhere. It's everywhere. So, somebody that's just like, you know, I want some in my yard, too. Like that that does become a problem. And not just for them, like I'm and I'm sorry, I am pretty sure they can of all the thousands of trees and shrubs that they can purchase, they can avoid the the few that we have on our list. So that as we are spending all this money for a better environment,

right? But I mean things like honeysuckles, it doesn't matter. We could stop everybody in the city of Fenton and they're going to blow in across the river. They're going to blow, you know, they're birds are going to bring them in. They're going to That's kind of when we were going into this invasive species removal process. One of my biggest questions was the maintenance, the long term because they're going to keep coming back and it's we got to mow it and that's on us. I just personally don't think I don't think we should be telling people what they should or shouldn't plant and it becomes kind of I I know you got the the DNR as far as a reference list of things, but um if you go up to Lowe's and you buy something or go to a nursery and you get something that looks good and you think whatever now I mean how do you know without going through you know this process or maybe you get a letter saying you can't plant that and now you've just spent money on these plants and Um, I just I just don't think that's I think we've taken it one step too far. I don't think we should allow people to encroach on the rightway with whatever it is. But I think uh and or or or let brush grow so dense that you get into mosquitoes and and health hazards. Those are things I think we do have a legitimate place to regulate.

How is that any different? Well, because there's there is you're cultivating you're it's there's you're cultivating like mosquito breeding grounds and I mean there's a lot of ways that could happen without plants to so but um tall grass you get snakes, vermin, rats, but telling someone they can't have a I don't know a bird bath because that could cultivate you know what I mean, right? I don't think we should. So then it gets it it you know you're saying that right it could be to me

what I'm saying is there there is like we like you can't let your grass grow uh tall that's that's very subject or objective that you could you can say we no grass more than 9 in. Okay. So, um, that's something that you can measure and and if it's over, you get you get told, you know, you got to cut it or or or we will um, you know, leaving whatever you want to say. You you know, the density of things, I mean, the the if there's a health hazard, that's it. But I don't think having an invasive species is a health hazard. I think it's just something we don't want because we're spending a lot of money.

That's not why we're doing it though. We're not doing it because we're not doing it. We are not putting this in place because we don't because we're spending a lot of money getting rid of it. It's because invasive species are is truly not good for the environment. Well, I guess you we've got the DNR as a u as a reference point, but at what point when a species has been here long enough does it become, you know, it may be invasive, but it may not be. It may be native, you know. So, so

correct me. This isn't stating that it's non-native, it's not allowed. It's just saying if it's deemed to be an invasive species by the Missouri Department of Conservation, which means it is going to travel onto your neighbor's property. is going to cause those. We're telling people that currently have it, we're not telling you you can't. You just can't let it expand, but you can't plant any new. Most nurseries in the state of Missouri are banned from selling honeysuckle. They're banned from selling Bradford pears, burning bushes.

Yeah, I I kind of I kind of agree with that. I I read this as meaning like in the city's rightway between the street and the curb, we don't want certain plants, but it says that um invasives, you can have an invasive all over your property, but it can encroach onto your neighbors. You just can't plant a new one, though. Oh, yeah. But that's what I'm saying. I mean, I um I don't think invasive honeysuckle is planted by too many people. I don't think too many people plant poison ivy either. No. I don't know where you'd purchase it either. I don't think you have to, but I just took it at a little different sense.

Well, I I know anything on like off the rideway somewhere close to that, you know, that. But, um, you know, what about sweet potatoes? Is that invasive? Because I guarantee I garden sweet potatoes and those suckers will go I'll plant a plant here and it'll have roots on the other side of that room underground. Again, it has to be defined by the Missouri Department of Conservation. They have an adopted list of there's a change and then we've got people that are does if it's not on there now then in the future if they plant it then they're grandfathered in they're in but but that is that so if whatever I'm just uh I I'm not in favor I think Harold

no I was just going to Amy used the example of honeysuckle and if you maintain it you can keep it you just Are we going to take an inventory of what everybody's got? Because how are we going to know if they cultivated that yesterday or if that was there for 5 years? I mean, it's I think it's it's an invasive or it's a it's a I don't know. It's just the attitude about us telling somebody what they can grow and they're, you know, as long as they're not encroaching right away or or their neighbors. I just think

so. I think you might be a little literal when you come to I think the gist of it for me is that we're trying to slow it down. And you know it was when it all comes down to it, you know, I respect your I always have respected your input and your your um um thought process. Um I just to address I I'm sorry to address how we would find out about it is most likely a call from a neighbor when they see their neighbor planting bamboo. But well, yeah, as a matter of fact, bamboo is something that in my case I have very seriously considered planting because I'm I'm going up a hill and I'm trying to give my neighbor privacy and that's a it is an evergreen that can grow very tall and give my neighbor privacy from from and me from him and I there's ways of containing it but and it would be something that um you know so I mean that is something that obviously I wouldn't be allowed to do now and

depending on the type. Correct. To be the invasive form. That is correct. I just think it's about education. Um you have to start somewhere to educate people. And no, we're not going to go around and look at what everybody has and tell them they can or can't have it. But again, if I saw another neighbor, I had deal with bamboo. If I saw the guy on the other side planting it, damn right I'm calling because that shit's growing all over my yard and I got to go pull it out all the time. Those vines are going everywhere. So I would have a major problem with that. So I get it and I would call if there if that situation happened. But you have to educate somewhere and it starts with this.

Would it be since to me this is a really big deal um would it be something that we would want to put this in the newsletter and make the public the the public aware that we're going or considering doing this and get some feedback from people rather than just do this in a private meeting basically. I mean I know that that people can look at this but that's kind of a big deal to me. Maybe not to everybody else, but to me, I mean, I I'm on R1. I got an acre. I've a I've grown all sorts of things in my garden and and things. And now all of a sudden, I got to kind of go look at DNR to see if this is okay, you know. So, um I don't know if that's I think you're going to get some pretty negative feedback if we if we you know, if we ask the people. Well, how about as a suggestion is put it in the newsletter just saying that we are looking at

you know to forward this to next you know is there is there time restraint here can we forward it and put it out in the newsletter to say if you have uh concerns or questions please show up at the meeting. It goes in the newsletter anyway. do not it it does but um but with that with the timing the newsletter won't be out until the end of the month which would be after your board meeting. So I would just suggest to hold it till next month. What's wrong? We don't have to be in a hurry. I I don't think it's or even if the mayor mentioned it and people I think more people read the mayor's comments and would read the ordinance. They say hey there's just some discussion about some

and we can put a copy of and we can put a copy of the drafted code online. We can put it on the website for people to jump on and view it and if they have any questions or comments they can send them in or show. I mean it's not going to hurt to delay it for a month. Oh no. And I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that you can't forward it. You wouldn't be able to forward it to the this upcoming board meeting and it still make it in your newsletter. It would be out after the meeting. Yeah. And a list of the DNR plants, the invasive plants. We put that out there and just said this is what we want to do, why we want to do it. People have thought we'd like your feedback. I would that sound

I I would feel a lot better about it. Um I you know maybe a lot of people care about Do I make a motion? Is everybody okay with that? Forward it. Okay. So, I'll make a motion to forward this um uh to the next next month, giving us a chance to uh reach out to the public to see if they have any concerns or questions. Okay. Would you like to second that, sir? I will second that. Okay. We have a motion by Joker, a second by Rogers. Further discussion? All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries.

Thank you all. And then last is a consideration of an amendment to contract with Elite Properties and Landscape Construction LLC for restroom and abatement services for a rate increase. And then uh Nikki, you are up. Yep. This is um the contract that we have with Elite for abatement services utilized when problems usually in conjunction with dealing with problem properties or with properties that we need to clean up after we have found them in violation. Uh we're typically at that time if they're not paid we have to place a lean on the property. Um and this is just their annual renewal and they have asked for some increases on some of the items for this year. And I did put out their 2025 rates for just a comparison.

Think they're reasonable. I mean it's like $25%, you know, for everything. Yeah. They've done us a pretty good job. Everything. They've been very responsive. They've been very responsive because again when we when we work with them, we have to go on the timeline typically of having a warrant that's issued um and they have to be on standby. So, they've been very good to work with. Okay. Well, I would like to move forward or make a motion to uh approve at the final meeting to accept this uh rate increase. Okay, we need a second. Alderman Rogers.

I second. We have a motion uh by Joker, a second by Rogers. Do we have further discussion? All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. That completes.

All right, we're going to move then to miscellaneous. The first up, uh I'd like to to just make some mentions of the staffing. I know we have been uh interviewing for positions and quite frankly, they haven't u probably been uh what we're really looking for. I'll just leave it at that. But you know, the board previously approved a total staffing level of 12 public employees. And at this point, however, um I do not see a demonstrated need to fill all 12 based on the amount of work currently be being performed in house. Over time, the city has contracted out a substantial amount of work that was traditionally handled by public works department. that includes grass cutting in many areas, tree trimming, tree removal, restroom renovations, uh pavilion renovations, concrete work, asphalt work, crack sealing of the streets, you know, and and other things. Um so those responsibilities uh no longer require the same manpower, committed commitment that they once did. Today the cord uh the core day-to-day responsibilities primarily consist of weekly mowing operations, lawn debris pickup, maintenance, certain maintenance at Fenton City Park. In addition, we will soon be voting uh on contracting out restroom cleaning services to an outside vendor as well. Based on what I personally observe, the current workload does not justify expanding the department beyond its present staffing levels in my opinion. In fact, what I witness more often is a considerable considerable amount of time uh amount of drive time to and from locations with periods where productivity and visible workload do not appear to support claims that additional manpower is necessary. Before taxpayers are asked to fund more position, we should first evaluate

operational efficiencies, scheduling, routing, and actual labor utilization throughout the workday. The question should not be how many employees would not would it be nice to have. The question should be how many employees are truly necessary to perform the work the city still handles internally based on the reduced scope of responsibilities and current uh operational demands. I do not believe there is justification for staffing levels of 12 employees. Quite frankly, I believe seven employees is sufficient to perform the current uh work assigned to the department, particularly given the amount of contracted services already in place. An additional question that should be asked is what exactly would 12 employees do during the winter months when mowing operations and many outdoor maintenance activities are significantly reduced? If uh future responsibilities increase substantially or the city brings significant operations back in house, that conversation can also be revisited. But at this time, the workload simply does not support a larger expansion of personnel. So I'll open it up for discussion. Mazering,

I'll start. Um first of all, we haven't been fully I've been on this board for four years. We've never been fully staffed. So these it's not an expansion. It's we've never even been to that. It's not like we're going from 12 to 14. I mean it's it's we've never even had the 12. And to shoot yourself in the foot like that. So say we put it down to seven and we get seven guys and it's a it's a tends to be a high turnover position. We can lose one or two guys in a a month period sometimes or a two-month period. Then we're down to five. And well, maybe if we had eight guys or nine and we lose those couple guys, then we're we're right back at seven. I I just I think you're really handcuffing yourself if you put that since we've never even been fully staffed to begin with, why would you want to put that artificial limit? And if if we got to 12 and we noticed that too many guys were standing around, then we can cross that bridge. But I don't think we're ever going to get there. So why would you purposely just want to put that constraint and and you know with the with the volatility of the position it doesn't make sense.

You were next. Um I I am in the same boat as far as since I've been on the board. We've never had a full park uh or full full public works uh department. um and not I know that you did do a lot of research and so maybe I'm incorrect in saying seven might be an arbitrary number and it doesn't have to be seven but does it have to be 12? You know

I think I think in answer to both of your questions you know what is fully staffed? We used to have 26 people but we did all the work. We did the tree trimming. We did mowing. We did crack sealing. We did concrete. We did it. We had 26. Then we were down to something like 15, 16. Then we were down to 14, 12, 10. You know, I I don't know what the number is. I can tell you that I think right now, what I've said, what I read was exactly what I believe. We I if we just lost an individual and we're looking to hire replace that as quickly as we can, but what do we do? Hire people and keep them in the lurks in case somebody, you know, quits or or is let go. I I don't think that's the answer. I think we're getting the stuff done. Um I'm going to leave it there until we hear other comments. Go ahead.

Um I was just gonna say I kind of agree with everybody in this situation. Um, I I hear what Alderman Mazaring saying, but he also said we can always increase if we felt like we needed to as well. If we went down to seven or eight, it's not like now we can never increase again. Um, but but I agree that since I've been on it's been 6 to 9 and I see how much money we're spending on other people doing it all all the work. So, do we need to increase it and then continue to try and find people? I feel like there's a lot of interviewing being done and that could also be a waste of time for people who could be doing other work. So, if we're going to keep interviewing to try to get to 12 and that's a neverending process, we're never going to be at 12. I feel like that could be a waste of time as well. But, I don't know. Do we need my my big question is do we need to say here is our number and is this for a budgetary reason, you know, like what Tammy says, or do we just kind of stop interviewing for a little bit until we need to is my question. So, I'm not suggesting you have people just lurking around doing nothing that are, you know, wanting to, you know, collect paychecks for, you know, minimal work, but say we get to the point at 8 and Dan says, "Hey, that's all I need." I mean, can we just not advertise the job? I mean, just and then if somebody quits, then we put it back out advertising it. But I think to put the artificial constraint is is just it's you're just handcuffing yourself. I I think 12 can be considered an artificial constraint. Seven can be.

But we've never we've never got to that. But if we get to seven or eight and then someone quits, then we're short again. Well, we're going to be short no matter what. Whether we get to 12 and somebody else quits, but we're always going to be trying to keep a number up. And I think we're comfortable. I'm comfortable there. But go ahead. I was just going to comment. So I wouldn't want to cut it that close. What if somebody great just happened to come by and say, "Look, I'm retiring from here because I can't work any longer and now I want to go to work. I'd like to come to work for the city and and do this." That that is always a consideration and that individual exceeds expectations and is a great hire.

Totally agree with that. I wouldn't want to cut it down.

And I think that that we can I mean we don't have to be stuck to a number. I'm just saying, you know, this all came about because we had seven people and we were going to interview for an eighth and I just felt at the time and Jane said, "Well, we can go to 12." I said, "Well, let's just take it to the board." Because that's kind of where I'm at. You know, if we need nine, we need nine. If we need seven, we need seven. If we need 12, we need 12. But to just keep going because the number has is at 12. But I hear what you're saying. If we have somebody that has decided to retire and you know and we've had one situation like that, we can always consider that. We're not bound by anything. I'm just saying at this point I'd like to slow it down. But I have an option after everybody's had their say, but I think you leave the number there. Uh the board approves or we don't approve or to continue to fill the positions. I think if you take the number down to seven, then you got to adjust the budget down. And then if you do find a person, then you got to bring it back in front of the board, adjust the budget to hire a person. Um, you know, we do subcontract out for a lot of things right now, and we've done that because we're lacking of staff. Uh, one of the things I think that is not done very well anymore is the snow plowing. Uh, that is definitely lacking from where we used to be years past. heard from quite a few businesses that this past year was not one of our good uh our highlights. Um and we didn't really have a bad snow season. I just I feel that taking the number down um we are going to handcuff ourselves and why not leave the position open in case you do get because if you take it down to seven you're going to stop advertising. So, how is somebody that might come along that might be a good fit know that we're even would consider hiring them because there's no position open? I I just think taking the number down really handcuffs us bad.

Mhm. Um, as far as snow plowing goes, we had two snow events this year. You can't really have fully staffed and hope that it snows. I mean, it's can't really predict whether it'll snow or not, but uh if everybody's finished having their say. If not, I was going to make a motion, but go wait a minute. Go ahead.

Um I just there you made a mention that um wintertime our our load changes, our staffing needs change. Um I do I I think we maybe keep focusing. I don't necessarily say we need to reduce the number but but I think we can maybe somewhere in between like Susan was said somewhere maybe it's not seven maybe it's not 12 maybe it's eight or nine or something but I do actually like sort of the the flexibility of contracting some of this stuff because it it you know it's kind of as it might be more expensive in the moment but when you look at the annual costs it may not be any more expensive. So that's all I have.

Uh, you know, in response, Robin, to your comment, the snow plowing, I would hope that by the time the winter shows up, our guys will have had their CDLs, gotten their CDLs and a little experience, you know, even if they have to drive around in the summer with a plow on just to to get acclimated. Um, but as far as the comment that was made that, you know, we're we're hiring this stuff out because we uh we don't have the staffing. you don't have the staffing that has the expertise to do what we need. I mean, it it's what I the work that I've seen being done by professional union people uh professionals that do it all the time is second to none than than what I've seen in the past.

Terry, you had something.

Yeah, I I was going to uh piggyback on that a little bit. Um, I I would prefer to have some of the uh the concrete work, the paving work and that that type of thing uh done professionally rather than um just somebody that Dan has throw them out there and do it. And when we say that we we're not staffed, so we have to uh subcontract out to somebody else, I worry that if we hire somebody, we don't have anybody to train somebody to to finish concrete. Who who do we have? Do we send them to school, take that chance to um educate them on do it, and then they leave? Like we talked, you know, it's a fluctuating job. People are coming and going all the time. So, I would say we need to get to a number where Dan's comfortable with the workload we have now. It might be eight. Um, I'm not saying that we I'm just saying at that point we don't advertise anymore. Then we don't have people coming looking for a job that we're really not wanting to fill. I mean, that doesn't make any sense to me. Scott, in your position with your uh auto body business, you you don't keep four or five guys on just in case a car comes in. I mean, you you're pay you're not paying somebody for nothing, right?

No, we're not paying in this case. I could use a couple guys though myself. Okay. Well, in this case, though, that's kind of what is being asked here. Well, we might get a guy that we could use or we might keep these guys around just in case. I don't think that's sound fiscal being responsible. I think if we can get to a number with Dan and and right now, if we got seven, I do we have seven or we have eight. What do we have right now? Six. Six. One guy just over the next two weeks. So now we're we have to advertise to get another guy. But if we have if we can cover what Dan's workload is is with eight coming on. So be it. Then we stop advertising. Ryan then Jimmy.

So I was going to ask Dan, you know, how many people do we need? Are we getting the jobs done? And then I guess in the winter time we heard that there's not things to do in the winter time or we've got people standing around in the wings waiting for something to do. We've got honeysuckle. We've spent how much money to remove honeysuckle. And don't we need to continue to spray and keep that at bay? Or else we're going to spend years from now we're going to have another big outlay of of funds to keep up with the spread of the honeysuckle because you got to keep up with it. You can't just go cut it out and then suspect it's not going to come back. Jimmy, Dan, can you give me an idea of a number what you think you need, let's say, right now that you're comfortable with? I mean, I'd like to just hear what your number is,

you know? So, can I can I interject here before we bring Dan in for a debate? I wanted to make a suggestion that I at least got it before this board. I I want to hear what the board has to say. We've got to come up with something. And I'm not saying a definite number has to be in place or doesn't have to be in place. I'd like to sit down because, you know, I uh I talked to one guy who said the job description isn't what he interviewed for was nothing what the job description said. The first thing that needs to be done is the job description needs to be redone to reflect what in actuality the job entails. I would like to propose that the personnel chair, myself, Nikki and Dan, we sit down and just start some discussions. I don't want this to become a pissing contest, but I just see some deficiencies that I'd like to work with with Dan before we throw him up here and everybody gets kind of in an uproar. What's so funny? I'm just I'm just saying I think that's would be the best approach and work from there and then if we at an at an impass then we'll bring it back to the full board and you make all the decisions

because you make them anyway. Go ahead. So I heard you say that we have deficiencies. I consider certain things deficiencies. You made the comment we have deficiencies and the first thing that we need to do is to look at to reduce staff. I don't think you understand what I'm trying to tell you. I'm I'm just I'm listening. I think I think I think I think Yeah. I think based on what I read to you earlier, I think we have we don't have this the work for our people to do. They're not trained in the things that we're having done. You you want to send these kids out here to cut trees down, trim trees way up in the air.

If you make an argument, I'm not trying to make an argument with you. I'm I'm proposing I'm trying to listen and understand your rationale of having a deficiency and now we've got to take staff down. That's what I hear. Well, you're you're you're putting words into my mouth. And again, I'm not going to debate you on this. You've heard what I would like to do. Go ahead. I just want to make a motion. I just want to make a motion that sounds like no one has a number because I understand that there's there are concerns, but at this time, I'd like to make a motion that we keep the 12 that we have and we do as you suggested and sit down and have a discussion. So, we're going to continue to uh interview for 12. Yeah. While

okay, there's a motion on the floor. Sorry. And I'm While we are trying to figure this out. Yes, it's going to stay. I'll second that. Motion by Hu, second by Maserite. Is this the final? Yes. Just leave it. It just go to the board. All right. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. All right. Consideration of a lease agreement with Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission. Alderman Se alderman, you're it now.

Um, yes. And this I think by me or the city Nikki know more about the history of this agreement, but this agreement is about to expire. We've had it for many, many, many years. Um, and so they have, it actually expires at the end of this month. Um, so they have provided us a new agreement. It is very similar to the agreement we have entered into years upon years upon years um with a couple different changes. Um the main ones are that they are actually instead of just saying that we have to name them as an additional insured or insurance for the damage that we think might be caused. They actually list the specific amounts of insurance that we have to obtain. Um we did actually talk to Nikki talked to the insurance. we are able to actually provide that without cost. Um so that actually kind of can resolve itself. It is actually already within our insurance plan that we already have an endorsement that if we were required to name someone as an additional insured through contract, they are already named. You just have to do an endorsement. So yes, we learned things.

What do you mean that we're already covered? Yeah, the insurance that you already provide already ha already have purchased and is your insurance um for general liability at least already has within an endorsement a special endorsement that says if the city of Penton has to name someone as an additional in a contract it will automatically cover that. We just have to notify them and they will provide the endorsement. Um, so we actually do already have um, MOD dot as an additional insured on our general liability insurance. Um, so we would have to keep that and we already have the amounts on that. We would have to name them as an additional insurance on our uh, auto because they're not on that right now, but apparently we can do that without cost as well. So the bigger issue is kind of um, the indemnification they have and they are they are you know states so we are allowed to identify them. they have broadened the liability um for the city to have to indemnify if anything would happen on that property. Um I think the question that we just kind of wanted to bring to the board's attention is whether or not it's worth it the city to continue this because as I understand it the city doesn't use this property all that much but it is a benefit um for parking lot and for the trail and all of that. Um, so yeah.

Well, we we kind of do the fire department. I know they have access to it. Uh, but that's not us, right? It's not us, but you know, it it is kind of us because not not the fire department part of it, but that parking lot is heavily used. Oh, not by us as an operation. But is it going to go? Sorry.

So, would this So, um, this is under the bridge and Oh, I'm glad that somebody brought up the point about the fire department because I think they would get more use out of it than we would. And wouldn't it makes more sense because it's their boat ramp or their access ramp? I mean, to me, it would make sense that it would be fall under them, not under the city of Fenton. But the boat ramp's one thing and the parking lot's the other. Yeah, but in the but the boat ramp to me is connected into the parking lot are great. We're I I I guess my opinion is um if Great Greenway uses this and they've got it connected, they've got all their signage on it, they should take responsibility for it. I I agree.

I'm game with that, too. I think that's what we talked about. Kind of either Great Rivers Greenway or the Fire Department. One of those two. Little technicalities. Um in the beginning, it's it's Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. Later it's this FHWA. I don't know. It didn't. I didn't see any reference to FHWA. Same same thing. Okay. Well, it's federal or Missouri. I don't you know. So, no. I mean, that's usually federal. Yeah. I'm not surprised there.

So, anyway, so that might be just a little typo. The other question I had was it talks about no structures, but this has mod structures on it already and you know, right, the bridge islands or um and so is there any Would this in entangle us into any damage that might be done to that if a truck hits it or something like that? You know, because it talks about turning it to them in the condition that, you know, if if a truck backs into it is would that be on us because, you know, we we're leasing it. I mean,

yes. And I think that that's what the expanded liability is actually trying to do is really making it more that if anything kind of happens because we're in a way we're saying mod we're opening this up to the public that yes we are taking responsibility for that. they grabbed also if for a chance if something gets thrown off it lands on it the city that that was the other concern I had but I I'm I'm I think we just let it go have to reach out to great rivers greenway to see if they would have any interest yep

yeah I was just going to say I'm I'm in favor of that too put mod and hey we green and let them just let them work it out and if we have if we have a trash can on that parking lot we'll take it That's all we have. And do we have do are we have any uh maintenance or repair issues to hand it back to them? Is there any damage to to deal with? We would look at having to do some repairs to the apron expensive like a big repairs whole new apron just patches that could occur and we would have it I mean the same requirement is there so we would kind of have it whether you renewed it or not it's just whether we want to do it now or

later later does Gateway Greenway have the same issue under 44 where the path runs no MDOT has told us that great waves River Greenway agrees to all of these andifications. So we if they'd be willing to take this over

and maybe just with a simple agreement like we've done with the greenway in the past that we make sure that it stays clean. All right. Do you want a motion? Are you just going to Yeah, I mean because of this is kind of time sensitive. We're not going to get to it by the time we've put them on notice. They didn't get this renewed agreement to us until the 11th hour anyway. Um, so yeah, just for staff to I guess meet with Great Rivers Greenway to see if they'd be have any interest. Lang, I'd like to make a motion for staff to meet with Great Rivers Greenway about the lease. Alman Jokers, I'll second. Motion by Lang, second by Jokers. Further discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Uh, the next is a change order through Elite. Uh, who wants to handle this?

Go ahead. I Yeah, I can. This is just a a this is a change order for RV Wagner for the concrete work um that's currently happening in the parks. Um we're requesting that the board consider allowing for some additional concrete work under change order number three um for concrete pads to be located under the bleachers. Um, if you go by this time of year and you'll notice the bleacher, the the grass is about 16 inches tall underneath them because of the type of equipment that staff has to use to get in to pull those out in order to mow in that area. They would be leaving ruts into the ground and other items. So, we're looking at just installing bleacher pads, concrete bleacher pads to then permanently place the bleachers on those and then those would just have to be

the bleachers get destroyed every time you move them. they get run into when you get up. So, if we do this, I'd like to see them a little wider that we don't have to get up so close. Um, and yeah, Dan, do you with this? I know you put together the specs and all of that. This is your your um you know the information on this. And there's also the players benches for the the back fields that currently if you notice there's just dirt around them and when they had to take up the old ones the came with

I think it's a great idea too because um as we all know when you're sitting in bleachers there's always trash that falls down and it's underneath there too. Not only the grass growing but trash you can't get to. So if concrete slab be a lot easier to reach in and pull that stuff out with a broom or blow it out or whatever you had to do favor of it. You'll note in the memo, it's also mentioned that this was a budget item that was planned for this year was the replacement of the bleachers. When they're replaced, they'll of course placed in an area where damage will be. Gary, you want to make a motion? Yeah. This is a final. I'd like to make a final motion that we move forward with the concrete under the bleachers at the set price. Alman Whisbrock. Second.

Motion by Bright Shaft, second by Whisbrock. Further discussion. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Finally is a consideration of a quote to uh build a rebounder board in Fenton City's Park. It's going to be what 8 by 24 it seems. I read you know I I kind of looked into this a little bit and I asked uh some people that I knew that in construction cuz I thought it seemed a little high but it by the time you start figuring the material list which I kind of did and these people have to be bonded and everything.

Yeah. I had a I had a couple guys I thought would build it for us, but if they've got to be bonded and we're better off just to run with it, I think so. Comments. Yes, Alman Heels. I was going to make a motion. And um with this being an elite contract, if you would like to make it a final just because the only reason it needs approval is it's over 5,000 for the contract. Okay. I'd like to make a final motion that we go with is it elite to build the rebounder in Fenton City Park. Alman Herold. Did you see your hand up? Yeah, I'll second. Okay. Uh motion by Hughes, second by Harold. Further discussion. Just a quick question. Uh Dan, are we talking like where where it was years ago? Yeah.

Is that going to cause any We're talking about maybe putting up new bathroom in that area, too. Are they going to be far enough apart? Okay. Just making sure. That's it. Okay. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Finally, discussion regarding upgrades to the bathroom uh ba boardroom audio system. Not the bathroom audio system. It's not neat. All right, Jane. Must have been really bad.

We've had some discussions on on the audio uh especially for ADA purpose uh for people with hearing impairments. Um bringing it up to ADA requirement. Um we had um Schillers come out as they upgraded with our our last one um and gave us a quote to help us make this more ADA compliant for for the DS as well as for any attendants that are here. It would give us uh portable units and instructions on how they could uh use the compatible units to get a better hearing quality. Um, that would bring us up to code.

So, go ahead. No, you go ahead. I I was just going to ask if if we've tried these out. We have not, but we can. Alman Brightchef.

Yeah. So, as you all know that I'm deaf in one ear and I can't hear out of the other one. Um, this was brought up kind of on for me sort of and I didn't want it to be about me. I met with Jane and I met with the representative of Schillers and with his description of meeting ADA and and making this accessible for other people, I felt a lot better. Um, the way they explained it to me also, which Jane I didn't think uh brought up, was you can put it on an app on your phone and a free app and then have your own

earbuds. So, in other words, if this goes through, I'll I'll be I'll tune in on my phone and then I have my own personal earbuds. So there won't be any sanitary problems, you know, having to keep ones clean. But it would be nice too for a for a person that came in meet that ADA obligation provide them so that they can hear also. Yes, ma'am. What about subtitles? talking about hearing in if there's someone's in the audience and they're having issues hearing. Yeah, they could read it. Um

that would require a whole entire new system throughout the whole measuring than Rogers. Yeah. You know, you watch some of these other meetings and maybe they're bigger cities and have more people complaining at at uh public comments, but you see where they actually the almost seems like we need an audio visual upgrade almost cuz you know the visual the the camera will put go on to the person that's speaking and then camera will be kind of closer in on the board. I unless we want to keep it this way where because you know you look at that up there you really can't see anything. It's not you don't just how I like it.

Me too. Uh but you know I didn't know if they'd want to consider audiovisisual upgrades at the same time. Uh uh yeah, just because I was going to ask a question I that I think I know the answer to that they would be this system would use this existing audio feed and just tap it into uh to a set of earbuds or something along those lines

because someone who does zoom in a lot um it's it's certain people and all of us at some point don't get to the microphone and I'm sitting there like I don't know what what's being said. We specifically talked to him about different microphones and options for for the board, you know, for, you know, audio and that at the board at the at your guys's monitor level. And he really didn't suggest going that route because um to take microphones that would capture the turn of the head,

you're going to pick up every little shuffle of every single thing there is. So these are zoned more just for the direct discussion, right?

So if you take that and broaden it out, it's going to make the hearing actually worse than what it currently is. But to add, I mean, I'm just thinking uh think along the lines to add what Susan was saying about the subtitles. Would it be maybe a question for them is add a room mic because most people that are speaking here have loud voices and people in the room can hear them, but it doesn't come through on these. if you could have some audio feeds, a separate mic that would feed the Zoom and also these these things and also possibly a a that's all built into the current system that we have. It might just be audio levels that would need to be adjusted. That would be huge

which you know would be a little out of the wheelhouse or might be the person at the other end as well. We did talk to him about that. It might be on their end that they don't have the setting quite correct on their end. Do we know if it's on ours, if it's on their end? Um, any anything kind of above and beyond this, correct me if I'm wrong, Terry, would pretty much be a whole new system that he would suggest if we wanted to do anything other than the portable compatibility that he's offering. You want Jane to look in an upgraded audio system? Uh, yes.

I personally would, and I love the idea of subtitles if that can happen with today's technology. I think it's like a it's an app that you know just about that can run subtitles and um but maybe this this system that we're talking about right here might be compatible with an upgraded system so we may not have to hold up the ADA compliance with moving into the future with some of these others. I I don't know. I'm just saying I would suggest if you're thinking about doing an update that we don't get invested with something with the EDA that would be linked to this system and then make the decision to upgrade. It would be a question if there if that ADA system is sort of standalone would be fed from any audio system you put in. It might be easy enough.

It could or they do have ones where it's already built into the new systems and so it's just up to you guys how you want us to move forward with this. It would it would be a device that he would add to our rack our system now plug into our system to make this all happen. Okay. Quite frankly, it's not like we huge audience this down.

It could and it could be half our audience tonight with Marlin and Abs. It could also be used on court nights for any uh people that are here for court night that have problems hearing that we could give them the compatibility hearings as well. How old this is? 17. I I mean, yeah, older than I thought years. Yeah. But I think that but the mics to me, they're a user, right? And you come back. It's it's it's not that the mics are bad. It's the user, right?

You got to you got to stay like this. I'm telling you. I Because I hear it. But we're not the only municipality that has the same system. There's several others very standards. Yeah. I know that for sure there are things out there that work really well because both of my parents are hearing impaired and they go to plays all the time and they get the whatever you were just saying. It runs through my mom's hearing aids and my dad's cocular implants so that they're able to hear what's going on in the theater. So I I know there are things out there for All right. So what do we what do we want to do here? Sounds like maybe you want Jane to get a little more information on some alternatives.

So is can they bring can they is this a big elaborate system? Can they bring it in? That this is would probably be one that if if we wanted to demo we may need to travel either to their place. I'll have to talk to him or maybe to another place where they already have one installed so that we can drive to see the see the demo. Nice of you to volunteer him. Yeah. I I'd like for us to pursue this pretty quick or Yeah, absolutely. And then but yeah, so that I'd like Yeah. Terry and I Perry and I will work with with with them to see if we can get, you know, a demo on on how all of it works and bring it back to you guys.

You good with that, Terry? Yeah. Thank you. What I say about Terry is going to do you need a motion of sorts or we'll discontin it to Joe? Before you conclude, I wanted to go back to parks and wreck. And so Nikki, you said a C preliminary site plan for the Budwe the new Budw Stone Gate Park. Um, so is this the There's no decrease in the parking spot. There's still like 23 parking spots back yet. Were they So is this the new preliminary plan or is this the old one? Uh, no. This is just the name for the park. I know, but it

Oh, that's You gave us this map. Is this the new map or is this Yes. So, that's still I kind of felt like we were wanting less parking spots. Parking spots. Dan, what came of that meeting? I apologize with Terry with the reduction of parking spots. The water quality. Yeah. It wasn't going to make a difference as far as the cost, the water quality as far as we are within. It wouldn't decrease the cost by eliminating like eight parking spots. How many? Well, this is I I believe we ran the numbers same size very similar to Westside. I want to say 23 different

I have a feeling that this park is going to get used more than we might think. Um, it's just it's a beautiful place up there and it's fairly the concrete footprint. I agree. I agree. So, if we can decrease the concrete footprint, you know, that it it does have a pond, that helps.

It has a pond. But, you know what I mean? Like, if we can decrease the concrete footprint, that's more that's more area that can absorb water. Um, and you know, they always say that asphalt's the last crop. Well, we are working with um Missouri Native to design or draw the landscape plans for the entire um for the entire park to keep most of it snow mo area and native.

The way I look at this too, I kind of consider this the trail head for the Fabic Nature Preserve on this side of the ridge. So it's these the residents on this side have long complained that they really don't have direct parking and access to Fabic. So I think this is going to be very popular. I think I think you're going to see more people using even if they're from the other side because it's ADA compliant and they can get wheelchairs and can walk up it a little easier. They can't do it so much on the other side. And I can tell you just from having the fishing derby at Westside on Saturday, there were people parked all up the drive because there were I mean there were more people there than there were parking spots. So you ready for me to do this? Yes.

Okay. I'd like to close the meeting pursuant to section 610.2 0211 legal actions, causes of action or litigation. Okay, we need a second. Alderman Lang. Second motion by second by Lang. We have further discussion. Roll call, please. Alderwoman Hills. Hi. Alderwoman or Alderman Lang. Hi. Alder Brightf. Hi. Alderman Westrock. Hi. Alderman Harrell. Hi. Alderman Rogers. Hi. Alderwoman Joker. Hi. Microphone. I alsotion carries.