INTRODUCTORY
The City Council of the City of Columbia, Missouri met for
a regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, April 3, 2000, in the Council Chamber
of the City of Columbia, Missouri. The roll was taken with the following results:
Council members JOHN, COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, and CAMPBELL
were present. The City manager, City Counselor, City Clerk, and various Department
Heads were also present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of March 20, 2000, were
approved unanimously by voice vote on a motion made by Mr. Campbell and a second
by Mrs. Crockett.
APPROVAL AND ADJUSTMENT OF AGENDA INCLUDING CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Hindman noted that Police Chief Boehm would be sworn
in following the vote on the Consent Agenda.
The agenda, as amended, including the Consent Agenda, was
approved unanimously by voice vote on a motion made by Mr. Campbell and a second
by Mr. John.
SPECIAL ITEMS
Presentation of FY99 Annual Audit
Mr. Beck explained that the Chairperson of the Finance Advisory
Committee had met with the Council to answer questions regarding the annual audit.
He noted the audit was performed by the firm of Ernst & Young, working with
the Finance Department as well as other City departments. Mr. Beck emphasized
that the City of Columbia is in sound financial standing.
Ms. Fleming noted that the City's general fund balance is
at 18% of expenditures and transfers, which is above the 16% requirement by Council
policy. For a third year in a row, she reported the single audit found no questioned
costs or findings, which means that the City abided by all of the rules and regulations
attached to grant monies. Ms. Fleming explained the management letter contained
minor items which staff agreed to work on in the area of reporting and reviewing
operations. She stated that the special project this year had been the report
on the Health Department. Ms. Fleming pointed out that the full financial statement
can be found on the City's Web Page.
Mr. Campbell made the motion that the report be accepted.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Janku and approved unanimously by voice vote.
SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS
Barbara Hoppe - Coalition to Save Stephens Lake
Barbara Hoppe, 607 Bluff Dale, spoke on behalf of the Coalition
to Save Stephens Lake. She explained the makeup of the Coalition to be represented
by the following groups: East Walnut Neighborhood Association, Benton Stephens
Neighborhood Association, East Campus Neighborhood, Shepard Boulevard Association,
Moon Valley Association, Hinkson Creek Valley Neighborhood Association, and the
Friends of Stephens Lake. Ms. Hoppe reported the Coalition has met with many
organizations and groups and have received overwhelming support from the Greenbelt
Coalition, the Hinkson Stream Team 409, local alumni from Stephens College, The
Native Plant Society, The League of Womens Voters, The Audubon Society, and The
Sierra Club. She pointed out that they expect many other groups to be joining
them in the future.
Ms. Hoppe reported the purpose of the Coalition is to make
the Council aware of the strong community support for the acquisition of the
historic and irreplaceable Stephens Lake and its parkland. She explained the
importance of preserving the property.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
B88-00 Calling for bids for the Wetland
Treatment Units Berm Repair Project.
The bill was given second reading by the Clerk.
Mr. Patterson explained that the public hearing and bid call
is for the repair of embankment sloughs at wetland treatment units one and two,
and correcting erosion problems that are occurring on the Perche Creek near unit
three. He explained that these events have been occurring over a period of time
and the repair work consists of three separate projects that will be combined
into one to take advantage of better bid prices.
Mr. Patterson explained the damage to berm sloughs in unit
one have transpired over a period of years. He noted staff has been monitoring
the problem and hoped to get to a point where it would stabilize so all repairs
could be done at the same time. Mr. Patterson noted that was not to say future
failures of a similar nature might eventually develop, but certainly nothing
as extensive as what is occurring now. The estimated cost for repairs to unit
one will be about $500,000 and will be bid with two alternatives; one for replacing
the high plastic clay with low plastic soil, or to replace the existing clay
with geo-grid material, and stabilization of the soil.
Mr. Patterson explained that repairs to unit two were of a
more serious nature. A deep-seated failure is occurring next to the outside berm
right against the creek and poses some danger to this wetland unit cell. He reported
that staff proposes to excavate below the point of failure, put in a rock buttress,
and then replace the failed areas with compacted clay. He said they would then
install drains throughout the repair area to prevent reoccurrence of the failures.
Mr. Patterson stated the work to unit three involves a much
needed repair along Perche Creek. He noted several years ago there had been a
project along Perche Creek, and this is a continuation of that project to control
the erosion that is occurring above unit three. Mr. Patterson reported the erosion
is also endangering the levy that protects the well area that is part of the
levy district.
Mr. Patterson was hopeful to get the three projects under
bid this summer so they could be completed before winter. The projects are funded
through sanitary sewer utility funds.
Mayor Hindman asked if the repairs would be made in such a
way so as to maintain the current depth of the creek. Mr. Patterson said the
depth would remain the same, the project would merely stabilize the stream bank
so the erosion would not be allowed to continue.
Mayor Hindman opened the public hearing.
There being no comments, Mayor Hindman closed the public hearing.
B88-00 was given third reading with the vote recorded as follows:
VOTING YES: JOHN, COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING
NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as follows:
R61-00 Approving Amendments to the
FY2000 Action Plan.
The resolution was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Beck explained that this year the City was notified that
we would be receiving additional funding in the amount of $1,039,000.00 for CDBG
and $537,000 for HOME money. The public hearing this evening is to allocate the
additional funding. The staff suggestion is to repay the $67,500 borrowed from
other sources with additional CDBG funds. He said there would be a net increase
of CDBG funding in the amount of $171,500. An overhead was shown describing the
proposal.
Mayor Hindman opened the public hearing.
There being no comments, Mayor Hindman closed the public hearing.
Mr. Janku said as staff moves forward with the adopted plans,
he was hopeful the Community Development Commission would be advised of the changes
as soon as possible so they would be aware of them when discussing the upcoming
budget.
Mr. Beck said he would be presenting, very shortly, a plan
to look at various accounts that need to be spent down faster than they have
been.
The vote on R61-00 was recorded as follows: VOTING YES: JOHN,
COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Resolution
declared adopted, reading as follows:
(A) Voluntary annexation of property
located on the west side of Bearfield Road, approximately 500 feet south
of Nifong Boulevard.
Item A was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Beck explained this voluntary annexation request included
an appeal for permanent PUD-5 zoning. He stated the Planning and Zoning Commission
recommended unanimous approval of both requests.
Mayor Hindman opened the public hearing.
There being no comments, Mayor Hindman closed the public hearing.
No action is required.
OLD BUSINESS
B83-00 Amending Chapter 24 of the City
Code as it relates to changing street names.
The bill was given second reading by the Clerk.
Mr. Beck explained that Mr. Boeckmann had developed an ordinance
for Council consideration that would simplify the process of changing street
names. He said the proposed ordinance would allow the change without a public
hearing if the owners of record on all property abutting the street have signed
a petition requesting the street name change.
B83-00 was given third reading with the vote recorded as follows:
VOTING YES: JOHN, COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING
NO: NO ONE. Bill declared enacted, reading as follows:
CONSENT AGENDA
The following bills were given second reading and the resolutions were read
by the Clerk.
B84-00 Accepting easements for utility
purposes.
B85-00 Authorizing an agreement with
Boone County for animal control services; appropriating funds.
B86-00 Authorizing an agreement with
Boone County for public health services.
B87-00 Calling for bids for the Lynn
Street and Oak Street Drainage Improvement Project.
B89-00 Confirming the contract of Don
Schneiders Excavating Co. for the Hinkson Creek Trail Phase II Project.
B90-00 Approving the final plat of Arcadia,
Plat 6; authorizing a performance contract.
B91-00 Approving the final plat of Open
heart Subdivision; authorizing a performance contract.
B92-00 Approving the final plat of East
Pointe, Plat 2-D; authorizing a performance contract.
B93-00 Vacating a utility easement located
within Lake Woodrail Subdivision.
B94-00 Amending the City ordinance relating
to retirement and deferred compensation for the Chief of Police.
R52-00 Setting a public hearing: traffic
calming project on Noble Court.
R53-00 Setting a public hearing: Valley
View Neighborhood Park improvements.
R54-00 Setting a public hearing: voluntary
annexation of property located north of Brown School Road,
extended
and west of U.S. Highway 63.
The bills were given third reading and the resolutions were read with the vote recorded as follows: VOTING YES: JOHN, COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Bills declared enacted and resolutions declared adopted, reading as follows:
Chief Boehm was sworn in by the City Clerk and congratulated
by the Mayor and presented with his Commission of Office by the City Manager.
NEW BUSINESS
R55-00 Authorizing an agreement with
Harrington & Cortelyou, Inc. for engineering services for the pedestrian
bridge
over I-70 along the east side of Providence Road.
The resolution was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Beck noted that the staff has been working closely with
MoDOT regarding enhancement funds for the City of Columbia. He indicated this
would provide for the engineering services to build a sidewalk over I-70 adjacent
to the Providence Road bridge. Ultimately, the plan is to have the project constructed
with 80% federal funds through MoDOT. The estimated cost for engineering services
is $63,000 and the estimated cost for the bridge is $450,000.
Mr. Janku was pleased to see forward movement with the bridge.
He said people cross it everyday, including a lot of young people. He was concerned
how people would get across Providence before arriving at the stop light on Vandiver.
Mr. Janku noted an option he had seen in St. Louis which is basically a cloverleaf
for pedestrians. He said it would take them under the overpass bridge with the
sidewalk actually going underneath the overpass and built onto the concrete slab
that extends up from the roadway. He suggested that it be looked into. Mr. Patterson
indicated that he would mention this proposal to the engineers. He added that
staff would be bringing forth a contract for design of the bridge over Business
Loop 70 very soon.
The vote on R55-00 was recorded as follows: VOTING YES: JOHN,
COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Resolution
declared adopted, reading as follows:
R56-00 Authorizing a lease agreement
with Doug Bledsoe for operation of a restaurant at Columbia Regional
Airport.
The resolution was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Beck noted that this one year lease would begin May 1,
2000, with the option of three additional one-year renewals. The lease payments
will total approximately $5,500 annually.
Fred Springsteel, 311 Longfellow, asked if stipulations are
in the agreement regarding the hours of operation.
Mr. Patterson explained that it is difficult to interest anyone
in operating the airport restaurant because it is not extremely attractive from
a profit standpoint. Unless the City wishes to subsidize it very heavily, no
one is going to offer round-the-clock service. Mr. Patterson commented the business
will improve as traffic develops.
Mr. Coffman reported the hours of operation stipulated in
the agreement are to be 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Mrs. Crockett noted that
Mr. Bledsoe agrees to extend the hours of operation to a closing time of 7:00
p.m. daily beginning on June 1, 2000.
The vote on R56-00 was recorded as follows: VOTING YES: JOHN,
COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING NO: ON ONE. Resolution
declared adopted, reading as follows:
R57-00 Authorizing an agreement with
Ameren UE for the relocation of a gas line in conjunction with the
reconstruction
of Scott Boulevard.
The resolution was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Beck pointed out the estimated cost of the project is
$35,297. He noted the gas line has to be relocated in conjunction with the road
reconstruction project.
The vote on R57-00 was recorded as follows: VOTING YES: JOHN,
COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Resolution
declared adopted, reading as follows:
R58-00 Authorizing an agreement with
Roberts Wireless Communications, L.L.C. concerning assignment of a
lease
agreement for an antenna on the Walnut Street water tower.
The resolution was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Beck explained that the recommendation is to proceed with
the proposed transfer of title which requires Council approval.
The General Manager for Roberts Wireless Communications offered
to answer questions.
The vote on R58-00 was recorded as follows: VOTING YES: JOHN,
COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Resolution
declared adopted, reading as follows:
R59-00 Selecting an auditor for fiscal
years 2000 through 2004.
The resolution was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Beck explained that the Finance staff and the Finance
Advisory Committee had gone through a fairly detailed process of reviewing the
submitted proposals. They unanimously recommended the firm of KPMG out of Kansas
City. The contract would run for three years with the option to renew it for
two additional years.
The vote on R59-00 was recorded as follows: VOTING YES: JOHN,
COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Resolution
declared adopted, reading as follows:
R60-00 Authorizing an agreement with
Central Missouri Counties Human Development Corporation for FY 2000
HOME
funds.
The resolution was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Beck pointed out that this agency is actually the administrator
of City funds. They requested a few changes in the funding pattern which amounted
to $52,650 from the Federal HOME Agency and their funding. This would primarily
be geared toward the Hanover project located in northeast Columbia.
The vote on R60-00 was recorded as follows: VOTING YES: JOHN,
COFFMAN, HINDMAN, CRAYTON, JANKU, CROCKETT, CAMPBELL. VOTING NO: NO ONE. Resolution
declared adopted, reading as follows:
The following bills were introduced by the Mayor, unless otherwise indicated, and all were given first reading:
B95-00 Authorizing construction of
improvements to Valley View Neighborhood Park.
B96-00 Amending Chapter 14 of the City
Code to change the time limit for parking meters located on the north
side
of Locust Street, between Fourth and Fifth Streets.
B97-00 Accepting easements and quit
claim deeds for sewer, drainage and utility purposes.
B98-00 Approving a change order and
the engineer's final report for the H-4 Trunk Sewer project.
B99-00 Confirming the contract of C.L.
Richardson Construction Company for construction of the Bear Creek
recreation
Trail Phase project.
B100-00 Confirming the contract of Aplex, Inc. for
construction of sidewalks along West Ash Street.
B101-00 Accepting easements for utility purposes.
B102-00 Amending the FY 2000 pay plan and the FY
2000 classification plan in connection with a reorganization
of
the Joint Communications and Information Center.
B103-00 Approving the final plat of a replat of
Lot 1, Sedona Villas, Plat 1.
B104-00 Approving the final plat of Richmond Avenue
Subdivision.
B105-00 Voluntary annexation of property located
on the west side of Bearfield Road, approximately 500 feet
south
of Nifong Boulevard; establishing permanent PUD-5 zoning.
B106-00 Granting a variance to the Subdivision
Regulations regarding sidewalks for Lot 6 of Country Farms,
Plat
2.
REPORTS AND PETITIONS
(A) Street Closure Requests.
Mr. Beck explained the requests and noted that they had all
been reviewed by the Central Columbia Board of Directors and approved accordingly.
Mr. John made the motion that the requests be granted as written.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Campbell and approved unanimously by voice vote.
(B) Garage Sales.
Ms. Fleming explained the current policy for obtaining a garage
sale permit. She noted citizens are required to come to City Hall to obtain the
permit. Ms. Fleming related there is no fee involved, but this process is merely
a way to monitor and regulate the sales. Numerous complaints have been received
from elderly and disabled people who have transportation issues and find it difficult
to come downtown to obtain the permit. Ms. Fleming said the staff called other
cities in Missouri and found that while these cities do regulate garage sales,
they do not require people to come down and physically get a permit. She explained
that if staff is allowed to proceed with this proposal, they will still investigate
problem situations on a complaint basis as is done currently.
Mrs. Crockett indicated she did not object to amending the
ordinance that would allow citizens to obtain garage sale permits over the phone,
but she was hopeful something could be done about the signs that are posted on
utility poles. Ms. Fleming pointed out that it is illegal to post those signs.
Mrs. Crockett felt it needed to be enforced better. She asked if anyone could
take the signs down since they are illegal. The consensus was that anyone could
remove the signs.
Mr. Campbell made the motion that revisions to Section 13-20
(c) of the code be drafted for Council consideration. The motion was seconded
by Mrs. Crockett and approved unanimously by voice vote.
(C) Cable Television Open Access.
Mr. Coffman thanked the staff for their research. Mr. Janku
commented this is an issue that will require a lot of public input. Mayor Hindman
thought it was appropriate that the report be reviewed by the Cable Committee
first. Mrs. Crockett agreed.
Mayor Hindman made the motion that the report be referred
to the Cable TV Committee. The motion was seconded by Ms. Crayton and approved
unanimously by voice vote.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
None.
COMMENTS OF THE COUNCIL, STAFF, AND PUBLIC
Mr. John remarked that he had received comments from several
individuals regarding the lack of janitorial service at the airport on Friday
or Saturday. With the increased traffic, he stated conditions are deteriorating
rapidly. Mr. John also reported that he had heard comments about signage at the
airport being old and dilapidated. He said the little wooden sign off the tarmac
looks to be in disrepair as well.
Mr. John spoke about the planned extension of Forum Boulevard
becoming a funded project in the CIP. He stated that Forum was originally designed
to be a heavily used residential street. He noted it has since become a commercial
street. As a thru street, Mr. John said the extension will extend it to Old Plank
Road. He said when looking at the design, he would like for the engineers to
include traffic calming devices from at least Nifong Boulevard southward, if
not all the way up to the Country Club of Missouri. He pointed out that Forum
has become a major thoroughfare and was not designed to carry the kind of traffic
that currently travels on it.
Mr. John made the motion that as part of the design work for
any extension of Forum Boulevard South, that traffic studies and traffic calming
from Woodrail Avenue south be included as part of the project. The motion was
seconded by Mayor Hindman and approved unanimously by voice vote.
Mr. Coffman reported that word has just been received that
there is a MoDOT project moving forward to prohibit left turns onto Trimble from
East Broadway. He thanked everyone who was instrumental in helping to bring the
project forward.
Mr. Coffman explained that a project near the Bluff Creek
neighborhood is creating concern. He related that the Macher Aquatic Center is
planned in the neighborhood off of Old 63. While the zoning is appropriate, the
neighbors have concerns about construction times, hours of operation, parking
and lighting. He asked if staff could work with the neighborhood to see that
their concerns are addressed or at least mediated. Mr. Coffman indicated he would
forward a list of the names of those residents who are concerned about the project
to the City Manager's Office.
Ms. Crayton passed around an article regarding FHA homes and
how some homes can be acquired when they are left abandoned. She asked if any
of those homes are available in Columbia. She said HUD has signed a new bill
where cities can purchase those kinds of homes for one dollar. Ms. Crayton asked
for information on HUD's Good Neighbor Policy Program. Ms. Crayton noted that
she had recently attended a state conference where she learned about new program
called "America Dreams" for communities like Columbia that do not fit the Kansas
City and St. Louis models. These monies are given to smaller communities to rebuild
neighborhoods.
Mr. Campbell asked if there was an inventory of houses in
Columbia. Mr. Beck responded that a list came out, and he thought he had sent
this to Ms. Crayton, with a couple of houses listed in the Columbia area.
Mr. Beck reported when this issue was discussed previously,
he had looked into two things; one was the houses that were selling very economically,
and the other was whether or not the City could set aside a certain amount of
CDBG money and work through an agency to upgrade houses without going through
a long, formal process. Mr. Beck indicated he would look for the report that
was prepared at that time.
Mr. Janku commented he had looked at the HUD list a few years
back, but there were not any of those homes in Columbia. Mr. John explained that
HUD typically publishes a new list every month. He reported the homes on the
list are put up for bid to anyone who is willing to pay what is owed on the house.
Mr. John explained the process takes several months, with most of houses being
peeled off fairly quickly because by the third round they can be purchased pretty
cheap.
Ms. Crayton reported that an elderly lady qualified for a
rehabilitation loan, but she could not find anyone who would do the work for
her. Mayor Hindman suggested that the facts be checked into. Mr. Beck explained
that there is an actual committee that evaluates the work. He asked Ms. Crayton
to forward any information she has about that situation to him so it could be
reviewed.
Regarding the Walnut Street Tower, Mr. Janku noted the City
has spent a lot of money to have it repainted. He asked if the fencing around
it could also be painted.
Mr. Janku related that he spoke to Mr. Patterson earlier this
evening about the Arcadia Plat on Brown School Road and the timing of the sidewalk
on the street side of the back side of the lots. He asked if sidewalks could
be constructed in conjunction with the street work.
Mr. Janku noted a new building going up near Field School.
He asked whether the construction of the building would trigger a sidewalk requirement.
If not, he was interested in knowing if the owners would consider doing that
given the proximity to the public facilities.
Regarding Route B, Mr. Janku reported the Council had talked
about the possibility of connecting the sidewalk on Route B with the sidewalk
on Old 63. He said there is a stop light at Old 63 and the Business Loop where
it would be a natural crossing point for pedestrians to access the new sidewalk
along Route B. Mr. Janku indicated they had talked about it being a relatively
modest cost and asked the staff to see what could be done about it.
In regards to the settlement reached in connection with the
land by the Chamber Building and the Islamic Center, Mayor Hindman said before
the City could proceed with the design, a public hearing must be held on the
project. He said preliminary plans are needed in order to move forward with a
hearing. Mayor Hindman noted there had been a suggestion that this area be called
the Flat Branch Park rather than the Trailhead Park.
Mayor Hindman made the motion that preliminary plans be initiated
in connection with the development of the Flat Branch Park in order that a public
hearing could eventually take place. The motion was seconded by Mr. Janku and
approved unanimously by voice vote.
Mayor Hindman believed the agreement reached regarding the
park area included the charge for the Committee to proceed with their work. He
asked about appointing a committee to work with Public Works to locate the on-street
parking that was part of the agreement. Mayor Hindman indicated he was primarily
thinking about appointing individuals who have real estate interest in the area.
Mr. Janku made the motion that a Committee be appointed to
work with the Public Works staff to locate the on-street parking mentioned as
part of the compromise. The motion was seconded by Mr. Campbell and approved
unanimously by voice vote.
Mr. Janku asked that parking be to the benefit of all concerned
in the area.
Henry Lane, 1816 E. Broadway, encouraged everyone to vote
tomorrow.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Penny
St. Romaine
City
Clerk
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