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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil.Minutes.02-21-2012.RegularProceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Regular Session February 21, 2012 II -21 REGULAR SESSION — FEBRUARY 21, 2012 The Cape Girardeau City Council convened in regular session on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., with Mayor Harry Rediger presiding and Council Members Mark Lanzotti, Meg Proffer, Loretta Schneider, Kathy Swan, and Debra Tracy present. Council Member John Voss was absent. Prior to the regular session, the City Council convened in closed session for purposes of confidential communications with legal counsel, and to discuss property acquisition and personnel matters, pursuant to RSMo. Sections 610.021(1), (2), and (3), upon Mrs. Tracy's motion, Mrs. Swan's second, and the following vote: Ayes, Lanzotti, Proffer, Rediger, Schneider, Swan, and Tracy. Nays, none. Youth Pastor Danny Wilson, of the Bethel Assembly of God Church, presented the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance wasrecited. Mrs. Tracy made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Schneider, to adopt the Agenda as presented. The motion was approved upon the following vote: Ayes, Lanzotti, Proffer, Rediger, Schneider, Swan, and Tracy. Nays, none. PRESENTATIONS Mayor Rediger presented plaques to Ms. Pam Sanders, of the Public Works Department, Ms. Jani Williams, of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, Ms. Kim Conway, of the Police and Fire Departments, and Mr. Jim Moyers and Mr. Rick Crites, of the Fire Department, recognizing their retirements. The Mayor said that the City would lose over 140 years of experience with these retirements. He encouraged them to stay involved in their community. Mayor Rediger also presented a Proclamation for "Engineer's Week," February 19-26, 2012, and recognized the service of area engineers to Cape Girardeau. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS Mayor Rediger remarked that there has been much discussion about the urban Deer Management Committee. The Committee will hold a public forum at the Osage Centre on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. to receive public input on the issue. He encouraged anyone who has information to attend the meeting. In addition, the Mayor announced that the Isle of Capri will host a ceremony to commemorate a milestone as they top out the steel in the casino project construction on Thursday, February 23, at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Lanzotti recognized the Parks and Recreation Department's Father -Daughter Dance this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Osage Centre. He said the event will include dinner, flowers and entertainment. Anyone who wants to attend is encouraged to make reservations in advance. Mrs. Tracy said that she and City Manager Scott Meyer had attended the Missouri Municipal League Legislative Session last week. She said that many issues are developing that will effect municipalities as well as the average person at home. She was most interested in the movement by the Coalition for Missouri's Future, which discussed a move from a "fair tax" to an "everything tax." She encouraged everyone to visit their web site, www.missourifuture.or , and get additional information. Mrs. Tracy said that many people are interested in this type of tax, but the more they learn about it and its impact on families and communities, the more concerns are raised. This type Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Regular Session Fehrunry 21, 2012 11_22 of tax needs to be researched carefully, because it is not as simple as some people think it is. There are two other bills to watch, she said, HB1304, relating to municipal bonds, and SB 698, relating to municipal procurement. Mrs. Tracy said she was also interested in the discussion about how to recoup sales tax from internet sales so that it is fair. There is currently a bill proposing the Streamlined Sales Tax, the goal of which is to recoup local taxes on internet sales. Mr. Meyer reminded everyone about the Old Town Cape annual dinner on Thursday, February 23, 2012. Mr. Meyer said that at the Missouri Municipal League Legislative Session, he had heard about some issues relating to prevailing wage and definitions of "maintenance" and "public works" projects, and legislation more clearly defining those terms. Further, there was discussion about the sales tax to replace the state income tax. Seventy percent of Missouri residents live within 20 miles of a state border. That means that people will have a choice to drive across the border and shop in another state, if there is a higher sales tax in Missouri. Cape Girardeau is also in that 20 - mile proximity. There are many exemptions being discussed to this proposed tax, and there is a good chance the issue will come up as an initiative petition in the next several years. Mr. Meyer said that at the last City Council meeting, a person had appeared regarding the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority. Mr. Meyer has spoken with the Director of Transit Authority regarding the concerns presented. He also addressed issues raised by Mr. Don Howard, of 1100 Ranney Avenue, at the last Council Study Session. Finally, the Council had asked about procedures for contacting the public regarding public projects. City procedures have been updated, and he presented the Council with the updates. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Mrs. Swan, seconded by Ms. Proffer to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda: City Council February 6, 2012, regular and closed sessions minutes. BILL NO. 12-19, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A SEWER LINE LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH SEMO PORT RAILROAD, INC., FOR A SANITARY SEWER LINE CROSSING SOUTH OF COOPER STREET FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. Reading and passage. BILL NO. 12-23, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A RELEASE OF LIEN IN FAVOR OF BILLY WARREN, DECEASED, FOR JEFFERSONBLOOMFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATION PROGRAM. Reading and passage. A motion approving revisions to the City Council Handbook The motion was approved upon the following vote: Ayes, Lanzotti, Proffer, Rediger, Schneider, Swan, and Tracy. Nays, none. Mrs. Schneider remarked that Mrs. Heather Brooks, Assistant to City Manager, did a lot of the work on the City Council Handbook revisions, and it was the best Handbook she had seen. It is a great document for incoming Council members. The Mayor agreed that the update was very appreciated, and that Mrs. Books did a great job. Mr. Meyer said that updating the handbook was a good exercise, and the involvement of the Council was important. The Handbook helps to define the rolls of City staff and make the transition of Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Regular Session February 21, 2012 II -23 E909420JB II incoming Council members a more efficient process. BILL NO. 12-19 is RESOLUTION NO. J- 2677; and BILL NO. 12-23 is RESOLUTION NO. 2678. NEW ORDINANCES BILL NO. 12-18 was given first reading as follows: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT AND EXECUTE A GRANT OF PUBLIC STREET RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND PUBLIC EASEMENTS FROM IOC -CAPE GIRARDEAU LLC, IN THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI The first reading of BILL NO. 12-18 was approved upon Mr. Lanzotti's motion, Mrs. Schneider's second, and the following vote: Ayes, Lanzotti, Proffer, Rediger, Schneider, Swan, and Tracy. Nays, none. BILL NO. 12-20 was given first reading as follows: AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A PERMANENT WATER LINE EASEMENT FROM DONALD E. WELGE FOR A WATER LINE ALONG WATER STREET SOUTH OF BELLEVUE STREET, IN THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI The first reading of BILL NO. 12-20 was approved upon Mrs. Schneider's motion, Ms. Proffer's second, and the following vote: Ayes, Lanzotti, Proffer, Rediger, Schneider, Swan, and Tracy. Nays, none. BILL NO. 12-21 was given first reading as follows: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A QUIT CLAIM DEED TO DONALD E. WELGE, TRANSFERRING A PORTION OF THE BELLEVUE STREET RIGHT- OF-WAY EAST OF NORTH MAIN STREET, IN THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI The first reading of BILL NO. 12-21 was approved upon Mrs. Schneider's motion, Mrs. Swan's second, and the following vote: Ayes, Lanzotti, Proffer, Rediger, Schneider, Swan, and Tracy. Nays, none. BILL NO. 12-22 was given first reading as follows: AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR OPERATING EXPENDITURES, CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, AND TRANSFERS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2012, IN THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI The first reading of BILL NO. 12-22 was approved upon Mrs. Schneider's motion, Mrs. Tracy's second, and the following vote: Ayes, Lanzotti, Proffer, Rediger, Schneider, Swan, and Tracy. Nays, none. APPOINTMENTS Mr. Bradley Golden was appointed to the Airport Advisory Board for a term expiring April 30, 2012, upon Mrs. Schneider's motion, Mrs. Proffer's second, and the following vote: Ayes, Lanzotti, Proffer, Rediger, Schneider, Swan, and Tracy. Nays, none. Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Regular Session February 21, 2012 II -24 There being no further business, the City Council adjourned upon Mr. Lanzotti's motion, Ms. Proffer's second, and the following vote: Ayes, Lanzotti, Proffer, Rediger, Schneider, Swan, and Tracy. Nays, none. E. Re Oger, or Am"&O" Gayle L onrad, CityClerk