CITY OF NEW MELLE

REGULAR SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN

MARCH 25, 2010

CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Board of Alderman of the City of New Melle was held on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 7:00 P.M.  The meeting was held at the New Melle City Hall, which is located at 145 Almeling Street.  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jan Muskopf.

ROLL CALL:

Alderman Darla Green Present  Alderman Doug Bice  Present

Alderman Don Hendrich Present  Alderman Gary Schneider Present

City Attorney, Stephanie Karr, and Police Chief, Aaron Burkemper, were also present.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

On motion of Alderman Green, second by Alderman Hendrich, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to approve the minutes from February 25, 2010 and March 4, 2010 as submitted.

Financial Report – February:

Alderman Hendrich asked if Botz, Deal & Company have assigned someone to work with us starting in April.  City Clerk Burwitz replied that she has been communicating with Michelle, at Botz, Deal & Company, who will be assigning someone to reconcile bank statements and prepare financial statements for the City.

Alderman Bice questioned the Auto Expense line item on the Police Department’s financial statement.  Chief Burkemper stated the department purchased two sets of tires at about $400 each.  He further explained that the department was under budget on tires last year and due to the way the tires have been wearing they may require another set of tires before the end of this year.

Police Report – February:

Alderman Green mentioned the incidences of stealing on this month’s report.  Chief Burkemper stated these are mostly shoplifting instances at the convenience store.

Alderman Hendrich questioned the number of warnings given.  Chief Burkemper stated whatever we can do for public relations, we do.  Chief Burkemper also stated he and his officers have noticed it is difficult to see inside cars for seat belt violations.

Alderman Bice had a question from one of his constituents about warning regarding a tail light that was deemed “orange” rather than red.  Chief Burkemper was unaware of this and requested more specifics and he would look into it further.  He said the statutes state that tail lights must be substantially red; if a tail light is cracked and emitting white light through it, that would be a violation.

Alderman Green asked about the new full time officer.  Chief Burkemper invited Officer Cushing to join the meeting and introduced him.  Chief Burkemper gave his recommendation of Officer Cushing to fill the vacancy of full time police officer effective April 1, 2010.  He explained Officer Cushing started out as a volunteer and had one of the best training periods ever in the department as he encountered a wide variety of situations that are generally out of the ordinary.  The Board welcomed Officer Cushing to the department and his full time status.

Alderman Bice inquired about the Ride-Along Program.  Chief Burkemper stated they could request to ride-along with him or any of the full time officers. 

Chief Burkemper requested an opportunity to reconsider the current management of retirement funds and consider other companies/options.  The company currently managing the retirement accounts have very poor customer service and give the officers little to no direction or assistance in choosing fund options.  Discussion ensued with a consensus that the City has no contract or involvement with the company that manages the retirement funds other than to disburse the allocated funds to said company.  Therefore, each officer is allowed to establish a retirement fund of their choice and notify the City Clerk so that payment arrangements can be made appropriately. 

Alderman Green asked if there would be officers available to direct traffic at the Easter Egg Hunt festivities.  Chief Burkemper stated officers will be directing traffic before and after the event to get everyone in and out of the area safely.

Code Enforcement Officer Report – March:

Mayor Muskopf invited the Board to review the pictures provided by the Code Enforcement Officer regarding the property at 4671 Highway Z.  Mayor Muskopf stated the residents are aware that if they do not take appropriate measures to comply that this matter will be turned over to the city attorney.

Mayor Muskopf stated a constituent approached her regarding drainage problems near the end of Schutzen Street and that she asked the Code Enforcement Officer to look into it.  St. Charles County could fix the problem by putting rock in the ditch however there is an issue concerning easement. 

Alderman Schneider stated grants are available again for sidewalks and he could get a representative to discuss options with the Board.  Discussion evolved around getting support of the school and their interest in joining the City to establish sidewalks in the community.

City Clerk Report: 

City Clerk Burwitz presented the Board with a summary of her training and experience from the New Clerks Institute sponsored by the Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association (MoCCFOA) and a form she completed to get continuing education credits towards becoming accredited as a city clerk.  She requested the City join the MoCCFOA at a cost of $25.00 annually that will offer online assistance as well as continuing education opportunities for the city clerk.  On motion of Alderman Hendrich, second by Alderman Green, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to approve the $25.00 annual membership fee to join the Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association. 

NEW BUSINESS:

A.  APPROVAL OF ESTIMATED 2010 TAX RATE: 

Mayor Muskopf was concerned about fluctuations in assessed values due to the downturn of economic times.

City Attorney Karr stated assessments are done on odd numbered years and the only fluctuation should be from new construction and/or appeals.  Overall, the City’s property tax figures have increased and personal property tax figures have decreased slightly. 

On motion of Alderman Green, second by Alderman Hendrich, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to approve the 2010 estimated tax rate of .230 per $100 of assessed values and authorize City Attorney Karr to send to St. Charles County by certified mail. 

B.  APPROVAL OF BOTZ, DEAL & COMPANY: 

City Clerk Burwitz stated she will be coordinating with Botz and Deal to schedule times for bank reconciliations, preparation of financial statements and any other needs on a monthly or as needed basis.

Mayor Muskopf stated the anticipated expense of using Botz and Deal will be a substantial savings from what we had been paying the Financial Director.

On motion of Alderman Hendrich, second by Alderman Bice, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to approve a rate of $100 per hour for Botz, Deal & Company to act as temporary Financial Director.

Mayor Muskopf asked the Board about sending out Request for Proposals to fill the Finance Director vacancy.

Alderman Green suggested we hold off on filling the vacancy and see how things work out with Botz, Deal.

City Attorney Karr said there would be no problem having an accounting firm performing these functions on a long term basis as there are other municipalities that have their books maintained in this manner. 

Discussion ensued and consensus was to see how things work out with Botz, Deal & Company and not fill the Finance Director position at this time.

C.  APPROVAL TO PAY MILEAGE OF CITY CLERK: 

On motion of Alderman Green, second by Alderman Hendrich, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to approve payment of mileage to City Clerk.

OPEN FORUM:

Mayor Muskopf acknowledged two visitors and welcomed any comments or concerns.

Mr. Ernest Arteaga, 3611 Schutzen Street, said he just wanted to catch up with what has been going on at the City.

Alderman Green asked if the City has heard from The Greenwood Group regarding Earth Day activities. 

Alderman Hendrich said he spoke with The Greenwood Group recently and they said they were working on the landscaping plans for the wedge at Hwy Z and Hwy D.  They will submit the plans to MODOT for approval and then to the City.

Discussion had regarding adding a rain garden at the city hall and Alderman Hendrich said he will follow up with The Greenwood Group.

Mr. Ernest Arteaga asked where the City stands regarding Dive Stop on Highway Z.

Mayor Muskopf stated it has been an ongoing issue and after numerous attempts by the City to convey the requirements to the owners, it is now in the hands of the city attorney.

City Clerk Burwitz brought to the Boards attention a notice included in their packets from the Missouri Municipal League regarding an upcoming Elected Officials Training Conference to be held in Jefferson City on June 17^th – 18^th, 2010.

REVIEW OF BILLS:

On motion of Alderman Hendrich, second by Alderman Green, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to accept the bills as paid.

ADJOURNMENT:

On motion of Alderman Bice, second by Alderman Green, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to adjourn the meeting at 7

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,                                     ACCEPTED,