CITY OF NEW MELLE
REGULAR SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
APRIL 22, 2010
Call to Order: The regular meeting of the Board of Alderman of the City of New Melle was held on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. The meeting was held at the New Melle City Hall, which is located at 145 Almeling Street, New Melle, Missouri.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jan Muskopf.
Roll Call:
Alderman Darla Green Absent Alderman Doug Bice Present
Alderman Don Hendrich Present Alderman Gary Schneider Present
A quorum was declared.
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 Hendrich, second by Alderman Bice, the Aldermen voted 3 “Aye”, 1 “Absent” (Alderman Green) to approve the minutes from March 25, 2010 as submitted.
Financial Report – March:
Lindsey from Botz, Deal & Company prepared a statement along with the March financial statements and although she was not present for questions, she would be willing to attend Board meetings upon request.
Chief Burkemper prepared an additional handout to explain costs relating to the purchase and equipping of Car#3 that have been expensed through the “Police Equipment” expense account.
Mayor Muskopf stated a budget amendment would be necessary to properly reflect the income from MOPERM and the transfer from Capital Improvement that were used to offset those expenses.
Police Report – March:
Alderman Hendrich commented on his Ride-Along with Officer Cushing recently. No other comments or concerns.
Code Enforcement Officer Report – March:
Mayor Muskopf mentioned a dumpster has been placed at the Short residence. She also stated the Code Enforcement Officer had lost one of the magnetic signs from his truck and suggested calling for a replacement.
Appointment of P&Z Member:
Mayor Muskopf stated when the codification of Ordinances was done a couple years ago; a provision was made to allow two (2) non-resident members to be appointed to the P&Z Commission. At their last meeting, the P&Z Commission recommended Pete Schepis be appointed to the P&Z Commission.
On motion of Alderman Hendrich, second by Alderman Bice, the Aldermen voted 3 “Aye”, 1 “Absent” (Alderman Green) to appoint Pete Schepis to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Letter from St. Charles County for Becoming an Urban County:
Discussion took place; item died due to lack of motion.
B. Rain Garden Estimate:
Pete Schepis described their plans for the rain gardens and explained how the rain gardens will prevent excess water from leaking into the basement of the City Hall.
On motion of Alderman Hendrich, second by Alderman Bice, the Aldermen voted 3 “Aye”, 1 “Absent” (Alderman Green) to approve The Greenwood Groups bid of $2,295 for Landscape Improvements at the City Hall including two (2) rain gardens.
C. Wedge Plans – Greenwood Group:
Pete Schepis presented drawings for the wedge at the intersection of Highways D & Z and stated work will likely be done in fall of 2010. They will be seeking approval from MODOT for visibility concerns.
Recognition of Election Results:
Mayor Muskopf cited from the 2010 Election Results certified by the St. Charles County Election Authority that out of 333 registered voters, Ernest Arteaga received 53 votes for Mayor and there were 4 write in votes, Carol Proveaux for Ward 2 with 147 registered voters, Carol received 16 votes and Gary Schneider received 12 votes as write-in candidate, and Janet Messig for Ward 1 with 186 registered voters, Janet received 42 votes and no write-in votes.
Mayor Muskopf gave a brief farewell speech before directing the City Clerk to administer the Oaths of Office to the newly elected officials.
Oaths of Newly Elected Officials:
City Clerk Burwitz administered the Oaths of Office to Earnest Arteaga as Mayor and Janet Jokisch-Messig and Carol Proveaux to the Board of Aldermen.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arteaga at 7:26 P.M.
Roll Call:
Alderman Don Hendrich Present Alderman Doug Bice Present
Alderman Janet Jokisch-Messig Present Alderman Carol Proveaux Present
A quorum was declared.
City Attorney, Stephanie Karr, and Police Chief, Aaron Burkemper, were also present.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Reorganization of Board of Aldermen:
On motion of Alderman Bice, second by Alderman Proveaux, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to elect Don Hendrich as President of the Board of Aldermen.
B. Appointment & Approval – Board of Aldermen representative to serve on the P&Z Commission:
On motion of Alderman Hendrich, second by Alderman Bice, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to approve and appoint Carol Proveaux to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
OPEN FORUM:
Alderman Jokisch-Messig made a request to change Board of Aldermen meetings from Thursday’s to a different night of the week. Discussion ensued.
On motion of Alderman Jokisch-Messig, second by Alderman Proveaux, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to amend the Board of Aldermen meeting nights from the 1st and 4th Thursday evenings to the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings.
Mayor Arteaga called for an emergency work session of the Board of Aldermen on Monday, April 26th, at 7:00 P.M. for orientation of the newly elected officials and to set goals and priorities.
Alderman Proveaux asked City Attorney Karr for clarification regarding what constitutes a meeting that needs to be posted to the public.
City Attorney Karr stated all members of the Board can be together socializing but cannot discuss City business and certainly not take City action. Anything related to City business must be open to the public and posted at least 24 hours in advance with very few exceptions that pertain to closed records and are done in closed sessions as set by state statutes.
Mayor Arteaga stated he has called for a special session meeting with the City Clerk and Chief of Police on Friday, April 23rd, at 9:00 A.M. for orientation purposes.
Review of Bills:
On motion of Alderman Bice, second by Alderman Hendrich, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to accept the bills as paid.
Adjournment:
On motion of Alderman Bice, second by Alderman Hendrich, the Aldermen voted 4 “Aye” to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted, Accepted,
DeeAnn Burwitz, City Clerk Ernest Arteaga, Mayor