CITY OF NEW MELLE

SPECIAL SESSION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN

APRIL 23, 2010

Call to Order:  The special meeting of the Board of Alderman of the City of New Melle was held on Thursday, April 23, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.  The meeting was held at the New Melle City Hall, located at 145 Almeling Street, New Melle, Missouri.  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ernest Arteaga.

Roll Call:

Alderman Don Hendrich                  Absent                        Alderman Doug Bice             Absent

Alderman Janet Jokisch-Messig       Present           Alderman Carol Proveaux                Present

There was not a quorum for this meeting.

Police Chief, Aaron Burkemper and City Clerk, DeeAnn Burwitz were also present.

Orientation of Newly Elected Officials:

Chief Burkemper discussed general operations of the Police Department, its employees and equipment status with those present.

City Clerk Burwitz asked the new officials how they would like to get correspondence from City Hall.  Mayor Arteaga and Alderman Jokisch-Messig provided email addresses and Alderman Proveaux wants communications in paper form. 

Mayor Arteaga asked about office supplies and since he and Alderman Jokisch-Messig are receiving City correspondence by email, would the City supply them with reams of paper. 

City Clerk Burwitz stated office supplies are generally not issued to the Mayor or Board members.  However, she would be happy to produce a paper copy of something specific by request and place it in their box.

10:15 A.M. Aldermen Jokisch-Messig and Proveaux left the City Hall; only Mayor Arteaga and City Clerk Burwitz remain.

Mayor Arteaga stated he would like to amend the budget so travel expenses, such as mileage, and other City business related expenses could be paid without Board approval.  He wants to create an opinion poll in order to collect email addresses of residents in order to communicate more effectively with them as well as to get their feedback.  He requested that the City Clerk setup and maintain a calendar of meetings, events, schedules, etc.  He went over his expectations of the structure of Regular Meetings and Work Sessions of the Board of Aldermen.  He would like to have a two (2) drawer lockable file cabinet to be kept at the City Hall for his personal needs as Mayor.  He also wants to establish a “PR Fund” (Public Relations Fund) as the Mayor’s own discretionary fund.  He discussed his plans to create an Advisory Board with members from the Chamber of Commerce, New Melle Sports & Recreation, the school and other local businesses. 

Discussions had regarding requests from the public that are routed to the appropriate business or individual for further assistance or information.

Mayor Arteaga questioned how business was conducted by the Code Enforcement Officer and stated he was the victim a complaint that he felt was unfair.  

Mayor Arteaga directed the City Clerk to provide him with names and contact information, including email addresses, of everyone the City has contact with.  He stated all media requests shall be directed to him or the City Attorney; no City employees are to answer questions from the media including the Police Department.   

Mayor Arteaga provided the City Clerk with a list of items he would like to view or know about:  Job descriptions, City CD’s and their spending restrictions, a list of all mayors from 1979 to present and their contact information, Municipal League directory, list of all citizens of New Melle, City Hall computer passwords, historical files and records, who was contracted to do roofing work at the City Hall about five (5) years ago.

Mayor Arteaga would like a sign placed in a window of the City Hall to designate whether it is open or closed. 

Work session agenda was set for Monday, April 26, 2010.

Adjournment:

Meeting adjourned at 11:45 A.M.

Respectfully Submitted,                                            Accepted,

DeeAnn Burwitz, City Clerk                                      Ernest Arteaga, Mayor