City Council Meeting Minutes

KIRKWOOD CITY HALL

April 3, 2008

7:00 p.m.

Pursuant to notice of meeting duly given by the Mayor, the City Council convened on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Kirkwood City Hall, 139 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, Missouri. Present were Council Members Godi (via telephone), McDonnell, Ward, Yuan, and Deputy Mayor Griffin. Also in attendance were Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Georgia Ragland and City Attorney John Hessel. Mayor Swoboda was absent and excused.

PRESENTATIONS

Angie Schmid of GardenArt Studios presented a mirror with floral artwork that was created in honor and memory of those whose lives were tragically taken on February 7, 2008. The artwork was created using real flowers from each of the victims’ memorial services. It is her hope that the artwork be a symbol of peace, strength and healing and a celebration of life’s memories. In addition, Ms. Schmid read a poem entitled “Each Blossom Shall Whisper.” The artwork along with the poem will be displayed in Kirkwood City Hall. The City Council was very appreciative and thankful for the artwork.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

NONE

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following individuals spoke before the Council:

1. Mike Whitson, 126 East Washington, read a prepared statement on behalf of Joe Cole of Club 44 regarding his attempts to speak with Cookie Thornton.

2. Ed Golterman, 614 Wooddell Court, believes time limits for speakers at meetings is in order, messages beyond that can be communicated to elected officials through letters, emails, etc. Supports more police manpower.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion was made by Council Member McDonnell and seconded by Council Member Ward to approve the Consent Agenda. Resolution 28-2008 was pulled from the Consent Agenda and placed at the end of New Business. The motion to approve the Amended Consent Agenda was unanimously approved as follows:

a) Approval of the March 20, 2008 Council Meeting Minutes

b) Resolution 27-2008, extending the contract between the City of Kirkwood and the City of Oakland for Police and Fire protection services

OLD BUSINESS

Bill 9882, granting a Special Use Permit to Parktown Imports to remodel the existing building and utilize the site at 10256 Manchester Road as a New Car Sales Office subject to certain conditions was brought before the council.

Roll Call Vote as Follows: *In accordance with Section 610.015 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, while Council Member Godi participated in the meeting by phone he is not allowed to participate in roll call votes.

Council Member Godi *

Deputy Mayor Griffin “Yes”

Council Member McDonnell “Yes”

Council Member Ward “Yes”

Council Member Yuan “Yes”

The bill, having received majority approval of the council, was adopted and became Ordinance 9761.

Bill 9883, adopting a revised City of Kirkwood Classification and Pay Plan was brought before the council. .

Council Member Godi *

Deputy Mayor Griffin “Yes”

Council Member McDonnell “Yes”

Council Member Ward “Yes”

Council Member Yuan “Yes”

The bill, having received majority approval of the council, was adopted and became Ordinance 9762.

NEW BUSINESS

Bill 9884, amending Chapter 14, Section 14-393, “Schedule C: No Parking” by adding Attucks Street, North Side, 300 and 400 blocks was brought before the council. Motion was made by Council Member McDonnell and seconded by Council Member Yuan to accept the bill for first reading approval. The motion was unanimously approved.

The bill received first reading approval and was held over.

Bill 9885, terminating the designation of a portion of the City of Kirkwood, Missouri, as a redevelopment area, dissolving the special allocation fund related to the redevelopment area and authorizing certain actions relating thereto was brought before the council. Motion was made by Council Member McDonnell and seconded by Council Member Ward to accept the bill for first reading approval. A discussion followed regarding the history of the partnership between the City of Kirkwood and the Meacham Park neighborhood. Both the voters of Meacham Park and the City of Kirkwood strongly approved the annexation of Meacham Park. The motion was unanimously approved.

The bill received first reading approval and was held over.

Resolution 28-2008, appointing Thomas Teasdale as a member of the Board of Adjustment to fill an unexpired term to June 2010 was brought before the council. Motion was made by Council Member McDonnell and seconded by Council Member Ward to bring Substitute Resolution 28-2008 on the floor for consideration. The motion was unanimously approved. Substitute Resolution 28-2008, appointing Thomas Teasdale as a member of the Board of Adjustment to fill an unexpired term to June 2010 and Richard Barr to the Board of Adjustment as an Alternate for a term to June 2011.

Council Member Godi *

Deputy Mayor Griffin “Yes”

Council Member McDonnell “Yes”

Council Member Ward “Yes”

Council Member Yuan “Yes”

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

NONE

CITY COUNCIL REPORTS

Deputy Mayor Griffin reported that that the last meeting the City Council approved the engaging in the services of the U.S. Department of Justice – Community Relations Service. The City Council needs to appoint a formal liaison to work with the Department of Justice and Mike Brown has indicated that he is interested in serving in this capacity. Motion was made by Council Member McDonnell and seconded by Council Member Yuan to appoint Michael Brown as the City’s liaison to work with the Department of Justice – Community Relations Service. The motion was unanimously approved.

Deputy Mayor Griffin advised that he had received a letter from Kenneth Gordon, President, Coalition 4 Unity asking for a response within the next 5 days. He wants a meeting to take place to discuss racism, etc. Mr. Gordon’s letter has a copy of a letter from Michael Moore dated February 27, 2008 attached. Mr. Gordon’s letter advises that if no response is received within 5 days that there will be demonstrations in and outside of City Hall. The City has engaged the services of the Department of Justice-Community Relations Service and the City should focus on the services of the Department of Justice at this time. It was the consensus of the City Council that a letter be sent to Mr. Gordon advising that his letter will be forwarded to the Department of Justice as they begin the process of facilitation.

Council Member Ward announced that Community for Understanding and Healing will have a dialogue on April 12^th beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Kirkwood United Methodist Church. All citizens were invited to attend.

Deputy Mayor Griffin announced that the Blues Alumni had a scrimmage as a fundraiser for the victims’ of February 7, 2008, families. As of Sunday evening the event has raised about $206,000 and the funds will be deposited in the Kirkwood Memorial Fund.

Council Member Ward advised that at 8:30 a.m. on April 5^th, Kirkwood United Methodist Church will have a special breakfast for youth entitled “Stay in the Game.”

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORTS

Ms. Ragland read the following report of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of April 2, 2008:

1. Recommended approval of rezoning 10557 Big Bend Road from B-3 to R-4. Public Hearing was scheduled for May 15, 2008.

2. Recommended approval of a Special Use Permit for a restaurant known as Bar Branica in the Woodbine Center at 449 South Kirkwood Road. Public Hearing was scheduled for June 5, 2008.

3. Recommended approval of a Special Use Permit for a restaurant with outdoor seating known as Trattoria Branica in the Woodbine Center at 451 South Kirkwood Road. Public Hearing was scheduled for June 5, 2008.

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT

Mr. Hessel had nothing to report.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned. The next regular council meeting was scheduled for April 17, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.