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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20020618 work sessionCOUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 18, 2002 Page 1 A Work Session of the City Council was convened at 5:30 P.M. on Tuesday, June 18, 2002 by Mayor Tom Rackers. Elected Officials Present: Mayor Tom Rackers Councilman Clyde Angle Councilman Kenneth Ferguson Councilman Richard Groner Councilman Dan Klindt Councilman Cliff Olsen Councilman David E. Smith Councilman Roy Viessman Councilman Larry Vincent Councilman Edith Vogel Absent: Councilman Bob Weber Also present were members of the media, several members of city staff, and a large group of citizens. Federal Court House The first item of business was a report given by Judge Knox regarding the status of the possibility of a Federal Courthouse located in Jefferson City. There were questions by Council Members about the size and cost of the project, as well as the number of people that would be working there. Judge Knox stated that he is hopeful that the final decision will be to locate the facility here in Jefferson City rather than in another city like Columbia or elsewhere in the region because he believes it would be a real asset to Jefferson City. When questions were asked about DNR's role in the project, Mr. Jeff Stocking of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources introduced himself from the audience and stated he would be glad to attend a future meeting to answer any questions the Council may have about the DNR's investment and role in this project. Bill 2002 -7 Political Affiliation The next item of business was the discussion of Bill 2002 -7, amending the code pertaining to political affiliation. Councilman Cliff Olsen stated he wished to leave Sec. 12 -18(b) as it reads in the charter. Following more discussion, Mayor Tom Rackers suggested that Councilman Cliff Olsen, Councilman Dan Klindt, Councilman Larry Vincent, and Councilman David E. Smith get together and go over this bill to make changes and bring COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 18, 2002 Page 2 them back to the Council. Bill 2002 -9 Personnel Policy Manual The next item of business was the discussion of Bill 2002 -9, amending the personnel policy manual. Following a brief question and answer period, Councilman Larry Vincent stated that unless Council objected, he planned to place this bill on final passage at the July 1 Council Meeting. Bassman House Property The next item of business was the discussion of the Bassman House property and other residential properties located in the 200 block of W. McCarty Street. Mayor Tom Rackers acknowledged a large group of citizens, as well as members of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Historic City of Jefferson, present at the meeting who were interested in that topic. He informed the Council that the groups had requested to make a presentation, and stated that they would be allowed a total of ten minutes to make their presentation. The group distributed handouts showing a historical background of all the buildings, an artist's rendition of what the buildings could look like after renovation, the official position of the Historic Preservation on the issue, correspondence, newspaper clippings from citizens who wrote to the local newspaper, and other documents related to the history of the buildings. Following their presentation, a period of question and answer followed. Mr. Alan Pollock, Director of the Jefferson City Area Housing Authority, was present and many questions were directed to him. Also Mr. Bruce Cohn was present and answered questions. Mr. Cohn was the developer who renovated the Hotel Governor, and has expressed an interest in seeing these buildings renovated. Following the presentation, Mayor Tom Rackers thanked the group for their input in this matter, and most of the citizens left the meeting at this point. Process for Bills Brought Before Council The next item of business was the discussion of the process for bringing Council bills to the Council. He stated that he believes all Council bills should first pass through some kind of committee before they are brought before the Council. He suggested the creation of a committee that would review any bills that didn't go through the Finance, Public Works, or Transportation and Traffic Committees. A lengthy discussion ensued. Councilman Larry Vincent stated that he felt the current system of placing bills on the Informal Calendar allowed for the kind of review that Councilman Olsen was referring to. Mayor Tom Rackers and Councilman Edith Vogel stated that they felt the city staff was hired for the purpose of reviewing the bills, and that adding another committee that they would have to attend would place an undue burden on staff. COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 18, 2002 Page 3 Bills 2002 -31 — 2002 -32 — 2002 -33 2002 -31: (hunting) Councilman Cliff Olsen stated he felt that this should be tied to rural zoning, and that he would like to see the 10 -acre language changed, and that the 300 foot rural should go toward inhabited premises, and that he felt it would be appropriate to get permission from owners to do that. 2002 -32: (firearms) Councilman Cliff Olsen stated he doesn't think a person should have to get a permit from the Police Department to hunt because then a whole gun club would have to come into town to get a permit. He also believes rules should be set up for gun clubs so that just anyone could not call themselves a gun club. City Counselor Allen Garner suggested rather than rules that Council might want to consider establishing a definition for a gun club. Councilman David E. Smith stated he thought a permit should be required, like the state's "Heritage Card" issued by the Conservation Department. More discussion was held. 2002 -33: (fireworks) Councilman Cliff Olsen asked if this shouldn't be tied to agricultural land in some way. A brief discussion was held and a question and answer period by staff to determine what the Council wished staff to do with these three bills. The public will be allowed to discuss these at the upcoming annexation public hearings, but City Counselor Allen Garner stated that while the public may give their input on these issues at the public hearings, the hearings should remain geared toward annexation and not get sidetracked by smaller issues that may come out of annexation. Discussion Topics Requested by Councilman Angle • Convention Center Councilman Clyde Angle stated that he believes a grass roots committee of citizens should be formed so that they can receive input from groups who would like to utilize a convention center. Mayor Tom Rackers stated that it would be a good idea for Council Members who were not present when the convention center studies were performed to receive copies of those studies so that they can determine if another committee is needed before making a decision to form one. • Sidewalks Councilman Clyde Angle made a presentation regarding defective sidewalks in the city that he believed could pose a liability hazard to the city. City Counselor Allen Garner stated that there was no liability until a claim or complaint was received. A lengthy discussion was held. Mayor Tom Rackers left the meeting at 7:30 PM and President Pro Tempore Edith Vogel assumed the chair during this discussion. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM