6:24pm…Officially logging in for another night of live blogging the Springfield City Council meetings! It SHOULD be a relative short meeting tonight as nothing too controversial is on the agenda. Councilman Ralph Manley will not be in attendance tonight due to the passing of his wife that we reported earlier today.
6:34pm…A good man and good reporter, Bill Cantrell from KTTS shows up and he remarks that it should be a short meeting too. I don’t know if two media people thinking that at the same time is a good idea!
6:36pm…Councilman Wylie arrives and begins to look through his packet of information.
6:40pm…Councilman Dan Chiles and Councilman Denny Whayne arrive and make small talk. Only four members of the public here so far…one’s a student here for a class…a little down from usual with 20 minutes until meeting time.
6:46pm…Councilman Chiles comes off the dais and chats with a constituent. As usual, he’s wearing a festive tie…but tonight it matches a very festive vest. Councilman Whayne soon follows to meet and greet with those in attendance. City Manager Bob Cumley arrives and takes his place.
6:50pm…Councilwoman Collette arrives and points me out to Councilwoman Rushefsky. I’m only guessing that she’s talking to her about sitting down for a LifeOfJason interview tomorrow. (If you have questions you would like me to ask Councilwoman Collette, e-mail me or post in the comments section of this blog entry.)
6:52pm…Mayor Pro Tem Gary Deaver arrives and takes his seat and chats with City Manager Cumley. Councilman Chiles joins them as does Councilwoman Collette.
6:55pm…Councilman Burlison arrives and takes his place, enjoying a laugh with Councilwoman Rushefsky.
6:58pm…Mayor Carlson arrives and takes his place.
7:00pm…About 30 citizens are here for the meeting.
7:01pm…Mayor Carlson calls the meeting to order. Prayer by Councilman Chiles.
7:03pm…Mayor Carlson talks about Councilman Manley’s late wife Jayne calling it quite a shock. Funeral Wednesday at First and Calvary Church, 10am. Visitation 6-8pm tomorrow night. They had been married around 60 years.
7:04pm…Roll is called. Minutes of February 25th approved by voice vote.
7:05pm…Consent agenda passes 8-0.
7:06pm…Council Bill 2008-056 and Council Bill 2008-073 has been asked to be tabled by staff. Voice vote is unanimous.
7:07pm…Jerome Compton is sworn in to the Personnel Board.
7:08pm…City Manager Cumley expresses his sympathy for Councilman Manley. The hiring of a new City Manager is moving forward and a meeting with the two finalists for a search firm was held on Friday. First Council budget workshop is one week from tonight. Spring session of the Municipal Government Academy is underway “with an excellent group of citizens.” Fifteen alumni of City University have served the cities on committees or boards. A tornado drill is happening at the Busch Municipal Building around 1:30 tomorrow.
He notes that Tony Messenger of the News-Leader is leaving to work at the Capitol for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Mr. Cumley said that while he didn’t always see eye to eye with Mr. Messenger but appreciated how he would find the facts before writing his editorials.
Sales tax update: Up 1% over last year but 6/10% under year to date last year.
7:11pm…Council Bill 2008-067. A general ordinance amending the Land Development Code, Article I, Zoning Ordinance, Division IV, Sections 4-3100 and 4-3200 by adding veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, pet daycare services, and pet grooming facilities with supervised outside activities as a permitted use within the GR, General Retail District, and HC, Highway Commercial District. The reason for this change is that the current structure of the law makes it unworkable for these businesses. (As is, a pet owner would not be allowed to walk their animal outside a vet clinic because nothing can be done outside related to the vet clinic.)
The change will allow outdoor activity if the area is screened in and at least 25 feet away from any residence or public use and all animal refuse would have to be collected and disposed of properly daily. The limit is one person with one animal outside at a time. This is not allowed for kennels.
Councilwoman Rushefsky asked about pet daycare facilities that allow animals outside was told that’s in a different part of the city.
Councilman Wylie says he feels it’s appropriate because the pet supply business “has taken a different turn.” Current pet supply businesses are taking “hotel services.” He says the business is changing “we need to change with it” and this is a step in the right direction.
Voted on in two weeks.
7:15pm…Council Bill 2008-068. A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 3.5 acres of land generally located on the east side of the 4600 block of South National Avenue, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an R-SF, Single-Family Residential District, to an O-1, Office District, subject to conditions. (Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval. (4600 block of South National.)
Ordinarily, they would have to extend Kickapoo street through the development but because of the location of National and Holiday’s intersection it would not be feasible.
Bill Reed spoke to council on the issue. He is the developer of the land. He said site plan is filed with the city and they are awaiting approval. They are planning for office space on the land.
Voted on in two weeks.
7:20pm…Council Bill 2008-069. A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 3.89 acres of land generally located at 3103 and 3107 East Chestnut Expressway, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an HM, Heavy Manufacturing District, to an IC, Industrial Commercial District, subject to conditions. (Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.) This is 3103 and 3107 East Chestnut Expressway. Also Council Bill 2008-070, general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 6.08 acres of land generally located at 3904 and 3936 West Maple Street, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an R-TH, Residential Townhouse District, and an R-MD, Medium-Density Multi-Family Residential District, to an R-TH, Residential Townhouse District, and an R-MD, Medium-Density Multi-Family Residential District. (The proposed rezoning will correct the legal descriptions for the R-TH and R-MD districts, previously approved in Zoning Case Z-16-2005, so they will coincide with the Preliminary Plat of Vejtasa Development. Planning and Zoning Commission and Staff recommend approval.) This is 3904 & 3936 West Maple Street.
In the case of the first bill, there are buildings on the land and if they are changed in the future they will have to meet the requirements of the new zoning. In the second, the change is being requested to clean up legal descriptions of two zoning districts.
Voted on in two weeks.
7:23pm…Council Bill 2008-071. A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to accept a proposal for the purpose of hiring an executive search firm for the selection of a new City Manager and amending the 2007-2008 budget for the Department of the City Manager. City Manager Cumley said the search committee recommended the hiring of a professional search firm. Mayor Pro Tem Deaver thanked his co-chair for her efforts in the group and also the members of the committee for their work. “I’m proud of the broad, cross-section of stakeholders” representing our city on the committee. “There’s quite a good cross-section” of people.
He said that there was serious discussions about the hiring of a professional search firm but when they decided they wanted to find a passive candidate…meaning someone who is happy where they are and not actively pursuing another position…they realized they needed to go with a professional firm. They have interviewed two firms that say they excel in finding passive candidates. The cost is $50,000…$20,000 to $30,000 for the search itself depending on the firm chosen and the rest is for the cost to bring in candidates for interviews. That cost is 30-50% less than the private sector says for a search which is dependent on percentage of salary. Councilman Deaver said a member of the committee familiar with search firms was surprised at the lower cost.
The two finalists were chosen after phone interviews with the top five candidates. “I believe Springfield should know we’ll have a great firm that will bring top quality candidates.”
Councilman Wylie said that applicants from traditional sources outside the search firm will have a chance to be considered.
Councilman Deaver said that Councilman Wylie brought up a good point. He spoke of using the search firm because of confidentiality reasons.
Councilman Whayne said both firms would be in town Thursday and there is a meeting from 4:30-7pm at the Great Southern building at St. Louis and Glenstone and that meeting like all committee meetings they are open to the public.
Councilman Rushefsky wanted clarification that the search firm does not pick the candidate but that the citizens do it after the firm finds the candidates. Councilman Deaver said that was the case.
“Quality candidates aren’t looking online,” Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said. “They’re busy working.”
Councilman Rushefsky said for of the people concerned about the expenditure of money that this is a place where we shouldn’t cut corners because “this person will lead us into the future for a number of years” because the City Manager oversees the day to day operations of the city. “We need to have the best.” She said she was skeptical about hiring a search firm until she went to a meeting of government leaders and that those who didn’t use search firms felt they didn’t get the best candidates and the process was much more difficult. “While it’s not a guarantee we’re going to be happy with a new city manager, I am convinced this is money we need to spend so we don’t have to spend much more in the future.”
Councilman Deaver said the search firms all said that the calendar can work against you and because they started at the first of the year they can make an offer in the summer “when candidates are more likely to want to move.” He said our calendar is “right on the money.”
Councilman Wylie agreed with Councilman Rushefsky when asking other communities about the search pattern. He reminded everyone that the council makes the final decision.
Vote in two weeks.
7:37pm…Council Bill 2008-072. A resolution supporting a joint City and County office building, housing the Office of Emergency Management, Springfield-Greene County Emergency Communications Department/911, and Springfield Fire Department Administration. City Manager Cumley said this bill lends it’s support to finding a way to get all these groups within one building so it easier for them to work together, share resources, streamline operations and find additional funding sources.
Councilman Chiles said that if we put all our eggs in one basket and it get hits by a tornado would there be a backup and Mr. Cumley said yes.
7:39pm…Linda Herd addressed council. She said that she appreciates Councilman Rushefsky, Councilman Burlison and Councilman Chiles. She said that what she saw called for a museum on the third floor and fire administration on another floor. “There are plenty of places in the city where we could put a museum.” She says we have spent too much money on consultants. “We have needs and we have wants and it seems to me like this city is spending too much time on our wants and not our needs.” She said there was an $8,000 fee for a consultant on a gateway “which we already have.” I think we’re spending more on consultants than we need to and less on our police and fire department for what they do. Cutting their salaries and pensions over consultant money is a want rather than a need. She thinks there are building that these people can be placed in already. “I’m very for the police and fire of this city and I don’t think they’re getting their fair share.”
Councilman Burlison asked if someone could express the needs of the fire department and why going elsewhere is better than being in the old city hall. Manager Cumley said the current facility is not functional and that they were shoehorned into available space in the building. “It was felt they are a critical part in emergency situations and should be in the same facility” as emergency management. “The current facility is not practical for fire management.” Councilman Burlison asked about requests city wide for additional space and Mr. Cumley said “there won’t be a problem filling the space.”
Councilwoman Collette said there is some confusion. She said some questions tonight were explained at the council lunch. “This is not putting all the police and firefighters together.” She said that if the New Madrid Fault were to go that Springfield would be the point for that natural disaster. This helps create redundancy in the event one facility is damaged or destroyed there is another center that can assume immediate operations. She feels there will be federal funding available for preparedness and she thinks the city should move forward with taking a closer look at it so they can get back to the community and explain more about it so people can understand. “This is more like brainstorming.”
Councilman Deaver said Ryan Nichols, head of Emergency Management, made a presentation to council about the synergy of having the groups working together in times of crisis. He also talked about potential federal funding for these situations.
Councilman Wylie said that we need to look at this to make sure we can care for our citizens “because if something hits us and hits us hard it would be demoralizing.” He feels the co-ordination of the groups is highly important and this sets up a clear chain of command in a disaster situation.
Bill passes 8-0.
7:51pm…Council Bill 2008-054. A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 2.17 acres of land generally located at 901 East Battlefield, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an R-HD, High-Density Multi-Family Residential District, to an O-1, Office District. (Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.) (By: Springfield City Council; 901 East Battlefield; Z-05-2008.) Passes 8-0.
7:52pm…Council Bill 2008-055. (Rushefsky) A special ordinance vacating a portion of a public alley, generally located on the north side of the 1200 block of East Chestnut Expressway. (Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.) Council Bill 2008-057. (Deaver) A special ordinance amending an agreement with the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, including the 2007-2008 budget. Both pass 8-0.
7:53pm…Beth Clark was to address Council on Larry Rice’s facility. She was not in attendance.
7:54pm…Bob Mondy addresses council about cutting the budget. He complimented Councilman Deaver. He said Springfield was the greatest city in the United States. He said since many citizens are choosing between heating and their pharmaceutical needs that all employees over $100,000 take a 10% cut, $90,000 a 9% cut (and down the line). Stop shutting off heat from 500 families and placing them in danger. “Let’s be the compassionate sharing community we were when I was growing up.” He said they should stop taking money from the police and fire if they did that.
7:56pm…Meeting adjourned.
Bob Mondy for President.