Life Of Jason

All right political fans…it’s almost time for tonight’s main event.  Sixty-seven rounds of agenda items to determine just how long we’ll all be in this overly air-conditioned room on the fourth floor of the Old City Hall.  So far, no Council members have arrived although the Mayor has apparently been here to drop off all of his belongings for the festivities.

Dan Chiles is allegedly picking up an imported tie from Sweden.  Can’t confirm that yet.

So sit back, enjoy the ride and let’s get ready for action!

6:36pm…Just finished a nice chat with Nick Ibarra who will be running against Denny Whayne for Zone 1 this Spring.  Strong supporter of our police and fire staff and I like that about him.

6:39pm…Councilmen Ralph Manley and Denny Whayne arrive.  I get a silver dollar from Councilman Manley for the first time.  City Clerk Brenda Cirtin arrives with a stack of papers that makes me wonder if this will be a long night…

6:40pm…Councilman Deaver arrives and takes his place.

6:42pm…Councilman Chiles has arrived…sorry for the blurry photo but he moved as I snapped it.  (Darn cell phone camera.)  Councilman Burlison comes in.

6:50pm…Surprisingly large turnout tonight.  Several uniformed officers of the Springfield Fire Department are in attendance.   Councilwoman Collette is here and in her seat.

6:53pm…Assistant Fire Chief David Hall is here and making the rounds.  Good man.  If you missed the interview with him regarding the police and fire pension issue, I’d encourage you to check it out.

6:55pm…City Utilties head man John Twitty arrives and makes the rounds greeting the Council members.  The media is speculating as to the reason for the heavy turnout.  The best guess is a second reading items that is open for public comment concerning the former Arena site deal.

6:59pm…The very lovely and very pregnant Christine Daues comes in to cover the event.  Joe had it last council meeting so it’s nice to see them taking turns.   If you haven’t checked out her Baby Blog, you should give it a read.

7:00pm…We’re running late tonight!!!  I think this is the first time of all the Council meetings I’ve liveblogged.

7:04pm…I think we’re getting ready to start.

7:05pm…Maybe not.

7:07pm…The gavel falls!  It’s time for the Pledge and the prayer.

7:08pm…Rushefsky and Wylie are not here tonight. The Consent Agenda passes 7-0.  The Mayor welcomes from Wanda Gray Elementary Boy Scout Troop 116.

7:09pm…Ron Skora is sworn into the Board of Adjustment by City Clerk Brenda Cirtin.  The Mayor thanks him.

7:10pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-285. (Carlson) A resolution recognizing community organizations and neighborhood and community volunteers involved in various neighborhood clean-up activities.  The Mayor asks for those involved to come forward as Councilman Chiles reads the resolution.  The Mayor said he picked Councilman Chiles to read the resolution because he’s been involved with groups like this many times over the years.

They recipients thanked the Council for their support.  The resolution passes 7-0.

7:12pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-286. (Carlson) A resolution recognizing Presenting Sponsor CoxHealth, Springfield-Greene County Parks Director Jodie Adams, and Urban Districts Alliance Executive Director Rusty Worley, on behalf of the numerous entities involved in making the Stage 2 finish for the Second Annual Tour of Missouri a huge success.  Councilwoman Collette was asked to read the resolution and said she “considers it an honor.”

Rusty Worley thanked the Council for the remarks and said “it’s a community wide effort.”  He said it was an opportunity to showcase Springfield on an international stage.  “This is a great coup for us.”

Pat Walsh of Cox Health said it was a great honor to participate in this activity.  The resolution passes 7-0.

7:18pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-289. (Carlson) A resolution congratulating the City of Springfield Fire Department officers and staff for receiving the Center for Public Safety Excellence Accredited Agency status. (moved up at the request of the Fire Department)

Councilman Burlison reads the resolution and said it was his “extreme pleasure.”  He said that this accreditation is one of 123 accreditations in the WORLD.  It involves 244 separate performance indicators and that the department hit accredited status on all points.   (Ed note:  Congratulations to all our Fire Department staff for their outstanding performance.  You’re top notch in my book.)

The Fire Department said it took about six years for the evaluation of the department and that they feel it show the dedication this Department has for the community.

The Mayor commented that we have one of the highest rated departments in the state and that it helps our residents because it gives them lower insurance rates.  Resolution passes 7-0.

7:23pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-305.  A resolution recognizing Evelyn Honea for her efforts as interim City Manager and her years of service.  She was quite surprised by it.  Mayor Pro Tem Deaver read the resolution and personally thanked her for service.  A round of applause.

City Manager Greg Burris spoke highly of Honea and shared about how she’s helping him with the initial transition.

Mrs. Honea said it was a wonderful opportunity and she appreciates the Council worked with her on the transition.

The Mayor personally thanked her and it passes 7-0.

7:26pm…City Manager Burris’ reports.  He joked he exceeded the expectations of many and survived two weeks.

On the police/fire pension fund solution is in a rough draft form and is being shown to various groups to help refine it.

He said they had a good first lunch session to develop strategic priorities.  He asked Council to take some time to prioritize what they think are the highest priority items.

He said that he is continuing meetings with all the staff and that he’s progressing.  He said that staff has been friendly and that he look forward to meeting them all.

Today kicked off the planning for the 2010 Census.  Census day is April 1, 2010.

Speed limit study with proposed changes to increase speed limits in certain locations has been sent to Council.  It will raise limits by five or ten miles per hour to encourage people to use the streets aimed at handling higher traffic loads.

HarvestFest at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park.  Over 17,000 visited the park over two days.  On behalf of Jodie Adams he thanked Park Board staff for their extra efforts.

New Art Museum wing opens Friday October 10th.  Mr. Burris said he visited last week and he thinks the community will be impressed.

7:32pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-287. (Whayne) A general ordinance amending Section 1 9 of the Springfield City Code, City Limits, by annexing approximately 557.19 acres of City-owned property and highway right-of-way contiguous to the existing City limits, located in the vicinity of the Springfield-Branson National Airport, more fully described in this ordinance, generally referenced as Annexation A-3-08, and amending Section 46-1 of the Springfield City Code, Boundaries of wards, precincts and council zones, by adding this property to the ward and precinct assigned by the County Clerk.

This is land that is connected to the Springfield-Branson National Airport and was requested by the Airport Board.

The Mayor ducked off to talk to the City Clerk about something so Mayor Pro Tem Deaver took over temporarily.   The Mayor returned as Councilwoman Collette asked if this had anything to do with recent actions involving Willard.  The answer was that it was identified as part of the process.

Councilman Burlison noted that this land is already receiving the public safety protection of the city.  He warned going forward that it’s a very important consideration to realize those items.  Vote in two weeks.

7:35pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-288. (Carlson) A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, on behalf of the City of Springfield, to enter into an agreement with CH2M Hill Consulting Engineers for the purpose of developing a Sewer System Master Plan, and amending the budget for the City of Springfield, Missouri, in the Public Works Department for the fiscal year 2008-2009 in the amount of $498,310.00.

Marc Thornsbury said the result of the project will be an optimized Capital Improvement Plan for the sewage system.  He said the plan takes on future growth and works to eliminate backups and other issues.

There are 1200 miles of sewage pipes within the city.  (For perspective, that would be a single pipe from here to New York City.

Councilwoman Collette said she asked to have it removed from the Consent Agenda because while not glamourous it was vital to the community and an increase in technology.  She said she wanted to hear how this helps the community and 100% of the city on the system.

Mr. Thornsbury said that 98% of the city is on sewer and that some places might not be cost-effective to get to that number but that they’re working to fulfill that Council priority.

Councilman Burlison asked what would happen without this plan.  Mr. Thornsbury said that in the future they could be mandated to make these improvements but that if they aren’t pro-active then it could result in costs significantly increasing when requirements are put in place.  He said this gives them more information to get “more bang for our buck.”

Councilman Burlison asked if there was a potential dollar figure as to what punitive measures would be taken if this is not done.  Mr. Thornsbury said that every community has a similar kind of agreement with DNR.   He wouldn’t speculate but said it could be very expensive.

Councilman Chiles asked that looking ahead if they anticipate a system that will help reduce the pollution of septic systems surrounding the City.  Mr. Thornsbury said they’re going to work to eliminate the properties that border the city from using septic services.  He said they provide services to some of the surrounding communities.

Councilman Deaver said a citizen asked about the cost of bringing in an outside source to do this and why it can’t be done in-house.  Mr. Thornsbury said that the firm used is one of the top in the nation for environmental work.

Councilman Deaver asked about “blackwater” versus stormwater runoff.  Mr. Thornsbury said that while some communities have combined systems, Springfield is separate and that this is strictly the sanitary sewer  Councilman Deaver asked about the funding for this and the answer was it comes from the sewer fund.   He said that our community was “very very favorable” compared to the rates of other communities.

Councilman Deaver said they had to cut staff but increased efficency and Mr. Thornsbury said that staff was there 24/7/365 and always do a great job.  Vote in two weeks.

7:48pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-290. (Deaver, Burlison, Manley, and Whayne) A resolution adopting Financial Control Procedures for the City of Springfield. (City Council Finance and Administration Committee recommend approval.)  April Lathrom, internal auditor, said these were developed in response to the state audit.

Councilwoman Collette welcomed her.  She asked if Ms. Lathrom could explain what she does as internal auditor and what she envisons.

She said that each year she discusses things with department heads and city manager of things she needs to look at and that she’ll make a list each year and work her way down.  She said she’s had good response from the people of the city and that they’ve been pro-active in putting systems in place in response to the audit.  S

Councilwoman Collette said she reports directly to the Council finance committee.

Councilman Deaver said the loss of the money in the Municipal Court was a dark day and that it really bothered the Council.  He said that remedies were made to make sure this didn’t happen again. He asked Ms. Lathrom her confidence that something like this would not happen again.

Ms. Lathrom said she went and met with the judge and that they were really excited to have her on board and that they said she could come over as much as possible.  They shared with her quality control improvements and steps taken to make sure it doesn’t repeat.

The Mayor thanked her.  Bill passes 7-0.

7:53pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-291. (Carlson) A resolution approving a plan for an Industrial Development Project for John Q. Hammons Revocable Trust Dated December 28, 1989, as Amended and Restated, and determining the official intent of the City of Springfield, Missouri, to issue its Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $75,000,000 to finance the costs of such project.

COUNCIL BILL 2008-293. (Carlson) A special ordinance approving the First Amendments to the Development Agreement and the Purchase Agreement between the City of Springfield, Missouri, and the John Q. Hammons Revocable Trust Dated December 28, 1989, as Amended and Restated, related to the sale of certain land and the Jordan Valley Car Park for the development of a convention center hotel; and declaring an emergency.

COUNCIL BILL 2008-271. SUBSTITUTE NO. 1. (Manley) CITIZENS MAY SPEAK TO SUBSTITUTE ONLY. MAY BE VOTED ON. A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager and the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City certain documents necessary to complete the sale of the Jordan Valley Car Park and certain adjacent land as contemplated by the Development Agreement and the Real Estate Purchase Agreement, both between the City and John Q. Hammons Revocable Trust Dated December 28, 1989, as Amended and Restated, and both dated as of May 20, 2008 and previously approved by the City Council of the City; authorizing the execution of documents necessary to release the property to be conveyed from encumbrances related to outstanding bonds and other encumbrances and to satisfy the conditions of the Development Agreement and Real Estate Purchase Agreement as deemed necessary by the City Manager or the Mayor as applicable; authorizing the execution of documents and the taking of actions consistent therewith; making a budget adjustment for the fiscal year 2008-2009 in the amount of not to exceed $10,077,970; and declaring an emergency.

Items read together at the request of City Manager Burris.

Mary Lilly Smith addressed Council.  She said that their plans kept changing regarding the site and that it finally included keeping BKD’s headquarters downtown, reduce debt by selling the car park and puts a hotel next to the convention center.

She said that the car park sale and the land sale closes tomorrow.  She said that part of this deal was originally that Mr. Hammons would begin construction within 60 days of the closing.  Tonight, Mr. Hammons is asking that it be moved back to April 1, 2010.

Ms. Smith said when they built the car park, an $11.6 million expense, was built to accomodate an arena.   She said that the car park provides only $300,000 annually and that expenses about match that so that the debt service is not covered.  The debt service is about $500,000 this year and would go over $600,000 if the city kept the property.  The city would have to take that from general funds.

The property is not subject to tax but will be because the tax exemptions for Hammons is only on improvements and not the base properties.  A post-closing agreement will come to have the city remove items like a cable line that would have to be removed before construction.

Outstanding debt is $9.970 million.  She said that they’re getting $7 million from Hammons on this deal, $1.7 million from selling a surface lot to Hammons and several hundred thousand from general fund but that it will come back from a surcharge on events in the area.

Councilman Deaver asked if these three bills are just formal endorsements of agreements the Council made previously regarding the site.  “The only difference is the change in the commencement of the construction site.”

He asked about the bonds that were given and Ms. Smith said that the funds from the city go into a fund to pay the bonds of in 2011 when they can be called.

He asked if the car park was a significant factor in keeping BKD and the hotel.  Mrs. Smith said absolutely and that without adequate parking there would be able to have built the building.   The price of the BKD Building is over $21 million.

He asked the estimated price tag on the new hotel and Mrs. Smith referred that to representatives of Mr. Hammons’ organization.

Councilman Whayne said that he wanted to make sure City Manager Burris puts “his John Henry” on this contract.

Councilman Manley said complimented Mrs. Smith and those involved for doing a great job and thanked them for their effort.

Councilman Burlison asked for more specific information regarding half a million in closing costs.  He asked why the city was paying $400,000 in attorney fees.  Mrs. Smith said those were paid to the bond attornies.

Mrs. Smith said it was a complicated process with many people and that why outside lawyers were used.

City Manager Burris said there were people from Hammons’ organization and the Mayor asked Scott Tarwater to come and speak.

Councilman Burlison asked the main reason for the delay.

Mr. Tarwater said that most of the financial companies they’ve worked with are “afraid of their shadow” and that some of them are completely out of business after the collapse of the financial markets it’s very hard to finance a $50 million project.

Councilwoman Collette said that “we’re very fortunate to have just had the groundbreaking for the BKD Building” and they were fortunate to have their financing in place when they did.  She said if they tried to get the money now it wouldn’t be happening.  She felt it was a great project for Springfield.

Mr. Tarwater said if they had the funding in place they would be ready to go.

Mayor Carlson spoke and said we needed to look at where we started and where we’ve ended up.  He said we went from a bunch of old building downtown with very little property tax to benefit schools and libraries.  He said the policies they put in place will generate the same property tax and for a limited amount of time the new taxes will be reduced until they kick in at 100%

He said that the car park is paid for “although I know that bothers some of the detractors that don’t want to do the math.”  He spoke of the ballpark which increases sales taxes in the arena.  He said that this kept BKD and their jobs here instead of losing them to St. Louis.   It would bring new people into the BKD offices in the Hammons tower.

“I certainly don’t think it’s fair to blame Mr. Hammons for Wall Street’s problems.”

The Mayor said they received a lot of criticism “by people who didn’t want to see the big picture.”  He said that instead of having to choose between Mr. Hammons and BKD they were able to get both because of Mr. Hammons’ being willing to sell property to BKD.

“That’s what makes Springfield different than a lot of places.”

All three bills pass 7-0.

8:17pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-292. (Carlson) A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, on behalf of the City of Springfield, to enter into an STP-Urban Program Agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) for the purpose of funding the design and construction of a new traffic signal on Kansas Expressway at Wal-Mart and removal of the existing traffic signal at Kansas Expressway and Evergreen Street; amending the budget of the City of Springfield Department of Public Works for the fiscal year 2008-2009 in the amount of $100,000; and declaring an emergency.

Councilman Burlison asked Marc Thornsbury about the nature of the emergency.  Mr. Thornsbury said that because of MoDot plans they need to move the intersection 300 feet “and get out in front” of MoDot’s work on the interchange.

Vote passes 7-0.

8:19pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008- 263. (Carlson) A general ordinance to approve the City Utilities Annual Operating Budget for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2009.

Mayor Carlson said he would have preferred to have this voted on by all Council members but because of a provision in the City Charter they have to vote on it or it just goes into effect.   He said that because it’s a “matter of importance and consequence to so many of us” he wanted to delay the bill but he could not.  The Mayor said it takes a majority of Council members to pass so that five votes have to be there, not a majority of those in attendance.

Councilman Chiles said he likes City Utilties, their board and employees.  He said that this will send $240 million for coal and natural gas to western states.  He said that given this “crude instrument” in front of him and that he needs to express the “long term interest of the community.”  That this expenditure is a massive exodus of money from our community.  He said the only thing we can do is increase the efficency.

He said that one of the things promised by CU is an aggressive plan of conservation and that he doesn’t see it.  A plan to stop “the hemmoraging of significant amounts of money from this community.”

“Some people light their cigars with $100 bills.  That’s not the people I’m talking about.”

He said the billing system we have in place would be “familiar to Thomas Edison” but if people know how they save energy they will do it.  A system could be in place to show people how to reduce their bills.  “We shouldn’t be the first city to impliment this but we shouldn’t be the last.”

He said they talked about this in 1994 and it’s been 14 years and that technology is already being implimented in other communities.  “I don’t mean to harm this utility with this vote.”

Councilman Manley said this city is blessed to own City Utilities.  He talks about the board and volunteers that help manage CU.  “I think we have expert management.”  He said that he thinks CU has plans in place for people to learn about conservation.

“We have good management, we have good rates and we’re blessed to have both of them here.”

Mayor Pro Tem Deaver said that they have two issues tonight and the next bill will be the gas rate increase.  He said that Councilman Chiles and he sat in on meetings with Mr. Twitty.  He said that he’s received more complaints about the increase and that the cost to put in place what Councilman Chiles suggested would be a much higher cost at the outset.  He said that it’s too much to afford at the time.

He said there are conservation programs already for citizens and CU has a nine page plan they’ve put out.

He said citizens haven’t done all they can to use the programs that are already available.

As to the increase, he said that two series of questions from Council were answered and that there has been a great process.   He said that by charter the people on the CU board are required to have a business background.  He said he thinks the Council has done a good job with the appointments that have been made over the last few years.

He said he’s voting for the budget and he wants the rest of Council to vote for it.

Councilwoman Collette said she’s struggled with her vote on the budget for many of the reasons that Councilman Chiles indicated regarding the only tools Council has being able to approve board members, the budget and rates.  “That’s the only way we can send a message.  I know we communicate with the utility…but this isn’t a very good way to communciate because I want to see more in conservation and sustainability efforts.”

She said that nearly didn’t support the budget because she wanted to send the message of conservation.  She said she intends to support the budget.  “Our utility is incredibly well run but I want to see a much stronger statement on being less dependent on fossil fuels.”

The Mayor spoke and said that “I know right now a lot of people are hurting and the politically attractive thing to do is to vote against the budget.  Don’t get me wrong..I don’t think the opinions aren’t honestly held because I think they are…but we have to think long term when we do something like that.”

He said that anybody who is able to keep costs below the cost of inflation is doing a good job.

“Not giving people doing their job what they need to keep doing the job to keep rates low makes no sense.”

He said that in terms of conservation and sustainability that we have to determine what we have that is similar to other communities.  “When gas prices are high, you have to ask who comprises the customer base.  The people we care about most are the poor people.  Well, poor people don’t have the money to buy the appliances, the weather stripping to do what they need to do.   You can’t lecture them because they can’t afford to do it.”

“If you want to help the poor people, you have to find a way to pay for it.”

He said unless there is a punitive rate structure people aren’t going to change their mind.

“You have a political question here…how are you going to help the poor people and how are you going to force people to change their behavior?”

He then asked where money comes from for all the great ideas…”if you vote against rate increases while you say you want to see more conservation, in my calculations that doesn’t add up.”

“I hope we as a community have an extended community about what kind of city we want to live and what is the correct philosophical fit for people who are customers of City Utilties.  We all need to get on the same page because if we don’t it won’t do anything but take up a lot of time.”

He said it’s counter-intuitive to punish people who are doing a good job.

Bill passes 5-2 with Councilman Chiles and Burlison voting no.

8:43pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-264. (Carlson) A general ordinance to approve establishing gas rates and repealing previously established gas rates.

Councilman Deaver said they received as much correspondence about this as any issue since he has been on Council.   He said they received a letter from Ms. Lisa Officer of CU regarding conservation and finding the balance of grants.  He mentioned renters who have no stake in improving the properties.

He said that he supports it because 1.  electric customers support gas rates; 2.  the state auditor mentioned that all commodities be priced to reflect their operating costs and 3.  the phased rate changes are what Council requested of them.

He said that the first increase doesn’t happen until after the upcoming heating season.  He said CU will realize $2 million less than in the first proposal.

He said that delaying the maintainance is a case of “pay me now or pay me later.”

He said that this increase is on the 25% of the bill that goes to maintainance and equipment and not the cost of the gas itself.

He said that incomes in Springfield are 5% lower than average but utilities are 20% lower.  (Ed note: that is incorrect regarding incomes.  The percentage is really 27%.)

He said that the editorial of August 24th in the News-Leader supporting the increase was correct.

Councilman Whayne said when the first proposal came to Council he had some concerns and issues about the parameters in the proposal.  He said they asked CU for a different proposal and they did.  “Rate increases are not always popular but as I studied this rate increase I had to come to grips with myself and understand that I would much rather that we own a utility company at the present time instead of a private company and buy our utilities from the grid.  If we see what’s happening with gasoline, can you imagine what would be happening with our utilities if we bought them on the grid?”

He said that they’ve cut projects in the budget “like the average person.”  He said a lot of people criticize CU but every successful business in this city because successful because of the low utilities they’ve received from City Utilties “and that’s bar none.”

“All in all, I think I read where the other day we might get a refund where they overcharged customers about $700,000 for gas.”

He said he’s thinking about the incident that happened at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and “that incident could have happened because of long overdue maintainance on gas pipes.”  He said he hopes that incidents like that wouldn’t happen again because we failed to do maintainance on the gas lines.

“I’m gonna close my eyes and push the button on this one.”

Councilman Chiles said this debate is the beginning of the discussion.  He said people are calling to say they can’t pay their bills now and these rising utility bills are going to continue.  “People perceive more and more of their money is being taken out of their community through the billing system of City Utilties.”

“I guarantee you” if the prices keep increasing the differences in opinion is going to grow.  He said people need to focus on bills and not rates.

“To say we have a lower rate than Kansas City or Little Rock is not a true indicator of the pain people are suffering.”  (Ed note:  That’s very very true.)  He spoke about people renting to have to pay higher rates and landlords who have no incentive to improve efficency because they don’t pay it.

Councilman Chiles said he’s going to be voting in favor of raising the gas rates of citizens.

Bill passes 6-1 with Councilman Burlison voting no.

8:59pm…COUNCIL BILL 2008-266. (Rushefsky) A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 0.44 acres of land in two tracts generally located on the north side of the 200 block West Phelps Street, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an HM, Heavy Manufacturing District, to a CC, Center City District, subject to conditions. (Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.) (By: Jordan Valley Properties, Inc.; North side 200 block West Phelps Street; Z-25-2008.)

The developer asked to have this remanded back to Planning and Zoning and it was so ordered.

9:00pm…AMENDED COUNCIL BILL 2008-270. (Rushefsky) 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 3810 East Sunshine Street, more particularly described in this ordinance, from a County R-1 zoning district to an O-1, Office District; and establishing Conditional Overlay District No. 8. (Both Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.) (By: Christian Church of Mid-America, Inc.; 3810 East Sunshine Street; Z-18-2007 & Conditional Overlay #8.)  Bill passes 7-0.

COUNCIL BILL 2008-275. (Carlson) A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into and accept an agreement for the award of a transportation enhancement grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), for the purpose of funding the design and construction of streetscape/pedestrian facilities for the Walnut Street Streetscape Phase 3 Project (STP-5910 (808)); amending the budget provided for the Public Works Department of the City of Springfield, Missouri, for Fiscal Year 2008-2009, by amending revenues in the amount of $338,500 and expenditures in the amount of $617,000; and to do all things necessary to carry out the grant, including the execution of contracts.  Bill passes 7-0.

9:01pm…Phyllis Evans addresses Council regarding a sign ordinance and that it needs to be updated.  He said a study has been done with citizens regarding it about banners in the city of Springfield.  Ordinance as stands one temporary banner per business properties in the city.  She said that car lots and other business have banners attached to poles and in other locations that are in violation of city ordinance.  She called over 120 businesses and none of them knew they were in violation.

She said if it’s allowed to occur, that it should be regulated.

“Anyone that puts a banner up like that will pay a cost of about $200 and if there’s artwork that’s $400.  If people are willing to pay to put them up they should pay for a permit from the city.”

The Mayor said he will ask staff to give them a report on that matter and copy her on the report.

9:04pm…New Business: The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointment to the Cable Advisory Board: Arthur Hodge with term to expire September 1, 2011.

The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following reappointment to the Cable Advisory Board: Allison Scott with term to expire September 1, 2011.

The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointment to the Landmarks Board: Lisa Frederick with term to expire November 1, 2011.

The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following reappointments to the Landmarks Board: Natalie Mardis, John Sellars, and Stanley Turner with terms to expire November 1, 2011.

The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointment to the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development: Katherine Ann Bayliff with term to expire May 1, 2011.

The Public Involvement Committee recommends the following appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission: Matthew Edwards with term to expire January 1, 2011.

The Mayor recommends the following appointments to the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights: Jason Wert, and Carl Hayworth with terms to expire October 1, 2011.

The Mayor recommends the following reappointments to the Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights: Billie Davis, and Joyce Wise with terms to expire October 1, 2011.

9:06pm…Councilman Manley moves that Council moves into closed session.  Public session of the meeting adjourns.