Life Of Jason

6:00pm…Well, we’re here and ready to go for what might be the shortest meeting we’ve covered yet.  There’s only one item that’s open to public comment and it’s a zoning issue…so unless someone at P&Z has a burr under their saddle it should be smooth ride.

6:30pm…It’s me & Councilmen Whayne and Manley.  I spoke with Councilman Whayne regarding the Q&A for the blog and I’ll have his answers posted in the next few days.  (Council Candidate General A Lyle Foster is coming tomorrow at some point.)

6:37pm…Councilman Doug Burlison arrives and exchanges pleasantries with those in attendance.

6:40pm…Councilwoman Rushefsky and Councilman Wylie arrive along with various city staff.

6:55pm…Most of the Council is here and in place.  M.I.A.:  Dan Chiles and his tie.  We harassed KTTS’ super reporter Bill Cantrell about his upcoming wedding on February 14th.  (Congrats Mr. Cliche Bill!)

6:59pm…Meeting called to order!

7:00pm…Prayer by Councilman Deaver, pledge, calling of the roll.

7:01pm…Previous meeting’s minutes approved by voice vote.

7:02pm…Removed from consent agenda:

33. COUNCIL BILL 2009-007. (Chiles)

A resolution reaffirming City Council support of an Alternative Fuels and Sustainability Conference, and approving Councilman Dan Chiles to act as the Council liaison for this Conference.

37. COUNCIL BILL 2008-372. (Carlson)

A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, on behalf of the City of Springfield, to enter into separate intergovernmental agreements with Greene County, Christian County, E911, the Ozarks Transportation Organization and City Utilities, for the cooperative purchase of Pictometry aerial photography and related products necessary for the communities Geographic Information Systems, 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 $196,045.

Consent agenda passes 8-0.

7:03pm…City Manager Burris report.  Tax revenue is up over last month but still .75% below last year but 3.75% below budget level for the year.  He said after eight months of revenue they will re-evaluate the budget.  Planning and Zoning’s next meeting will be a workshop and televised so people can e-mail or text in questions to P&Z in an attempt to help educate people about their issues.

In 2008, city staff had 10,500 separate requests for service.   Weeds was highest complaint, second trash, third brush and fourth dangerous buildings.   Burris wished Mayor Carlson a happy birthday and concluded his report.

7:06pm…7. COUNCIL BILL 2009-001. (Whayne)

A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 1.17 acres of land generally located on the West side of the 1100 block North Campbell Avenue, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an R-HD, High-Density Multi-family District to a CC, Center City District, subject to conditions. (Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval.) (By: Roman Catholic Diocese; West side 1100 block North Campbell Avenue; Z-30-2008.)

This is going to allow building of a gymnasium and will close parts of Lyon Street during the day for safety issues with the children going back and forth from the school.  P&Z approved it 8-0.

7:09pm…Scott Murphy Roberts spoke on the issue representing the parish.  He just offered to answer questions from Council and has that originally they had moved to vacate Lyon Street but through discussions with city staff rezoning would accomplish their goals without vacating the street.

7:11pm…Councilman Burlison asked about the vacation of Lyon Street and Mr. Roberts said that this would be similar to what Missouri State did with John Q. Hammons parkway in closing it during school hours.

7:12pm…Father Dennis Doherty, pastor of St. Joesph’s church.  He said that their current smaller gym they open to community meetings and they try to “not just serve the parish but the community and the neighborhood as well.  If we had a gym, I don’t see why we wouldn’t open that to basketball.  We try to be good neighbors.”   He said that with Center City zoning they would be able to build the gym to the size they need.

7:13pm…Councilman Wylie commented thanking the parish for investing in their neighborhood.  Councilman Manley commented that he was excited to see what the parish was doing for the community.

7:15pm…Mr. Wooley, owner of nearby property and said that his property can only be accessed via Lyon Street.  He was concerned the tenants couldn’t get into their property.

7:16pm…Councilwoman Collette asked Father Doherty to respond to the comments.  He said there is parking on both sides of Webster in front of the house.  He reiterated they are not vacating Lyon Street.  He said the tenants “park five or six cars behind this house.”  He said he spoke to the people buying the house from the man who spoke.  He said their complaint is the line of cars picking up children after school block their driveway and they cannot leave when they wish to go.   (The school does not have bus service.)  He said this would have no effect at all on their access.

(Editorial note:  So the issue here is not that the tenants can’t get out…they can get out on Webster…the guy selling the house is concerned they can’t get out on Webster if cars are waiting to pick up children.)

Mike MacPherson of the City spoke and said that any closure of the street during the day would be located beyond the access to the property in question.   He said that anything done to block the street during the way would not be permanent because they must maintain a way for police and fire to get into the area.  He said city staff worked to make sure the man renting the home would have access to the property.

Vote in two weeks.

7:23pm…33. COUNCIL BILL 2009-007. (Chiles)

A resolution reaffirming City Council support of an Alternative Fuels and Sustainability Conference, and approving Councilman Dan Chiles to act as the Council liaison for this Conference.

City Manager Burris said this was developed by Councilman Chiles.   City Clerk Cirtin said this year’s event was moved to April to make it closer to Artsfest.   She also said last year the city gave a monitary donation and this year the city would do in-kind or provide two mailings.  It is not to exceed $1500.

Councilman Burlison said he pulled it from the Consent Agenda is because it’s inappropriate to do this when less than a month citizens are being asked to support a sales tax measure.  He said to be good stewards of tax dollars that using funds for an expenditure like this…despite being a fan of environmental concerns and sustainability…”but we have to realistically ask ourselves what did we accomplish last year and I don’t think what we accomplished last year supports this kind of expenditure this year.”  (Editorial note:  I agree.)

Mayor Carlson said the sponsor of the bill is not in attendance and because it’s around May 1st.  He suggested the bill be tabled until the questions can be answered.  The bill was tabled on voice vote.

7:27pm…15. COUNCIL BILL 2008-364. (Wylie)

A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 1.8 acres of land generally located on the East side of the 1800 block South Fremont Avenue and 1815 South Pickwick Avenue, more particularly described in this ordinance, from an R-SF, Single Family Residential District to a GR, General Retail District and an O-1, Office District, subject to conditions (Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval). (By: One Hundred Two Glenstone, Inc.; East side 1800 block South Fremont Avenue and 1815 South Pickwick Avenue; Z-27-2008.)

Councilman Deaver said he spoke to residents who came to a public meeting about the issue and were in favor.  Bill passes 8-0.

7:30pm…16. COUNCIL BILL 2008-365. (Wylie)

A general ordinance amending the Springfield Land Development Code, Section 1-1600, Zoning Maps, by rezoning approximately 4.6 acres of land generally located on the east side of the 4400 block of South Campbell Avenue (US 160), more particularly described in this ordinance, from a County C-2, General Commercial District, to a GR, General Retail District. (Both Planning and Zoning Commission and staff recommend approval). (By: City of Springfield; 4400 block S. Campbell Avenue east side; Z-28-2008.)

Bill passes 8-0 without discussion.

7:31pm…17. COUNCIL BILL 2008-366. (Carlson)

A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or the Deputy City Manager, on behalf of the City of Springfield, to enter into an agreement with US Bank for depository services, merchant card services, and safe keeping services and with Bank of America for purchasing card services.

Bill passes 7-0 without discussion.  Councilman Whayne abstains.

7:32pm…37. COUNCIL BILL 2008-372. (Carlson)

A special ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, on behalf of the City of Springfield, to enter into separate intergovernmental agreements with Greene County, Christian County, E911, the Ozarks Transportation Organization and City Utilities, for the cooperative purchase of Pictometry aerial photography and related products necessary for the communities Geographic Information Systems, 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 $196,045.

Councilman Burlison asked who is going to be dealing with the funds, how are contracts and bids going to be handled and what entity is the prime factor in this.

Assistant City Manager Evelyn Honea addressed it.  She said the city works through purchasing to get the bids.  She said it’s necessary to make the aerial photos to document the growth of the city and county.  She said they can also sell the photography to groups that do not participate in the initial cost.  The city has made $25,000 in sales from the last round of photos.  She said it was administered by the city.

Councilman Burlison asked if it would be fair to say the GIS board is a subsidiary of the City of Springfield.  She said the city’s head of Information Systems is the chairman and the city has board members but the county has three members on the board.  He asked if this is bid out and she responded it was when she handled it but she would check to make sure.

Councilwoman Collette commented that she read that they could make infared imaging to show energy usage in housing in the area as well.

Bill passes 8-0.

7:37pm…Carl Herd addresses Council.  He proposed solutions to the fire/pension issue.

1.  Solve the 100% return of contributions.

2.  Sell city owned properties:  vacant lots, closed fire station on South Campbell, 16 acres donated by railroad (he suggested a drive-in theatre), filled in quarry, City Manager Burris’ not yet released list.

3.  Stop spending at each Council meeting.  He commented on budget adjustments at 2008 meetings.  He dwelled on a $51,000 contract with a lawyer to negotiate with trash companies to bring trash into Springfield’s landfill.  (Editorial question:  How much money would come into the city on the back end if trash companies brought their trash to city landfills?  Mr. Herd didn’t say.)  He said they could hire one more police man for that price.

He posted a picture of pruning shears and said that it would be healthy for the city to prune services.  He promoted voting no to the tax.

7:42pm…Troy Compton spoke to Council.  He thanked Council for seeking the solution for police/fire pension.  “Given the circumstances that we have today, the information we have today, that you have made the very best choice possible.”  He said Doug Pitt wrote an excellent article in the News-Leader on this issue and encouraged anyone with doubts to read that article.  “We may not like the problem but we have to get it out of the way.  We can only get rid of the problem by facing it squarely.”

He commended the City Manager again and urged every citizen of Springfield to vote for the proposal.

7:47pm…Mayor Carlson said he agreed with the comments in the newspaper and the comments of Mr. Compton.  He said if someone wants to find a reason not to like it they can certainly find one.  He said it’s the lesser of two evils…a limited tax to get this behind us or a degredation of quality of life in the community if it doesn’t pass.  He said a 1 cent tax compared to what would happen to this town if it’s not passed makes this an easy decision to support it.

7:48pm…Councilman Wylie said he agreed with the Mayor and that people like Mr. Compton who have given time and effort to help the city make this a better community.  He said we have things some people seem to hate like parks and trails but those things add quality of life to this city.   He said that these things help make us grow.  “How do we grow?  Do we just go or do we grow?”  He said there are a lot of things to consider.  “If we really care about this place then we…will encourage people to do things for this city.”

He said Mr. Compton was a “breath of fresh air.”

7:50pm…21. NEW BUSINESS.

22. The Mayor recommends the following appointments to the Mayor’s Commission for Children: Jennifer Kennally with term to expire November 29, 2010; and Dot Atkinson with term to expire November 29, 2011.

23. The Mayor recommends the following reappointments to the Mayor’s Commission for Children: Dr. Gloria Galanes, Dr. Judith Gonzales, Dr. James Sammon, Kimberly Shinn-Brown, Veronica Lowe, and Dr. Mark Skrade with terms to expire November 29, 2011.

24. As per RSMo. 109.230 (4), City records that are on file in the City Clerk’s office and have met the retention schedule will be destroyed in compliance with the guidelines established by the Secretary of State’s office.

7:50pm…Council moves to closed session on voice vote.  Public session adjourned.

Addition:

Carl Herd came over and gave me a sheet with the 11 points he wanted to raise to Council.  I’m going to post them here for you to see.

1.  Solve the 100% return of contributions the day a Fireman or Policeman retires (they still draw a full retirement.)  Most voters do not know this fact or realize it will eventually brankrupt the system.

2.  Sell city owned properties and apply proceeds toward the pension fund like vacant lots, closed fire station on S. Campbell, 16 acres given to city by Burlington railroad, Filled quarry at National and Trafficway and whatever properties City Manager Burris lists.  Get these properties back on the tax books.

3.  Stop sending money at each Council meeting and making budget adjustments.  Examples $5,000 survey to see if tax will pass; $10,000 Wi-Fi downtown; $80,000 to develop a plan to make the quarry into a gateway; $51,000 to make trash haulers go to Springfield landfill; $1,000,000 to redo the square; $200,000 loss on properties bought near JVIC; $1,000,000 loss on Heer’s building sales

4.  Seek donations to the Fire and Police fund.  If one man contributed $32 million to build a basketball arena and millions can be raised for an art museum and one million plus for a new Humane Society Shelter, think of the possibilities.

5.  Ask for a smaller sales tax, 1/4 per cent.

6.   Apply all of the communications tax settlement (cell phone) to the Fire and Police Pension Fund.

7.  Apply all of the 2% bonus paid to unclassified employees to the Fire and Police pension fund.

8.  Produce fewer council bills.  Last year 383 bills were presented.   This would result in huge savings in tax dollars because less staff would be needed to write, research, and produce these bills.  An estimated $100,00o was spent on the container issue alone.

9.  Keep Springfield sales tax low so we can attract industry and jobs.

10. The City should pay the full 28.88% to the Fire and Police pension fund.  In the past 4 years, the City failed to pay $10,000,000.

11.  Ask employees for suggestions.  They know best where waste and inefficiencies in our City exist.

My thoughts:  There’s a lot of talk, a lot of the same gripes about the city we’ve heard before, but no real practical plan to fix the problem.  But I’ll give Carl this…he doesn’t hide his biases and pretend his criticism of others is from a pure, impartial motive (like, say, someone who claims to be an unbiased reporter.)  You always know where Carl is coming from on these issues.  Too bad he didn’t run for Council because it would have made the debates really interesting.