Action - Independence City Council

The Independence City Council meets regularly the first and third Mondays of the month, with study sessions on the second and fourth Mondays. The council met Monday, Oct. 6, 2008. Mayor Don Reimal and Council Member Lucy Young were absent. All votes were 5-0 unless otherwise stated. All dollar figures have been rounded off.       

Opening action
The council:

• Proclaimed Oct. 5-11, 2008 as National Fire Prevention Week in Independence.

Consent agenda
The council approves items in the consent agenda, including reports and resolutions, with one motion and vote. The council:

• Approved the application of M & I Enterprises, Inc., to transfer the existing malt liquor and light wine license and Sunday sales license for 24 Highway Thriftway, at 1000 West U.S. 24 to them as the new owner.
• Approved a purchase order to Analytical Solutions & Providers, LLC, in the amount of $74,975, for an Agilent 7890 Network GC System, for the Police Department Crime Lab.

Resolutions

• Approved endorsing and supporting the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation 2009 Annual Conference.
• Appointed Fred Heinzle and James M. Farrow as regular members and Jack J. Layman as alternate member to the Board of Adjustment.
• Appointed Allen Troutwine as master plumber member and Matt Hendrix as journeyman plumber member to the Board of Plumbing Examiners.
• Adopted the amended operating guidelines of the Independence Tourism Advisory Board.

   
Ordinances

• Amended section 2 of ordinance No. 16373 to allow for revision of one legal description relating to the Round Grove – 35th Terrace to Home sanitary and storm sewer improvements .
• Approved changing the zoning classification for the property located north of West Maple Avenue, south of Truman Road, east of North Union Street and west of North Pleasant.
• Approved changing the zoning classification for the property located north of East Nettleton Avenue and east of North Dodgion Avenue.
• Approved changing the zoning classification for the property located north of Hub Drive South, south of Gudgell Road and west of Missouri 291.
• Approved an agreement with the Missouri Division of Family Services for participation in the low-income home energy assistance program during the fiscal year 2008-09.
• Approved a contract with House and Renner Construction, Inc., for $205,500 for the remodeling of Fire Stations No. 6, 8, 9 and 10.
• Approved amending sections 1.40.001, 1.40.002 and 1.40.004 of article 40 of Chapter 1 of the City Code to clarify membership, required quorum, and responsibilities of the Tourism Advisory Board.
• Approved a contract with Broadway Electrical Construction Inc. to provide and install the transformer addition at the Courtney Bend Water Plant for $230,878.
• Approved a contract with The Wilson Group for renovations to the public restrooms in the Power & Light Service Center for an amount not to exceed $46,580.
• Approved rezoning 30 +/- acres of land and a master sign plan for the property generally located south of East 39th Street, east of Missouri 291 and north of Interstate 70.
• Approved four individual Missouri Homeless Challenge Program amendment No. 3 contract agreements for 2008/2009 with the Missouri Department of Social Services totaling $33,836.
• Approved the second amendment to the recovery sales tax increment financing plan and amending the redevelopment agreement with Recovery Management Corporation for the project.

   
First readings
Ordinances require two readings before the council passes them. The following ordinances have been read once and will be on the Oct. 20, 2008, agenda for a vote.   

• An ordinance to sign a contract with Akins Excavating for the 1400 Block of Crane Storm Sewer project for an amount not to exceed $189,687.
• An ordinance to execute a contract with the firm of Vanum Construction Co., Inc. for the Fire Training Center for the sum of $1,662,675.
• An ordinance authorizing the execution of a service agreement with Southwestern Public Service Company providing for the short-term purchase of capacity and/or energy pursuant to the rates, terms, and conditions of Southwestern Public Service Company’s cost-based electric tariff.
• An ordinance amending the plan language for the city of Independence’s flexible benefits plan document to increase the maximum amount allowed for the health care reimbursement program to $7,500 per coverage period instead of $5,000.
• An ordinance to amend the plan language and schedule of benefits for the city’s stay well plan, a self-funded health care plan for eligible city employees, dependents and retirees.
• An ordinance finding, determining and declaring the necessity of acquiring general utility easements and temporary construction and grading easements for the Norfleet to Willis storm drainage improvements project.
• An ordinance accepting funds from the Roger J. Dewitt Trust Fund in the amount of $446,714 for improvements at the George Owens Nature Center.
• An ordinance to vacate a portion of one sanitary sewer easement located north of 39th Street and east of R.D. Mize Road.
• An ordinance authorizing the development of the commercial reinvestment program as an incentive for redeveloping older commercial properties within the city.

Emergency ordinances
The council can read emergency ordinances twice and pass them in one meeting with five votes. The council approved:

• The final tract of Eastland Business Center North
• A contract amendment with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to increase financial assistance through the Maternal Child Health Services grant for the period of Oct. 1, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2009, in the amount of $44,659.

Information only

• The council adjourned the meeting until Oct. 13, 2008.

   
Citizen requests   

• John Epper spoke to Council about the Enchanted Forest and invited the council to attend.

– Toriano Porter