The Carl Junction City Council met in regular session on Tuesday January 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM at City Hall. Mayor Mike Moss called the meeting to order with the following present: Richard Zaccardelli, Don Marshall, Carl Skaggs, Mark Powers, Pat Smith, Dee Lynn Davey, Walter Hayes and Wayne Smith. Also present were City Administrator Steve Lawver, City Clerk Maribeth Matney and City Attorney Mike Talley.

AGENDA

Pat Smith motioned to approve the agenda. Carl Skaggs seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Richard Zaccardelli motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Carl Skaggs seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Pat Smith motioned to approve the disbursements. Dee Lynn Davey seconded. All in favor. No opposed.

PUBLIC FORUM

Mayor Moss then opened up the public forum but before he allowed anyone to speak he read the fact sheet regarding the Briarbrook Golf Course and Country Club.

Steve Daniels, 203 Timber Lane addressed the council about the community center. He is from the Labor Union #319 in Joplin. He stated that the low bid is not always the best value for your money. He said that the City has only one shot at this and it could be the City’s crown jewel. He said that the low bidder a lot of times cuts corners and takes safety risks. He asked the council to consider a contractor that hires local workers when working on the projects. People who live in town put their money back into the town. Workers out of town spend their money in their community.

Steve Frederickson, 905 E Pennell, then stated that we have kids walking down Pennell with no shoulders or sidewalks. We have an inadequate sewer system and now we are discussing Briarbrook. He feels that the council needs to have their priorities in order. He understands about Briarbrook but there are many other projects that are needed in the City. We can’t buy up businesses in town. He asked when is it enough. He said that we need to put these things out in the open and talk in the open public meetings. He asked if we had done a feasibility study. He also asked how the City plans on making it profitable. He said we need to consider that before we go into closed session.

Carol Daily, 403 Joplin Street, agreed that there will not be enough to support it. If it could be run at a profit the old owners would have done that. She also asked about a bar owned by Carl Junction. If someone gets drunk who would be liable. She also said that it would benefit a neighborhood but not the community as a whole.

Mary Schillaci, 706 Springhill, spoke regarding the Briarbrook golf course and the Lakeside 9 ballot issue. She read a letter she had prepared. She talked to the Mayor last week about getting on the agenda and he said that she could speak at the public forum. She said that they had stated at a meeting with Toby Teeter and several members of Briarbrook that they would get it on the 2009 ballot instead of the 2008 ballot because they could get it passed on that ballot because no one votes in April. The council needs to make sure that the majority of citizens want it first. She also asked what the plans were for Lakeside 9. She said that the last 3 owners did not show a profit. She also said that Joplin subsidizes Schifferdecker each year. She then talked some about the Neosho and Carthage’s golf courses also.

Don Haddix, 302 Lakeview, is for the city golf course but questions the electrical concerns and if the city could afford to maintain it.

Tracie Skaggs, 601 Cornell, stated she live in Ward II and lives on the North side of town. She stated that she is confident that the staff and council will look into the matter and give it to the people to decide. Part of the bond issue is to upgrade the club house. She is proud of the information that the City puts out on their bond issues so that the voters can decide. She said that we should give it to the people to decide this issue.

Karen Rutledge, 702 Springhill, said that he has lived here 3/1/2 years. He moved here so that he could play golf and be a part of a good community. He said he thought it would be good for the community if we go through with it. He said it would affect the value of property and the quality of life. He would be concerned if we don’t buy it. He feels it is important.

Linda Teeter, 122 Foursome Lane, said she has no agenda. She is a community person and was behind the tornado sirens in the town. We have a great school system and this is all about community. She said it has always been open to the public, you pay to play, just like the “Y”. It is not a country club. It is a plaid shirt and denim jean course. It is part of the City; we all are part of the city. It is a valuable asset to the City. It is a great community recreational facility.

June Chenot, 128 Forest Dr, stated that she is a volunteer for the city over the past years. She has concerns about the P&Z Commission. She quoted sections of the code that states land purchase has to go before the P&Z Commission. She also said that our comprehensive plan is supposed to be updated every year but it hasn’t been. She asked when it is going to go before the P&Z.

Joyce Dunn, 1207 Scott Drive, Ward I, asked that the council listen to all of its residents. She asked that we do our due diligence. She agreed that Briarbrook is part of Carl Junction; she just asked that we be diligent in what we do.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF BIDS ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER

The council then reviewed the bid sheet on the community center. Kristie Beattie, SAPP Design, addressed the council. She said that there was $10327 between the lowest bidder and the next bidder. They were very happy with the bids. The apparent low bidder is Larry Snyder Construction at $3,839,173. That includes all 4 alternates but leaves out Alternate 5 regarding the ceiling. Kristie then went over the bid process for the council. We had 8 bidders on bid day. They were all very completive bids. The bids came in very close. Larry Snyder appears to be qualified to perform the work. They reviewed his qualification statements and some additional documentation. Pat Smith motioned to approve the bid from Larry Snyder Construction. Dee Lynn Davey seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Mike Talley will prepare an ordinance for the next meeting.

CLOSED SESSION PER 610.021(2): (REAL ESTATE)

Mayor Moss then asked that this item be struck from the agenda. Carl Skaggs motioned to strike the closed session from the agenda. Pat Smith seconded. All in favor. No opposed.

CONSIDERATION OF THE COUNCIL TO PUT A BOND ISSUE ON THE APRIL BALLOT

Steve Lawver then handed out some information to the council. He stated he tried to answer all the questions that the council had asked him. The figure is an amount that Mr. Hayes and Steve had reached that they had been unable to reach prior to the November ballot dead line. See attached information. The information addressed tax levy history, debt levy history, growth rate, number of water meters in each ward, property values in Briarbrook and other areas, projected reduction in revenues and how much is left in our mill rate. He estimates that the increase in tax levy would be 15 ½ cents. For a house valued at $100,000 the increase would be $29.40/year. He also included a 2 year budget of projected revenues and expenses. He then went over how he came up with the budget numbers. It includes 175 family passes and 25 unlimited single person passes. It includes 6 employee’s (manager and green staff). He shows an increase in 2010 because he anticipates the manager marketing the golf course. He also attached information establishing a Golf Board similar to the Senior Citizen Advisory Board we created when we took over the Senior Citizen building. He also stated that Mike Talley did a good job protecting the City in the option to purchase and the contract for the golf course. The sale price would be $1,950,000 and a gift tax letter for $640,000. Also attached is the 8 page legal description of the property. Steve stated that Mr. Hayes appraisal had a value of $2,590,000. Steve also stated that this is not an easy decision and should not be taken lightly. It affects all our residents whether they are here or not. He firmly believes that the decision needs to go to the people and they need to decide. There was some discussion about the items prepared for the meeting. Steve did say if this fails the owner plans on closing it down. There was also discussion about the owners doing the repairs. Steve said that the estimate was $75/square foot for us to renovate. He has allowed $510,000 for renovations. There was discussion that they thought the owner was going to do the repairs and we would pay a little more. Steve reported that the owners preferred this plan instead. Steve said that Mr. Hayes appraisal was done in September 2007. Pat Smith asked who would manage it and how we planned on coming out ahead. There was a lot of discussion about the surrounding community’s golf courses and if they make money on them. There was a lot of discussion also about the budget. Mark Powers pointed out that Briarbrook is a different course then Schifferdecker, Carthage or Neosho. It should be compared more to Twin Hills golf course. He said that we should let the people decide and did not see what the problem was with that.

Brent Lauber the manager said that the current owner has let the membership run down. There were as many as 500-600 members at one time. If the city gets the golf course part of the managers job is to market it. It is hard to get people interested in the club house when it is so run down. The golf course is in good shape and has a good reputation. The green fees are reasonable and it would market well. It should be run as a business under the Parks and Recreation department. Mary Schillacci then stated that Schifferdecker has cut into the Joplin budget by $109,000 for the last 3 years. She said that there is a lot of research that needs to be done before we go forward. Toby Teeter said that he has talked to Ray Schmidt and Chad Huffman and it would be different for the City since they wouldn’t have to pay taxes. Linda Teeter said that there are a lot of out of town golfers here for golf tournaments that state this is a really good course. It also has the capacity of having banquet facilities. June Chenot suggested that 150 members of Briarbrook get together and form an LLC and fund the golf course as a private course and not make the tax payers foot the bill.

Pat Smith then asked how many employees’s it would take to run it. It was responded that we figured 6 in the budget. She asked who they would work under. Steve said that they would be City employees and they would cross train in other areas also. Some of the employee’s would be seasonal. Brent Lawber said that they had 3 employees last year running the course. She said that she heard from a lot of people from all wards. Steve asked the council to be careful of denying the people the right to vote. The ordinance only gives the people the right to vote on this issue. Don Marshall said he thinks the people should make the decision. Richard Zaccardelli motioned to have an ordinance drawn up to put this issue on the April 2009 ballot. Mark Powers seconded. Mike Talley stated that we need to consult with bond counsel but this will get the ball rolling. There is still a lot of work to do. 7 (Zaccardelli, Marshall, Skaggs, Powers, Davey, Hayes, W Smith) in favor. 1 (P Smith) opposed. Mike Talley said that this will come before the P&Z 1/12/09.

The council took a short break at 8:40 PM.

REPORTS

The council reviewed the Administration report. Pat asked about the building at 301 N Main Street. She thought that we were going to tear it down. Mark Powers said we needed it for the road work we wanted to do. Wayne agreed that if we dress it up it will not be an issue. Steve said that the Police Department has no storage and they really need it. Delmar stated that they have stuff stacked everywhere. We also will do some landscaping.

Public Works report – Jimmy also reported that we have a leak in the down pipe at #7 tower. They are hoping that we can fix it ourselves. We also are doing a leaf list instead of pulling the leaf vac through town every day. Jimmy said the pick up is light now. Jimmy has called Gene McMeen about the lights at Country Club Park. We have having some vandalism in all the parks. Delmar said they caught the ones at Frank Dean.

Police Department report – Delmar reported that we had 181 kids at Shop with a Cop this year. Last year we had 125.

Court – there was nothing to add.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The Nuisance Committee reported that they met tonight about the lighting proposal. After some discussion they decided there was not enough need to add it to our codes. We can address it later if it becomes a problem.

The Public Facilities Committee had nothing to report.

The Park/Pool said that that they need to call a meeting to look over the rest of the flag proposals. After some discussion it was decided that they would meet on 1/9/09 at 4:30 PM.

The Code Review Committee had nothing to report. Steve asked Walter if he had received his e-mail about updating our procurement policies. Walter said yes and that he would get the committee together to look at his suggestions.

The Budget/Finance Committee reported that they will be meeting 1/9/09 at 10:00 AM and every Friday after that until the budget draft is done.

Human Resource Committee had nothing to report. Richard said that his recommendations are ready for Mike Talley to prepare an ordinance on for the next meeting. We are still working on the health insurance portion of it.

The Citizen’s for Better Life reported that the Area Agency of Aging had hired a new director for them.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Pat Smith said she had received a letter from Washington DC regarding the veteran’s names she had requested. It will cost $75 for 100 pages of names. It will cover from the Civil War to present.

NEW BUSINESS

Wayne Smith said that he would like to try to get our agenda out to our residents somehow. He discussed it with the office staff on how to do that. He would like to try to put our agenda in the paper for a 2 month trial period to see how people respond to it. He thinks the people should have a voice but if they don’t know what is on the agenda they don’t attend our meetings.

Don Marshall asked if there was a time limit on building permits. The fence at Scott and Arlington has been ongoing for quite some time. They need to get it done. The office staff said they would check to see when the permit was issued.

Chief Haase said he would be out of town next week for training in Washington DC.

ADJOURNMENT

Carl Skaggs motioned to adjourn the meeting. Don Marshall seconded. All in favor. No opposed. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.

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CITY CLERK                             MAYOR