Kirkwood City Council
via Zoom Virtual Meeting
Thursday, April 2, 2020, 7:00 p.m.

Pursuant to notice of meeting duly given by the Mayor, the City Council convened on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Virtual Meeting.  Present were Mayor Griffin, Council Members Duwe, Edman, Luetzow, Ward, Wurtz, and Zimmer. Also in attendance were Chief Administrative Officer Russell Hawes, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Georgia Ragland, City Clerk Laurie Asche, Public Information Officer Freddy Doss, City Planner Jonathan Raiche, City Engineer Chris Krueger, Director of Public Services Bill Bensing, and City Attorney John Hessel.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY
  AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

City Attorney John Hessel stated for the record that under Section 610.015 of the Mo. Sunshine Law provides that members of the City Council who are not physically in the Council Chambers can participate and vote on all matters when an emergency exists and the nature of the emergency is stated in the minutes.

So, let the minutes reflect that the U.S., and the world, is in a state of emergency due to the Coronavirus—Covid 19--. The Missouri Governor and the County Executive directed all citizens to limit meetings and gatherings to a few people to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus. Therefore, members of the City Council have elected to participate in this meeting electronically so that we are compliance with such Orders and for the public health and safety of each other and the general public.  

Chief Administrative Officer Russell Hawes gave an update on City operations due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Shelter in Place Orders. NIMS has been instituted for a response to the COVID-19 threat.  Administration has been working to interpret the Federal law regarding the Shelter in Place Order.

Municipal Government operations are considered “essential” functions.  Administration has been working with departments on Continuity of Service Plans for each department in order to minimize the number of employees in City buildings, but also continuing to provide City services.  The Community Center and Train Station have been closed to the public.  Those taking the train can still board and get off of the train, but cannot enter the Train Station.  

All City buildings are being disinfected routinely.  Administration is working towards holding virtual meetings to limit exposure.  Outside travel and meetings for City business has been discontinued.  Administration is looking into instituting a directive to employees regarding travel to any of the “hotspot” states, which would require a 14-day quarantine if traveled to, as set forth by the St. Louis County Health Department.  

INTRODUCTIONS AND RECOGNITIONS 
						NONE

PRESENTATIONS
						NONE

PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mayor Griffin recessed the meeting for the purpose of conducting a public hearing regarding a request for a vacation of a 15’ wide right-of-way on a tract of land being part of Section A of Lockwood Gardens, recorded in Plat Book 28, Page 16, located in the City of Kirkwood, St. Louis County, Missouri.  Mr. Hessel entered the following exhibits into record: an Affidavit of Publication in the Legal Ledger on March 17, 2020, as Exhibit 1; St. Louis Countian on March 17, 2020, as Exhibit 2; an Affidavit of Publication in the Webster Kirkwood Times on February 20, 2020, as Exhibit 3; an aerial view map showing the subject property and the properties that were notified of the hearing, as Exhibit 4; a list of property owners who were sent notice of the public hearing, as Exhibit 5; and the Kirkwood Code of Ordinances as Exhibit 6. 

City Engineer Chris Krueger presented the matter to the council:
•	The property owns at 315 Parkwood Avenue wish to vacate the existing 15’ right-of-way in order to obtain additional square footage on the lot to meet Floor Area Ratio for an addition to their home.  
•	The property owners have obtained a letter of approval to vacate the right-of-way from Laclede Gas Company, AT&T Missouri, Missouri American Water, Ameren Missouri, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Charter Communications, Kirkwood Water Department, and Kirkwood Electric Department.
•	A discussion took place.  

The bill will be placed on the April 16, 2020 agenda for first reading consideration.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
					NONE

CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Council Member Duwe and seconded by Council Member Zimmer to approve the Consent Agenda.  Council Member Luetzow stated for the record that during March 19, 2020 Council Meeting, under City Council Reports she stated that the April 7th election was postponed until June 7th.  It was requested that items (c) and (e) be pulled and placed at the end of the agenda for further discussion.  The Consent Agenda with items (c) and (e) removed was unanimously approved.

a)	Approval of the March 19, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes
b)	Resolution 37-2020, transferring funds from the Landfill Disposal Fees 

	Account to the Health Insurance Account for the Sanitation Department 
	($18,560)
c)	Resolution 38-2020, transferring funds from the Salary Full-Time Account to
	the Other Professional Services Account for the Water Department 
	($16,500) *Removed and placed at the end of the agenda
d)	Resolution 39-2020, transferring funds from the Rolling Stock Account, 
	Project #WA2006, to the Fleet Services Account ($11,914)
e)	Resolution 40-2020, accepting the bid of Bobcat of St. Louis (pursuant to 
	State of Missouri Cooperative Contract) for the purchase of a S650 Skid 
	Steer Loader for the Street Department and authorizing and directing the 
	Director of Purchasing to issue a Purchase Order ($38,007.88) *Removed 
	and placed at the end of the agenda

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
						NONE

NEW BUSINESS
Bill 10823, granting a Special Use Permit for outdoor use in conjunction with a Permitted Use at 10233 Manchester Road, subject to certain conditions, was brought before the council.  Motion was made by Council Member Wurtz and seconded by Council Member Duwe to accept the bill for first reading approval.  

The bill received first reading approval and was held over.

Bill 10824, granting a Special Use Permit for a physical fitness facility with outdoor use at 10461 Manchester Road, subject to certain conditions, was brought before the council.  Motion was made by Council Member Zimmer and seconded by Council Member Ward to accept the bill for first reading approval.  A discussion took place.

Motion was made by Council Member Duwe and seconded by Council Member Edman to amend the bill by amending Section 1, Subsection 2, to add after the word “music” the following language, “or engage in activities that are disturbing to adjoining property owners”.  The motion to amend passed with Council Members Duwe, Luetzow, Zimmer, and Mayor Griffin in favor.  Council Members Edman, Ward, and Wurtz were opposed.

Motion was made by Council Member Ward and seconded by Council Member Edman to waive Robert’s Rule of Order to allow the petitioner to address the council.  The motion was unanimously approved.  A discussion took place. 

The amended bill received first reading approval and was held over.

Bill 10825, granting a Special Use Permit for a restaurant with drive-through at 10463 Manchester Road, subject to certain conditions, was brought before the council.  

Motion was made by Council Member Ward and seconded by Council Member Duwe to accept the bill for first reading approval.  

The bill received first reading approval and was held over.

Bill 10826, authorizing and directing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Traffic Commission for the awarded Surface Transportation Program (STP) 5502(610) for the West Essex Reconstruction Project, was brought before the council.  Motion was made by Council Member Luetzow and seconded by Council Member Zimmer to accept the bill for first reading approval.  A discussion took place.

The bill received first reading approval and was held over.

Resolution 36-2020, authorizing the Chief Administrative Officer the authority to implement policies and guidelines for Kirkwood employees arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, was brought before the council.  Motion was made by Council Member Luetzow and seconded by Council Member Zimmer to accept the Resolution as read.  A discussion took place. 

Roll Call:

Mayor Griffin				“Yes”			
Council Member Wurtz		“Yes”	
Council Member Luetzow		“Yes”
Council Member Duwe		“Yes”
Council Member Edman		“Yes”
Council Member Zimmer		“Yes”
Council Member Ward		“Yes”

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Resolution 38-2020, transferring funds in the amount of $16,500 from the Salary Full-Time Account to the Other Professional Services Account for the Water Department, was brought before the council.  Motion was made by Council Member Luetzow and seconded by Council Member Wurtz to accept the Resolution as read.  A discussion took place. 

Roll Call:

Mayor Griffin				“Yes”			
Council Member Wurtz		“Yes”	
Council Member Luetzow		“Yes”
Council Member Duwe		“Yes”

Council Member Edman		“Yes”
Council Member Zimmer		“Yes”
Council Member Ward		“Yes”

Resolution 40-2020, accepting the bid of Bobcat of St. Louis in the amount of $38,007.88 (pursuant to State of Missouri Cooperative Contract) for the purchase of a S650 Skid Steer Loader for the Street Department and authorizing and directing the Director of Procurement to issue a Purchase Order, was brought before the council.  Motion was made by Council Member Luetzow and seconded by Council Member Zimmer to accept the Resolution as read.  A discussion took place. 

Roll Call:

Mayor Griffin				“Yes”			
Council Member Wurtz		“Yes”	
Council Member Luetzow		“Yes”
Council Member Duwe		“Yes”
Council Member Edman		“Yes”
Council Member Zimmer		“Yes”
Council Member Ward		“No”

     CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Griffin reported the following:
•	There will be a City Council work session next week to discuss the City budget.  
•	An Economic Recovery Task Force will be put together, which will include on the task force Council Member Ward, some City staff, and some business owners in Kirkwood.   

Council Member Luetzow stated that the St. Louis County Executive is putting together an Economic Recovery Task Force and questioned if Kirkwood’s would be separate. A discussion took place. 

Council Member Wurtz commended Mayor Griffin, Chief Administrative Officer Russ Hawes, and Council Member Ward on getting a task force together.

Council Member Duwe thanked Public Information Officer Freddy Doss for hosting and moderating tonight’s council meeting.

Council Member Zimmer commended Mayor Griffin on the nice letter in the Webster/Kirkwood Times.

Council Member Ward requested that a Resolution be drafted regarding financial funding from the State of Missouri and federal level.  A discussion took place.  

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
	Mr. Hawes had nothing to report.

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
	Mr. Hessel had nothing to report

                                               CITY CLERK REPORT
Ms. Asche had nothing to report.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.  The next regular council meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. 

_____________________________________
Laurie Asche, CMC/MRCC
City Clerk
Approved:  April 16, 2020