Kirkwood City Council Meeting Minutes 
Via Zoom
Thursday, September 2, 2021, 7:00 p.m.

Pursuant to notice of meeting duly given by the Mayor, the City Council convened on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Virtual meeting.  Present were Mayor Griffin, Council Member Duwe, Gibbons, Sears, Ward, Wurtz, and Zimmer. Also in attendance were Chief Administrative Officer Russell Hawes, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer David Weidler, Deputy City Clerk Kim Sansegraw, Planning and Development Services Director Jonathan Raiche, City Planner II Amy Lowry, Communications Manager Freddy Doss, and City Attorney John Hessel.  City Clerk Laurie Asche was absent and excused.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY
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. Therefore, members of the City Council have elected to participate in this meeting electronically for the public health and safety of each other and the general public.  

INTRODUCTIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
NONE

PRESENTATIONS

1.	Jack Lane, Executive Producer of STAGES – St. Louis presented information for The Karate Kid Pre-Broadway World Premiere in Kirkwood. STAGES – St. Louis and Kirkwood Performing Arts Center was chosen to host the musical prior to opening on Broadway in 2023. 
2.	The Greentree Festival Committee presented information regarding the 2021 Greentree Festival.  The theme will be “The Great Outdoors”.  The festival will take place from Friday, September 17th through Sunday, September 19th.   

PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE

PUBLIC COMMENTS

1.	Jen Alexander-Brett, spoke regarding Bill 10894.
2.	Keith Kramer, real estate consultant for Harmony Homes, spoke regarding Bill 10894.

3.	Ellen Wentz, 544 Pamela Lane, spoke in support of Bill 10891 and the R-MM zoning code.
4.	Bruce Dell, 520 Taylor Young Drive, spoke regarding Bill 10894.
5.	Evelyn Sims, attorney on behalf of Harmony Homes property owner, urges City Council to approve the Harmony Homes proposal.
6.	Barb Theerman, 507 Taylor Young Drive, spoke regarding Bill 10894.
7.	David Anderson, 521 Taylor Young Drive, spoke regarding Bill 10894.

CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by Council Member Zimmer and seconded by Council Member Gibbons to approve the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda was unanimously approved.

a)	Approval of the August 19, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes
b)	Resolution 86-2021, appointing members to the Youth Advisory Commission for terms to June 2024
c)	Resolution 87-2021, accepting the bid of Joe Machens Ford  (pursuant to State of Missouri Cooperative Contract) for the purchase of a 2022 Ford Transit Connect for the Parks & Recreation Department and authorizing and directing the Director of Procurement to issue a Purchase Order ($26,916)
d)	Resolution 88-2021, accepting the bid of Surdex Corporation (pursuant to State of Missouri Cooperative Contract) for Aerial Mapping Products and Services for the MIS Department and authorizing and directing the Mayor to enter into a contract ($38,120)
				      
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill 10890, an ordinance amending the provisions of the Municipal Code, Chapter 25 – Zoning and Subdivision, regarding the amendment of the definition of “Catering Establishment” by adding reference to Mobil Food Trucks, Pushcarts, and Farmers’ Markets and adding this as an available accessory use for educational institutions and places of worship located in residential districts that would be “Permitted with Standards” was brought before the council. 

Roll Call:

Mayor Griffin				“Yes”	
Council Member Gibbons		“Yes”	
Council Member Sears		“Yes”	
Council Member Duwe		“Yes”
Council Member Zimmer		“Yes”
Council Member Ward		“Yes”
Council Member Wurtz		“Yes”

NEW BUSINESS
Bill 10891, an ordinance changing the zoning from R-4 Single-Family Residential District to R-MM Missing Middle Residential District on property known as 250 Commerce Avenue being an approximately 0.58 acre site on the south side of Commerce Avenue and directing such change in the Zoning District Map was brought before the council. Motion was made by Council Member Ward and seconded by Council Member Sears to accept the bill for first reading approval.  A discussion was held.

The bill failed with a vote of 1-6, with Council Members Gibbons, Sears, Duwe, Zimmer, Ward and Mayor Griffin opposed.  

Bill 10892, an ordinance fixing and establishing the rate of taxation to be levied upon all real estate and certain tangible personal property in the City of Kirkwood, County of St. Louis, State of Missouri, for the year 2021, for the maintenance of the Kirkwood public parks; for the Police and Firemen’s Pension Fund; for general government services and for businesses in the Special Business District was brought before the council. Motion was made by Council Member Duwe and seconded by Council Member Sears to accept the bill for first reading approval. 

The bill received first reading approval and was held over.

Bill 10893, an ordinance fixing and establishing the rate of taxation to be levied upon all real estate and certain tangible personal property in the City of Kirkwood, County of St. Louis, State of Missouri, for the year 2021, for the operation and maintenance of the Municipal Library District of Kirkwood was brought before the council. Motion was made by Council Member Zimmer and seconded by Council Member Sears to accept the bill for first reading approval. 

The bill received first reading approval and was held over.

Bill 10894, an ordinance granting a Special Use Permit and Site Plan approval for a nursing home at 600 North Ballas Road subject to certain conditions was brought before the council. Motion was made by Council Member Sears and seconded by Council Member Duwe to accept the bill for first reading approval. A discussion was held.

The bill failed with a vote of 0-7.  

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
NONE

   CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
	Council Member Sears stated he appreciates all of the comments received that were made on both sides of the issues. He also stated an article in Webster-Kirkwood Times regarding the tax rate ordinances indicated it would be a large tax increase, which is not the case.
	Council Member Ward mentioned Council should have a more transparent relationship with the residents. He also reported the Big Boy train visit was a great event for the City.
	Council Member Wurtz encouraged residents to serve on a board or commission in the City.
	Council Member Gibbons mentioned Council doesn’t always listen to the residents.
	Mayor Griffin stated the decisions he makes are based on what is right for the City of Kirkwood and he appreciates all of the information given to Council to make those decisions. 
	Council Member Zimmer feels City Council does listen to the residents and bases his decisions on what is best for the City. He also encourages residents to serve on a board or commission in the City. 
Council Member Zimmer also reported he recorded a video of the Big Boy train and it is available online. He also reminded everyone that September 2, 1945, was the end of World War II and it is important that we still believe in liberty and freedom.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
NONE

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
NONE

       CITY CLERK REPORT
	There are no public hearings to report.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.  The next regular council meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. 

_____________________________________
Laurie Asche
City Clerk
Approved:  September 16, 2021